After writing and publishing a book on my own, how do I get the book stores to sell my book?

Question

Besides selling my book through an online store, on my own etc, How do I convince book stores into selling my book?

Answer 1

It really depends on how many books you want to sell. The first thing you have to do is write a good book! Then I would suggest having a professional editor (or two) comb through it, and then if you really want to sell your book, you have to get an agent. They will take care of many of the business aspects, but you still have a lot to do. You have to spread the word about your book, try to get book reviews featuring your work, organize book signings. Try to immerse yourself in some writer's network or group - many of the people there, particularly the published authors, will be helpful and throw tips at you.

To get stores to sell your book, maybe stop by and simply ask them if they will stock your book (this may be a good time to arrange a book signing) and let the manager or whatever have a free-copy of your book.

The most important thing: Do not expect to make tons of money. Unless you get a really good publisher, you'll be lucky if you make a couple thousand dollars. Making a business out of writing is a very hard endeavor - you not only have to write books, but articles and such to establish a reputation. You have to get your name out there, only then will you open the door to major success - if your writing is good enough.

Answer 2

Getting stores to carry your book is becoming more and more of a risky enterprise for both you and the bookstore.

For one thing, you're a nobody without a proven track record. If you want to be taken seriously as a self-published author, you're going to have to buckle down and start selling your heart out with both yourself and your work with unrelenting fervor.

That means, don't approach the bookstores until you have a modest sales rep--and you can prove that you can sell your book at the drop of a hat; by either a barest hint of your name or said book title.

Book stores will NOT touch anything vanity press (lulu.com, Publish America, AuthorHouse, etc...).

Second thing, is that you have to make sure that in order to the above, you're going to have to spend the time, money, and EFFORT to produce an irresistable piece of literature.

This can be *anything*, but if you have one too many errors in your book, and your book's overall quality is POOR, you're not going to get much more than a few "sympathy" buyers to purchase your copies and thus--you're not going to meet any bookstores stringent demands.

Secondly, you have to work the local scene as much as the internet. Forget national--unless you have about, oh, say...$5-$8M to spend freely on one year's worth of advertising--covering most major papers, radio spots, and some TV promos.

You'll get buried far faster than anything if you attempt such a venture.

But until you can get yourself *noticed* and have a good seller's record, you're not going to be able to convince a major chain like Waldenbooks or Borders to stock your book. (And with shelf space at such a premium these days...?)

It's best that you spend a few years promoting and advertising locally to get things started.

Answer 3

Selling a lot of copies would be a good start and have some darn good reviews. Some big book companies only carry books from certain publishers. If you self publish it's doubtful you'll get picked up by someone like barnes & noble.

Answer 4

Try to get local bookstores to include you as a local author. But my sense is that self-published books often don't have the appearance that'll sell--they look cheap and...well, self published.

Answer 5

i could tell you but you would owe me. better go reread that self publishing manual (now that was a pretty good seller, amazing how many people think they can self publish).

Answer 6

use ads.... u may use the social networking sites in the web.... talk to the local bookstore and other stores and put posters there... u can even use the newspaper...

Answer 7

The info may be on LuLu.com, I'm not sure, take a look.

Answer 8

money----

you need to hired an agent..who greases the right--people...who will puff your book....