Books that are delivered to the point of sale(s) store; Who does the actual delivery for the publisher?

Question

I'm only addressing author(s) whos books have already been published and are "ready to be delivered".

Proceedeures? In the delivery of books what happens
1st, 2nd, ...and last
when the book is put on the shelf just before the sale to the public?

How is the book delivered, handled, and "marketed" throught out the United States to get it to the right (store(s)) point of sales?.

Thanks,

Ed

Answer 1

Distributors. The two largest in the US are Baker + Taylor and Ingram. They distribute books published by Traditional Publishers. In many cases, both distributors will have the same books and a store can order from either one. In some cases, only one distributor carries the book.

They do NOT have salesmen who go around the country selling and recommending books. They simply are fulfillment houses who deliver books. When the books arrive, they have a date on the outside of the box that tells the store the date they may open the boxes and put the books out. In the case of Harry 7, the boxes were sealed with bank tape which recorded fingerprints of any employee who tried to open them early and skim off a few copies.

If you are self publishing or POD publishing, your book is not going on the shelves. If someone wants you book, it can be special ordered for them. That usually takes about 6 weeks because most self publishing and POD books aren't press printed - they are digitally printed one at a time.

With an ISBN number and two magic phone numbers I have, I can tell you sales information of any book published in the US.

They have huge book conventions and publishers distribute advance reader copies to major buyers of chains like Barnes and Noble and Borders to encourage them to buy the books. More and more, publishers are having to pay an advertising fee to bookstores to be on their shelves. For example, right now major bookstores are charging about a buck a book for books to be on those tables inside the door -- the featured tables. Most of that money comes from author's royalties. In fact, any posters you see for a book, any special materials or special placements like in the window is advertising and costs money.

Bookstores are facing higher overheads - rent, electricity etc. They have limited shelf space and they have to do their best to ensure they choose the products that will sell the most profits by selling the most. That is why they will devote more space to books like Dean Koontz than they will to poetry. Otherwise, they face running at a loss and eventually going out of business. If your book isn't selling, don't expect a bookstore to give up shelf space to you. That is the harsh cold reality.


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They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 2

Not sure how much info you need. Each publisher has a distributor like Ingram, Baker and Taylor, or a smaller independent which feeds them. Most distributors warehouse the books and fulfill orders within 24-48 hours. The store contacts their rep and can order any book in their system. Shipping is usually done via UPS or FEX ex. Stores receive mixed shipments all day, everyday. Shelf space is decided by the Purchaser for that store or the chain. A book can be sold to the store but not shelved. The customer orders through a database which represents what that store has access to via the distributor. The stores buys at a discount, as does the distributor, usually 55% off.

Answer 3

Each store orders the books they think will be good sellers. Delivery is probably the least expensive reliable carrier.

It is "Pull" marketing for the most part. That is, it is put out on display and if the public doesn't buy it, it will end up going back to the publisher as a loss.

So the whole thing is a bit risky and not as highly profitable as it once was. Most writers don't end up with much of the revenue pie.

Answer 4

I used to work for one here in the dfw area. called Anderson news they delver magazines and books to stores all over Texas and other states. some times authors would come in to or meetings sign books and talk about them self's and there work to get the delivery guys to push there books. because when it gets down to it its the guys in the field that help by puting your book on the front row of the shelves and keep them filled with your work.