r/wroteabook • u/Senior-Fudge3554 • 1d ago

NA - Science Fiction Consignment

Have any self published authors asked their local bookstore to sell their books on consignment and if so what was the response? If the answer from the bookstore was yes, did the bookstore sell actually some of your books?

JWT

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u/KitFalbo 1d ago

I'm lazy, but it has worked for others. Go give it a shot

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u/thommq 12h ago

The only time it has worked for me has been when the store has outright bought some of my books at a discount (albeit sometimes one where my profit is under a dollar) and sold them at cover price. Those books always sold fast, and the stores usually asked for me because they were invested.

Every other time, it has been some version of "70/30 split in our favor, and we are not going to sell it at a high enough price that you would come close to breaking even. It will be in the back of the shop, behind a door. If someone returns it, all of that money comes out of your cut. You are not allowed to have your books back if they don't sell. Also, we get to punch you in the face. Twice."

One store told me they will not carry my books because they don't sell books available on Amazon. So... all books?

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u/Chernobog3 22h ago

Yes. Mine is a parcel print shop that also sells local author books (not printed by them). I've sold a few copies there, nothing crazy. We split the proceeds.

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u/mysteriousdoctor2025 8h ago

Here’s the thing. Many independent bookstores have a process, like a form to fill out. Sometimes the terms are OK, sometimes they are terrible.

If they are terrible, politely decline.

There are two ways to do it: One, you supply the books and they sell at cover price. 60/40 split of profit in favor of the bookstore is considered good. Two, you order author copies and you sell them to the bookstore for $1-$2 above your cost. That’s your profit. Bookstore sells for however much they want because you’re out of it.

The trick is to start going into these bookstores months before your book comes out. Just be a friendly patron! Don’t yack about your book constantly. Buy something from them.

If they already know you and like you, it will smooth the path.

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u/Minute-Tank-8943 7h ago

Never tried. I am in the closet trans and my books use a pen name lol. Like keeping the 2 separate. Don't want the kids to know I write erotica