Comments on: Risky Business: Indie Book Distribution

By: Darren P. Upton

Darren P. Upton — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:08:58 +0000

Thanks for the article Jim, very helpful. I’ve just self-published my first book- W.A.S.P. Sting in the Tale, a biography on the American heavy metal band, W.A.S.P., and their singer and founder, Blackie Lawless.

I’m based in the U.K and selling directly through Amazon Europe and E Bay. Fans love it because they have the option of having it autographed by me, but I want my book to reach a wider audience worldwide. It seems the only way to do this is to have a distributor. I certainly don’t like the idea of sending my books out on a sale or return basis if I dealt with book stores myself.

By: Bruce Day

Bruce Day — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:04:24 +0000

Good info. I have written and self-published three books. My latest two are: “Hey Cop” (an autobiographical novel) and “Laughing at the Law” a large collection of personal humourous stories taken from my own experience (retired cop).
It has gone well (over 3000 sold) but I have 2800 in my garage. Besides what you offered, any other suggestions? Waiting in Winnipeg, Bruce Day

By: Jim Munroe

Jim Munroe — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:14:12 +0000

Hi Oksanna — going to distributors directly, unless they’re small or speciality, is unlikely to be successful. They generally deal with publishers — it’s a easy quality filter for them, as well as some hope that there’ll be some promotional backing to move the books once they’re in the bookstore.

By: Oksanna

Oksanna — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:30:54 +0000

Hi, Thanks for this wonderful website. I’ve published a children’s book (So. You Be Keon and I’ll Be Mahovlich) through AuthorHouse/iUniverse and would love to get it into a distributor’s catalogue. How would that work exactly? Would the distributor purchase the copies from AuthorHouse? Do distributors pick up self-published book? Thanks.

By: retnadi

retnadi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:22:57 +0000

thanks for the article. now, me &my huband run an indie book publisher(halaman moeka publishing) in jakarta, indonesia. we have a deal with some distributor, 45% (ours):55%(the distributor). ur article is make us find some alternative ways to sell our books. enlightening! many thanks!

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:42:12 +0000

Excellent article, recently I heard about a website called http://www.pressmart.net which delivers the print publications through online, RSS, pod cast, etc. I think this would be useful information to all of the publishers.

By: Sarah Carter

Sarah Carter — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 03:09:59 +0000

Thanks for the info on book distribution. I really appreciate it and am glad that I got the chance to read it. We’ve been going back and forth about whether we should hook up with a distribution company or just figure out how to get a foot in the door ourselves. Your article offered a few very helpful basics as well as a couple suggestions that I’ll be looking into! I appreciate it.

By: Ben Bennett

Ben Bennett — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:15:41 +0000

We wrote the book…we published the book..our first Distributor did not work out…now we are going to distribute…like Julie Says..How does one start the process of becoming a wholesale distributor? We’re Lawyers…do not know much about this issue..looking to you for help…If you get arrested or injured..we are here for you..Ben Bennett VP Liberty Press Staff Para/Legal/Investigator for the Author/Attorney John P. Contini 954-213-4596. Thank you for your time..

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:38:36 +0000

Greetings, This article is great. I own a small bookstore that I would like to franchise and would like to be the wholesale distributor to my franchisees. How does one start the process of becoming a wholesale distributor?

By: Thomas Wurst

Thomas Wurst — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:17:41 +0000

Excellent article. Thanks for the good tips. I agree with Steam Crow Press, I too cannot afford to give up 40% of my profits from “Pearl’s Christmas Present”. Although it can sometimes be a frustrating and slow process, I know that as long as I have patience my book will get into the right hands. People who have read it love it.