A Recommended Support Organization
Expand Distribution / Establish Relationships with Wholesalers
- Get listed In Baker & Taylor’s Database (Public Library & Retail Wholesaler)
- Learn about Ingram’s Submission Guidelines (#1 Retail Wholesaler)
- Submit your title to Quality Books Inc. (Public & K-12 Library Wholesaler)
- Submit your title to Follett (Education & Public Library Wholesaler)
Get The #1 Online Retailer To Offer Your Book/Product
- Sign up for the Amazon Advantage
- See also: Making the most of Amazon
- See also: More tips for generating buzz on Amazon
- Sign up for the Amazon Marketplace
Get Major Bookstores To Offer Your Book/Product
Note: before you submit, it’s best to establish a relationship with Baker & Taylor or Ingram first.
See above for details.
- Become a Vendor of Record for Barnes & Noble
- Get your book/product in Borders
- Get your book/product in Books-A-Million
Get Independent Bookstores To Offer Your Book/Product
Be sure your title is listed in the American Booksellers Association eCommerce database. You can check by going to the ABA Shop page, enter your zip code, pick any store and search for your title. If your title doesn’t come up, email the following information to ABA, and they will add it for FREE: ISBN, Title, Author, Publisher, Pub. date, Binding type, Price, BISAC code or genre.
Miscellaneous
- Submit your book/product to Renaissance Learning (Accelerated Reader)
- Get your book reviewed by Midwest Book Review
- Make the most of Amazon Advantage
- More tips for generating buzz on Amazon
The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) is a great organization dedicated to advancing the professional interests of independent publishers. To this end, IBPA provides cooperative marketing programs, education and advocacy within the publishing industry. If you’re NOT a member of IBPA, we strongly encourage you to consider joining. To learn more about IBPA, please visit their website.
IMPORTANT NOTE! MCA Honorees are eligible for 50% off the IBPA membership rate. Click here to request the discount code.
Get Reviewed by Midwest Book Review
The Midwest Book Review (MBR) was founded in 1976 by highly respected James A. Cox, Editor-In-Chief. MBR is an online monthly publication aimed at librarians, booksellers, as well as the general reading public. Its mission is to promote literacy, library usage, and independent publishing. Click here to learn more about the organization. Sorry, galleys are not accepted at this time. This is a complimentary service.
Send 2 review copies with cover letter to:
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575
mbr@execpc.com
Please allow 14-20 weeks.
What Is Baker & Taylor?
Baker & Taylor is a leading full-line distributor of books, videos, music, games and services to libraries, retailers, and other resellers. Baker & Taylor has been in business for over 176 years and has developed long-term relationships with major suppliers, including book publishers, movie studios, and music labels, shipping more than 1 million unique ISBNs (SKUs) annually. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video, and music inventories in the United States, with approximately 385,000 titles in inventory and over 1.5 million titles available for order. Learn more about Baker & Taylor by visiting their website.
Why Should I Partner With Baker & Taylor?
The library channel is one of the most lucrative channels for book publishers and CD/DVD/game producers. Discounts are generally lower than those seen in the retail channels and returns are few and far between. Baker & Taylor is also a large supplier to the retail channel. Most acquisition librarians and retailers will not order directly from a publisher/manufacturer but rather from their distributor, wholesaler or jobber. Baker & Taylor is the leading supplier to the library channel in the US and a large supplier to the retail channel. And, unlike most major wholesalers, Baker & Taylor is happy to work with small publishers/manufacturers. To give your book/product the best possible exposure in this channel, you’ll want to establish a relationship with Baker & Taylor. While it will require a bit of paperwork and a setup fee, the process is fairly simple….please read on for more information.
What Should I Expect For Terms?
Terms vary, but for small publishers terms are generally 55% discount off list; books are 100% returnable; publisher pays inbound freight; 90 day net payment.
How Do I Get Set Up?
First, we recommend that you join IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Assn.). It’s a great organization dedicated to advancing the professional interests of independent publishers. To this end, IBPA provides cooperative marketing programs, education and advocacy within the publishing industry. IBPA members earn a $50 discount off the Baker & Taylor setup fee, and IBPA can assist you with the setup process if needed. To learn more about IBPA, please visit their website.
Then complete the Baker & Taylor setup form and fax it to the number shown at the top of the form.
TIP! Be sure your product has an ISBN number before you submit your application.
Someone from Baker & Taylor Publisher Relations will be in contact with you. Baker & Taylor will ask you to complete their Vendor Profile Questionnaire (B&T will supply this) and return it to them along with a check for the setup fee. The Standard Package is generally a good fit for most small publishers, but Baker & Taylor Publisher Relations will assist you in determining the best package for your company.
What Is Follett?
For more than 130 years, Follett has been helping to inspire and empower those who want to learn. Today, Follett generates more than $2.3 billion in annual sales by providing universities, libraries and schools and school districts with a wide range of educational tools and services that fuel the learning process and spark the imagination. In fact, through their seven business units, they touch the lives of millions of students ranging from adults taking classes on college campuses and in cyberspace to grade school children surfing the Internet in their school library. Learn more about Follett by visiting their website.
Why Should I Partner With Follett?
The educational channel is one of the most lucrative channels for book publishers and CD/DVD/game producers. Discounts are generally lower than those seen in the retail channels and returns are few and far between. Most acquisition librarians, educators and media specialists will not order directly from a publisher/manufacturer but rather from their distributor, wholesaler or jobber. Follett is a leading supplier to the educational channel in the US. And, unlike most major wholesalers, Follett is happy to work with small publishers/manufacturers. To give your book/product the best possible exposure in this channel, you’ll want to establish a relationship with Follett.
What Should I Expect For Terms?
Terms vary, but for small publishers terms are generally 50-55% discount off list; books are 100% returnable; publisher pays inbound freight; 90 day net payment.
How Do I Get Set Up?
For submission guidelines, contact:
Gail Wieczorek
Acquisitions Department
Follett Library Resources, Inc.
1340 Ridgeview Drive
McHenry, IL 60050-7048
815-759-1700 x3363
815-759-9831 fax
Gail.Wieczorek@flr.follett.com
TIP! Be sure your product has an ISBN number before you submit your product for consideration.
