Distributors?

AnnaPappenheim · Aug 18, 2014

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good distributors.

Specifically, I'm looking for any that specialize in the historical genre (historical nonfiction and/or fiction), but any info would be much appreciated!

I'm located in the US, and any distributors along the east coast or national would be of interest.

There are several threads on distributors, though they were fairly out-dated. Hope I'm posting this in the right location!

Thanks for anyone who has any information or who can direct me to some resources

Old Hack · Aug 18, 2014

It depends what you mean by "distributor".

In the book trade, distributors work for trade publishers to get their books into bookshops and other retailers. Sales teams are involved. Publishers have to apply to get accounts with the distributors, and if they can't show good prior sales, and a strong marketing plan and a budget to match, if they're not prepared to offer discounts of 55% or more off RRP and accept returns, and if they don't hold stocks of their books (in other words, if they only use POD) the distributors won't take them on. It is pretty much the only way to get a nationwide bookshop presence for your book, which means it's going to have a significant impact on your sales if you manage it.

The sorts of distributors which represent good trade publishers are very unlikely to take on the works of a self published author, especially a self published author with no prior reputation or experience of the business. There are a few which might but be careful: you can lose a whole lot of money this way, if your book doesn't sell and you end up with a lot of shopsoiled copies returned to you.

The term "distribution" has come to mean something else as used by most self publishers. "Distribution" is used to mean not much more than "getting your book listed on Amazon [or any other online sales facility]".

This sort of distribution is relatively easy to get onto: list your book on Kindle and/or CreateSpace, add it to Smashwords, and you're almost done.

I'm not sure that there are specialist distributors in this sense of the word: if you could perhaps clarify what sort of distribution you were hoping for, we might be able to be more helpful.

AnnaPappenheim · Aug 18, 2014

Thank you for all that, Old Hack-- that was really helpful!

I mean distribution in the more traditional sense of the word.

Old Hack said:
In the book trade, distributors work for trade publishers to get their books into bookshops and other retailers. Sales teams are involved. Publishers have to apply to get accounts with the distributors, and if they can't show good prior sales, and a strong marketing plan and a budget to match, if they're not prepared to offer discounts of 55% or more off RRP and accept returns, and if they don't hold stocks of their books (in other words, if they only use POD) the distributors won't take them on. It is pretty much the only way to get a nationwide bookshop presence for your book, which means it's going to have a significant impact on your sales if you manage it.

The sorts of distributors which represent good trade publishers are very unlikely to take on the works of a self published author, especially a self published author with no prior reputation or experience of the business. There are a few which might but be careful: you can lose a whole lot of money this way, if your book doesn't sell and you end up with a lot of shopsoiled copies returned to you.

That makes sense that distributors wouldn't want to take a risk on a new, self-published author with one title. Maybe this would be more pursuable later down the line-- after either the book is out and has some sales, or the following book is out.

I did read that about returns, and how they're not packaged well. Awful! Also read about the 55% discount typically offered, and how I'd either have to have books in stock, or arrange for a wholesaler to (like Ingram).

I'll pursue it as much as plausible (due to time and money), but will keep in mind that it's not likely. It's always good to know what reality is. Also, our first book will have a very nitch market, so it already is something that's too narrow of interest for the general reader.

So much to learn!

I really appreciate the detailed and candid advice, thank you again!

Distributors?

AnnaPappenheim

"Quod me alit, me extinguit."

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

AnnaPappenheim

"Quod me alit, me extinguit."