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New independent bookshop opening in Leytonstone East London
Shop is due to open in about a months time. At this point I am just looking for expressions of interest.
I would like to gather the names of those who would like to have their books displayed for sale in the shop.
There will be opportunities to do book signings at the shop.
Further details can be given upon request.
Comments
Any excuse for a splurge on books
http://allianceindependentauthors.org/?affid=2339
They have a weekly newsletter and might be able to consider a mention.
Sorry, but realistically self published authors don't make much from their books. Small print runs or POD mean they can't offer the kind of discount or percentage of sales that big publishers can.
They're also unlikely to be able/willing to spend much to have their books stocked just in the hope of making sales.
Think you should consider accepting the goodwill of authors to choose to put their works of art in your shop before you start seeking payment from anyone for the privilege of doing so. Unless, do you already have outlets in other towns, ie some sort of record of how well displays in your shops do?
I think it might be wise to think what your shop is going to give those who choose to display in your shop rather than the other way round, until you gain some sort of loyalty from buyers and the authors know it'll be worth their while putting their ware in your shop window.
But you will be in the enviable (or unenviable) position of dealing with everyone separately (this will take up a lot of admin time) so in fact the places that sell small publishers' books will be a welcome relief.
Small publishers are also expected to give huge chunks of their profit for being displayed, and they can't really afford it - and in fact indie shops in general charge even more.
If you can charge less then you stand a good chance of getting books displayed with you.
I'd also echo -review the books. Waterstones got in a self-published to extremely high standards Sci fi book in our local city. It looks wonderful but it is is dire. Badly written (falls into every single bad-writing trap imaginable on the very first page. If you don't check the books you sell are of good standard then your customer base will not grow.