As an independent author, hearing Barnes & Noble (B&N) tell you they can’t stock your book can feel like a major setback. But don’t worry—this is a common challenge for indie authors, and it’s something we at Skinny Brown Dog Media know how to help you navigate.
In fact, it’s a misconception that print-on-demand (POD) books can’t be stocked in stores. While it can be more difficult for indie authors using POD services, it’s not impossible. The key lies in understanding the factors that drive bookstore stocking decisions and taking steps to meet their needs.
Let’s break it down.
1. Discounts and Returns: Make Your Book Appealing to Retailers
Most bookstores want a 40-55% discount on the retail price, plus the ability to return unsold copies. Many POD services, like Amazon’s KDP, don’t offer returnable options or the standard discount retailers expect. This makes your book less appealing to major retailers like Barnes & Noble.
However, if you publish through a platform like Ingram Spark, you can offer both the discount and the returns option, making your book a viable choice for retail stores. At Skinny Brown Dog Media, we help authors ensure their books meet these retailer-friendly terms, so you have a fighting chance of getting onto store shelves.
2. Quality Perception: Show Your Book is High-Quality
Some bookstores might hesitate to stock POD books because of concerns about quality. The best way to overcome this is by ensuring your book is professionally designed, well-edited, and presented like a traditionally published book.
When you work with Skinny Brown Dog Media, we ensure your book is top-notch—inside and out—so that when bookstores or potential buyers see it, they recognize its quality. Once bookstores realize that your indie-published book is just as polished as a traditionally published one, they’ll be much more open to stocking it.
3. Distribution: Ensure Your Book is Available Through Ingram
Barnes & Noble and most bookstores rely on wholesalers like Ingram to order books. If your book isn’t listed through a major distributor, it’s virtually invisible to them.
At Skinny Brown Dog Media, we partner with distributors like Ingram, which means your book will be listed in the catalogs that stores use to source their stock. This ensures that when a bookstore manager searches for your book, they can actually find it and order it.
4. Local Outreach: Start Small with Indie Stores
While it might be challenging to get your book stocked nationwide right off the bat, local indie bookstores can be more flexible. If you’re a local author, stores are often more willing to stock your book—especially if you pitch it to them in person and offer to do book signings or other events. Consignment agreements are also common, where the store stocks your book and only pays you once it sells.
Getting your book into smaller stores can build momentum, leading to larger opportunities down the road. Local outreach is often the first step in growing your presence in brick-and-mortar locations.
Why Does Barnes & Noble Say No to POD Books?
Now, let’s dive deeper into why large retailers like Barnes & Noble might initially say no to stocking your POD book, even if it’s available through Ingram.
- Reliable Availability: B&N needs to know that your book can be stocked in their warehouses and quickly shipped to stores or customers. POD books, by nature, are printed only when ordered, which can lead to delays. Having them order your book 14–21 days in advance of events can help alleviate this concern.
- Bulk Ordering: Retailers like Barnes & Noble prefer to order in bulk, stocking their warehouses with hundreds or even thousands of copies. POD systems usually don’t support this kind of bulk purchasing. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Store managers still have the power to recommend certain titles, particularly for local or regional sales.
- Returns Policy: Many POD services don’t offer a returns policy, but retailers like Barnes & Noble want the option to return unsold books. Skinny Brown Dog Media helps authors navigate this by ensuring returns are available through Ingram Spark, making your book more attractive to retailers.
How Can You Help Barnes & Noble See ROI?
Bookstores are businesses, and they need to know that stocking your book will bring a return on investment (ROI). Here’s how you can help them see the value of carrying your book:
- Marketing Plan: Show them you have a solid plan to promote your book through social media, newsletters, and events, which will drive traffic to their stores.
- Host Events: Offer to do book signings or workshops to bring people into the store. In-person engagement can increase sales and build relationships with store managers.
- Local Author Appeal: If you’re a local author, lean into that angle. Bookstores love supporting local talent, especially if you can show community interest in your book.
- Professional Presentation: Your book should look professional—inside and out. At Skinny Brown Dog Media, we take pride in helping authors produce top-tier books, from cover design to editing, so you can confidently present your work to retailers.
- Target Audience: Be clear about your target audience and show evidence that there’s demand for your book in that niche.
- Collaborate on Promotions: Work with the bookstore on joint promotions or events that can help boost sales for both your book and the store.
Final Thoughts
While getting your book into Barnes & Noble or other major retailers can be more challenging as an indie author using POD, it’s not impossible. At Skinny Brown Dog Media, we guide our authors through the steps needed to increase their chances of success, from setting up the right distribution channels to creating professional-quality books that stores want to carry.
It’s important to remember that bookstores want to see ROI, but with a solid marketing plan, professional presentation, and distribution through the right channels, you can show them that your book is worth the investment.
Ready to take your book to the next level? Let us help you achieve your author goals.
