How a bookshop decides what to stock

Walk into any bookshop and you are looking at thousands of decisions. Someone chose each of those books. Understanding how they chose helps if you hope to see your own book on a shelf.

The shop has limited space

Every shelf is valuable. A shop has to sell enough from each square foot to pay for rent and staff. So the question is rarely "is this a good book?" It is "will this sell here, and will it sell soon?"

What shops look at

Their own customers. A shop near a university will stock different books from one in a railway station. Owners know who comes in.

Demand. Books that are talked about, reviewed or made into films tend to find space.

The publisher or distributor. Books from established publishers come through channels that shops are used to. A single new title from an unknown author is harder, because it means extra paperwork for a small order.

Terms. Shops want a discount on the price, and often prefer to return what they cannot sell. Each deal differs.

Fit. Does the book belong with what the shop already carries? A fine book of poetry may not suit a shop focused on school textbooks.

Presentation. A professional looking cover, a clear description, a visible price and a proper barcode all matter. A book that looks homemade will get less attention.

How to approach a shop

• Go in person if you can. Visit first as a customer. See what they stock and who comes in.
• Bring a finished copy. Not a description or a file.
• Keep your pitch short. Name, title, what it is, who it is for, and why it suits the shop.
• Have the details ready. Price, ISBN, how to order, and the discount you can offer.
• Offer something easy. A few copies on consignment, so the shop pays only when books are sold, lowers their risk.
• Be patient and polite. A no does not mean the book is bad. It may be about space or timing.

Staying in touch

If a shop takes your book, check back after a few weeks. Ask how it is going. If it sells, offer more. If it does not, ask whether a different position would help, or take the copies back politely.

Helping the books sell

A shop is more likely to stock your next book if the first one moved. Tell your readers where to find it. Host a signing, or a small reading. Put up a poster. Make it easy for the staff to recommend you, by giving them a one line description they can say to customers.

Independent shops

Many independent shops love discovering local authors, and the owner may be willing to display a new book near the till. They also talk to customers, and a handselling recommendation is powerful.

Remember the shop is a business

Be reliable. Deliver on time, send correct invoices, and keep your promises. A small press or author that behaves professionally gets a second chance.