How I sell paperback and print editions
Updated in April 2017
Though I’ve focused on ebooks, I still have print editions made of nearly all of my books. The difference is that I do it through print on demand. As an indie author/publisher, this is how I’m able to provide print editions of my books with the least amount of expense and effort.
For buyers worldwide:
CreateSpace, Amazon, Book Depository. Those who have no problem buying books online can get print editions any time through Amazon, CreateSpace, and The Book Depository. I’d recommend The Book Depository for Philippine buyers because they offer free shipping to the Philippines.
Chain and indie bookstores. Yes, it’s possible for my books to appear in brick-and-mortar bookstores anywhere in the world. I’ve signed up for a CreateSpace service called Expanded Distribution, and my titles are available to bookstores that are already using CreateSpace to purchase books. The Ripped Bodice in California has a few of my titles via Expanded Distribution.
For Philippine buyers:
Direct from me. I try to keep a few copies (not more than five) of each title in stock, for people who for one reason or another can’t find it or buy it online. (bit.ly/mvebooks)
Trusted online sellers. Bookbed is an example.
Book fairs. I’ve participated in a few reader fairs and gatherings, selling books during the event.
Independent booksellers. Like Uno Morato in Quezon City, and Mt. Cloud in Baguio City.
Chain bookstores. You can get into the large chain bookstores in the Philippines through consignment agreements or working with distributors. I don’t currently do this because working with a large bookstore will require printing hundreds if not thousands of copies per title to provide stock for each of its branches, not to mention dealing with the logistics of sending those copies over, monitoring sales, and getting back unsold copies. I’ve decided not to pursue this for now for my indie editions. But it is possible, all the channels are there if this is what you want to do.
This kind of minimum-effort print distribution system means I don’t sell thousands of copies by the way. My bookstore presence is mainly due to my Philippine publishers, Summit Books then and Anvil Publishing now. So if print distribution is something you want to do for your book, you’ll need to figure out what you want to get out of it. If you want to earn a lot, be ready to spend and work for it too.
