Distribution

How to distribute your own self published book, or find a distributor.

Because the Australian book market is flooded with the best books published in English from around the world, Australian writers and publishers are handicapped when they try to get their books noticed by readers and booksellers.

Half the books sold in shops are imported
Half the books reviewed in newspapers are imported

That leaves Australian authors worse off than American or British authors. They get half.

Most bookshops don't want to deal directly with individual writers. They tell you to get a distributor. But a distributor will take 72-75% of the retail price of your book - and at no risk.

Think creatively

Small and medium sized magazine publishers face problems which will be familiar to self- and small- publishers. Try to reflect on the magazine environment, and apply it to small run book publishing.

"You can have the best magazine going but the public will never see it," said (Magazine) Publishers Australia executive director Chris Tchakalian at the 2006 Bell Awards. "What you will see is a crippling of the opportunities to launch new titles by the medium to small publisher." Large retailers such as Woolworths and Coles already cherrypick only the biggest sellers for their shelves. The big retailers also charged publishers to carry their magazines, sometimes as much as $70,000 a year.

Get more creative to build circulation:

increase subscription sales
place titles only in selected newsagents in demographically suitable areas instead of 'distribution by the cannon method'
find alternative sources of sales such as selling a pet magazine through pet stores.

(Story taken from The Australian, 30 November 06.)

How can a self publishing writer use this advice?

meet other self publishing authors and share mail-out costs
place your book in a bookshop close to where you live, and send people to buy your book there
approach retailers of non-book items if your book is appropriate to their stock. For example, a children's book to a children's clothing retailer; a driver's manual to a driving school.

Here's what we offer.

Choose us to print your book. Our services range from short runs starting at 50 copies, through to 1000, 2000 or more.

Our service to you includes 1 year free advertising, promotion and direct sales to readers and to booksellers, through this website. There is no extra cost.

Each time someone orders your book, you get an email message which tells you where to send the book. We transfer the money received (except for the GST component) into your bank account. We take no commission.

Bookshop sales

You may also choose to offer 'trade discounts' to booksellers. The same system applies except you nominate the discount you offer. When a bookseller registers with us, they may order your book at the 'trade' price.

When a bookshop orders your book, they will expect a "Tax Invoice". If you are not registered for GST, you can give them an "Invoice" which will not include GST. If you do not have an ABN, they could withhold 48.5% of the invoice. However, ATO provides a form which you can send with the invoice and thus avoid the deduction. Click on the link at the top of this page to get the form.