Well, we’re in the New Year and I was really thinking about myself and other self publishers. Although I have been picked up by a major publisher (Harlequin/Kimani Press), I still have children and poetry books with my own company, We Must X-L Publishing. Finding a distributor can be hard these days but not impossible. Please use the internet and get in contact with distributors to discuss with them person to person what their expectations are and what your expectations are.
Distributors normally get 55% for getting your books into their client’s (Book Buyers) hands. If you are paying more than this, you are getting taken for a ride. Distributors place your books in stores or in their catalog so libraries or book buyers will purchase your book. They normally pay you in 90 days. (3 months) Take this into consideration when financially planning. Book Source, A&B Distributors, Baker & Taylor, and Ingram’s are a few.
I have to admit that dealing with distributors is one of the main reasons I signed with a major publisher, because I did not want to have to continue to chase after my money. It gets old after a while. Learie Cunningham of Culture Plus still owes me about $5000.00 and went out of business. So, to say the least I’m not a happy camper with that guy and will explain it to him personally if I ever see him. (LOL)
I’m not trying to scare you, but being honest. Make sure you have a contract spelling out everything and before you send several boxes of books like I did; limit the boxes of books, until after a trial run to see how everything works out and increase the number as payments come in on time. If your books are selling like hot cakes, the distributor shouldn’t mind paying you sooner, because he wants to make the money just as bad as you do and why wait 3 months for your money when he is drawing interest on it and the books are already sold?
Build a relationship with the distributor, because in essence what you are doing is giving them a credit line with your books. YOU do need them, because they have far more reach than you do, unless you want to get in your car and do a book road show. Just be careful and do your research. Ask for a list of their clients and reach out to other authors and see what their experience has been. Remember, people are glad to tell you when they have been burned. Shoot, do the same with bookstores for that matter. I have some stores that owe me money, I know Katrina hit some bookstores, but the least they could do is call and let you know what’s going on with your books. I haven’t heard one thing from the stores that were hit and had books in some of them. They did have insurance.
The gist of this message is find creative ways of getting your books out there. If you sell them, you keep all the profits. No 55% to the Distributor or 40% to the book store, but if you can build good business partnerships do so. Emma Rodgers and the Black Images Book Bazaar was a great store. You NEVER had to worry about getting your money.
You work hard as an independent self publisher and it’s your money tied up and we just want to get our money back ON TIME! So we can eat and go to the movies too, every once in a while. So get your hustle on and move those books. Find partnerships that work for you and not against you. Happy writing! – Vincent Alexandria
Hey Vincent…great insight on this subject, Brother! The distribution game is no joke, and should be a subject that aspiring writers should learn first hand, and veteran writers should already know. I worked at Ingram's a while back and I know the system, but thanks for letting others in on how this system works!
Vincent, I'm not a self-pubbed author, but I'm so glad to see someone tackle a tangible issue for those thinking about taking that road.
Before I had my books under contract with a major publisher I thought about self-publishing. But I never found the type of info you gave – names of distributors, percentage, who is shady and who isn't.
Articles like this make BIB a valuable asset to aspiring black writers.
Thanks Vincent as one very tired self published author I was glad to get your information. I have done well going around selling my books myself and luckily I used a great printer and distributor. I like doing the "roadshow" so to speak but I'm a bit tired. Thanks for great info and insight. Much appreciated…
angelia
Hi Vincent,
Emanuel Carpenter here. We met at the Memphis Black Writers Conference. Great post. Distribution can be a tricky situation. That's why I chose Lightning Source as my printer. Because they are a subsidiary of Ingram's, Ingram's automatically becomes your wholesale distributor as well as Baker & Taylor. The Baker & Taylor relationship proved invaluable when it came to selling books to libraries because most only go through them. Libraries purchased my novel in bulk, and I never had to worry about returns. I hear RJ Communications has a similar relationship with these distributors.
THanks so much for the post. The hustle can be taxing, that is the truth. Congrats on yor book deal! Although I am proud of self publishing, I would much rather focus on writing and hand over the marketing and distribution to someone else…
Vincent this is a great post. If you're going to self-publish, you definately need to make sure you do your research.
Although I am proud of self publishing, I would much rather focus on writing and hand over the marketing and distribution to someone else…
Akai, you may be handing over the distribution in a tradtional deal, but I'm not so sure the publisher's marketing goes beyond the basics.
Right now, with my book a little over a month and a half out from R-Day, I am hustling my butt off to spread the word and make the right connections. Let's just say, it's been awhile since I got any writing done lately.
Not saying my pub isn't/doesn't do anything. Just saying there's still a whole lot left on my plate even though they're doing/done their part.
As always, pros and cons, good and bad on both sides of the river.
I don't care if you are self-published, published with a major house. or e-published, NOBODY will market for you the way you will for yourself. You have to put aside money or get a publicist to help get the word out about you and your book (Marketing).
Use your fraternaties, sororities, parents, kids, PTA, book clubs, friends, enemies, schools, colleges, barber shop, beauty shop, grocery store, Mama's brother's – uncle's – cousin (LOL), parents, pets; whatever it takes to let people know that you got a book out and you need their support.
Just make sure that you have put 100% into the product that they are buying(great edit, great story), so more people will be happy with your work and the word will get out that it's a great read.
Move them books y'all. Happy writing! Much love for the feedback. Y'all make a brother feel good. (LOL)
Vincent
Hey Vincent,
Great "inside picture" of the distribution game.