local Author stocking requests
LOCAL AUTHOR BOOK CONSIGNMENT (Updated February 2023)
Please read this entire page before submitting your work for our shelves. We receive hundreds of submissions from self-published & small press authors but are unable to accommodate every request. We will only accept books that align with our mission statement: works promoting hateful or derogatory views toward marginalized people or intentionally spreading disinformation will not be considered. Please understand that Pocket Books prioritizes shelf space for authors from marginalized or underrepresented groups as well as authors residing in the Susquehanna Valley.
Thank you for understanding that we do not have the capacity to field phone call or in-person consignment requests. Unsolicited samples that are dropped off or mailed to us will be donated without evaluation. Follow procedure, please!
Please note:
As Amazon is a direct competitor (and, frankly, the foremost threat to the independent bookselling community), we will not carry books published via CreateSpace or any other Amazon-affiliated imprint (Lake Union Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, Montlake, Little A, Amazon Crossing, Amazon Crossing Kids, 47North, Two Lions, Amazon Original Stories, Topple Books, Amazon Publishing, Jet City Comics, Grand Harbor Press, Waterfall Press, or AmazonEncore).
We cannot sell books that are not professionally bound with the title and author clearly printed on the spine. Works must also have been professionally edited for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
Should Pocket Books agree to carry a title, we require that the Author agree to list Pocket Books as a retail location on all promotional materials, including the Author/book's website. Pocket Books may elect to repost or share promotional copy provided by the Author, but Pocket Books is not responsible for the creation of new marketing materials.
If your book has been conventionally published by a major or larger independent publisher & is readily available through standard distribution channels (i.e. Ingram):
Congrats! The quickest and easiest way to get your book on our shelves is to have your publisher contact us with information about you, your book, and why it’s a great fit for our store. We’ll work with them directly with no extra work on your part! If you feel that your publisher is unable to contact us, please send us an email to info@pocketbooksshop.com with the subject ‘Book Submission’ containing:
The Author's name, email address, and a link to the Author's website and/or social media
The title, ISBN, publisher, publication date, genre, and retail price of the book.
A brief synopsis of the book’s content & why the book is a good fit for Pocket Books and our customer base. (Be specific!)
A brief marketing plan: how will you direct readers and customers to Pocket Books?
Please CC your publisher in the email as industry standard professional courtesy.
If your book has been self-published or published with a very small press (but NOT CreateSpace or Amazon publishing/printing services):
We can consider it for consignment, assuming it meets the following criteria:
Not published or printed by Amazon or any of its divisions
Professionally edited / proofread
Professionally packaged, including the title & author’s name on the spine
Appropriate for our inventory: take a look around the shop and ensure that your book is a good fit for Pocket Books.
If you would like to submit your book for commission, please send an email to info@pocketbooksshop.com with the subject ‘Book Consignment’ and the following information:
The Author's name, email address, and a link to the Author's website and/or social media
The title, ISBN, publisher, publication date, genre, and retail price of the book.
Confirmation that the book has been professionally bound and edited.
A brief synopsis of the book’s content & why it is a good fit for Pocket Books and our customer base. (Be specific!)
A brief marketing plan: how will you direct readers and customers to Pocket Books?
If we feel that your book is a good fit for our store, we will agree to hold three (3) copies per title for an initial consignment period of 90 days. After 90 days, Pocket Books may elect to extend the consignment period for subsequent periods of 90 days or contact the Author to pick up unsold books, which must be retrieved within 14 days or considered donations.
There is a $20 stocking fee per title to have your book entered into our inventory and reviewed by Team PB (which may, in rare and special circumstances, be waived). If your book sells more than 4 copies in one year, this fee will be refunded.
Pricing for consigned books will be determined by Pocket Books based on the suggested retail price from the Author and/or publisher. Upon sale, the Author will receive 60% of proceeds, and Pocket Books will retain 40% of proceeds as sales commission. The author will receive payment at the end of the initial consignment period; if Pocket Books opts to extend the consignment period, the Author will receive payment by the end of each month, unless the total payment is less than $25, in which case the amount will rollover to the next month.
Please note that Pocket Books will work to ensure the integrity and security of all consigned books, but Pocket Books is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to books consigned.
A note on author events / book launches: Due to overwhelming demand and an increasingly full calendar, we are unable to host free author events for those without a demonstrated in-store/online sale/preorder record. Any author is able to rent our space for a book launch/talk at our standard event rate. For further details, please see our rental page; to book, contact events@pocketbooksshop.com.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for a response and note that we are unable to consider new submissions and commissions during the month of December.
Thank you!
Austin, Julie, & Jessica