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Book Distribution
Working with a book distributor gives you the advantage of having your title accessible to multiple stores across the country, which is critical if you are serious about selling copies of your book. Why? Channel distribution enables your book to be ordered by thousands of retailers around the world, such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, and many other retailers. Plus, all books published with iUniverse are available for sale worldwide in our online bookstore. Our international print network also speeds delivery of your book for orders outside the United States. This allows you to reach a wide audience and compete in the book marketplace.
In addition to availability through the iUniverse online bookstore, books are distributed through the two leading book wholesalers in the United States: Ingram and Baker & Taylor. If your publishing goals include more than giving away copies of your book to friends and family, book distribution is essential. Although it may sometimes be possible to sell directly to bookstores, most booksellers prefer dealing with a few wholesalers and distributors rather than entering into transactions with individual authors.
What is Ingram?
Ingram Book Company is the largest book wholesale distributor in the world, offering immediate access to more than 2 million titles. Ingram is the preferred wholesale provider for more than 71,000 retail and library customers globally. Ingram has policies that restrict with whom they do business, such as working only with publishers with more than 200 titles. So, by publishing with iUniverse, you gain access into exclusive relationships with this elite book distributor.
What is Baker & Taylor?
Baker & Taylor is a leading distributor of books, videos and music products to libraries, institutions and retailers. Baker & Taylor has more than 44,000 customers in more than 120 countries and ships more than 1 million products annually.
Why is book distribution important to help you sell your book?
If you want to sell your book through a retailer, you’ll need a distributor. Most retailers prefer to order only from a distributor because it’s easier to pay one vendor than keep track of invoices for 50 individual authors. In the case of larger chains, there are policies in place that enforce the use of a distributor. Distributors have an advantage because they carry a number of titles from a number of different publishers, so booksellers can order from one source, rather than multiple sources.
