A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: What do publishers do with books that are returned by bookstores?

 


It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. 

Ever wonder what publishers do with books that are returned by bookstores? This week's blog post answers that question. Publishers often get creative with how they handle unsold bookstore returns. Here are some common strategies they might use for book returns:

Discount Sales: Offering these books at a significant discount through clearance sales, outlet stores, or discount retailers.

Bulk Sales: Selling books in bulk to schools, libraries, or non-profit organizations at a reduced cost.

Recycling: If the books are damaged or outdated, they might be recycled for their paper.

Repackaging: Creating new book sets or bundles that can be marketed differently.

Promotions and Giveaways: Using the books for promotional events or giveaways to boost brand recognition.

Foreign Markets: Selling unsold books to international markets where there might be a demand.

Donations: Donating books to charities, schools, or community programs, which can also provide tax benefits.

Remittance to Authors: Sometimes, unsold books might be returned/sold to the author at a very minimal price.

Each option has its own set of pros and cons. Publishers generally use a combination of these strategies can help mitigate losses and make the best out of surplus stock. 

Bottom line: Books get returned by bookstores. There is no way around that. However, there are a variety of ways that publishers--and authors--can make use of these returned books to good avail.

See more Publisher Conversations with Authors HERE.



 Learn more about publishing from an acquisitions editor -- how to get your book proposal accepted, why proposals are turned down/accepted, and how to find the right publisher for your book. On special sale for $5 while inventory lasts at MSI Press webstore. Also available as an e-book and an audiobook.



To purchase copies of this book at 25% discount,
use code FF25 at MSI Press webstore.



Want to read this book and not have to pay for it?
Ask your local library to purchase and shelve it.




(recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author advice, and more -- stay up to date)

Check out recent issues.

 



Follow MSI Press on Twitter, Face Book, Pinterest, Bluesky, and Instagram. 




Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? 


We help writers become award-winning published authors. One writer at a time. We are a family, not a factory. Do you have a future with us?





Turned away by other publishers because you are a first-time author and/or do not have a strong platform yet? If you have a strong manuscript, San Juan Books, our hybrid publishing division, may be able to help.





Check out information on how to submit a proposal.




Planning on self-publishing and don't know where to start? Our author au pair services will mentor you through the process.






Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book in exchange for reviewing a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com.



Want an author-signed copy of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) and concurrently send a written request to orders@msipress.com.

Julia Aziz, signing her book, Lessons of Labor, at an event at Book People in Austin, Texas.


Want to communicate with one of our authors? 

Steven Greenebaum, author of award-winning books, An Afternoon's Discussion and One Family: Indivisible, talking to a reader at Barnes & Noble in Gilroy, California.




   
MSI Press is ranked among the top publishers in California.
Check out our rankings -- and more -- HERE.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In Memoriam: Carl Don Leaver

Image
  1948-2021 It is with great sadness that MSI Press notes the death of Carl Leaver, CEO of the Press and typesetter and graphic designer par excellence . Many authors have expressed not only condolences but also a sense of legacy from covers he designed that they love.  Here is his obituary: On August 16, 2021, Carl Don Leaver of San Juan Bautista passed into eternal rest. A forester with the US Forest Service in Idaho and Montana, he turned to nature photography while working in the Bitterroot National Forest. His photographs graced national magazine covers and on a weekly basis the local paper of Hamilton, MT, the Ravalli Republican. He later worked on photography projects for the US Army (AFEES) and taught photography at the New York Institute of Technology in Amman, Jordan. His final career change led him to computer graphics and publishing as co-owner of MSI Press LLC; his many typeset books and book covers have helped MSI Press authors win a large number of awards over t...
Read more

A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Should you treat your writing as a business?

Image
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  This week we look at whether an author should set up a formal business or simply treat writing as a side gig, That, of course, depends. It depends on an author's income level, long-term goals, and risk tolerance.  Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of formalizing a writing business versus staying a sole proprietor and paying taxes on royalties. Option 1: Treat Writing as a Side Gig (No Formal Business) If you earn royalties from book sales but don’t set up a separate business entity, the IRS considers you a sole proprietor by default . You report book income on Schedule C of your personal tax return and pay self-employment tax. ✅ P...
Read more