A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: A Few Words about Library Sales and Exhibits at Library Conventions
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, the topic is one that was recently asked by one of our authors. She wanted to know whether her book was appropriate for a library since it was meant for parents of neurodivergent children. The short answer: yes. The longer answer:
Why Exhibit Your Book at a Library Convention?
Library conventions might not be the first venue that comes to mind when you're thinking about how to promote your book, especially if you're focused on direct sales or bookstore visibility. But don't overlook the quiet power of libraries—or the devoted readers who rely on them.
Libraries Serve Readers Who Need Your Book the Most
Not everyone who needs your book can afford to buy it. Libraries are lifelines for many readers, including those dealing with health issues, financial strain, or the isolation that comes with caregiving or disability.
One of our local libraries, which keeps all our titles on display, had a copy of one of our books on autism go missing. Eventually, they found out who had it. The woman had two autistic sons and had found the book so helpful that she just couldn’t let it go. We chose to donate a new copy. The ending? That mother has become a loyal advocate for the book.
That story underscores something many authors and publishers forget: sometimes, the most important readers aren’t the ones buying books. They’re borrowing them. And librarians are keenly aware of what their patrons want and need. If your book resonates, it will get recommended, talked about, checked out—and yes, sometimes even kept for a long while when it should have been returned.
The ROI May Not Be Immediate—But It Can Be Real
Exhibiting at a library convention is rarely about racking up big sales on the spot. Think of it as an investment in visibility. Sometimes, selling to just 30 libraries is enough to break even. But the real value often lies in the ripple effect: being discovered by influential librarians, landing on reading lists, or becoming that one book someone tells a friend to check out.
And, like most things in publishing, the outcomes aren’t always predictable.
One of our authors was invited to a local library convention and asked to bring books. But when he arrived, he was told he’d need to give them away. He couldn’t afford to do that—understandably—so he pushed back. He offered to sell them at cost. At first, there was resistance. But just as he was packing up to leave, the organizers changed their minds. He set up a table—and every book he brought sold. A fluke? Maybe. But a powerful reminder that flexibility and advocacy can turn a no into a win.
Final Thoughts
Library conventions offer more than just a sales opportunity—they offer connection. With librarians. With readers. With communities who may never see your book in a bookstore window, but who need it on a shelf nearby.
And sometimes, one borrowed book can open a door that leads to much more than just another reader—it can lead to lives changed.
Bottom line: Library conventions should be in the promotion plan of all authors.
The Tuesday talks reflect real discussions between the management of MSI Press LLC and our own authors or those would-be authors who come through our doors but don't make the cut--yet. If you have a topic that you would like addressed, leave the question in the comment section. Chances are, in our 22 years of publishing first-time and experiences authors, we have had a conversation with one of our authors that we can share with you.
See more Publisher Conversations with Authors HERE.
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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? You can! Find their contact information on our Authors' Pages.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.
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