Bookseller’s guide to stocking self-published titles

Renée Rowland from New Zealand’s Twizel Bookshop and Timaru Booksellers has shared with other booksellers her shop’s consignment policy when dealing with self-published authors.

The document makes a list of what self-published authors who leave their books with Rowland’s shops can expect from the bookseller, as well as what is expected of the author in return.

‘We receive a high number of unsolicited self published books in the post and in both our bookshops,’ Rowland writes. ‘We’ve compiled some handy tips to help you stand out, increase your chance of having your book on our shelves, and in general make our lives easier.’

The document also includes a list of tips for authors who are thinking about marketing their titles to bookshops, including advice on quality, pricing, cover art and promotions. Authors considering approaching their local bookshop are encouraged to read this document to familiarise themselves with what may be asked of them.

Indie author at NZ crime awards

Mark Wightman’s Waking the Tiger Published by UK hybrid outfit Hobeck, was shortlisted in the Best First Novel category at the the Ngaio Marsh awards, which recognise New Zealand crime writing.

Wightman’s novel was once of five novels shortlisted in the category. Jacqueline Bublitz has won both the Best Novel and Best First Novel categories for Before You Knew My Name (A&U).

See the Books+Publishing story for more information about the Ngaio Marsh awards.

Other awards news

There’s been a string of literary award news over the last month. The winners of Australia’s two big crime writing awards, the Ned Kelly and Davitt awards, were announced, as was the shortlist for HarperCollins’ Banjo Prize for an unpublished work of commercial fiction. Overseas, the shortlist has been revealed for this year’s Booker Prize. To stay up to date with all the latest awards news, subscribe to Books+Publishing here.