Understanding Consignment Agreements for Self-Published Books

One common way for self-published authors to get their books into bookstores is through consignment agreements. These agreements can be beneficial for both the author and the bookstore.

How Consignment Agreements Work:

1. Provide Books on Consignment: You supply the bookstore with a certain number of books.
2. Payment Upon Sale: The bookstore pays you a percentage of the sale price for each book sold. This percentage is agreed upon in advance.
3. Unsold Books Return: Any unsold books are typically returned to you after a set period.

Benefits of Consignment:

• Risk Sharing: It reduces the financial risk for bookstores, making them more willing to stock your book.
• Increased Exposure: Your book gets shelf space, increasing its visibility to potential readers.

Consignment agreements can be a win-win situation, but it’s important to clearly understand the terms and ensure they are favorable for you as an author.