Encourage booksellers to stock your book by allowing them to return unsold titles. The Bookseller's Return Program increases your chances that a bookstore will be willing to stock your book. If a book does not sell well, bookstores want the ability to return unsold books to publishers for a complete refund. Because traditional publishers always take returns, AuthorHouse has developed the Booksellers Return Program so that bookstores are able to return unsold books to the wholesaler. The best part is, AuthorHouse authors receive their retail royalty for every book sold in the Booksellers Return Program, whether the book is returned or not. When a book is returnable, the bookstore has no risk of losing money on unsold inventory and will be more likely to stock the book than if you don’t enroll in the program.
Benefits of Booksellers Return Program
- Encourages bookstores to order your book
- Improves chances of scheduling book signings and appearances, especially with hometown bookstores
- Allows book returns yet will not reduce author royalties
What You Need to Know
Maximize your chance of success in Bookstores. The cost for this service is $699.00. To learn more or to order this service, please call 888.519.5121. We'll guide you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bookseller's Return Program do for me?
The Bookseller’s Return Program makes it much more likely that a bookstore will be willing to stock your book. If a book does not sell well, bookstores want the ability to return unsold books to publishers for a complete refund. Because traditional publishers always take returns, AuthorHouse has developed the Bookseller's Return Program so that bookstores are able to return unsold books to the wholesaler for a refund. The best part is, AuthorHouse authors receive their retail royalty for every book sold in the Booksellers Return Program, whether the book is returned or not. When a book is returnable, the bookstore has no risk of losing money on unsold inventory and will be far more likely to stock the book.
Can I buy more than a year of Returnability?
A one-year renewal agreement is available for purchase at the same time or just prior to the expiration of this agreement. Authors who purchase a one-year agreement will be notified 60 to 90 days before the expiration date.
How do the bookstores know where to return the books?
The return process is the same as it is with traditional publishers: booksellers return books to the wholesaler from whom they made the purchase. When a book becomes returnable, a notation is made in the wholesaler’s automated Title Information Database that your book is returnable.
What happens to the books when they are returned?
Books are sent to a warehouse and the covers are removed and sent back to the publisher as evidence the books have been received and are not going to be resold. The books then are recycled into cardboard or paper products.
What is Ingram?
Ingram Book Group is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of books. AuthorHouse uses Ingram Book Group for the distribution of all AuthorHouse titles.
What is Baker and Taylor?
Baker & Taylor is an industry-leading distributor of books and entertainment products to libraries, institutions and retailers. The company provides an in-depth analysis of all AuthorHouse titles it distributes.
When will my book be listed as returnable?
Most wholesalers only download the book information once a month, the returns option has to be purchased before the 15th of the month to show up on the following month. If it is purchased after the 15th, the book will show up as returnable in 45 days.
Can AuthorHouse make a store stock my book?
No. Bookstore chains and independent bookstores are private businesses and AuthorHouse has no control over their business operations, which includes their decisions regarding which books to order, stock, or feature.