Our Policies

Author Showcase: for Indie and Self-Published Books

If you have a self-published or small press book and you would like Open Book Bookstore to consider carrying your book, we invite you to apply for our Author Showcase program. Each month we feature a limited number of books in the Author Showcase, which is located in the front of our store in our “Featured Titles” section and which gives our customers an opportunity to discover original new works from independent authors and publishers. If you are an author of a self-published or small press book not available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, or another distributor, read on to learn how you can participate in our Author Showcase.

WHO CAN APPLY
Authors of books that are self-published or published by small independent presses. This is for books that you will supply to us. (Note: we do not purchase books from CreateSpace/Amazon.) In addition, only bound books with the author name and title on the spine that have an ISBN and a bar code will be considered.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for editorial quality and excellent production values. Some of the factors considered include:
–Interesting, unique content and/or plot;
–Minimal to completely absent grammatical mistakes and typos;
–Presentable and professional cover and interior design, including artwork and page layout (for example, sufficient gutters and readable font, good quality illustrations, if applicable).

HOW TO APPLY
We only accept finished books for consideration. If your book qualifies, please send a pitch letter to lynn@openbookphilly.com that includes:
–Sales history (if you have any at this point);
–Reviews;
–Author bio;
–A brief description of the book.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
We carefully review each submission. If we think your book might fit the Author Showcase program, we will then request that you send us a complimentary review copy of the book. If you are accepted into the program, this book will become part of the Author Showcase section. Otherwise, we will request that you send us return postage or arrange to pick your book up from us within 45 days of the date of submission.

If we notify you that we have accepted your book into our program, we will then enact the following procedures:
–Author agrees to pay $25.00 consignment fee for two months, due upon acceptance into the program;
–Author agrees to retail split of 40/60% bookstore/author on any copies sold.
–Authors are asked to list Open Book Bookstore as a retail location prominently on their website and marketing materials.
–Authors will provide Open Book Bookstore with five copies of their book for display.
–During the initial two-month period, Open Book Bookstore may contact Author to request additional copies of the book if initial stock is depleted.
–If the book is selling steadily, the author will be given the opportunity to renew the contract. To extend your consignment period for another two months, there will be an additional $25 fee.

PAYMENT
At the end of the initial two-month period, Open Book Bookstore will notify Author of any sales. At that time, Author will be responsible for a) sending Open Book Bookstore an invoice for copies sold, which will then be promptly paid and b) picking up any remaining copies (unless Open Book requests renewal of the contract, as mentioned above).

STOCK
Any unsold copies that are left at Open Book Bookstore after the end of the consignment period that are not picked up by the author within one month (30 days) will be donated to a worthy non-profit organization.

Open Book Bookstore will only pay Author for copies sold. Damaged or stolen items are the sole financial responsibility of the Author.

LOCAL AUTHORS
Open Book Bookstore will be holding an annual local author showcase. Please notify us if you would like to be considered for this event, and we will send you a notification when it is scheduled.