AtlasBooks Distribution Blog

Each week we highlight and expound on a question or section from our Publisher Resources page on our website. The more you know, the better you can publish, so we invite you to check out the information we offer.

This week we will continue to highlight the steps to a successful booksiging. (Check out step one and two from previous weeks).

Step Three: Two weeks in advance of the signing, call the bookstore manager again to check on the status of the book order. If there is a problem with the order, please contact BookMasters with all pertinent information. You can’t have a book signing without your books.

Two weeks prior to the signing is go time. If for whatever reason the bookstore does not have books in stock or on order to arrive soon, you may need to take action. Ensure that the store puts in their order immediately and confirm that they are able to get the books from their preferred vendor in the supply chain.

Please note that some stores prefer to buy through certain wholesalers, or in the case of national chains, through the national headquarters. Even if the book is in stock at AtlasBooks, the store may not be able to get books in quickly if they are required to go through certain channels.

If the store is not able to get enough stock through their preferred channels, it is okay to mention that they can go straight to the distributor for stock. AtlasBooks is happy to work with any store to get stock in time for a signing.

As a last resort, authors sometimes have to take books or extra books with them to the signing. By following the steps to a successful signing (especially the courtesy reminder calls at four and two weeks prior to the event), the author most likely won’t have to be in this position. However, many authors like to take extra books along just in case. They can even stay in the car unless they are needed. So at this point, make sure to have stock with you or do a stock up request to have books sent to you.