RETURNS

            I’ve alluded to returns several times here at Fred Central, but I’d like to address it specifically. The idea came from me buying up all the returns from my publisher.

WHAT ARE RETURNS?

            For any publisher that wants a chance to get their books in a bookstore, if they don’t accept returns, they’re not likely to get a store to take them on. This is especially true for small businesses who can’t afford to buy a lot of books that they can take a chance on without some way to recover their investment if they don’t sell. Of course, more books don’t sell than do, so an indie bookstore could end up with a store full of unsellable stuff.

            Therefore, the publisher, whoever they might be, needs to accept returns and eat them over placing the burden on the small businesses. Being a small business themselves, the publishers have to figure out what to do with all those books.

            That’s where the authors come in.

BUYING RETURNS

            When an author first gets their book published traditionally, or otherwise, they usually buy a box or two of books for whatever reasons, like book signings, reviews, or just spreading them around as gifts, etc.

            After that, depending on how much they sell, the author may buy more through the publisher.

            However, if the publisher gets the word out and a lot of independent (or even chain) stores buy a batch of books, what doesn’t sell is going to end up on the office floor of the publisher. Those returns come right out of your profit. The alternative is to buy them from the publisher not only to take them off their hands, but also to avoid having to buy them directly from the printer (through the publisher). Getting a decent price isn’t usually a problem and also helps get the publisher into the black with your book.

WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE

            The returned books are usually no different from what you buy directly from the printer. They may have your signature in a few and an “autographed copy” sticker on them, but they’re still brand new. Of course, defective books are sent back but they’re rare. There also might be multiple covers depending if you changed it sometime in the past. Overall, they’re ready for a book signing.

SUMMARY

            Returns aren’t necessarily a bad thing as long as you take advantage of them and help keep your publisher in the black. That might mean your next one will also get published.

            Happy writing!