Waterstones, WHSmith etc.

[matthewcchiversathotmaildotcodotuk]

Hoping I may add something to the convo.

If you check out my website: http://www.approachingdarkage.com/previous.html

You will see that I have had 2 signings in Waterstones, who have both bought and paid for my books one the day after the signing. If you were to go into Chippenham or Trowbridge and scan their science-fiction section you will see my book - with "Lulu" on the spine happy days.

The Trowbridge store manager bought 12 of my first book from me after the recent signing, which will be directly paid to me on the 1st of May. (and I have one in the works in Bath City in the near future).

I don't see what the problem is here precisely, as the Trowbridge manager said she had already ordered several copies from the suppliers - basically to cut a long story short, the signing at Trowbridge was short notice, so the books she did order would not arrive in time (she was ordering 2 of each until a future signing could take place). Obviously, I needed a wad of books to sell at a signing, so had 20 on me - took them their and signed them no problems.

I have paid for GlobalReach with both my titles - I have had no problems.

ExtendedReach is probably different.

In my case, personally, it's been a real success getting it into the shops.

[davelewis1]

Thanks for that. I'll speak to my 'friend'

[her_benny_hocking]

Hello there, just seen the original post now. The thing is, it is simply not the norm, so certain conditions have to be in place to get Waterstones or anyone to override this and physically stock a self published book. The most important one is, proven local sales / level of interest. If you could convince them that stock would sell from their store, then you've got a chance. Plus with Waterstones, there seems to be flexibility on payment; I know someone who, all at the one store over a couple of years or so, was at first paid in full upon her giving stock to the store for sale; at other times  the shop took the stock and then later paid her what was due after the books had sold, and yet another time bought in stock themselves using the Lulu / Amazon retail listing, procuting the book at wholesale. But as these are non-standard arrangements, it is not guaranteed, and it can be even down to the differences in the attitude of any one local manager to another. It may be the one you tried would have turned Gutenberg's Bible down, went whistling off to the back room for coffee while next door in Smith's people couldn't move for pallet loads going out the door, we are at the mercy of such whims, sadly, and unless the ebook revolution kills off the hard copy, probably always will be.