Book Distribution Basics

Below are some quick facts that should answer your questions about book distribution. Leading indie book publishers utilize the same distribution channels as the large traditional publishing houses. For more information about getting your book into distribution, contact a leading indie book publisher.

• Indie book titles published by leading indie book publishers are made available for purchase through leading online bookstores including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Borders.com.
• Leading indie book publishers also sell books directly through their online bookstores.
• Indie book publishers utilize book distribution services like Ingram, which make indie book titles available for order by thousands of "brick and mortar" retailers.
• Authors can purchase quantities of their books, usually at a substantial discount, direct from leading indie book publishers. This allows authors to resell their books directly and make even larger profits.
• Leading indie book publishers typically include distribution set up as part of their publishing packages. Many will include complimentary distribution renewal which keeps the book "live" to retailers until such time an author wants to pull the book out of distribution.
• All books must have an International Standardized Book Number (ISBN) to be put into distribution. Indie book publishers provide ISBN assignment as a standard service in most of their book publishing packages.