June 6, 2023
164 Non-Bookstore Places to Sell Your Books
by Sharon Woodhouse
It can be SO hard to sell books. Until it isn’t. Until you start seeing readers and opportunities everywhere, when you start recognizing where and how to find your customers and fans.
It’s so easy to fall into thinking that no one reads anymore. Except that 331 million ebooks alone were checked out of U.S. libraries last year.
It's easy to fall into thinking that no one buys books anymore. Until you face the fact that almost 789 million books were purchased in the U.S. last year. The U.S. book industry is big, about $30-billion-a-year-big.
Sometimes we just need a new perspective. How about this one? People in the U.S. are reading and buying tons of books. Now factor in that there are almost four times as many humans who know English outside of the U.S. — well over 1 BILLION humans — as in the U.S.
There are readers and there are book buyers all around us, ok?
Below are 164 places and ways to sell books that aren’t bookstores. That aren’t Amazon.
These aren’t possible or theoretical places you might try to sell books. These are actual places I, as an indie book publisher for over 25 years, and other authors and publishers I know HAVE ACTUALLY SOLD BOOKS. Often in large quantities and with less hassle than at bookstores.
Skim this list to just get a sense of it then come back when you have some time and begin brainstorming the possibilities for your own books.
Then go out there and sell. Try it out. Make it so.
- Academic forums, newsletters
- Acting schools, actor workshops
- Adult ed programs
- After church-service events
- After speaking events
- Airport stores
- Alumni organizations
- Amusement parks
- Antique stores, malls
- Art galleries
- Art shows, art fairs
- Apple orchards, pick-your-own farms
- Architectural sites
- Author events
- Backyards
- Bars, pubs, taverns
- Big box stores
- Bike shops
- Blog posts
- Boat stores
- Book clubs
- Book fairs
- Boutiques
- Breweries
- Burlesque shows
- Canoe rental locations
- Children’s clothing stores
Sharon Woodhouse was an indie book publisher for over 25 years and now owns Conspire Creative, which helps authors meet publishing milestones and build businesses around their work with coaching/consulting services. Subscribe to her email list to receive her ABC (Author Business Coaching) Nudge newsletter. It’s a brief, 3x/month email nudge to help authors keep their goals and income on track with accountability, tested ideas, new information, and fresh perspectives.
