So, you wrote a book.
Congratulations!
Getting the book written is the hard part. Seeing it sitting on an actual bookstore shelf is the fun part. We love supporting independent authors and giving readers the opportunity to discover books they might not find anywhere else. If you’d like us to consider carrying your book, here’s how it works:
01
Email Us!
Please start with an email.
We get a lot of messages through social media, and things have a tendency to disappear into the internet void. Email gives us a much better chance of actually seeing your request, getting back to you, and keeping the details straight. When you email, tell us a little about yourself and your book. Please don't just send a message that says, “Can you stock my book?” Give us something to work with!
Email us at: booknerd@bluestockingbookshop.com
02
Bring Us Your Books!
We'll arrange a time for you to bring copies into the shop. We purchase up to two copies of each title from independent authors at a 50/50 wholesale split of the regular retail price. In other words, if your book retails for $20, we'll purchase each copy from you for $10.
03
Get On The Shelves!
Once your books are in our system, we'll get them shelved and ready for readers to discover. And, because we're a bookstore in the year 2026 and apparently this is our life now, we'll also take photos and share your book on our social media and in seasonal displays when appropriate. Tag us when you share your own posts, too!
Facebook: Bluestocking Bookshop
Instagram: @bluestocking.bookshop
TikTok: @bluestocking.bookshop
04
Want To Do An Event?
That's a slightly different conversation. Our events calendar is generally booking about six months out. We don't do the traditional “sit behind a table and hope people wander over” author signing because, honestly? That's boring for everyone.
Instead, we like to build events around ways readers can actually interact with you and your book. We've done cocktails, coffee, pizza, chickens, sword fighting, photographers, crafts and plenty of other coordinated nonsense and we'd love to find something that gets readers excited about your work.
If you're interested in an author event, include that when you email us. Tell us about your book and what ideas you're imagining. We'll take it from there.
Michigan Authors who do events with us are added to our Local Love list on Bookshop.org as well, adding to your sales and reach!
05
The Fine Print
We are an independent bookstore with limited shelf space, so submitting a book doesn't guarantee placement or sales in the store. Our goal is to create a bookstore full of books our customers will actually want to discover, buy and talk about. If you want to ensure a good fit for bookshop space, here are a few guidelines:
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Edited to a professional level - grammar nerds WILL catch errors
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Priced by industry standards - $40 paperbacks don't sell on the shelf
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Formatted and sized for bookshelves
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Promote the shops that carry your work - we see it and share it!