Bookstores & Libraries
Wednesday Writing Weekly No #75
Consider this article another resource article! If you are fortunate enough to have one in your area, a local bookstore or library is a wealth of information for readers and writers alike! I’ve always gone to libraries to write, meet up with other writers, or to spend some quiet time out of the house. Bookstores are great for new reads and journal hunting but what if I told you, you could get a lot more out of places like these?
The Community
Libraries and bookstores are the beating heart of a writer’s community. These places host events, support writing groups, and provide a plethora of books for us to read and learn from. The biggest thing I’ve come to find is there are often spaces built for writers like us. Depending on what is being offered in your local community, you might have one of the following:
Author Events: Book signings, talks, interviews, or panels. This is a great way to learn about writing through the eyes of someone who has not only done it but has gotten published. No matter if the author is traditionally or indie/self-published, there are many helpful things you can learn from their experience.
Writing Groups: I personally go to my local library for a Shut up and Write events every week. These events allow you to meet with writers to literally sit still and quietly write together. Workshops, critique clubs, or writing groups are a great way to connect with other writers or get some helpful feedback on your work.
Readings: Slam poetry nights, readings, or presentations in the style of open mic nights are great events you can look for in bookstores or libraries. Go see what other writers are doing or share some of your own work!
Education Opportunities
It’s obvious a library is a great place to go and learn something new. But quite literally, it is a network of resources for writers. Many local libraries document a network of tutoring services if you ever need someone to help you with your schoolwork, essays, or want to better your skills as a writer. Tutoring as well as seminars or conferences hosted by the library (or bookstore) can expose you to some new writing tips and tricks.
See what’s out there!
Resources for Indie Authors
When you first self-publish your book, you might find marketing to be the hardest part! Obviously, your goal is to get your book into your reader’s hands so asking if your local library or bookstore can shelve your work is a natural thought!
Now, while it is a good idea to reach out to your local libraries, universities, and bookstores to see it they would be willing to add your book to their collection or to sell in store… keep in mind that they may say, “no.” I know this can be upsetting but when you are selling a work you have self-published, you need to think about it as a product. If your book hasn’t made sales yet and has yet to show its value on the market, then it might not be beneficial for these places to add it to their collections. I really want to stress that you should not take offence to this! I often see authors venting online as if they expect to get all this support or act as if it is owed to them. That is not the case but don’t let this deter you from reaching out and finding where you can get your book displayed.
This might be a hot take but, for many things in life, you should be willing to accept both a “yes” or a “no” when you are asking for something. If you find yourself unwilling to accept the answer, “no,” then I don’t think you are ready to ask for these favors to begin with. If you ask for a bookstore to sell your book and they refuse, that’s okay. Try somewhere else! If you query your book and it is rejected, that’s okay! Never take it upon yourself to attack that store or agent because it not only makes you look bad, but it could ruin your career as an author.
Why a bookstore might not accept your work: To you, your book is your baby but to the world, it is a product. If a book has an audience to back it up and is a marketable product that might sell, that’s a good thing for a store to stock. Some stores specialize in featuring local authors while others might decline your work if it has not seen good sales on its own yet. It’s all about business.
Why a library might not accept your work: This really depends on the system, the country, the state, and the city the library is in. They all have different rules and regulations so I am not going to pretend I know all those BUT most libraries will probably accept your book as a book donation to go into their book sale. This does get the book into a reader’s hands, hopefully, but I understand if that is not your goal. It never hurts to ask!
Conclusion
Overall, bookstores and libraries are an amazing resource for writers! I hope you reach out and look to your local communities for possible opportunities like this. I know they might not be available to everyone but if you have them, take advantage! If you do not have a local bookstore or library, here are my favorite online resources and events for writers: