Bookstore Pitch Campaign

Learn more about the Bookstore Pitch Campaign service included in your Phoenix package with these frequently asked questions:

What does the Bookstore Pitch Campaign guarantee?
The Bookstore Pitch Campaign guarantees that your book will be pitched to 25 independent bookstores in Australia (with a focus on your local area) over a 90-day period. We guarantee that at least 2 of these bookstores will agree to test stock your book.

Three progress reports are provided, and the final report will detail the locations that have agreed to test your book. This test stocking period will last 2-3 weeks.

Do you guarantee that my book be on display at the bookstores?
No. When a bookstore agrees to test the book, they are agreeing to put the book on the category shelf. Stores charge extra for in-store promotions. There is a chance, however, that the book will be displayed if it's a new release, or if there is local interest in the book.

Will bookstore chains be contacted? (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, etc.)
No. Chain bookstores cannot make decisions at the local level and require approval from their main offices.

What criteria are used to select bookstores?
Your location and book topic determine the 25 independent bookstores that are targeted during the 90-day period. Bookstores that specialize in your book's topic are more likely to agree to a test, as are bookstores in your area (as they are often interested in promoting local talent).

Can I request for specific bookstores to be included in my pitch campaign?
Yes, you can request up to 5 store locations. We will do our best to reach out to them. However, we cannot guarantee the response of these individual stores. They reserve the right to refuse requests for display and/or stocking.

How are the bookstores contacted?
The program begins with the creation of a sell sheet about your book, and a specially crafted cover letter with a pitch for your book. These are emailed or mailed to buyers and succeeding follow-ups are done within the 90-day period. The stores are contacted to confirm that a test copy of your book is available in-store to complete the pitch process.

For how long will a test copy of my book be available in the bookstore?
If unsold, bookstores typically keep a test copy for 2-3 weeks. Your final report will contain the names of the bookstores that have agreed to carry a test copy of your book. However, some books may sell faster than others and your book may have already been sold by the time you receive the third report.

How many copies do bookstores usually carry as a test?
Bookstores will usually carry 1-2 test copies of a book.

Will you be pitching the hardcover version of my book?
The campaign will focus on pitching your book's paperback version.

Will you provide the name of the bookstore buyers?
In the final report, Balboa Press provides the addresses and phone numbers of those bookstores that have agreed to test your book. Make sure to read some helpful tips appended to your third report, before contacting these bookstores.