For self-published, or “indie” authors, there are different paths that lead to that prized product: the published book. Before deciding which path to take, here is one of many considerations to ponder.

It is easy enough to draft your book, have it professionally edited (please), formatted and placed for sale in print or e-book. Where do you want to see this book sold? Here’s where the pondering happens. If you’re content with selling online, a massive river to float your finished project on might be fine. Seller beware: if you want your book to be sold on a shelf in a local bookstore, you may want to do your homework before deciding on your production path.

It’s one thing to include that big old river among your distribution avenues, being published by that same river may close the door at some of the great local stores you enjoy browsing for books yourself. Indie bookstores, like indie authors are not “chain-linked”. I’ve recently conducted a small survey with the concurrence of the WFNB BoD, asking locally-owned bookstores whether they’ll accept for consignment books published by Amazon (there, I said it. Don’t sue me, Jeff). Of those bookstores that replied, the answers were not unanimous. While some will accept books by local authors who are published by Amazon, others will not.

In short, my advice to you who are reading this is not to cancel your production plan, whatever it may be, but to check with those stores you’d like to see your book in beforehand, and make an informed decision. To the local stores who feel Jeff makes enough money from his river, I fully support the in-store policy, as I also support the stores that welcome such books nonetheless.