Book Selection from an Independent Bookseller's Perspective

Wednesday my local SCBWI group had the pleasure of hearing Robert McDonald, children’s book buyer for The Book Stall, talk about his selection practices. This was particularly interesting for me as a librarian. I’ve posted previously about how I choose library materials, and I was curious to compare and contrast methodology.

As I’ve said, my department purchases new trade books based almost exclusively on reviews. Our information is second-hand. We depend on fellow librarians to review books fairly and accurately so we can judge their worth to our patrons. We don’t see the books for ourselves until they arrive at our library.

In contrast, Robert told us publishers send him folded and gathered proofs (F & Gs) of picture books and advance reading copies (ARCs) of middle grade and YA fiction. The former he generally reads in their entirety, but he doesn’t have time to read the ARCs. Instead he depends on catalog copy and the opinions of sales reps, with whom he meets several times a year, depending on the publisher. He told us that even though sales reps’ job is to sell books, they will be honest if they think a particular book is weak; that’s how they build trust with their clients.

Now, occasionally my library’s selection method results in a purchase I regret once the book is hand—if, for instance, I realize it won’t circulate well, or if I’ve ordered an expensive, easily damaged pop-up book by mistake! Since we’re a public library, though, we go with the idea that there’s a place for just about everything on our shelves, as long as space and budget permits. In most cases, someone will want it someday, though it may be months or even years from now.

In contrast, of course, a book seller wants stock that will sell. Robert reminded us adults are the primary buyer of children’s books, though children do start choosing their own books around the time they start to read. He emphasized that he is not always looking for “the best books” for the store; there is plenty of room for popular topics such as vampires and dinosaurs, which are often good choices for reluctant readers.

These are some of the other issues Robert considers when deciding what to buy / what will sell.

• Does the book belong to a marketable category—e.g., board book, easy reader, YA fantasy? Books that are harder to categorize tend to be harder sells, with occasional exceptions such as Shaun Tan’s popular The Arrival (AALB, 2007).

Picture Books

• Picture books are purchased mainly for bedtime reading.
• Is the book a “parent book” (lighter on text, for adults who will be reading a lot) or a “grandma book” (more text-heavy, for adults giving the books as gifts or have more leisure time)?
• Are the illustrations interesting, beautiful, quirky, “non-Walmarty”? Do the illustrations add content rather than simply backing up the text?
• Would the book make a good read-aloud? If it rhymes, are the rhymes well-executed?
• Will it appeal to adults, too (e.g., two levels of humor), so they can stand to read it repeatedly? Is the message understated instead of didactic?
• Can readers immediately enter the world of the story?

Middle Grade and YA Fiction

• Is the story plot-driven, and does it begin quickly?
• Is it following, setting, or subverting a trend? Can it be recommended to fans of X? If it’s following a trend, does it put a new spin on it?
• Is it an “issue novel,” dealing with, for example, anorexia, homelessness, AIDS? If so, do enough people care about the issue? Will it appeal even to readers who can’t personally relate to the issue? Is there a believable story, character, and world beyond the issue?
• If it’s a YA novel, how much adult content—sex, drugs, etc.—does it contain? Parents will ask.
• Has it been dubbed YA only because it has young characters?

Nonfiction

• Almost any topic can be sold if the book is well-executed.
• Does it focus on something new—e.g., a biography of a lesser-known person?
• “Can I sell this to a teacher?”

Robert closed with some tips for authors interested in approaching their independent book stores. He told us not to send promotional post cards; most likely, they will be recycled. Instead, find out the name and email address of the store’s book buyer, and contact them directly. Introduce yourself and inquire whether the buyer has seen your new book. Provide a web link to more information about your book.