The eve of Book Expo America is an appropriate time to survey the state of independent publishing. It sucks. The end. (But consider reading on; it’s getting even worse.)
“Returns” is one of the biggest problems facing independent publishers. It’s a system for generating more waste than value. For the uninitiated, books are traditionally sold on consignment to what’s called the “channel.” The channel is the chain by which publishers sell to distributors who sell to wholesalers who sell to bookstores who sell to you. At every link in the chain except the last, the books are usually fully returnable.
ARTS & FARCES sells its titles to the channel on a non-returnable basis. Books we sell to you are fully returnable, for any reason, for thirty days. We don’t actively court the channel; we’d rather talk to and trade with you directly. I’ve written previously about our alternative publishing model (“Way New Publishing” Part 1 and Part 2).
Returns, we are told, are a cost of doing business and are the sole responsibility of publishers. This is hammered into our pointed heads until they are flattened. Our trade associations tell us this, as do many of our fellow publishers. Books wouldn’t sell, we’re told, if they can’t be returned.
