I have learned that independent publishers (such as YWO) need to join a special scheme in order to sell to Waterstone's branches. This came to light because my local Waterstone's had great difficulty - and took weeks - obtaining copies of The Testament of Mariam. In the end they arrived last week, thus neatly missing the Christmas buying period and the spin-off from a major feature in the main central Scotland newspaper in December. I've also just seen a review on Amazon in which the reviewer from Wolverhampton says none of her local bookshops are stocking it.

I have made repeated attempts to contact Ted about this problem, but he has not responded. It makes life very difficult if your publisher simply fails to communicate.

In order to join the scheme, it is necessary to email peter.north@waterstones.com and ask for a Waterstone's Trading Application Form. Please be aware that this is NOT a scheme for authors. It is the PUBLISHER who has to do this. Once approved, the publisher will be sent a list of all Waterstone's branches with their addresses, and some advice on how best to approach them.

Now, it may be that YWO has already joined the scheme, but from the experience of my local branch it seems unlikely.

Furthermore, I've discovered that our Waterstone's - and a local independent bookshop - are only being given a 10% discount on retail price. Now I know that YWO claims to get a better deal for authors, but at a discount of less than 80p. on a £7.99 paperback, most bookshops won't touch our books. It's no good talking about high royalties when no one is willing to sell our books. Of course, it may be that Gardners are squeezing the shops, but I think we also have a right to know just what discount YWO is giving the wholesalers.

If we, as authors, and YWO, as a publisher, are going to deal professionally with bookshops, this needs to be sorted out.

Can I ask for your support in finding some answers?
Ann

Lots of authors have their books in Waterstones. Mary Wood had no problem getting her Blackpool branch to stock her's and Kate Hanney had no problems getting Sheffield to stock her's either as did Mel Wright with her southern branch. think it was Harrow. Maybe they'll come forward to let you know how. My local Waterstones got my book okay for a couple of friends and I've since been told they have it in stock, although I haven't been down to check that out yet. Mary and me are published through Legend/NGP and I think Kate and Mel are YWO published. "And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969

Some interesting info here, but I wonder whether these experiences were before or after the introduction of Waterstone's 'hub', which seems to be causing the staff in shops huge problems. I am assured YWO books can't be sourced through the hub.

Also, does anyone have any information about this very small 10% discount on retail price?

Ann

Hi, Athene - if I'm right, it seems that both your books are on Gardners' list. There's one copy of Ready Steady Dig in stock with them, and no copies of Gnome. But they are both coming up if you put the ISBN (10) in and search.

Ann - the 'hub' was mentioned to me also by some of the Waterstones' staff, and it did perhaps delay the arrival of the books in store initially, but it certainly didn't prevent them ordering.

Again, hope this helps, Kate
www.katehanney.com

Hi Ann

If you go to waterstones.com and then to 'store finder' you can search for stores in any area. The results come up with contact details for the stores including email addresses.

Hope that's useful, Kate




www.katehanney.com