Trade Distribution Acceptance Program

PMA has developed the Trade Distribution Acceptance Program to help the publisher who has not yet achieved distribution at the bookstore level.

The Small Press Selection was founded with Independent Publishers Group (IPG) on the idea that booksellers would welcome the titles of very small and even start-up publishers if (and only if) these books met high standards for appearance and content, and if they could be handled efficiently and profitably.

Here's how it works: Twice a year, PMA convenes a committee to look at titles from PMA publisher members only that have not yet been stocked by the major chains and/or wholesalers for possible acceptance into both the chain and independent bookstore distribution method.

The committee is comprised of representatives from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Border's, independent bookstores and representatives from Independent Publishers Group, as well as independent rep firms.

Each book or manuscript is looked at individually and discussed by the group as the possibility for success within the bookstore trade. If the book is accepted, Independent Publishers Group has agreed to act as a distributor for the title. If the book is rejected, the publisher will receive a brief comment as to the reasons for rejection.

The committee will accept already printed books (as well as manuscripts and galleys) that have NEVER been stocked by Border's and/or Barnes & Noble and also have no distributor relationship. You may have a wholesale relationship (Ingram, Baker & Taylor) and be eligible for this program. Copyright must be current.

The committee will also need to see a marketing plan for each title submitted. Several examples of marketing plans are located at the PMA website in the Independent articles area.

Any other siginificant marketing materials (sell sheets, fact sheets, etc.) may also be submitted with the title.

If your title is accepted into this program you will be offered a contract for distribution by IPG.

You must be the publisher of the book and own the ISBN number to enter this program.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Best case:
Acceptance into the program and increased potential sales at the bookstore.

Average case:
Either acceptance into the program and modest sales or rejection from the program with a brief explanation as to reason for rejection.

Worst case:
Acceptance into the program and little or no sales at bookstore level or rejection from the program.

If you are submitting a title for this program, please use the check list that follows to ensure that your title applies to this program.

The next Trade Distribution Acceptance Program will be in July 2008.

Publisher Check List

• You must be the publisher of the book and own the ISBN number
  
  Front Cover:
  
  
• Title that can be seen from 6 feet away
  
  
• Author Name
  
  
• Illustrator, Photographer name if applicable
  
  
• Appealing design (Graphic designer quality)
  
  Inside:
  
  
• Type set that is appealing to the eye
  
  
• Should not have too much white space
  
  
• COPYRIGHT MUST BE CURRENT.
  
  
• Margin size that is appropriate
  
  
• Should not have a lot of white pages
  
  
• Should not have too many font types
  
  
• Professionally edited
  
  
• Absolutely must have a spine - no spiral or saddle stiched books
  
  
• Title that can be seen clearly when sitting spine out on a shelf
  
  Back Cover to include:
  
  
• ISBN
  
  
• Standard Bar Code
  
  
• Retail Price
  
  
• Description of the book
  
  
• Reviews/Blurbs
  
  
• State what the book is (novel, journal, medical guide, travel guide, etc.)

Sign up for this program

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