While in-stock status at a national distributor is essential to selling books in through retail outlets, it can carry a heavy price.

Most chains ie Borders won't order a book unless it shows up as "In Stock" at one of the distributor with which they deal.

National distributors in the US, like Barnes & Noble and Ingrams Book (who WILL deal with small publishers usually require a discount between 65% to 75% off the cover price. In other words, they pay the publisher between 25% to 35% of the cover price on books they actually sell.

Tight margins for sure, but some feel its worth it. Do you?