I've been an event manager for two large independent bookstores for over four years, and I get asked all the time about what is the best way to reach out to your local indie. I'm starting a thread below containing some of my best tips!

If you're local to the bookstore, make sure you mention that in the FIRST sentence in your email to the store or event manager. We will almost always jump at an event if you live in our town!!

Don't just stop in and ask for the event manager, even though that seems like the best option. We are usually juggling 1,000 tasks and personally, a well-organized email is so, so much better.

Another great thing to do is approach your bookstore about selling signed copies online or hosting a preorder campaign. You'd just come in and sign a bunch of stock when the books come in. We LOVE doing that!

If you want to connect with your local indie, attend a few author events and introduce yourself to the event hosts. If we recognize you as supporting our event program, we'll want to support you too!

When sending an email to an indie bookstore, either to ask them to carry your book or host an event, make sure to include where you live, who published the book, the ISBN and some info about the book. You'd be surprised how many people don't do this.

Also, when sending an email to a bookstore, it's super helpful if you include an author bio, an author photo and the book cover. When we are putting together the marketing info for the event, it's conveniently all in one place!

If your book is self-published, a lot of bookstores (mine included) have a consignment program in place so we can carry your books too!

Also, if you're not a bestselling author, that's okay! Very few people are. But avoid introducing yourself as a bestselling author, because we will quickly realize that it's not true and then it's just awkward for everyone.

Oh also, if you send an email to an indie bookstore and you don't hear back for a bit, follow up with a friendly reminder! We get a ton of emails and sometimes share an inbox, so stuff might have just slipped through.

When you contact a bookstore to set up a book event, ideally you would reach out at least 2-3 months in advance of the book's publication. Our calendar fills up quickly and we like to have plenty of time to promote the event and encourage preorders!