Distribution Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why
Did You Decide to Offer Distribution Services?
The
many changes in the publishing industry--both positive and negative--have
created a need for additional options for Small Publishers. Based on our
experience in working so successfully with Small Publishers, we took a good hard look at our services, our capabilities, our
resources, our staff, and our warehouse space and decided that we could do
better. Ingram chose us to be a distributor to focus on Small Presses with 10 or
fewer titles.
Who
and What Is BCH Fulfillment and Distribution?
We
started in Boston in 1932 as a family-owned
bookstore with a division that specialized in obtaining books for corporate
libraries and purchasing departments. The corporate division moved to New York
in 1977 and has been operated by Nancy Smoller since that time. The Small Press Fulfillment
and Distribution service was formed to meet the demand of author-publishers for
a simpler, really more efficient way of handling their orders. BCH now
represents over 400 Small Press clients.
Will
BCH Have a Catalog?
Our website is our catalog.
Will
BCH Fulfillment Clients Automatically Become B.C.H. Distribution
Clients?
No.
However, we welcome all Small Publishers to apply for distribution
representation. One benefit for BCH Fulfillment clients: we already have copies of your
books in our warehouse and have most of your current information. Your
applications, if accepted, will be processed quickly, thus getting you into our
systems and then into the national accounts and databases more quickly.
How
Do I Apply?
Print
out the Submission Form and mail it to us
along with the other requested documents. If we don't have your books already,
you'll need to send a copy with your submission form.
What
Requirements Must My Company Meet to Be Represented by BCH?
As
with all other wholesalers and distributors, every book represented by BCH must
meet publishing industry production standards and must have its own ISBN and
Bookland EAN bar code. The price must be printed or stickered on the back cover
and the title imprinted on the spine of the book. We also need to know what your
marketing plans are for each title. Our review committee will then review each
eligible title and evaluate the potential sales for the book. Please be sure to
include all applicable information that will help us see your vision of where
your book will fit into the marketplace and the size of its potential audience.
Will
BCH Market or Promote My Book?
Distribution
is a team effort. BCH will represent your book to Ingram and others. You--the publisher--will be responsible for driving
traffic to the stores via your promotional efforts. BCH's Web site can provide
additional promotional assistance. The more consumer demand you create for your
product, the more books that will be sold.
What's
the Next Step?
Send
in your submission form and book (if we don't already have it) and we'll contact
you. Please send your submission to BCH Fulfillment and Distribution, 46 Purdy Street,
Harrison, NY 10528.
What
If I Already Have Agreements with Wholesalers?
If
you are accepted as a BCH distribution publisher client, you will have to notify
them that BCH will be your vendor of record. You may, however, continue your
relationships with Quality and/or Unique Books for the library market.
What's
the Difference Between BCH's Fulfillment and Distribution Services?
On
behalf of our current fulfillment clients, we fill and ship orders.
The publishers--not BCH--have a direct relationship with wholesalers and
bookstores.
On
behalf of our new Distribution clients, BCH will handle the
relationships with wholesalers and bookstores. Specifically, we will warehouse
your books, take orders from wholesalers and bookstores, fulfill those orders,
bill and collect monies, and process returns.
What
about Other Sales and Accounts?
BCH encourages all its publisher clients to pursue other sales avenues, including non-book retail outlets (for example, specialty and premium sales, as well as gift stores and catalogs).
Other questions? Please fax (914-835-0398) or e-mail Diane Musto bookch@aol.com.
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