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Consignments

Consignments is now CLOSED to new inquiries for the rest of 2023. Please wait to inquire after Jan 3rd 2024. Thank you!

 

Are you a local Minnesotan author, illustrator, or creator? Are you independently published? Do you want to see your book on our shelves? Please read below to see if you qualify for our Consignment Program.

 

Red Balloon Bookshop’s consignment program allows us to carry and feature a variety of self-published and print-on-demand Children’s book titles, more so than we could through traditional purchasing. We are especially interested in carrying new and exciting children's titles from diverse local authors.

 

GENERAL CONSIGNMENT INFO

Red Balloon Bookshop welcomes submissions of published Children’s books and gift items from local Minnesota-resident authors. (Exceptions may be made for authors from the Midwest states if the book has a particular interest to children and/or Minnesotans.)

  • We pay 60% of the retail price for a consignment title.

  • Red Balloon Bookshop agrees to carry items on a consignment basis for a minimum of 4 months. It is the consignor’s responsibility to contact the store to see if we have sold their title and need additional stock.

  • We ask that you drop off an invoice when you drop off your books. If you do not provide an invoice, one will be issued from Red Balloon Bookshop. 

  • We will only pay out for complete invoices and send out payments three times a year. If an invoice contains three books, we will issue payment when all three books have sold. We will pay only for items sold - items damaged/stolen are the sole financial responsibility of the consignor. We issue consignment payments usually in January, May and September.

  • Placement in the store is up to our discretion. We do not do any additional marketing for your title (including in-store displays).

  • If there is a 4 month period without sales, we will remove the title from inventory and contact you to pick up your books. If you prefer, we can donate or give away unsold books.

  • If we decline to carry your title, or if we are returning your books due to lack of sales, the books must be picked up within 30 days of notification. Items left longer than 30 days will be donated to schools or other non-profit organizations.

  • We do not accept new consignments between Nov. 1 - Jan 3. If you have a winter holiday related title, please submit BEFORE Nov 1.

 

STANDARDS FOR FINISHED BOOKS

  • Professionally published - cover art and illustrations should be of similar quality to traditionally published books (please take a look at similar, newly released titles to compare with).

  • Printed with a bound spine displaying the title and author's name (no spiral-bound or stapled books). Consignment titles are generally shelved in section, spine out, so having the title printed on the spine is essential to your title's success.

  • International Standard Book Number (ISBN) on back cover.

  • Retail price printed on back cover (a price sticker can be added, but is not preferable).

  • Dimensions common to current trade publications for hardback/paperback books (again, please look at similar, newly released titles for comparison).

  • Gift items should be professionally packaged and retail ready (with hang tags, plastic packaging, or environmentally-friendly packaging).

 

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CONSIGNMENTS

  • Encourage friends, family, and other contacts to purchase your book at Red Balloon Bookshop.

  • Contact your local media and mailing lists to announce that your book is available at Red Balloon Bookshop.

  • Send out press releases, review copies, and other promotional materials.

  • Get involved with book clubs, libraries, and other community organizations. A wide array of author-coordinated promotions will yield greater success.

  • Actively post on social media and tag Red Balloon Bookshop as a carrier of the title.

 

NOTE: If your title is available through Ingram, it does not qualify for Consignment. If you’re still interested in us carrying your book, we would recommend having family and friends order their copies through us, either over the website or phone. You can check your ISBN in our search bar.

 

Additional info regarding event or story time requests: We currently do not host events for consignment titles. However, consideration may be given to authors whose work has sold well as part of our Consignment program, and the author has a forthcoming title. We generally do not host events for backlist (or already released) titles. Please wait to inquire about an event possibility until after we've been carrying your title for some time AND you have a new one on the way. Thank you for understanding!

 

Interested in participating in our consignment program?

Please email Jaya at consignments@redballoonbookshop.com before bringing any items to the store. Allow at least one week for all responses.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

*** Please note that the Consignment program is for authors/illustrators/creators only. Small press publishers should NOT reach out to consignments, but rather should send along a catalog to the store's address. Thank you!