Local Author FAQ

Independent Author Submission Guidelines & FAQs

At Northport Books, we truly love supporting local voices and independent authors.

That said, with the rise of Amazon publishing, IngramSpark, and other self-publishing platforms, the market has become incredibly crowded. Because of this, we need a thoughtful process to help us identify books that are the best fit for our shelves, our readers, and potential in-store events.

We are always excited to consider local and indie authors for placement and programming opportunities.

How to Submit Your Book for Consideration

Please send an email to jenn@northportbooksli.com with the subject line:

Independent Author Book for Consideration

Please include the following information in your email:

  • Title of the book

  • A two-sentence summary

  • Is your book available through Ingram?
    If not, please let us know if you are able to provide author copies.

  • Retail price of the book

  • What are you hoping to do with the book?
    (Examples: shelf placement, author signing, story time, book club discussion, launch event, etc.)

Important Note About Shelf Placement

Please note that simply placing a book on the shelf does not automatically lead to sales.

Our most successful independent author titles are supported by active author participation and community engagement.

If you are interested in an in-store event, please include:

  • 2–3 possible dates at least 30 days out

  • Availability on a Saturday or Sunday

  • A commitment to be in-store for approximately 2 hours

  • Your ideas for how you would help promote the event to your audience

We strongly encourage authors to think beyond shelf placement and consider ways to connect directly with readers.

Review Timeline

Please allow up to 30 days for us to thoughtfully review your submission email.

Because we receive many inquiries, we may not be able to respond immediately, but every submission will be considered carefully.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept all independent books?

Not always. We carefully curate titles based on genre fit, audience interest, production quality, availability, and whether there is a strong local or community connection.

Does having my book stocked guarantee sales?

No. Discoverability is one of the biggest challenges in today’s publishing environment. Books tend to perform best when authors actively participate through events, social promotion, and word-of-mouth outreach.

What kinds of events work best?

Weekend signings, launch parties, themed conversations, children’s story times, local interest talks, and book club-style discussions tend to be the strongest formats.

How long does it take to hear back?

Please allow 30 days for review.

Can I walk in with my book and drop it off?

Please email jenn@northportbooksli.com to make an appointment, please do not drop off books when I am not here or gift them to me. Although it is incredibly kind, our indie drop off boxes runneth over.