Barnes & Noble Opens Doors For iUniverse Authors

Posted on June 22, 2001

In an open letter Steve Riggio, Vice Chairmain of Barnes & Noble, Inc., has announced that Barnes & Noble will make space available for iUniverse.com authors to appear for book signings. Barnes & Noble will make about one night every three months (except during October - December) at each bookstore available to authors depending on demand and availability of dates. Barnes & Noble holds a 29% stake in iUniverse.com.

The move is a welcomed opportunity for iUniverse authors and other electronically self-published authors who have expressed frustration after being told by bookstores that signings will not be held for electronically self-published authors or that they will not pre-order the books for the signings. The New Writer's Nights program announced by Riggio only applies to iUniverse authors and not authors published by other epublishing services. However, even authors self-published through competing epublishing services might be glad to see that some doors are opening.

In the letter Riggio said, "In keeping with our goal to create a place where new and aspiring authors will have the chance to discuss their work with each other and with the reading public, plans are now in place for participating Barnes & Noble stores to host New Writer's Nights. With the exception of the months of October through December, these events will typically run once every three months or so in these stores, depending on the stores sales volume, the availability of dates and, of course, the number of authors in the area."

One drawback to the book signings is that iUniverse authors will have to front the costs by bringing their own books. Normally, a bookstore will pre-order a certain number of books for a book signing. Barnes & Noble will also not stock any remaining unsold books after the event and authors will have to take all unsold books with them. The authors will be compensated by Barnes & Noble for the numbers of copies sold. Authors will work with local B & N community relations managers to schedule appearances.