How to promote a self-published book If self-published authors are to succeed they need to think like a multinational publisher and consciously plan the pricing and promotion of their title. First, let's look at the bookseller role in this... You do not have any obligation to take a self published title you do not think will sell in your store. If persuasion is irresistible, use the consignment situation -- you will hold stock at their cost, and pay for the copies sold on a monthly basis. After all, they are gettin your store as a shop window and point of sale and you are entitled to a return in line with commercial publishing; they must be realistic with your profit margin. When I was a bookseller, my heart used to sink when confronted by a local who had published a book of poetry. Their friends LOVED it -- but they've already sold it to everyone they know. Against my better judgment I'd sometimes take a couple on sale or return but I can't recall ever selling one. On the upside, there are a number of categories you can sell -- local guides, biographies of local characters, local area histories. But often these books are only made available to you after they've been sold by the author at a lower price than the one you need to charge to ensure a profit. Takapuna bookseller Tom Beran of The Booklover says he's constantly approached by authors to sell their books. "There would