You can get a self-published book into bookstores by doing five things right:

(1) Make the book retail-ready (professional editing, genre-fit cover, ISBN, bookstore-grade printing)
(2) Price with a standard wholesale discount (typically 35–45%) and clear metadata.
(3) Show proof of demand (reviews, sales, pre-orders, media).
(4) Start with independent/local stores using a concise pitch and consignment where needed.
(5) Get your book where booksellers shop. Distribute through platforms bookstores already trust. IngramSpark for international reach, and established African distributors for Nigeria and regional markets like RovingHeights. This not only makes your book easy to order, but also signals to retailers that it meets professional publishing standards.

In Nigeria and across Africa, there are two more layers that can assist you to get your books noticed faster:
(1) Community-driven sales (schools, churches, book clubs, and festivals) that create momentum, and
(2) Local-friendly logistics (short-run prints of 100–300 copies to test demand, and reliable restocking). If you want your book produced and positioned to meet international standards and work locally, Print Doctor Africa can handle everything from ISBN to delivery, starting from as little as 100 print copies.

What Bookstores Are, And Why They Matter.

A bookstore is a retail shop that sells books to the public. Some are independent (owned and run by individuals or small companies), while others are chain stores (like Barnes & Noble in the U.S., Exclusive Books in South Africa, or Roving Heights in Nigeria). Bookstores may be physical spaces where customers browse shelves, or they can have an online ordering system alongside their walk-in business.

Why they matter for authors:

  • Visibility & Credibility: Being on a bookstore shelf signals that your book has passed quality checks. It’s usually a big deal. A signal of quality and public stamp of approval.
  • Sales Opportunities: Even in the digital age, many readers still prefer the feel of a physical book and discover new titles while browsing.
  • Author Events: Bookstores often host signings, readings, or discussions, which help you connect directly with readers.
  • Word-of-Mouth Boost: Books seen in stores often get recommended by staff or customers, helping you reach audiences you couldn’t on your own.

At Print Doctor Africa, we help you navigate both local and international bookstores Amazon, so your book isn’t just published, it’s discoverable.

Why Bookstores Say “Yes” (or “No”)

Shelf space is limited real estate. Every title a manager selects must prove it will sell. They’re looking for books that:

  • Look professional: so customers take them seriously.
  • Have proven demand: so they’re not a risky gamble.
  • Are easy to reorder: so restocking is smooth, easy and predictable.

If your book ticks these boxes, you reduce the store’s risk, making it much easier for them to say “Yes.”
We make sure your book checks all these boxes before you ever approach a bookstore.

Make Your Book Retail-Ready (Non-Negotiables)

If your book isn’t ready for a bookstore, no amount of charm will get it in. These are must-haves:

  1. Editing: This fixes both big-picture flow and small grammar/typo errors. Mistakes damage the credibility of your book.
  2. Cover Design: Your books’ design should match your genre style and look appealing both online (thumbnail) and in person (print version).
  3. Interior Typesetting: Correct margins, font uniformity, font size, and spacing make it readable and professional.
  4. ISBN + Barcode: This is necessary for sales tracking and ordering.
    Nigeria: ISBNs come from the National Library; we assist authors through this process.
  5. Print Specification: Paper, binding, and trim size must meet bookstore-grade standards. We have published over a thousand unique titles at Print Doctor Africa. We walk authors through the usually murky waters of their book printing and ensure global standards. We also have packages that help authors get started digitally.
    For international prints, you can choose POD (Print-On-Demand via IngramSpark or Amazon KDP) or offset printing for bulk orders.
  6. Metadata — Includes your book’s categories, keywords, blurb, author bio, and comparison titles to help stores place it.

Print Doctor Africa has delivered over 1,000 unique titles meeting these exact standards.

Pricing & Margins That Work for Bookstores

Bookstores work on profit margins, so your pricing must work for them as well as you:

  • Retail Price: Should align with similar books in your genre and region.
  • Wholesale Discount: Usually 35–45% off retail for stores to profit.
  • Returnability: Many stores (especially abroad) want unsold books returnable.
  • Nigeria/Africa Tip: Many indie stores start with consignment deals, that is, they only pay after your book sells.

If your cost to print is too high, adjust your trim size, paper choice, or page count before finalizing your price.

Build Proof of Demand Before You Pitch

Stores want evidence your book will sell:

  • Reviews: 30–100 verified reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Selar, etc.
  • Sales Records: Show sales from your own online store (Selar, Paystack) or eBook platforms (KDP).
  • Audience Engagement: Events, book clubs, school readings, and online interviews count.
  • Press & Endorsements: Radio, blogs, influencers, and media mentions.

Africa-first tip: Community events and cultural festivals are powerful sales drivers and create strong photo/testimonial evidence for your pitch.

Choose Distribution Platforms That Bookstores Already Use
Think of distribution as the bridge between you (the author) and the bookstore. It’s the system that allows a store to order, receive, and restock your book quickly and reliably. Without the right distribution, your book might be amazing, but stores simply won’t know how to get it.

Here’s how it works in different markets:

  • Internationally:
    IngramSpark is one of the largest global book wholesalers. When your book is listed there, bookstores worldwide can see it in their catalog, order it, and even send it back if needed (if you make it returnable).
    Amazon KDP is great for online sales, but it doesn’t always make your book easily available to physical bookstores. So it works best as a complement, not the only option.
  • Nigeria & Africa:
    You can still use IngramSpark so your book appears in the global catalog, however shipping times and costs to Africa can be high. That’s why many authors also do short-run local printing (like 100–300 copies) to restock stores faster and keep unit costs lower.
    You can partner with independent Nigerian bookstores like Roving Heights, or regional chains like Exclusive Books in Southern Africa, and Bookstop in Kenya. Each has its own submission process, so always check their requirements before pitching.

At Print Doctor Africa, we help you combine global discoverability with local agility so that your book is visible worldwide and available fast where your readers are.

Target the Right Stores First

Start where your story resonates and where your logistics are strongest.

  • Nigeria: Roving Heights, Laterna, Patabah, Quintessence, Terra Kulture, Glendora BookShop, university/book club outlets.
  • Africa: Exclusive Books (SA), Bookstop (Kenya), independents tied to cultural hubs and festivals.
  • Diaspora shelves: African cultural centers, diaspora bookstores, campus shops (African studies, history, faith spaces).

Pitch That Works (Email + In-Person)

We have provided an email template to use to send your pitch to desired book stores.
What to send (one-pager or email):

  • 2–3 line hook plus 1 paragraph synopsis
  • Audience plus proof (reviews, sales, screenshots, event photos)
  • Retail price, proposed wholesale/consignment terms, and availability
  • Author cred plus 1 or 2 endorsements or notable media mentions
  • Event offer (free talk/signing/workshop that brings foot traffic)

Mini email template (steal this):

Subject: Local title with strong reader interest — [Title] by [Author]
Hi [Name], I’m a [city]-based author. My new [genre] novel, [Title], has [X reviews/press/results]. Readers include [book clubs/schools/church groups]. Retail is ₦[price]; I can offer [35–40%] wholesale or consignment. It’s available via Amazon and Selar and I have local inventory for fast restock. I’d also love to host a free author Q&A or workshop to drive traffic. May I drop off a sample copy and sell sheet or history?

Here are 2 Samples

1.
Subject: Local bestseller potential: The River’s Promise by Eniafe Babatunde

Hi [Name],

I’m a Lagos-based author, and my new historical fiction novel, The River’s Promise, has been warmly received by early readers, with over 120 pre-orders and glowing reviews from two local book clubs.

Retail is ₦6,500, and I can offer a 40% wholesale discount or a flexible consignment arrangement. The title is available via Amazon, Selar, and I also hold local inventory for quick restocks.

I’d be happy to support with a free in-store author Q&A or reading event to help drive traffic and engagement for your store.

Would it be possible to drop off a sample copy along with a sell sheet for your review?

Warm regards,
Eniafe Babatunde
0803 XXX XXXX | [email protected]

2.
Here’s the store-buyer-focused version that is short, direct, and benefit-led so they can decide quickly:

Subject: A fast-moving local title your customers will love: The River’s Promise

Hi [Name],

Your customers are always asking for fresh, high-quality Nigerian stories. My new novel, The River’s Promise, is already moving well through pre-orders, two book clubs, and church groups in Lagos.

It’s retailing at ₦6,500, with a 40% wholesale discount or flexible consignment. I have local stock for immediate delivery and it’s also available via Amazon and Selar for wider discoverability.

May I drop off a sample copy and one-page sell sheet for your consideration?

Best regards,
Eniafe Babatunde
0803 XXX XXXX | eniafebabatunde @email.com

Terms You’ll Be Offered (Read This Twice)

  • Consignment: You place 5–20 copies; store pays after sales (monthly/quarterly). Track with simple invoices.
  • Wholesale: Store buys upfront at your discount; you replenish as needed.
  • Returns: If enabled via Ingram, plan for the possibility. Locally, agree in writing how unsold copies are handled.
  • Payment cadence: Clarify payment cycle and reconciling unsold/defective copies.

Alternative Outlets That Sell Books in Africa

  • Schools & universities: Curriculum-adjacent fiction, study aids, history, faith titles.
  • Churches & mosques: Devotionals, relationship, family, leadership.
  • Festivals: Aké Arts & Book Festival, Kaduna Book & Arts Festival (KABAFEST), Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF), Quramo Festival of Words, Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF), Abuja International Book Fair; regional literature events like Nairobi Litfest, Zanzibar Book Fair and African Book Fair.
  • Cafés, hotels and restaurants, gift shops, museums: Smaller orders but great visibility.
  • Speaking circuits: Rotary/Lions, women’s networks, tech hubs.
    Soft CTA: We can print 100–300 copy test runs and send through these channels to build momentum before national rollouts.

Two Quick Scenarios (So You Can Model Yours)

Global + Local Hybrid (Non-fiction):

  • Produce to international spec; load on IngramSpark (returnable, 40% discount).
  • Build 50 plus reviews via KDP eBook launch, newsletter swaps, podcasts.
  • Print 200 copies locally; run Lagos/Abuja events; pitch Roving Heights with sell sheet plus event plan.
  • Use photos/testimonials to expand to other independents.

Regional Fiction (YA/School-friendly):

  • Align trim, price, and theme with school clubs and local book fairs.
  • Soft-launch on Selar to gather early reviews.
  • Short-run 100–150 copies; target schools plus a local indie store on consignment.

Your Bookstore-Ready Checklist

  • Edited and proofread to pro standard
  • Genre-fit cover plus clean interior typesetting
  • ISBN plus barcode plus solid metadata
  • Competitive retail price plus 35–45% wholesale margin
  • Distribution set (IngramSpark/global plus local inventory)
  • Proof of demand (reviews, photos, sales, press)
  • One-page sell sheet plus sample copy
  • Short pitch email plus event offer
  • Clear terms (consignment/wholesale/returns)

Final Word

Bookstores don’t “take a chance”, they respond to signals: professional quality, visible demand, and easy logistics. Build those signals, start local, and scale with smart distribution. For African indie authors, community events and short-run testing are a superpower. Use them to create undeniable momentum.

When you’re ready, Print Doctor Africa can produce to international standards, send your book to you anywhere locally and globally, and equip you with the secrets that open bookstore doors. And we have the added advantage of helping you start with just 100 copies.