Submit Your Book
Are you an indie author with a professionally curated novel, memoir, nonfiction book, children’s book, etc? We want to hear all about it!
We’re looking for books of all shapes and sizes, all the genres, from crafty how-tos to heartwrenching high fantasies. There are some requirements that must be met in order to be stocked, but rest assured: we only ask the standards of bookstore retail be met and nothing more.
Standard Requirements:
Bowker ISBN (no free ISBNs from IngramSpark, KDP, etc)
Available on Ingram’s catalog via Expanded Distribution (KDP), IngramSpark, etc. Check with your publishing platform if you’re not sure! See below for updates and information if you have books you want us to order directly through you instead of Ingram.
Professionally edited. We regretfully cannot accept self-edited works due to the high risk of content quality issues.
Cover and interior designs must be professional in appearance and look like a major publishing house did it. We understand that some authors are also professional cover designers and formatters, so no issues with DIY here! But please maintain the same standards as traditional publishing—and understand that we may not be able to accept your submission if it’s an obvious DIY.
55% wholesale discount. PLEASE NOTE: Through Ingram’s system, they keep 15% of that and we only receive a 40% discount off the title price. This is not typical for retail of any kind and is one of the primary reasons why we are shifting to ordering directly through authors who have the stock. ANY BOOKS LISTED AT A LOWER DISCOUNT WILL BE REJECTED. This is not because we’re “out to make a profit”, but because it’s not financially feasible and actually costs us, the bookstore, more money to acquire the book than it actually sells for.
Returnable. We do not actually process returns through Ingram, nor do we accept returns from customers at full price. We have a very strict policy designed to dissuade book returns—but if it must happen, we now have a Used Books section. We do, however, frequently communicate with other bookstores who do need to process returns for various reasons, and we want to make sure we can recommend your title(s) to them!
Retail price reflects expected averages. For example: a 360-page, 5x8 paperback with black-and-white interior on cream paper could go for $14.99-$18.99, but not $30.
UPDATE:
We ARE now accepting books ordered directly through authors! If you prefer to process book inventory orders through your own system, please fill out the form below and then email us at: support@bumblebooks.co with the ordering information.
We have a brick-and-mortar location! While it is not a requirement to send us copies of your book to be listed on our website catalog, we do recommend sending physical copies to the store for swifter shelf placement. This also gives us the opportunity to read and review, recommend to customers, and further promote your book!
BumbleBooks
714 47th Ave
Amana, IA 52203
Please send the version you want stocked: paperback, hardcover, or both. (NOTE: If you send multiple copies, we can stock and reorder faster!) This is to help us make sure we have the right shelving space, as well as to calculate the best orders for our local shoppers. We do conduct quality checks, so please make sure your book is retail-ready!