What is Barnes & Noble becoming?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

UPDATE: Daunt has made a statement as of Monday morning: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/90151-daunt-addresses-furor-over-middle-grade-fiction-buying-policy.html

[@Neil-writer-author]

It’s a shame. I’m a marginalized author of adult fiction. That means I could lose sales as a traditionally published author.

[@ashleymiller4318]

About to finish my MA in Creative Writing... working on my first draft and I was planning on going the traditional publishing route, but im rethinking my decision with this. I don't want to become a one woman small buisness and do self publishing, but how else can I "prove my worth" anymore? It's the companies that want the profit without the risk, shareholders have them by the throat and we expect them to take chances on people like me, it'll never happen.

[@madelinejameswrites]

Honestly, this makes me wonder if the industry is going to pivot to aspiring authors having to self publish a book to prove sales before the trad pub industry is going to take a chance on them... I just don't know how much of an effect this will have on what publishers are willing to pick up

[@RichardHolliday]

May I ask, as a UK author/reader who isn't experienced in MG fiction... is the MG hardback format in particular a big selling point for these books over in the US? On the face of it, allowing individual stores to order and buy in reaction to local demand seems eminently sensible... but creating this chicken-and-egg scenario of "your book doesn't sell enough to be on our shelves!"/"My book doesn't sell well because it's not on your shelves!" seems like very poor business. Nobody wins?! Happy to be educated. 😊 I'd say anecdotally from memory, the Waterstones stores I have visited, including the flagship, go for majority paperback, especially in adult fiction.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

@@RichardHolliday That's a great question! My take - and please bear in mind, this is a complicated issue and I fully admit to not having a complete grasp on how all of this works - is that shelf space in B&N is vital for MG books, particularly in the early days of release, and the majority of our contracts stipulate that the hardcover releases first, with a paperback to come a year later IF HC sales are fairly solid. In other words, an MG novel is ONLY available in hardcover and ebook the first year it's out, which means it won't be in stores at all, meaning sales will be less than stellar and B&N will therefore be less likely to stock its paperback when it's released (again, usually a year later). And yeah, the chicken/egg thing confuses me as well! Daunt had the opportunity to clarify that in his statement this morning but I still just don't see how his policies aren't a direct contradiction to his (supposed) intent/strategy.

[@aroomofmIOwn]

It's like the people running B&N have literally no idea why a person in 2022 would even GO TO A BOOKSTORE

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

YUP. The sad thing is, the whole indie/local approach could be really great. But if it's going to be nothing but James Patterson and tables of Harry Potter with a billion different covers...that's not very indie.

[@MRuby-qb9bd]

They'll end up folding like Borders.

[@marinawolf]

The big houses are absorbing smaller ones (and each other), agent demands are becoming asinine, and now B&N is "restructuring" their shelf space. Don't they realize we can order what we want from Amazon? The entire publishing machine is like an ouroboros which doesn't realize it's eating itself. I don't even see a reason to do anything other than self-publish anymore.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Distribution was the biggest thing trad pub had going for it (in terms of choosing between this and self-pub) and I'm sure the houses realize that this decision by B&N is kneecapping that pretty hard.

[@KrisMF]

thank you for summarizing this!! I was watching this discussion unfold on twitter and I was SO horrified. I was also very confused about how/why this happened. I feel like publishing is really asking authors to go viral, get a following, or just be famous lol. I mean, having to prove your book sales before they'll stock you?? I get that it's a business, but that's just so backwards. it's heartbreaking to know that amazing, emerging stories might never see the light of day because no one's taking a chance on unknown names. these days, I honestly feel hopeless as an aspiring author.

[@8ri1]

This! I feel like the need to go viral has infected all creative industries and it’s just sick. Why should a writer also become a TikTok content creator just for you to sell their books??? Especially when going viral comes from luck?? It’s just a shame.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

It's very backwards indeed! They're just looking for quick fixes and breakout hits instead of addressing the actual issues.

[@prashantkumar4217]

@@8ri1 I agree! Publishers must jump in to resolve the issue. As far as I know, publishers are always looking for new authors-though not in abundance, but that's okay. As long as publishers stand beside new talents, nothing bad can happen. It's just my opinion. On a professional level it might come across as, well, very unprofessional.

[@PianoGirl091]

Couldn't have said it better myself. 😭

[@PianoGirl091]

I shouldn't have to become internet famous to sell my book. That's so backwards.

[@JB-ui6tm]

Hi, Michelle! I'm Bethany Baptiste. Thank you so much for covering this. I appreciate it. All the affected authors appreciate it I'm sure because we've been accused of so many things since I made my initial thread. Spreading misinformation, rumors, stretching the truth, and inducing panic on purpose. I wanted to bring this issue to light because publishing lacks transparency and news like this can allow traditional published authors to protect themselves and advocate for themselves in an industry that purposely keeps us in the dark.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Bethany! Thank YOU for getting this whole conversation started publicly! The lack of transparency is one of the biggest problems in our industry and I'm so grateful to every author who speaks up about the stuff that otherwise would never be made public - as you said, it's essential for us to protect and advocate for ourselves and look out for one another. I appreciate you!

[@carriebartkowiak]

For a long, LONG time, B&N has been nothing more than a Spencer's with a small book section. T-shirts, toys, games, small furniture (tangentially related to reading), trendy posters, glittery pens, key chains, earrings and jewelry, temporary tattoos, enamel pins, small tech peripherals, and the latest trendy drink. They haven't been a BOOKSELLER for many years. And the running joke about B&N for all of that time is that when they're faced with a business choice, they ALWAYS pick the absolute WORST option in relation to actually selling books. It's like they've been trying their best to go bankrupt for a solid decade now, and the readers just won't let them, so they have to get more and more extreme in their methodology.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

YES. Every time I visit one, I'm a little shocked at all the merchandise that isn't books. It makes no sense.

[@gwenaguilar7049]

Well as a grandmother with grandkids who are seriously missing places like Toys R Us, taking them into this store makes them giddy, and they always ALWAYS buy books as well as a toy here and there. I'm so sad that these new practices are being implemented in their stores. There's something special about walking into a bookstore and physically touching books. Every author has a right to have their books in their chains. EVERY AUTHOR! I don't want to stop going there because our choices are so limited, but damn I will if they can't be fair to hard working authors. So very sad. I'm so sorry this is happening

[@prashantkumar4217]

Great video, Michelle! I'm a POC writer and yet to be agented, still I feel depressed after seeing it all for the last couple of days. But I hang on to the hope that in a year or so we won't be so worried when we look back at this news. What's your optimistic side trying to say to you about the future of publishing for debut authors, Michelle? My thoughts and prayers to those writers directly affected by this situation. Stay strong. Nothing external can stop you from being recognized. 👊🏻

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Agreed SO much with that last statement! :) My optimistic side says this: traditional publishing and bookselling has always struggled to keep up with the times, and I'm talking well before Amazon. There were think pieces back in the day about how paperbacks would destroy literature, for example. And yet despite it all, books are still out there and authors are still inspired to write every day. I think there's still a path for aspiring authors seeking trad pub. I just think we're going to have to get creative - and I don't mean by dancing on TikTok, lol. (#never) There's no going back to the way B&N was, but that doesn't mean we should give up on distribution and discovery, it just means things are evolving and we're going to have to look for new ways to get our stories in front of readers.

[@prashantkumar4217]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor True. We'll have to keep up with the evolution of the industry. And yes, in my book (figuratively 😂), the synonym of tiktok is "cringe".

[@esthermarieandujar]

I love when you make this types of videos because there’s is so much information than just the initial thread (which was amazing and informative). The articles about Borders closing + the song was such a nice touch!!!!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Esther! I have fun making them (despite all my rage and frustration, haha)

[@WarthogDemon]

I'm trying to process just how doom and gloom this is. Does this mean it's impossible now for a debut author to make it big in traditional publishing without a massive social media following?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I wouldn't say impossible - honestly, even before this decision, it was always going to be hard to "make it big." But yes, definitely more of a challenge now. But I don't think the focus should be on making it big - that's the whole problem, it's all anyone focuses on when it's a healthy midlist that would save houses, B&N, and authors.

[@joshuatwhaley-novelist]

I am genuinely enjoying your take on what is happening in the publishing industry. I have self-published six novels over the past two years and two novels twelve years ago. Yes, I would love to have a traditional book deal; however, I have not sought out a literary agent since my first two due to the change in the industry. Amazon has the market share, so why not publish through them, where you can make four dollars per unit vs. seventy-five cents. To me, personally, traditional publishing is more about bragging rights than a good business model for "must" authors. As a horror novelist, I publish through Amazon KDP (with expanded distribution), Barnes and Noble Publishing, and Google Play. With social media, Amazon Ads, Goodreads, and blogs, there are so many ways to get your name out there and find success... if you are willing to put in the work.

[@KarrGalaxyStudios]

Hi michelle! first off, love you and your channel so thanks for all the good information over the years! This is devastating news for debut authors such as myself trying to complete my final manuscript on my debut middle-grade fantasy book (while also looking for an agent) only to hear that now the market shifted in the states for hardcover sales with such a dim outlook for sales. If barnes and noble is going the online only route for debut hardcovers then they are no better then going the Amazon route and force us to seriously consider self-publishing now because there is no difference and amazon has bigger market share in the book world. The advantage to having "book in hand" in a store and seeing it there for new authors (and book signings!) is supposed to be what every traditional pubbed author dreams of. I really hope this doesn't catch on in other countries like canada for indigo/chapters or in the uk. Once again this comes down to greed and lack of profit sharing for the authors who work the hardest at their novels creating the very products the publishing industry relies on to make those profits. At least a decent marketing and promotion budget for new debut authors would go along way, its very difficult for an author to do this on their own successfully. Sadly, this doesn't seem to be the case. After this news I am seriously considering giving up. I do want my novel to be finished and published traditionally and not have all the time wasted creating only to have the rug come out from under me. It but it just seems impossible in the current market climate. I need to do some serious thinking here.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I totally understand, and I'm really sorry this is all happening as you're working on your first novel. The self-pub route is definitely the right choice for a lot of authors, but I do hope you won't base your decision solely off this news about B&N. There are a lot of reasons why trad pub has been a challenge for aspiring authors over the last several years, yet many authors are still breaking through and finding success. It's challenging, but not impossible! Just look at how many new book deals are announced every week - houses are still acquiring, and they'll continue to do so!

[@KarrGalaxyStudios]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor Thanks for this. I do appreciate the pep talk. I still have love for my story and will see it through to the end, i just don't know if it will ever get published at this point. Writing the book was tough enough, getting an agent seems impossible due the industry problems and how overwhelmed (and picky) the agents are and now to hear that the very sellers (ie the marketplace) just became tough was too much to bear today. It's definitely a crossroads of sorts I'm at. I'll keep you posted. Love your insights and your videos as always Michelle!

[@hannahguthrie9112]

Wow this...I can't even process this. I've spent years dreaming of being a debut author on a Barnes and noble shelf and now? Honestly Barnes and noble really doesn't give a single hoot about authors or readers. 🙄

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I don't expect them to care about authors, just readers - and yeah, I struggle to see how this is good for readers, for sure.

[@hannahguthrie9112]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor I always go to Barnes and noble on release day for titles I want and pick them up. Now I'll have to get it on Amazon, which isnt my preference bc I don't like supporting Amazon.

[@laniehenry]

I agree. It's messed up with what their doing. As a kid. I loved going to Barens and noble to look around at books and find what I want. But now , I may end up going to Amazon. Which I hate to do. But you can get them there. Is their a website you can get Indie author books from?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

yes! www.indiebound.org

[@PWingert1966]

Here in Toronto most large physical book stores have closed and disappeared. I personally have not bought a physical book in the last 5 years. I am low-income so I work hard to find digital books. I have a small 400 sq foot apartment and so do not have the space for a large book collection like I used to have. I feel like Barnes and Noble has grabbed the biggest rock they can find (AKA a Boulder) and is proceeding to smash themselves in the face until it feels good; despite the fact that this will lead to their death. But they will feel so good when they are done.(They will never be done but do not realize this) The current strategy is just like Best-buy.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Best Buy is such an interesting comparison. And I hear you on the income and space - I dealt with that for years, and to be honest space is still an issue. I would love a massive book collection but there's no room!

[@bunbacheso]

MICHELLE! You went IN at the very end! Well done video! Thank you for making it. :) You really gave us a lot to think about with that twist ending. And I totally see your point; these decisions do seem like they could be counterproductive for Barnes & Noble.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you so much, Cimone! :)

[@bunbacheso]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor You're welcome!

[@floragraves5167]

I got a theory. My college used BN for their bookstore. Inside you had coffee and all the dorm supplies you would ever need. I think that’s a solid business idea they’re gearing towards: being a campus one stop shop. How true is this at other colleges? Idk

[@davidbasinski2634]

Editorial comments appreciated.. Viva the independent bookstores, even if their books are sold on commission.. Browsing will be limited to what the author and Amazon decide. :(

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks, David! Yup, it's never been a better time to support an indie...

[@hedera13]

This video smashed, the ending was great.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you!!

[@gwynnathawinna]

Ouch, what an ending! Love it!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you! :)

[@MargaretPinard]

BUUUUUURNNNNNN--nice punchline, Michelle! The music choice. *chefs kiss*

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

ngl I was cracking up when I found that song on Epidemic Sound!

[@alwaysapirateroninace443]

Because you mentioned Amazon, I must bring your attention to a marvelous book I read: How to Resist Amazon and Why by: Danny Caine He's the owner of an independent bookstore, The Raven. While it might be mostly impossible (?) for authors to not use Amazon, buyers can certainly go elsewhere, including to libraries. Local bookstores are usually more expensive, but that's because Amazon devalues books. Save $ & buy indie, or ask your local library to buy more indie. If we truly want to keep the bookstore experience, we have to show it. We've also been spoiled by 2 day shipping. If you plan right, it's usually a lot less necessary. And remember, if you're buying from Amazon, you're ultimately lining the pockets & giving money to a man who already has more money than over 100 countries. Local libraries often have tons of resources, including financial & job search & housing aid & help.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

All excellent points! Thank you!

[@jackhubert]

Can you do an update to this video?

[@j.s.elliot7121]

Publishing seems to be getting more cynical by the year. It's honestly a bit sad. I know it is ultimately a business, but the business appears to be hog-tying themselves.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's exactly what it seems like. :/

[@emmawright9660]

David and Goliath isn't a parable, The Prodigal Son is a parable.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Ok!

[@DisgruntledAdult]

Those indie books that these sales associates want to sell are not selling. So why get mad at corporate for finally cutting that out? If it was selling they would’ve kept it.

[@JohnAllenRoyce]

Dumbing down the public has been corporate America's most ludicrously lucrative investment and it ain't stopping on its own

[@CelestialShaman44]

e books will BOOM!! Due to COVID19 they had a couple of years to strategically decide to STOP authors...future authors. So. The venue for new smaller bookstores will appear which help the authors in there region.

[@AB-en7st]

Very infuriating video and that's towards B&N not you. Thank you for summarizing the situation. Between this news and what's going on with publishers I won't be surprised if more and more people go the indie route even for publishing because then at least their books have a chance of getting read /sold. If they make it big they could even get that sought after trad deal or if they go viral somehow. Maybe that would be a way they could prove sales. Seems to be the case given recent headlines. Maybe they will regret this decision, maybe not( in terms of profitability) for Barnes and Noble...time will tell. Sadly this simply puts even more pressure on the author's to look out for themselves. But that's capitalism.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

^^^yup. Exactly.

[@mrplatink]

Cart before the horse, except the cart is a boulder and the horse is a cat

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

LOL!

[@cynthiaking5308]

They need more space for Starbucks

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I wish this was just a joke and not actual truth

[@kanashiiookami6537]

It feels like self sabotage, what B&N is doing. Like they're the company version of Rowling and are doing whatever they can to destroy their reputation. Beyond what's in your video, and the tiny amount I've seen online, I don't know much about it though, so that's just the impression I was getting. On a different topic, for your ghost writing and your own stories, I was wondering if you format everything at the start (cover page, properly formatted chapters, etc) of your writing, or save that for after you've finished writing. (Or if, for client work, you have them review and format the finished product themself) Because i was formatting a book last night using a Reedsy guide I found online, but I wasn't sure what point you're actually supposed to get that done. (Or if you're supposed to to begin with. Some agents and editors online say no, others say it makes it polished and gets your work seen. Others say "do what you want".) I was also wondering how you yourself format your manuscripts and if you ever plan on making a video on it. Anyway, I hope your writing is going well, and that this B&N idiocy won't affect your plans for your books. Good luck with everything, and enjoy the rest of your week. (I hope it'll be stress free for you) 💜

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yeah, I was hoping that statement this morning would clarify what they're going for, but I'm more confused than ever. :/ I usually format it properly from the beginning, especially if I'm writing directly in Word (as opposed to Scrivener). But I know some writers who hate Times New Roman, so they write it in whatever format looks nice to them - then format it properly before sending it to agents/editors. I definitely don't recommend doing any other type of format if an agent/editor is going to be reading it - it's not professional, and also many of them send manuscripts to their Kindles/ereaders, which may or may not recognize your fonts and could mess with your format. I hadn't planned on a formatting video but it's a good idea! And nope, the B&N news isn't slowing me down - and I hope your writing is going awesome too!!

[@kanashiiookami6537]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor TNR has always been my default on computer. But the thing that confuses me is straight vs curly/smart quotes. Some things say you need to use smart quotes, others say you'll get issues with those randomly changing to other symbols and therefore should use straight, and yet others still say that whichever you do, make sure it's all the same type because one editor (I think they were) mentioned in an article an author sent a manuscript that had a few straight quotes mixed in and it made the whole document wonky. I may be shooting myself in the foot, but I've been doing find and replace on all quotation marks and apostrophes (sadly having to search out each individual word because I'm using Word 2010 and it inserted a weird undeletable space between the apostrophe and following letter when I tried a mass change) to be smart quotes so as not to annoy an agent with straight quotes. (Oddly enough it's changed my 90-some kilobyte document into just over 2mb) I dunno if I'm going overboard with my formatting of this thing, but it can't hurt to be polished, eh? (I figure if anything, if this book gets rejected I could "easily" get it self published because all the editing and formatting and all that will have been done. 😅 So there's my bright side) On the video front, I'd definitely love to see your process on all that. Because this rabbit hole of hyperfixation I've gone down on researching this subject has me intensely intrigued on all aspects, because I don't think I've found a single set of authors that format the same. (At least for what I saw on cover page formatting and chapters)

[@madelinejameswrites]

Okay. I loved this. I've been seeing people talk about B&N lately and it just hasn't made a ton of sense to me. When I go to B&N, I go to browse and find good books I haven't heard of. I don't go looking for bestsellers (I typically pre-order those if I'm really interested), so if I go into a B&N and only see books I've already heard of... Why am I going?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Exactly!! I so love the idea of B&N trying to make stores more like local Indies so that each one is a unique experience. But these policies are the opposite of that - so why would a reader who wants to browse and purchase from a brick-and-mortar bother going??

[@bodine219]

*Exactly* These kinds of changes are making me much more interested in my local indies, which if I'm perfectly honest I rarely visited before. B&N was bigger, easier, and had some seriously happy childhood memories attached.

[@writenowdream3882]

Well.. the crazy part in all of this, is that Amazon will benefit from this decision, as those who want to support midlist authors will either go there or to an indie!

[@marinawolf]

Bingo!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Exactly!

[@ISOShakespeare]

I used to work at Borders back in the day. I loved working there and miss the one on one conversations with customers and the sense of pride in helping them find a book they were excited about. But even then, the vast majority of books we sold were paperbacks and people would walk out with two or three books because it was more affordable than buying one hardcover.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That makes a lot of sense - and now, a decade later, hardcover prices are seriously high. From a consumer standpoint, I completely sympathize and prioritizing paperbacks makes sense.

[@amitain4254]

I remember when Borders went out of business. I was actually working at a Barnes & Noble when I first moved to NYC (I worked in Union Square). It was a BIG deal. This definitely feels familiar.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Aw, I miss that B&N! It's a good one. And yeah, I'm honestly rooting for B&N to survive but this is all really ominous.

[@Avionne_Parris]

Not gonna lie, this video really bummed me out. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle here. While I'll never stop writing or give up on my writing dream, I'll need to pivot if I ever hope to get my books published. As a black writer and non-American, I felt that trad pub had everything I needed to succeed: Agent, editor, cover designer, etc. but also access to school libraries, B&N, brick-and-mortar stores, etc. However, after this news and the entire trad pub overhaul such as printing shortages and whatnot, I'll need to seriously consider self pub. I don't consider myself to be midlist, so while some of them might float and make it to proverbial shore, I might be thrown out with the bathwater. I'll need to change my game plan, and start saving some serious moolah. Thanks for always keeping us in the loop, Michelle. It's a rotten way to start the work week but at least I know what I have to face. Still, publishing just got a whole lot harder for me. And I guess I'll never do a school visit either. It's like I had a hundred to one odds the way things were set up before and now it's jumped to a gazillion. Oh well... Hope you have a great week, Michelle! Hi Rosa :-)

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I know this is really disheartening, but I'm not ready to recommend everyone abandon the trad pub ship just yet - mostly because while yes, distribution is now a much bigger issue, that doesn't change anything about the challenge the self pub route offers that many authors (like you and me) don't want to deal with. Just keep writing!! One thing I learned reading back through those Borders articles from a decade ago is that stuff doesn't work out like we think. Those pieces were filled with musings about how B&N would be gone in five years, and that paperbacks would be dead. And here we are, B&N actually prioritizing paperbacks over hardcover because that's where the $ is. Amazon still hasn't converted those customers who want a brick and mortar experience. A huge part of the issues we have today are because of miscalculations and predictions made a decade ago that haven't come to fruition.

[@Avionne_Parris]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor That's a really good point! I hadn't thought of that at all. But I'll just focus on writing and getting my projects finished and start querying. Who knows what the future of publishing will be in a few months or even a few years? I just have so many naysayers here telling me about trad pub so hearing about things like this only confirms what they've been stating about how difficult it is to be trad pub. I can't let things beyond my control bum me out. Writing the book, that's what I'm in charge of. Everything else is out of my hands. But forewarned is forearmed so I really appreciate the video heads up, Michelle! Thanks for always using your platform to be a beacon for others like lil ol' me :-)

[@qwe1231]

B&N has been in free-fall for over a decade. The Riggio family stripped the company of its profitable academic sales unit for themselves before dumping the main company in 2019 (when it already was hobbled and in serious shape). Elliott Management specializes in buying bankrupt and near-bankrupt companies and squeezing out costs... and profits. Don't count on them for helping anyone.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yep. It's really sad, and awful to think about the impact this will have on both authors and readers.

[@victoriatalkswriting8352]

When I heard about this I was mostly just confused. The decisions don't really seem like they'll result in B&N selling more books?!. The whole situation is just so discouraging. I'm not sure what the path forward to publishing books for kids will be. I just really hope these books will do well anyway and will be read by lots of kids who need them. It just seems like B&N is trying to stop kids (and adults) from discovering new books which is really just a shame.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

B&N is really just thinking about sales and returns based on data. I can squint and see how one might think this strategy will work (and again, apparently it did for Waterstones in the UK), but that doesn't mean it's going to be great for readers or books as a whole (quite the opposite)

[@DaisyXMachina]

What really doesn't make sense is if a book doesn't sell, they can return the book to the publisher at no cost to themselves. I was an assistant manager at a Crown Bookstore (a looong time ago), and we'd weekly strip covers off of paperbacks to get reimbursed (i.e., return just the covers for proof they weren't sold). The stripped books get sent off to be incinerated (cheaper than returning the books to the publisher). So there really is no cost to B&N outside of storage (and labor, I guess). B&N is the last giant standing. Back in the day, when we had Waldens, B. Dalton, Crown, Borders, etc., the chains at least had a yardstick against each other to figure out how to compete with each other. Now, it just seems like B&N is simply panicking and flailing without any idea of what its purpose is. Maybe Waterstones has an opening to expand over the pond.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

It sounds like (based on Daunt's statement this morning) those returns are a big part of the reason they're doing this. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/90151-daunt-addresses-furor-over-middle-grade-fiction-buying-policy.html I'd be all for Waterstones moving over here!

[@DaisyXMachina]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor Very interesting article. Thanks!

[@RichardHolliday]

I've been a bit behind on your videos Michelle but I'm glad I caught this eye-opening look at what's going on! I'm quite loyal to Waterstones (which as you mentioned, have done a lot right in their reinvention, as it was touch and go for them not too long ago in the face of Amazon) so I hope they don't import any of these tactics. Some of my favourite recent reads were bought "on a whim" at a Waterstones and like you said... I venture into a Waterstones because I'm interested in books and it's a very relaxing environment that encourages browsing, so I'm ready to be sold to! Their flagship store in London (5 floors in a converted 1930s department store) is lovely! B&N could take note!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That sounds amazing! And I'm guessing Waterstones sells midlist books in hardcover, and not just brand/bestsellers? I hope that stays the same for you guys (and maybe this endeavor will fail over here...but right now, I have little hope for B&N's survival).

[@RichardHolliday]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor It really is! 😍I don't much look at the hardcover offering as I'm a paperback kinda guy but the big London store is a real Aladdin's cave across the board - "8 miles of bookshelves" they say, so you're bound to find something to enjoy, and not just the big names either. Next time I'm up there (which will no doubt be soon) I'll keep an eye on the hardcover offering. It's a real shame as physical book-buying has a definite "magic" to it that buying online just can't capture. I may be an anomaly as often when I see a book that piques my interest, I note down it's title/snap a pic, research the reviews a little before doing a click and collect order at Waterstones because I think it's worth supporting! A world without bookshops is a dark place indeed.

[@DianeC1975]

Barnes and Noble better get their game up online, its the worst website I've ever had to navigate. And their stores are getting sad. And I've been a member since the very begining. I've never seen a sadder sight these days.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yes, yes, and yes.

[@ramonaritz8210]

I have noticed I can't find the books I want at B & B anymore.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Ugh :(

[@tomarnold8417]

I have been doing signings at Barnes & Noble recently, and through my observation, people don't buy a lot of hardcovers. Unless they are collector's items, they are costly and a waste of shelf space because they will probably be returned. I understand that hardcovers are just a way for publishers to charge more for the same book. Those debuting in the short term are screwed, but in the long term, if this decision continues and Barnes & Noble continues its strong sales (which it will), publishers will probably get rid of hardcovers. In short, this decision was to limit returns which is better for authors, publishers, and stores. If you want to know where Barnes & Noble is going, they are a hybrid corporate bookstore with a new independent flair. Corporate (i.e., the big five) fingerprints will be in the stores, but they will be more indie-friendly. On another note, I suggest a new term for Mid-list writers considering that they are the majority of writers, so maybe best sellers and then everyone else. A couple of other quick points. The marriage between Starbucks and Barnes & Noble is another key to foot traffic. And if you want to know where publishing is going, they are taking cues from indie authors who are experts in saving money and getting their books into stores simultaneously.

[@Laura_DiNunno]

Thanks for this. I'd been seeing so much about this and wasn't entirely sure what the backstory was. This clears things up. I hope B&N listens. P.S. I miss Borders.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks for watching, Laura - and so do I!

[@merrihalma]

I don't miss Borders. I miss Hastens. They had videos, games, and books and worked with local authors who self-published or had books from smaller publishing houses. I hope Barnes and Nobles pull their head out of their backside and starts seeing how they are undermining themselves.

[@TheNotoriousNemo]

as a consumer who buys a certain book at $40 on amazon, BN sells it for $45. sucks but i have to save money with prime. They have a decent movie 4k selection online, on a FEW items.

[@MargaretPinard]

"Glorified Walmart book section" SIGH. Back to the drawing board with INDIES, woot woot!!! (ALWAYS INDIE BOOKSTORES

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

#indiesforever

[@richardhdent]

Honestly, hardcovers are way too expensive.

[@donicareads]

Thank you for breaking this down so well. I first saw this on a post from Kim Harrison who, to me, is a well respected and established author, but even she is dealing with being deemed “unworthy.” $$ ruins everything. I’m not very active on social media but it seems like that is the only place to find and support new & marginalized authors now 😢

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks for watching! And yes, the discoverability issue just got even bigger. It's definitely making things a lot more challenging.

[@plats1009]

Love the ending of this! Well done!

[@charleslatora5750]

Once in a blue moon some board games are only sold by specific stores and I believe once or twice Barnes & nobles had some exclusive sales so sometimes you have to go there for something other than a book

[@authorrayrogers]

To answer your question about what B&N is trying to be: It's not about trying to be anything. They're cutting upfront costs, which is the first sign of an eventual end of the business. They're only going to stock guaranteed sellers because they can't afford to stock stuff they don't KNOW will sell. Companies do stuff like this when they know they're dying. They're simply trying to lessen how painful their death will be.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's definitely what it looks like, sadly!

[@rebeccadey]

I saw this video pop up and knew it would be full of plain fact delivered with sizzling snark. That ending was a full-on mic drop. 🔥 There are so many good comments here that already sum up my thoughts, but still...I am at a loss. And the comments about "taste" by Mr. Daunt left me with a bad one in my mouth. Taste is 100% subjective! Be frank and just say you hold contempt for any book that won't earn you easy money. And to then have the gall to say that bookstores and publishers have been letting down debut authors for years, while trying to twist how this policy isn't strictly complicit in that, but instead somehow will help...it's just so audacious.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Rebecca! And yeah, I'm still processing that statement. It's very official (as to be expected), and while I know we'll never get a real, behind closed doors explanation, I would truly love to hear it.

[@Iwasonceanonionwithnolayers]

This was immaculate. Loved the end

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Vicky!

[@MoosesWorkshop]

But yet they keep making more room for toys and gaming stuff that people usually get around dedicated stores for that sort of thing. Every section slowly looses titles the more they expand those two areas.

[@herbivore101able]

That ending yikes 😬 It really is all a mess

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

It sure is!

[@aryniris]

Hi Michelle! I work as a bookseller at my local bn. While bn didn't make a public statement, they did address the controversy (not really) to us as booksellers. I can't quote it to you verbatim, but essentially it: - told booksellers to post if we want to on our local socials, but not feel pressured to if our pages are seeing some of the back lash - made clear they won't be releasing a public statement - said the conversation was "too nuanced for social media" Everyone can make of that what they will. But I think you tackled that nuance very thoroughly, thank you for informing me when my company did not.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Hi Aryn! This is so interesting - thank you for sharing! "Too nuanced for social media"...I have a lot of conflicting feelings about that. It feels like a cop out, but also, social media is notoriously terrible for nuanced conversations. That said, if they wanted to dive into the nuances, they'd make that public statement, sooo....sigh. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this! I know it's probably just as frustrating for booksellers!

[@Adriprints]

Debut author-illustrator here - we noticed that without me/family/friends calling all the B&N's in my hometown (Miami), they had not stocked my debut. Ouch. Weirdly, they did stock it in small town West TX where I have family! But we're trying to share this book the best we can with or without their support.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Ugh, I'm so sorry about that! But on the bright side - huge congrats on your debut novel!! B&N or not, it's out there finding it's way into kids' hands! :D

[@MissSadara]

I prefer hardcover. I have zero interest in paperback, unless it was never published in hardcover. I buy books from B&N, but not frequently.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I love hardcovers too!

[@angusorvid8840]

I'm an author who worked at Barnes and Noble for years. I witnessed how much power the company has to make or break books. They carry massive quantities of little variety. Every day, for years, customers complained about this. B&N didn't give midlist authors much of a chance. A mass market paperback had about a week at most before it was remaindered, hardcovers, maybe two weeks. The only exception was if they were bestsellers. I remember whenever a new diet book like The South Beach Diet came out about twenty years ago. The company would literally order mountains of the books, ready on pallets in their stockrooms to be wheeled out onto the floor. They would give out tickets for crowd control and have lines down the block. Same with Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, etc. The company became obsessed with selling doodads like Game of Thrones bobble heads and Harry Potter wands. Barnes and Noble, by instituting their new policy which cuts out the midlist, also cuts out a lot of diverse voices. You are absolutely spot on in calling B&N a glorified Walmart book section. There is no ground level, indie style curation. Visiting a Barnes and Noble is a bland experience.

[@StephenAryan44]

Worrying times ahead, really not sure how it is going to impact me at this time.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

The only thing that's giving me hope is knowing that Waterstones turned it around. :/

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

Yeah I heard about this on author twitter and its just like, how the hell does that help a bookstore? Ti not stock books?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

It's a mystery! And not the good kind!

[@BiologicalClock]

My city only has two brick and mortar bookstores left: one of which is mostly for used books but does sell some new titles, and one which is B&N. I've gone to B&N less and less because I've noticed their options getting more and more limited. When I want to have a book buying experience that isn't limited to used or bestsellers, I have to drive 3 hours to Chicago to do so. It's really frustrating; I practically lived in Borders before it closed, and now I rarely go book shopping anymore because there's no enjoyment in walking around a B&N that doesn't stock anything that interests me.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

This is a perfect example of why these policies are doomed to fail.

[@Saladbar1120]

I purchase about 40+ books a year, mostly front list and avoid the Baldaccis and the Pattersons etc. I get a lot of them from BN and local indies, never amazon. But now I’m gonna be visiting only indies exclusively I suppose when these changes are implemented.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That's honestly so awesome, Joshua! And yeah, I tend to spread out my book buying business but I think it's going to be even more indie-heavy in the future.

[@MargaretPinard]

TRUE DAT about the B&N identity crisis/ context!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yuuuup

[@carole5648]

while i think this decision is not going to help their business, i'm also wondering why the US can't just print paperbacks at the same time as hardbacks, like the do in EU? i'm imagining a warehouse like store with 60 copies of the same titles stocked like toilet paper...not what i want when i'm browsing a bookstore.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

That does happen sometimes! I know a few authors whose pubs decided on a simultaneous hc/pbk run in their last contract - and now we know why. I'm sure many pubs will follow suit. My worry is that they'll just do away with MG hardcovers altogether - as a reader, I love hardcover, and as an author, the royalties are much better.

[@rosemaryrichings2564]

Thanks for being the voice of comfort and reality on this. I only found out about this through a very quick twitter glance and as as a debut who happens to be disabled, it made me so anxious it made it difficult to read into all the facts as much as I should. Great point on the business model implications of this decision too!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks for watching, Rosemary! It's all a lot to take, but please try not to let it bring down your debut experience. I'm sure your book will still find it's way into the hands of lots of readers!!

[@adrienne2838]

If I have to pay for Barnes and Noble shipping realistically I’d rather use Amazon prime since I already pay for that membership

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Yep, I think that's the route many people will take!

[@jackhubert]

Maybe Barnes and noble should stream movies with their app? Classics and indie films first. Then grow from there. Their locations should also be positioned in walkable dense urban areas (close to college campuses too) so people who ride bikes can use their bookstores and spend a morning or afternoon there.

[@jackhubert]

I really want to buy B and N stock but idk where the execs want this company to go. They’re profitable right now but what’s the strategy?

[@louisaglancy3394]

This was so interesting Michelle, thank you for posting. I'm from the UK, and I've been trying to check my facts on this, but I have a feeling most MG titles that are published here go direct to paperback and don't ever come out in a hardback version. I get the impression hardbacks are much more popular for children's books in the US. I wonder if this might change given what's going on with B&N. Solidarity with all the debut US authors and those hoping to debut in the future. We need bookshops to survive, but blimey this business is rough on authors. Love your channel by the way; it's so helpful and well-informed.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Louisa! I really appreciate that. :) Yeah, a huge issue for MG authors is that most of the time, our contracts are for hardcover with a paperback run to come a year later. So if our hardcovers aren't on shelves, that's it - and our sales suffer, and then pubs are more likely to cancel the paperback run altogether.

[@louisaglancy3394]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor Absolutely, which makes this move by B&N regarding hardbacks so unfair on new writers. I really hope pressure builds to change this decision. It's no way to encourage new voices or diversity.

[@raymondraymond3207]

Not American but the last time I ordered something from a bookstore. I got them to do it for me cause their website left much to be desired and it would have gotten there faster than Amazon due to how terrible the mail system was in my building. Though to add some comments to this news. The local national bookstore here has downsized most of their stores. There used to be one in every neighborhood now some neighborhoods are going without. Most of these stores also have more spaces between shelves but weirdly enough taller shelves as well so even if I wanted a book on a higher shelf I'd need to find an associate. If there were staffed appropriately then that's not a problem but retail in general has been lacking staff since the pandemic. On top of this, most of the books are tucked away regardless. All that's featured is books, candles and things I personally don't think fit with books too well unless you're setting up a nice commercial for a beach vacation. There's also just a lack of knowledge in the staff too. I can't ask anyone their opinion on a book without getting a generic answer so I've stopped asking. And with the soaring price of retail in major cities even indies are bowing out of the book selling game. Really shopping online is better in near ever aspect except the human connection and even that seems to be eroded to fall inline with a mass appeal store culture. I don't judge the rise of booktok but why bother recommending me a book to read from a popular account that's also trying for mass appeal. I'm not saying these books don't deserve it but if being more local is the focus why not as local readers what they're enjoying? Or at least make ordering what I want easier.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

These are such fantastic points. Especially about BookTok - that's the thing I've never understood about influencers and books. The goal always seems to be to glom onto the thing everyone is already talking about. Influencers could do so much for the midlist, but mass appeal really is just the name of the game in all cases, I guess.

[@justinedse3314]

Not such what booktok is but glad I don't know.

[@bookendlane]

Great video. and that ending! Loll

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you! :)

[@thegeekylibrarian360]

That outro made me laugh xD

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I wish it wasn't true! lol

[@JW99736]

Great ending!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you!

[@cybilmallory]

Mic drop

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

:) Thanks for watching, Cybil!

[@rebeccadey]

This was my literal thought at the end too lol

[@akossiwak]

The Borders send off at the end had me in stitches even though this situation is painful and depressing as hell. 🥲

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much! Yup, it's sad, but we can at least have a chuckle...