Arranging an Event at a Barnes & Noble Store
Criteria for
choosing an
event
Stores will consider the following:
Category
Availability
Demographics
Marketing
Sales
Criteria
Is the title currently available in Barnes & Noble stores?
Is the book available and in stock at a wholesaler?
Have other events already been scheduled in the area?
Who is the audience for the book?
How strong is the author’s mailing list?
Will the event draw media into the store?
Does the title match the profile of other titles featured in
successful events in the store
 Will the title continue to sell in the store after the event?
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Note: Ultimately the decision to host an event rests with the Store Manager and
Community Relations Manager.
Arranging an
Event
 Contact the Community Relations Manager at the local Barnes & Noble store at
least 8-10 weeks prior to the date you want the event to occur.
 Provide the Community Relations Manager with a copy of the book so the CRM
can determine if the store has an audience for the event.
If
If the store decides the book is
appropriate for an event in that
store
If the title is not available in the
Barnes & Noble supply chain
If you want to submit a book for
consideration for possible
distribution in the Barnes & Noble
stores
Then
The book must be available from a
wholesaler or distributor in the Barnes &
Noble supply chain
The Barnes & Noble Merchandise group
must decide to purchase the book for store
stocking before a title can be considered for
a promotional opportunity.
 Books not stocked in the stores are not
eligible for individual in-store events.
Books are not purchased for the sole
purpose of having an event or signing
Send a copy and any pertinent information
to:
Small Press Department
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
122 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Before the event can be confirmed, the Community Relations Manager must verify
inventory is on hand at the wholesaler or distributor.
More information about this process can be found in the For Authors section of the
Barnes & Noble corporate website, www.barnesandnobleinc.com.
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Arranging an Event at a Barnes & Noble Store, Continued
Who to contact
 Contact the Community Relations Manager (CRM) at the store.
 If the store does not have a Community Relations Manager, ask to speak to the
Store Manager who can determine if your book fits into the event program for that
store.
What materials
to provide the
store/CRM
 A copy of the book
 A publicity kit including photos, media coverage and promotion plans for the book
 A mailing list
When to
schedule an
event
 The CRM needs a sufficient lead-time to schedule and prepare for the event.
 Contact the CRM at least 8-10 weeks prior to your targeted event date.
How the store
promotes the
event
When you secure an event in a store, the store will:
 Create a display of the book or include it as part of a display to promote the
month’s events.
 List the book signing in the Calendar of Events and/or in-store signage.
 Submit press releases to local media and targeted community groups.
 Send information to the contacts on your mailing list.
We schedule
only one
Barnes & Noble
event in a given
city
Barnes & Noble strives to be the first and only location for an author appearance.
Second and third appearances have far less impact than initial ones, and
consequently have little chance of media coverage. In addition, subsequent
appearances dilute attendance, sometimes affecting the success of all events.
We also ask, when booking an event, if you have scheduled an appearance with our
competitor. It may affect our decision to host the event. In such cases, the store
may decide a stock signing of available inventory on hand would be more
appropriate.
How to set up
events in
stores
nationwide
 Locate stores by using the store locator guide on www.barnesandnobleinc.com
or www.bn.com.
 Contact the Community Relations Managers at the stores where you would like to
do an event.
What the
Barnes & Noble
corporate office
can do for you
We have created a network of Community Relations Managers to work at the local
level on the vast majority of our events. If an event merits review from the corporate
level due to media coverage, security concerns or other appropriate criteria, please
submit the request in writing to the Author Promotions department via fax at 212645-6071 or mail at 122 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.
The most
successful
B&N events
Panel Discussions, Readings with Signings, Question & Answer Events, or an author
visit tied to a book discussion group are most successful. Straight signings can be
successful when the author has a large mailing list, or has received publicity.
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