What is the difference between distributors and wholesalers?
Most book retailers will not purchase your book unless it is sold by a book distributor or book wholesaler. Distributors and wholesalers both sell your book and act as your billing and fulfillment department. Unlike bookstore and library wholesalers, distributors almost always work on an exclusive basis. Wholesalers will fulfill your orders, but do not actively promote your book. The two largest wholesalers are Baker & Taylor and Ingram. As a member of the NYCIP you are eligible to participate in Baker & Taylor’s Partner Program. Under the Partner Program your title(s) will be listed in their database and available for order by their customers. A distributor, unlike a wholesaler, will act as your sales department and seek out orders for your book through sale representatives, catalog mailings, and other sales promotion activities. Unlike wholesalers, distributors focus on front list, or new titles. A distributor will charge a fee (usually a percent of net sales or what they collect fro
