Published Podcast Ep. 49 | How to Get Your Book into Independent Bookstores With Katrina Brooks

Today, I’ll speak with Katrina Brooks, the owner of the independent bookstore Black Pearl Books. We’re asking Katrina all about indie book shops, and how authors can best approach an indie store when they’re for places to distribute their book.

1:00 - Could you start off by telling us a bit about your background and what you do?

  • I am a bookstore owner - I own Black Pearl Books in Austin, TX, and I started that in 2019.
  • I have a background in corporate and consulting with marketing and PR.
  • I have a bachelors from Clark Atlanta University which is an HBCU and an MBA from UT Dallas.


1:45 - What led you to open Black Pearl Books?

  • There were many reasons. First and foremost is probably just being a mother myself. I have two children and when they were younger it was difficult to find books with people that look like them. That was always just important to me as a mother.
  • The second piece still goes back to my children. As they were in school, they would learn American history and there was so much of the story that was left out. So, we always within our household, would have to use supplementary information that gave the other parts of the history that are left out in our history books. So that was a big piece of it, I think.
  • Thirdly, one of the things that I realized as they've become older is, while we've always pushed books and reading and education within our family, that's not the case for everyone. There’s a lack of access to books and to information. And not even from an economically disadvantaged standpoint—there are communities that don't know that these stories of representation exist. They don't know about these Black and Brown authors.
  • And I think one of the things that it does is teaches empathy, and so while you may have never experienced a certain situation and never will because it's not your lifestyle or you’re not a person of color, or whatever the reasons are, you're able to learn about these experiences through literature, and there's so much out there, that for me it was just a natural progression out of all these things that led me to say “this is really needed right now.”


5:45 - Physical bookstores were certainly hit hard by the pandemic, but you have a slightly different business model. Can you tell us about that and how COVID-19 impacted you?

  • When I first launched the business, the idea was “take the books to the people.” So while we always had plans to have a physical space, to start, it was, hey, let's do pop-up shops. Let's get out in the community and connect with people. And that was going along pretty smoothly, and then obviously the pandemic it, which shut everything down. So we had to quickly pivot. Luckily, we already had an online store and platform, and so we were able to utilize that to continue sales.
  • And then really, in June of 2020, with the push for supporting black-owned businesses, that just really came through for us. We just saw our sales grow tremendously during that time. So much so, that the month of July we actually had to shut our website down because we physically could not accept any more orders.
  • And then in November we actually opened a storefront in central Austin. We were able to partner with a nonprofit organization and sublease some space from them. So that's kind of where we've been since November, and been working out, so far so good.


8:30 - Tell us about your founding principle ‘Love Others as I Have Loved You’. What is the origin story of that principle?

  • It's a biblical principle. And first of all, my faith tells me that is the greatest commandment—to love one another. That's it. And so just in general, we’re trying to approach life from that lens.
  • And then having a space that is about inclusivity, you know you're going to come in contact with people from different religions, backgrounds, political preferences, and lifestyle preferences, and I personally may or may not agree, but I think if I'm coming from the place of love, then there’s no judgment there. And that allows for open, honest conversations to happen.
  • Truly, our mission is to be a resource, to learn, and to grow. And through literature, yes, but then through that conversations need to happen in order for growth to happen.


10:10 – And how did the name ‘Black Pearl Books’ come about?

  • Black pearl stood out to me because it's a rare gem. It represents independence, strength, wisdom, wealth, prosperity, and most importantly, it’s often associated with everlasting love. And that goes back into our principle that we just talked about.
  • Black pearls often are associated with healing properties and healing hurt feeling and removing negative energy.
  • For me it all ties in together. It’s all about removing that negative energy and allowing healing to happen.


12:15 - As a bookstore owner you're the person that authors look to as having the keys to the kingdom. So how do you decide which books that you will bring into your bookstore? What are you looking for?

  • For me it's two things. What do I think about the book personally and how well will the book sell.
  • Word of mouth is the best way to spread the word, and so if a customer walks into my store and this is a book that I believe in, it's really easy for me to speak to it and say, “hey, you should really check this out.”
  • And then by virtue of that, if I'm able to recommend it, then typically it will sell. They like finding indie authors or titles that they weren't familiar with or would have never known about.


13:35 - And do you welcome authors reaching out to you directly to pitch their books, and if so, how should they do that?

  • Yes, people can reach out. The best way is to send an email, but just understand that there are many emails coming through, so we may not be able to get to everyone. But if it's something that piques our interest then certainly we will.


15:40 – Just out of curiosity, do you bring those down through a wholesaler? Or do you work directly with authors? Maybe on a consignment basis?

  • Most of the time I work directly with authors. And sometimes their books are available through a distributor. I guess it depends on how it's published.
  • I actually like working directly with the authors, but some stores do require that it is available through a distributor.


17:05 - Do you have any advice for authors who are hoping to establish strong relationships with indie bookstores?

  • So, I would say start with your local bookstores. Because that's where you're going to be able to cultivate those relationships. Drop by the store and take a couple of copies of your book. We've had that happen, and I would say four out of five times that books sells and I have called them and said “hey, I want to order some more.”
  • Start to build that trust, because I think there's a give and take there, right? It can't just be about “hey, sell my book.” Stop in the store and see what they're about. Buy something from the indie bookstore. Show that you're supporting them as well, and then if you've left a couple of copies, check back.


20:00 – In case you want to give people a URL, where can they visit you online?

  • Blackpearlbookstore.com is where you can find us.


20:30 - And any parting advice for those listening to us today?

  • Do your research. Most indie bookstores have a specific niche. And so, if you are trying to get your book into a store, just do your research. Make sure it pairs well with their mission and the things that they are currently selling in their store.
  • And then I would just follow their process for submitting. Every indie bookstore has a different one.
  • Lastly, if you are venturing out and you know that this bookstore pairs really well with your book, then see if you know someone in that community, and send them a couple of copies of the book to hand deliver to the store.

ABOUT BLACK PEARL BOOKS

Black Pearl Books is an independent bookstore in Austin, TX. Here to a serve multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-socio-economic community. Built to promote diversity, inclusion, equality and cultural awareness. Founded on one principle: Love One Another as I Have Loved You, John 13:34. Visit them online to learn more here: www.blackpearlbookstore.com.