SHELF LIFE IS CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY FOR LOCAL AUTHOR BOOKS WITH A WAITLIST. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT INTEREST FOR CONSIDERATION WHEN SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE, PLEASE READ THROUGH THE REQUIREMENTS AND FILL OUT THE FORM IF YOUR BOOK QUALIFIES.

In store visits for shopping and/or making sure Shelf Life is right for your book are welcome- however, visits to bring in books must be scheduled. PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR BOOK(S) IN WITHOUT READING THROUGH THE CRITERIA, FILLING OUT THE FORM, AND WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. These books will not be accepted until the information needed is collected and reviewed.

Criteria Updated 2/13/25

AGE AND RESIDENT REQUIREMENTS:

  • Authors must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Authors must have legal residency within a 60 mile radius of Shelf Life, year round.

  • Authors who do not currently reside in this region will not be considered.

BOOK REQUIREMENTS:

  • Any book selling on Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&N or BAM must also be available for purchase on Bookshop.org.

  • All books must be complete and finalized, and have gone through a paid, professional editing process by a human editor actively working in the field.  Grammar checkers and writing assistants do not constitute "professional editor" for the purposes of this requirement.

  • All books must have the title clearly legible on the spine for shelving purposes- the exception to this is books with a spine at or less than ⅜ inch.  Spiral bound books are not accepted.

  • All books must contain a clear, concise synopsis on the back or cover jacket.  Excerpts from the book, author blurbs and book reviews are acceptable, but cannot be the only description of the content.

  • Shelf Life is currently shelving full length novels, poetry, local history, and children's books.  If the book is part of a series, only the first in any duology, trilogy or series will be accepted initially.

  • Books of blog, tweet or other social media compilations, cookbooks, faith-based or religiously proselytizing books, political opinion and satire, how-to/DIY, annual compilations or ephemeral content are not accepted as they do not sell well at Shelf Life.

  • Books that include any AI generated artwork or content are not accepted.

  • Books that agendize the promotion of hate or violence are not accepted.

  • Anthologies or co-authored books are not accepted.

  • Books may be either self or independently published. University presses and  traditionally published books are not accepted as these publishers often do not allow authors to work with bookstores on a direct purchase capacity.

  • Cover art and titles matter, and are a primary factor in reader appeal and purchase decisions.  Only books that have clear and legible text with tasteful cover art that is relative to the content of the book will be considered.

AUTHOR REQUIREMENTS:

  • Authors that are in contract or other obligation with a publisher, distributor, illustrator, bookseller, printer, or other entity that prevents them from directly selling to an independent bookstore will not be accepted. Authors are strongly encouraged to be familiar with all of their contracts, including print-on-demand terms, prior to bringing in their books.  An assumption of liability must be signed prior to shelving.

    • Shelf Life does not purchase from distributors or publishers.  If you have an agency or contract that requires this, Shelf Life cannot shelve your book(s).

  • Authors are responsible for the promotion of their books.  Shelf Life will not assume a marketing role.  Actively promoting your book on your own website, social media, in print or other platforms is strongly suggested and may be a deciding factor in stocking. 

PURCHASE INFORMATION:

  • All books that are new to the store will be purchased at  a percentage of the lowest available retail price (online and in stores), not to exceed $25. This amount will be paid prior to shelving.

  • Shelf Life pays all authors electronically thru Venmo or Square, Inc. (a Square account/app is not required to receive payment).  If you are unable to take an electronic payment, your book(s) cannot be purchased for the store.

SUBMITTING YOUR BOOK(S) FOR CONSIDERATION:

If you and your book meet 100% of the requirements above, please fill out the inquiry form below and wait for a reply. 

  • A complimentary physical copy of each complete and finalized book must be submitted for review.  Please do not bring this in before filling out the form below and receiving a reply. 

  • Author copies, unbound, and electronic formats will not be considered.

  • Due to a high volume of requests, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for consideration and further correspondence.

Please note: Shelf Life does not offer book reviews.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee purchase.  Shelf Life reserves the right to refuse books based on other factors, including but not limited to, available space, current number of local author books, book trends, and patron demand.