Roberta Townes, author of Shelf Talk, joins us to discuss how authors can successfully navigate the retail world. From pitching to buyers to building relationships with bookstores and retailers, she shares practical strategies and hard-earned insights for getting your book on shelves—and keeping it there.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN EPISODE:

Roberta Townes' website: https://shelftalks.com/

Apple Podcast: Shelf Talks by Roberta Townes Shelf Talk

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/447iGFw

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:03:02 The Importance of Retail in E-Commerce

00:05:31 Understanding Retailer Needs and Product Fit

00:08:29 Challenges and Opportunities for Indie Authors

00:11:06 Crafting Effective Pitches to Retailers

00:14:07 Pricing and Packaging Strategies

00:14:58 Exploring Bundling Opportunities

00:17:44 Building Strong Retail Partnerships

00:20:15 Driving Sales and Marketing Strategies

00:22:54 Creating Unique Retail Experiences

00:25:23 Final Insights and Resources for Authors

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I’m on a mission to bring Power to Storytellers. Here’s my story 👇

ABOUT THE HOST: MICHAEL EVANS I’m the co-founder of Creatorwood (helping writers turn their stories into movies with AI) and Author Sidekick (media company helping authors succeed in the future of publishing).

In high school, I wrote and self-published 12 sci-fi novels (aka I didn’t have many friends).

ABOUT THE HOST: MICHAEL EVANS

I’m the co-founder of Creatorwood (helping writers turn their stories into movies with AI) and Author Sidekick (media company helping authors succeed in the future of publishing).

In high school, I wrote and self-published 12 sci-fi novels (aka I didn’t have many friends).

I then attended college at Harvard, where I road-tripped the country filming YouTube videos during COVID (school was online🫣), live-streamed myself playing scavenger hunt with my roommate for ~1,000 hours, and eventually co-founded a software company that was named Publishing’s Start-up of the Year in 2023 by Jane Friedman.

After graduation, I worked on the data & analytics team at MrBeast and am now back in publishing, dedicating my life to bringing power to authors. I’m really grateful to be living my dream, and am hopeful I can help you get one (or a few!) steps closer to doing the same for yourself 😊.

ABOUT BEYOND THE BOOK: Beyond the Book exists to help authors expand their revenue and readership beyond books. We are rewriting the rules of publishing by helping authors build “mini-Disneys” from their stories through physical products, community experiences, games, other media formats, and more.

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