What Authors Must Know About Indie Bookstores with Tombolo Books’ Alsace Walentine

“Independent bookstores are the heart of the industry. We move books through real conversations, not algorithms. That grassroots passion is irreplaceable.” - Alsace Walentine

In this episode, I chat with Alsace Walentine, co-owner of Tombolo Books, about how indie bookstores choose what goes on their shelves and what makes an author stand out. Alsace shares what really sells, the production mistakes that get books rejected, how to approach a bookseller the right way, and why community matters more than ever.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• How indie bookstores decide which books to stock
• What makes a book sell—from cover design to endorsements
• How indie authors can get discovered by bookstores
• The best (and worst) ways to pitch your book
• How consignment works
• Alsace’s five best tips for authors

Perfect for indie authors, book lovers, and anyone curious about the world behind the bookstore counter.

About our guest:

Alsace Walentine is the founder and co-owner of Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tombolo Books is an independent bookstore dedicated to promoting the value and pleasure of reading throughout St. Petersburg by offering thoughtful inventory curation, extensive literary knowledge, and excellent customer service.

Links for Tombolo Books:

TomboloBooks.com

@tombolobooks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Have a publishing question? Email me at [e-mail]

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"Traditionally Self-Published" theme music is written by Landon Bailey and performed and produced by LNDÖ