Real Talk: Why Your Book Might Not Be Selling Yet (And What You Can Do About It)

Let’s get honest for a second.

As the owner of Shelf Love (and a romance author myself), I know how damn exciting—and nerve-wracking—it is to see your book on the shelf of a real, brick-and-mortar bookstore. But I also know the letdown that comes when weeks go by and… crickets.

So let’s talk about it. The timing. The visibility. The pricing. And yes, the cover. I’ve done the research, sat through the webinars, had a few late-night chats with other bookstore owners—because I want to be an asset to this indie author community. And I want your books to sell.

🕰️ Let’s Talk Timing

Books don’t always fly off the shelf on day one (though trust me, we’ve seen it happen—and it’s magical when it does). But for most titles? It takes time. Weeks. Sometimes months.

The indie bookstore game is a marathon, not a sprint.

And slow sales don’t mean your book isn’t amazing. It just means it hasn’t found its reader yet. Or maybe it needs a little help standing out.

Reminder: Shelf Love has only been open a short while. We’re still learning buying patterns and reader trends. But the early numbers are teaching us a lot—and we’re sharing that knowledge with you.

🧠 Visibility Is Everything

Here’s where you come in.

If your book is on our shelves, let people know! Our most successful authors lean into the promo life—and it works.

Here’s how you can boost visibility:

• Post about your book being at Shelf Love! 📸

• Tag us on all socials: @ShelfLoveAtlanta

• Share links, take selfies, rock your Shelf Love swag

• Let your readers know they can grab signed copies in-store and online

A little promo goes a long way.

📚 Let’s Talk Covers, Cost & Blurbs

(Don’t roll your eyes yet—we’re saying this with love)

You might love your cover, and that’s great. But ask yourself this: Does it sell the book?

Here’s the reality:

1. The cover grabs attention.

2. The blurb seals the deal.

3. The price is the final consideration—not the first.

If your cover looks like a 2010 stock photo mash-up or has three clashing fonts fighting for dominance, readers will pass right by—even if your story is gold. Put your cover out there and get feedback (and not just from friends). There are tons of groups where you can get honest feedback on your cover. Same goes for a confusing or flat blurb.

You don’t need a $2K cover designer. But you do need to understand what’s trending in your trope and market your book accordingly. If you’re unsure, ask someone. Don't cut costs by doing it yourself if you have zero design knowledge. It will show in your product. We’re happy to give honest feedback—no judgment. Covers can be the beginning or end of sales. 

💵 Now, About That Price Tag…

Let’s drop a truth bomb: Price is the last thing readers think about when browsing. But if your book is $25 and sitting next to a 450-page, sprayed-edge fantasy romance priced at $24.99… yeah, it might collect dust.

You want to be priced to move, not priced to intimidate.

Sweet Spot Pricing (for paperbacks):

• $12.99–$16.99 = Standard range (250-400) depending on page count and genre

• $18.99+ = Special editions only (sprayed edges, foils, bonus content, etc.) - paperbacks and hardbacks. Obviously a hardback is going to be more expensive.

💡Pro Tip: Walk into any bookstore and look at the pricing for traditionally published books in your genre. If your price is way off, readers will notice—and they’ll walk away.

🔢 Indie Pricing Cheat Sheet

When setting prices, don’t forget to include shipping to you. For example, if your print cost is $4.50 and shipping is $1.25/book, that’s $5.75. Aim for a profit margin that leaves you with $5–$8 per sale after the bookstore cut.

I’ve had to reprice my own books—because yep, I overpriced them too. Learn from my chaos.

Final Thoughts (AKA, The Pep Talk)

This journey isn’t easy. Selling books takes grit, patience, and some marketing hustle. But you’re not alone in this. Shelf Love was built to support authors like you.

We’re not just a bookstore—we’re a community hub for romance readers and indie dreamers. So whether it’s your cover, your blurb, your price tag, or your promo plan… we’ve got your back.

Let’s get your books in the right hands. And hearts.

❤️
Leah C. Taylor
Author, Owner of Shelf Love, Champion of Indie Authors Everywhere