Workman Realigns Terms for All Indie Bookstore Accounts, Both New and Existing

Workman Publishing is introducing sweeping changes to address the needs of both new and existing independent bookstore accounts, as a response to Baker & Taylor’s departure from the retail wholesale business.

These new terms aim to make it easier for accounts to order both frontlist and backlist titles and are effective immediately, according to Workman; new accounts can complete this online form to sign up.

“Baker & Taylor’s transition away from serving retail accounts creates an opportunity to examine our relationship with independent bookstores and redefine it in ways that are good for the health of all of us," said James Wehrle, Workman’s executive director of sales. "Our response addresses the needs of smaller accounts that were previously sourcing exclusively through wholesalers, and existing indie partners as well.” 

According to Workman, the terms are applicable for titles published by all Workman imprints, including Workman Publishing, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, Algonquin Young Readers, Artisan, Storey Publishing, and Timber Press, as well as distributed partners The Experiment, duopress, and Erewhon Books. Benefits of the new terms include:

• Lower minimums for free freight
• Changing how backlist is defined to make it easier for indie accounts to reach minimums on backlist stock-up offers
• Extra discount earned on face-out quantities on all frontlist titles
• Easy credit application process for new accounts (now available online) and a New Store Special with no-minimum

“From the moment of Workman’s founding over 50 years ago, independent bookstores have been critically important to our success as an independent publisher. Indies are open to all the different kinds of books we publish, including the quirkier ones, and have provided a generous home in their sections for our backlist," said Dan Reynolds, Workman’s chief executive officer. “Given that 80% of our sales by volume is generated by our rich and vibrant backlist, that’s no small thing. We also feel a special kinship with indies because of relationships forged through our own invaluable independent sales reps. As soon as we learned of the Baker & Taylor news, we knew it was time to step up and do what we could to strengthen our partnership with this core segment of our business.”

Existing accounts are encouraged to contact their sales representatives for further information. Offer details are also available through ABA's Book Buyer's Handbook. New accounts that complete the online form will receive a response within 24 hours and an expedited credit approval process.