Notice of AI Usage
AI Usage Policy
No artificially generated (AI) artwork or AI-assisted writing will be accepted. All submissions must be your own original work.
Using AI for basic spelling and grammar support (such as spell check) is fine. However, AI chat systems may not be used to write any of your content for you.
If your artwork, including your book cover, is suspected of containing AI-generated content, your form will be dismissed.
If your writing is clearly produced with AI, your form will also be dismissed.
Local Author Wholesale
At The Book Cellar, we love supporting local authors and helping your books find their way into the hands of readers. Our wholesale program allows us to feature titles from self-published and small press authors in our community. We consider professionally written, edited, and produced books from authors living full-time in Abingdon, Virginia, and a surrounding 20-mile radius. Books must meet our standards in terms of binding, appropriateness, and salability.
How Our Program Works
Reach us online first: Because we’re a small shop with a busy schedule, we’re unable to accept inquiries by phone or in person. Please use this page as your starting point. If you drop by unannounced, our staff will kindly direct you back here so we can review your book when we have the time and focus it deserves.
Get to know our readers: Our customers’ interests guide what we put on our shelves. We encourage you to stop in, browse, and see what kinds of books resonate with our readers—it’s a great way to understand what might be a good fit.
Initial stocking period: We begin with up to two (2) copies per title for a 90-day trial period. This gives us time to see how your book performs and what kind of interest it generates.
Pricing: Wholesale prices are based on the suggested retail price you provide.
Sharing the word: We ask that you share with your readers that The Book Cellar (@thebookcellarva on social media) carries your book. We love when our authors celebrate with us—it helps everyone succeed!
Sales updates: To keep things running smoothly, we review sales and provide updates at the end of your 90-day period. We aren’t able to provide real-time sales numbers, phone updates, or in-store lookups before that time.
Restocking decisions: If your book is selling well, we’ll reach out to you about restocking. Since shelf space is limited, we appreciate your patience and ask that you wait for us to contact you before bringing in more copies.
Drop-offs: Please don’t leave books at the shop without prior approval. Any unsolicited copies will need to be picked up within 7 days. Unsolicited copies not picked up within 7 days will become property of The Book Cellar and will be dealt with at our discretion.
As part of the wholesale agreement, the author agrees to promote The Book Cellar (@thebookcellarva on social media) as a retail location at which their book(s) can be purchased. The Book Cellar is not responsible for the creation of any marketing for the author.
*Please not that terms and conditions may be updated at any time.