How to Get My Amazon Book in Barnes and Noble

To get your Amazon book into Barnes & Noble, start by ensuring you own your ISBN and are not locked into Kindle Select exclusivity. Next, format your book professionally and distribute it through a wide-reaching platform like IngramSpark or Draft2Digital. These distributors make your book available to B&N’s systems. For in-store placement, contact local Barnes & Noble managers directly with a professional pitch, offer a consignment or wholesale option, and be ready to market your book actively.

If you’ve published your book on Amazon and are looking to expand beyond, getting your book into Barnes & Noble (B&N) — both their online store and physical locations — is a fantastic way to reach new readers, build legitimacy, and diversify your sales channels. While Amazon dominates book sales, Barnes & Noble remains the largest brick-and-mortar bookstore chain in the U.S., attracting customers who love to browse shelves and support community-oriented retailers.

Getting your book into B&N, however, isn’t automatic or simple. It requires understanding different eBook publishing and distribution systems, formatting requirements, and local store outreach. But with the right ISBNs, formatting, distribution partners like IngramSpark and Draft2Digital, and a little persistence, it’s absolutely achievable. Let’s walk through the complete process — including tips on marketing your book to maximize B&N success.

Step 1: Understand Your Current Publishing and Distribution Status

Before expanding distribution, start by reviewing your current setup.

KDP Select Exclusivity

If you enrolled your eBook in KDP Select on Amazon, your eBook is exclusive to Amazon for 90-day periods (renewable). This exclusivity restricts you from distributing the eBook to other platforms like Barnes & Noble’s Nook store during that period. Check your KDP dashboard and contract terms carefully, and if you want wider distribution, allow the 90-day period to lapse or opt out after it ends.

Rights Check

If you published through a hybrid or traditional publisher, verify that you hold worldwide digital and print distribution rights. Some contracts limit distribution or require approval before listing on other retailers. Confirm you can freely distribute to Barnes & Noble.

ISBN: Why You Need Your Own

Amazon KDP offers a free ISBN but it is assigned to Amazon as the publisher and only works on Amazon. To distribute widely, you must purchase your own ISBNs.

• Bowker is the official ISBN agency in the U.S. (or your country’s equivalent). You can buy ISBNs individually or in blocks (often cheaper per unit).
• You need a unique ISBN for every format — paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook each require their own.
• After purchasing, register your ISBNs with accurate metadata (title, author, imprint) to maintain control over your book’s identity and distribution.

Owning your ISBN means you’re the publisher of record, giving you freedom to distribute anywhere and maintain consistent metadata across platforms.

Step 2: Format Your Book Professionally

Professional formatting isn’t just about looks — it impacts readability, print quality, and ultimately how bookstores and readers perceive your work.

Print Formatting Essentials

• Trim Size: Common sizes are 6”x9” or 5.5”x8.5”. Choose a size appropriate for your genre and reader expectations.
• Margins & Gutter: The gutter is the space near the spine — ensure enough room so text isn’t lost in the binding.
• Fonts: Use serif fonts like Garamond or Times New Roman for body text; sans-serif fonts can work well for headers. Maintain consistent font size (typically 11-12pt for body).
• Page Elements: Include consistent page numbers, headers or footers with your book title or author name.
• Cover Design: Your cover file needs to include front, spine, and back, with precise spine width based on page count. Ensure 300 dpi resolution and proper bleed settings for print quality.

eBook Formatting

• EPUB Format: This is the industry standard for eBooks, designed to reflow text dynamically based on screen size.
• Reflowable Layout: Most novels and nonfiction books use reflowable layouts so text adjusts to devices.
• Clickable Table of Contents: Essential for navigation in digital readers.
• Image Optimization: Use compressed, high-quality images for faster loading.
• Tools: Vellum (Mac) is highly recommended for quality formatting. Reedsy Book Editor is a free online alternative. If unsure, hiring a professional formatter is a wise investment.

Poor formatting can cause returns, negative reviews, or rejection by distributors, so it’s worth the extra care.

Step 3: Choose the Right Distribution Channel

The distributor you pick determines where and how widely your book can be sold.

IngramSpark — The Premier Print Distributor

• Ingram Content Group owns the largest book distributor worldwide, serving bookstores, libraries, and online retailers (including Barnes & Noble).
• Print-on-demand (POD) means no upfront inventory — stores order copies as needed.
• Bookstores require a wholesale discount (usually 40-55%) and want your book to be returnable to reduce risk.
• Fees include setup (~$49 per title) and revision fees, but promotional discounts often apply.
• With IngramSpark, your print book is listed in the global catalog and can be ordered by virtually any bookstore.

Draft2Digital — Simple eBook Aggregation

• Great for authors wanting an easy interface to distribute eBooks to multiple retailers including B&N Nook, Apple Books, Kobo, and more.
• Offers a free ISBN option, but authors wanting full control should use their own ISBN.
• Recently added print distribution via Ingram’s network, but many prefer direct IngramSpark for print to retain full control.

Barnes & Noble Press — Direct eBook to Nook

• B&N’s native platform for eBooks.
• Potentially higher royalties and direct control over your Nook page.
• Limited to Nook only; doesn’t distribute beyond B&N.
• Ideal if you want to focus exclusively on Nook or pair with other distributors for wider coverage.

Step 4: Upload and Distribute Your Book

Once your files are ready, here’s how to ensure your book stands out on distributor platforms.

Metadata: Your Book’s Digital Identity

Accurate, keyword-rich metadata makes your book discoverable.

• Title & Subtitle: Include searchable keywords, especially for nonfiction.
• Author Name: Use consistent spelling and format across platforms.
• Description: Craft a compelling, clear blurb highlighting what readers can expect; use HTML formatting to add bold or italics.
• Keywords: Choose terms readers might use when searching; tools like Publisher Rocket or Amazon’s auto-suggest can help.
• Categories: Select BISAC or Thema codes relevant to your book to aid shelving and online browsing.
• Contributors: Add editors, illustrators, or co-authors as appropriate.

Uploading Tips

• Use each platform’s preview tools to check formatting and metadata.
• Correct any errors or warnings before submission.
• Order physical proof copies from IngramSpark to catch print errors before wide release.
• Typical approval and distribution to retailers can take from a few days up to 2 weeks.

Step 5: Approach Barnes & Noble Local Stores

Online listing doesn’t guarantee your book will be on physical shelves. Building relationships with local B&N stores can open doors.

Why Local Store Stocking Matters

Local managers often support community authors, especially if your book has regional appeal or ties.

Research Before You Visit

• Learn about the store’s typical genres and local author programs.
• Identify the manager or community relations person.

Craft Your Pitch

• Emphasize what makes your book unique or locally relevant.

Bring a professional author one-sheet including:

1. Book cover image
2. Synopsis
3. ISBN and price
4. Author bio
5. How to order your book via IngramSpark

Consignment & Wholesale Terms

• Most stores use a consignment model (usually 60% store, 40% author split).
• Offering a competitive wholesale discount (minimum 40%, ideally 55%) encourages ordering through Ingram.
• Clarify return policies and remain flexible.

Book Events

• Propose book signings, readings, or workshops.
• Take responsibility for promotion and attendance.
• These events build goodwill, sales, and relationships.

Follow Up

Be professional but persistent without being pushy. A polite follow-up email or visit can keep your book top-of-mind.

Step 6: Marketing Your Book to Boost Demand

Just being available isn’t enough — you need to drive readers to Barnes & Noble.

Author Website

• Include direct links to BN.com and your local stores.
• Highlight your availability beyond Amazon.

Social Media

• Announce your B&N availability with engaging posts.
• Use Stories, Reels, or live sessions to show your book in stores.

Email List

• Notify subscribers of your Barnes & Noble distribution.
• Include links and encourage local purchases.

Reviews

• Encourage readers to leave reviews on Barnes & Noble’s site, not just Amazon.

Leveraging B&N’s Platform

• Optimize your BN.com book page with strong description, categories, and author info.
• If using B&N Press, explore their promotional tools.
• Join the B&N Affiliate Program to earn commissions on referrals.

Paid Ads & PR

• Run targeted ads driving traffic to BN.com.
• Seek local media coverage and book bloggers to increase visibility.

Useful Resources and Links

• IngramSpark — Print-on-demand and wide distribution
• Barnes & Noble Local Author Program
• Bowker ISBN Registration — Official U.S. ISBN agency
• Draft2Digital — eBook aggregation platform
• Barnes & Noble Press — Direct Nook publishing platform

Final Thoughts

Getting your Amazon book into Barnes & Noble requires preparation, persistence, and professionalism—but it’s a powerful way to grow your author career beyond a single platform. By securing your own ISBNs, investing in quality formatting, choosing trusted distributors, and cultivating relationships with local stores, you open new doors to readers and legitimacy.

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a multi-channel presence takes time but creates lasting opportunities. Stay proactive, market strategically, and celebrate every new shelf your book reaches. Your indie author journey is just beginning—and Barnes & Noble could be a key milestone.