The Bookstore Business

Operating a small new or used book store is a dream shared by many. What does it take to make this dream come true? Here are some resources to help you find out more about what it takes to start and run a successful book store.

Book Stores have the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code of 451211. The NAICS definition of a book store is "establishments primarily engaged in retailing new books."

Retailing books via electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale, is classified in Subsector 454, Nonstore Retailers

Retailing used books, is classified in Industry 453310, Used Merchandise Stores ("establishments primarily engaged in retailing used merchandise, antiques, and secondhand goods -- except motor vehicles, such as automobiles, RVs, motorcycles, and boats; motor vehicle parts; tires; and mobile homes)".

Books

ABC for Book Collectors
A classic reference that analyzes the technical terms of book collecting and bibliography.

Book Finds: How to Find, Buy, and Sell Used and Rare Books
Tricks of the trade and a revised index of over 1,000 "most collectible" books.

Become a Bookstore Owner
How to get started and succeed in the bookstore business.

Complete Guide to Book Marketing
Covers marketing to the book trade and the library market, selling direct and building a direct-mail program, marketing on the Internet, tapping into special sales opportunities and non-bookstore outlets, creating an effective PR campaign; and crafting persuasive marketing copy.

The Home-Based Bookstore
Start your own business selling used books on Amazon, eBay or your own web site.

Modern Book Collecting
Everything you need to know about collecting recently published literature.

Now What
Tales from a San Francisco bookseller, including warnings and advice.

The Official Price Guide to Collecting Books
Contains valuable tips on buying, selling, and preserving your books, as well as a complete glossary of book-collecting terms.

Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions
Reference book covering a wide variety of publishers.

Rebel Bookseller
How to improvise your own indie store and beat back the chains.

Selling Used Books Online
Information about the bookselling business, including descriptions of major online bookselling resources complete with detailed fee structures.

Start Your Own Book Store
Guide to planning, starting, operating and managing a book store.

Used and Rare
An interesting true story about book collecting, in addition to information about old books.

Magazines

Book Prices Used and Rare
Book price guides for secondhand and antiquarian book dealers, general and rare book librarians, and private collectors seeking to place a value on a book.

Bookmarks
Rates the best and worst in new books by summarizing book reviews from over 40 major publications and reviews.

Library Journal
Reviews of books, audio and video materials, CD-ROMs, websites and magazines, written by librarians to assist readers with purchasing decisions. Includes pre-publication reviews of 250 to 350 adult books.

London Review of Books
Reviews often discuss the entire topic of the book, not only critique its quality. The book's influence and place in society is also discussed in a lively manner.

New York Times Book Review
Discusses current literary trends in several features about books and authors.

New York Review of Books
Contains essays concerning historical, literary and current political affairs and issues.

Pages
Profiles and interviews the top writers of today and the voices of tomorrow.

Publishers Weekly
Covers trade news, book design and manufacture, bookselling and merchandising, plus interviews with influential authors and publishing principles.

TLS: Times Literary Supplement
Literary supplement to the London Times with comprehensive weekly selection of new and forthcoming books received by TLS. Provides full hardback and paperback publication details, including date, price and ISBN. Coverage of world literature, history, politics and the arts.