Thank you for your interest in Resist Booksellers — and congratulations on writing and self-publishing your book!

We deeply respect the journey of self-published authors. Choosing a non-traditional route to publication takes courage, resilience, and vision — especially in an industry that often overlooks marginalized voices. At Resist Booksellers, we’re committed to building a literary ecosystem that reflects the richness and diversity of our communities.

That said, as a small independent bookstore, we receive a high volume of inquiries and have limited shelf space and resources. This page is designed to help you determine whether Resist Booksellers is the right fit for your title.

Distribution Requirement

To be considered for stocking, your book must be available through Ingram with a minimum retailer discount of 30%. This allows us to manage our inventory and ordering process efficiently. If your book meets this requirement, please complete our submission form here.

Things to Consider Before Submitting

• Review Timeline: Our review process takes 4–6 weeks, as we carefully curate a collection that aligns with our mission and meets the interests of our readers. We’re a small team managing many tasks, so we truly appreciate your patience.
• Our Priorities: We proudly prioritize books by authors of color, particularly Black authors, and elevate underrepresented voices. Preference is also given to Virginia-based authors and those who reflect or engage meaningfully with the communities we serve.
• Presentation Matters: Professional cover design is key. Please ensure your book’s cover is sharp, high-resolution, and thoughtfully designed. We do not accept books with pixelated or poorly formatted covers.
• Content Balance: While we value all stories, we receive an especially high volume of memoirs and children’s books centered on empowerment. These themes are important, but we also seek diverse genres, unique narratives, and fresh perspectives to keep our selection dynamic.

Thank you for considering Resist Booksellers as a home for your work. We admire your creative journey and wish you continued success — whether with us or elsewhere in the literary world.