7 Melbourne Bookshops Stocking Self-Published Authors

If you’re a Melbourne author looking to self-publish your very own book, you’re in luck. The city and its outskirts is brimming with a wide variety of independent bookstores that stock a slew of unique reads and creative works - including self-published books. 

Whether you’ve reached the final stages of printing your self-published work or you’re just about to put your pen to paper for the first time, make sure to bookmark this list so that you have it handy once you’re ready to start selling your book.

Readings

Any Melburnian who loves reading is no doubt well acquainted with Readings. The independent retailer of books and music has nine shops operating across Melbourne city and its outer-suburbs, stocking a wide variety of magazines, vinyl, CDs, movies and - of course - books. Because of its numerous locations, getting your self-published book stocked at Readings can provide it with wide-reaching exposure, meaning that your work of creativity is getting into the hands of more readers.

Readings works on a consignment program, meaning that they will stock copies of your book for an agreed period (2 months). At the end of this period, they will return leftover stock of your book to you and pay you for the stock that they’ve sold. Their consignment period runs from March to September, so make sure to keep an eye out on their website for more details.

Mary Martin Bookshop

How does having your book stocked at the famous Queen Victoria Market or by the banks of the Yarra River in the heart of the city sound? That’s what indie bookshop Mary Martin Bookshop offers, with their locations on Southbank and Queen Vic’s String Bean Alley. This cosy pair of bookshops stocks everything from puzzles to picture books, as well as offering a consignment program for self-published authors.

Like Readings, Mary Martin Bookshop’s consignment program opens in March. Once opened, they will assess the self-published book submissions and be in contact with the authors whose work they’re interested in stocking. With an emphasis on supporting local authors and stocking work that the community is interested in, this is a great option for any self-published author crafting local stories.

The Little Bookroom

Located in Melbourne’s inner-north, Brunswick East’s The Little Bookroom is the kind of bookshop to make you smile. According to their website, The Little Bookroom is the oldest bookshop specialising in books for children in the world, so if you’re a self-published author with an interest in children’s stories, this is the perfect place to submit your work.

The Little Bookroom has a comprehensive guide online of the kinds of works, details and logistical things they’re looking for when stocking self-published books, so make sure to have a good read of it before contacting them. They’re especially interested in stocking local authors, so if you live near The Little Bookroom, you should definitely get in touch.

The Sun Bookshop

For self-published authors who are based in the west of Melbourne, make sure to check out the iconic Sun Bookshop when considering where to stock your work. This delightful bookshop is tucked underneath Yarraville’s art deco Sun Theatre, and is the much-adored creative heart of Melbourne’s inner-west.

To submit your self-published book for consideration to be stocked at the Sun Bookshop, all you need to do is fill in the form on their website. Like the other indie bookshops around Melbourne, the Sun Bookshop is especially interested in stocking authors who live nearby - so, extra points if you’re from Melbourne’s inner-west. They also use a consignment program for stocking self-published authors.

Perimeter Books

If you’re looking to self-publish a parcel of work that sits a little outside the ordinary, Perimeter Books in Melbourne’s north may be just the indie shop you’re looking for. The Thornbury-based speciality bookstore focuses on platforming a wide range of unique stories in various formats - including zines, photography books, art books, theory texts and more.

To be in with a chance of having your self-published work stocked at Perimeter, contact the bookstore to inquire about stocking your work. Because of the influx of submissions that the store receives, they won’t reply to everyone - however the more abstract your work is, the more of a chance you have to stock your self-published book at Perimeter.

Petersen’s Bookstore

Located in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula, Petersen’s Bookstore is a seaside shop adored by both locals and visitors alike. This independent bookshop stocks a wide range of genres, titles and authors, and has their own specialised system of consigning self-published books.

To submit your self-published work to Petersen’s Bookstore, all you need to do is jump onto their website and fill out the form. The bookshop does however focus primarily on stocking work by authors who are local to the Mornington Peninsula, Westernport and Phillip Island areas, or writing that is focused on these areas, so it’s best to consider that before submitting.

Farrells Bookshop

Also situated in the Mornington Peninsula, indie bookshop Farrells is another great option for authors looking to stock their self-published work in this part of Melbourne. With over 40 years of bookshop experience, Farrells is a beloved icon of the local literary scene.

To go about stocking your own book at Farrells Bookshop, your book will also need to either have a focus on the Mornington Peninsula, or you’ll need to be from or located around the area. Your book also must have been published in the last six months. Head on over to their website to fill in the consignment stock form and get your self-published book in with a chance of being stocked at this cosy bookstore.

‍

These seven indie bookshops are a great jumping off point to start selling your self-published work. If you’re looking for more ways to get your work of art into the hands of readers, make sure to check out other selling methods, like through a digital shop or at markets and book fairs. 

‍

‍For authors interested in publishing their own self-published books, learn more about our local printing services in Melbourne and get started on your printing journey by getting in touch with our team today. We're here to help you navigate the evolving world of printing with confidence.