How author copies can help Canadian authors sell more books!
2026 will bring many changes to the self-publishing world, but the top priority for Canadian authors will always be to sell more books. One of the biggest challenges self-published Canadian authors face is AI. Not only competing with AI, but also whether or not they implement any AI into their writing, editing, cover design, or social media and marketing.
In a landscape dominated by AI-generated videos and emails, establishing yourself as a real author and building a real connection with readers will be more critical than ever. That’s why, in 2026, much of the focus will be on in-person events and building long-lasting connections with your readers. Put a real face, voice, and person behind the book.
If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services. With almost a decade of self-publishing experience, we’re here to help. We provide a wide variety of affordable self-publishing services for Canadian authors.
For Canadian authors still considering whether or not Amazon KDP is the best self-publishing platform for them, check out The Complete Guide to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about getting started on Amazon KDP for the first time.
Leveraging Direct Sales by Using Author Copies to Sell More Books
Physical copies of your book open up a lot of new avenues to not only sell more of a specific book but also build a direct relationship with your readers. When you sell a reader a book directly, you’re actually selling yourself as an author.
That reader now knows who you are, what you sound like, and most importantly, that you’re a real person who writes real stories. But what really happened? If you sell one book directly to a reader, and they enjoyed it, the chances of them looking for other books you’ve written are much higher.
If a reader enjoyed your first book, it was well written, and priced affordably, there’s a 70-90% chance they will purchase another book. This percentage and likelihood increase significantly if your book is a part of a series.
So, while it involves more time and a little bit of work, selling a single copy of your book at an in-person setting can actually lead to many more sales, multiplying the reward for the time and financial investment you’ve made.
The three main ways to use author copies to sell more books include:
- Direct Sales At Local Author Events
- Local Bookstores
- Author Website
- Giveaway Copies and Prizes
If you have been considering self-publishing your book on IngramSpark, check out the Complete Guide to IngramSpark Publishing for Canadian Authors, where we cover account setup, title uploading, royalties, pricing, and much more!
Direct Sales At Local Author Events
If you look around your local area, you’d be surprised at how many opportunities you have for local author events. Fairs, shows, markets, book events, launch parties, and many others. However, not all of them will be profitable.
As you attend different author events in 2026, track how much the entry or table setup fee was, how long you spent there, any costs, and also how many copies you made. This will allow you to filter out the less profitable events and invest more time and money in those that deliver the best return on your investment.
When you’re at these in-person events, be sure to include a sell sheet which lists your other books, which should also include your social media accounts, links to books (QR codes which take the buyer directly to the point of sale work well), and feel free to include any swag, such as bookmarks, that you have with each sale.
The advantages of direct sales at local author events:
- Build valuable personal connections with your readers.
- An opportunity to showcase other books.
- Build relationships with other authors.
- Maximize profits per copy by selling directly to customers.
The disadvantages of direct sales at local author events:
- It can be time-consuming to travel, set up, and attend events.
- Significant events often attract significant foot traffic but few sales.
- High costs associated with entry fees and vendor setup fees.
- Considerable time and money invested with no significant return.
For authors considering using Apple Books to self-publish their ebooks, The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing on Apple Books for Authors covers everything you’ll need to know about Apple Books, including account setup, royalties, distribution, uploading titles, and much more!
Local Bookstores
If you have added your print book, paperback or hardcover to an expanded distribution and wholesale book site such as IngramSpark Publishing, then bookstores could be a viable option for Canadian authors.
While Amazon KDP offers expanded distribution for authors, it’s less popular than IngramSpark Publishing, even though they share the same distribution network. There are a couple of reasons for this:
- Amazon isn’t popular with many brick-and-mortar bookstores because of its market dominance.
- Amazon doesn’t let authors adjust their wholesale discount.
If your book is available via expanded distribution, that’s great. You’re ready to start approaching bookstores. Many bookstores, including Chapters Indigo, support local authors. The easiest way to approach them is to drop into the store, introduce yourself, and get the contact information for the person who handles in-store events at that location.
For other bookstores, the same approach applies. Drop into the store and introduce yourself. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your book. It’s a good idea to have a sell sheet prepared that includes your book, author, and order information.
Most bookstores work on consignment. You drop off a pre-agreed number of books, and you’re reimbursed once they sell. Typical wholesale discounts for bookstores range from 40% to 60%.
Author Website
If you have an author website, that’s another excellent method for using author copies to sell more books directly to your customers. There are a few different ways to do this:
- Set up an author website on platforms such as Shopify, which specialize in selling products.
- Set up a widget on your author website to process sales and organize shipping.
Using an author’s website to sell books directly can be as easy or difficult as you make it. If you set it up correctly from the start, it’s a lot easier. However, if you’re trying to go back and add direct sales to an existing website, it can be a lot harder. If you’re serious about selling books through your website, consider upgrading to a new website.
Giveaway Copies and Prizes
Giving away physical books as review copies and prizes is a great way to build community and awareness around your books, but it can get expensive quickly. It’s essential to establish your budget for printing and shipping books, and stick to it.
Printing and shipping books can be expensive, so evaluate your budget carefully. Establish what you can afford, and what’s going to give you a good return on your investment.
ROI from your book giveaways may not always be measured in monetary terms. It could help to build goodwill within your community. Donations to places such as Free Little Libraries, Women’s and Men’s shelters, hospitals, schools, and foundations are an excellent opportunity to promote your book while building goodwill.
Using Author Copies to Sell More Books In 2026 | Conclusion
As you can see, using your author copies to sell more books in 2026 will be a powerful tool for Canadian authors. Many experts are predicting that in 2026, we’ll see more authors putting themselves out there than ever before in an effort to combat fake AI videos. For all your self-publishing services, don’t hesitate to contact Indie Publishing Group. Proudly helping Canadian authors self-publish their books.
If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below, and we’ll do our best to answer them or point you in the right direction.
