Author Events and Programs

Thank you for your interest in holding an event at Country Bookshelf. The following policies and guidelines should help you understand a bit more about our scheduling process.

Due to the increased number of event requests, we are beginning a new program as of 2023. Authors working directly with the store will need to cover an event retainer for their event. An author talk/book launch event requires a $100 retainer with 80% of that returned to the author if 20 people show up for the event AND 10 books are sold during the event. If the author wishes to arrange a panel of writers to share the burden of cost - the fee is $50 per author, with Country Bookshelf keeping $20 of each $100 collected. Signing events have a $50 fee, with $40 returned if 10 books are sold during the event. Fees are to be paid via debit/credit card.

We host a bimonthly Virtual Author Showcase that writers are invited to participate in without this fee. Invitations are extended to authors at the discretion of the Event Coordinator.

Country Bookshelf is not able to provide refreshments for author events. We can provide water, but anything beyond that must be supplied by the author and arranged with Country Bookshelf at least a week prior to setup. 

  • Before requesting an event, familiarize yourself with our store and current events schedule. Looking at other upcoming events will give you a good idea as to the kinds of events that we choose to host.

  • We host a variety of book-related events at the store. Events that do not involve a book, such as a workshop or lecture, are considered on a case-by-case basis and only if they appeal to our customers’ interests and match the goals and philosophies of our store.

  • Please note Country Bookshelf is a venue, NOT an audience. The job of getting an audience to an event is 90% the responsibility of the author. While we do extensive marketing for all events, this does not guarantee an audience. We require authors to do their own promotion as well. A media contact list will be provided to you upon request. We highly encourage personal invitations to friends and family. Word-of-mouth is still the most effective promotion of all! We also ask that authors post to their website, social media accounts, and reach out to newsletter subscribers. We are happy to consult with authors on an appropriate marketing strategy. Please contact Jessica at events@countrybookshelf.com for more information.  

  • Book availability is a very important factor. Your book must be available through Ingram or a publisher with whom we already have a working relationship. We do not create new publisher accounts for events. In addition to being available from these outlets, books must be returnable and have a standard minimum 40% discount. If your book does not meet these criteria you will be required to go through our Consignment process. Books taken on consignment must be accepted into the store and have a proven sales history before we will discuss an event. We do not consider consignment requests for authors outside the state of Montana.

  • Books that are more than one year past their publication date will not be considered.

  • All events-related communication is handled through this application and follow-up emails. Once an event is scheduled, we can arrange an in-person or telephone meeting to discuss details. Otherwise, we do not handle events via walk-ins, snail mail, or phone calls. 

  • Please do not leave unsolicited review copies of your book.

  • Because Bozeman is a small community, we ask that you do not schedule another event in the immediate area in the month preceding or following an event in our store.

Applications must be submitted at least two months prior to the requested event date. We will notify you via email if we think your event would be a good fit for our community. 

Use Country Bookshelf’s Reading Nook for your next meeting! The meeting must take place within normal business hours, and be completely cleaned up by close of business. The maximum number of people we can host in the Reading Nook is 20. To have CB staff setup chairs, signs, and water, the fee for use is $30.00/hour. If you will do your own setup the fee is $15.00/hour. Email Jessica at events@countrybookshelf.com for more information and availability.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to working with you!