Independent Bookstore That Champions ‘Shop Local’ Refuses to Carry Self-Published Book

"We proudly support local authors," says bookstore that would rather carry its third copy of James Patterson's latest ghostwritten novel than your independently published work.

By Stagtire’s Literary Gatekeeping Correspondent, Who Definitely Got Rejected Too

Alt Text: A satirical illustration of an independent bookstore with a vintage, hand-drawn aesthetic. The storefront prominently displays a large sign reading "SHOP LOCAL", reinforcing the store’s supposed commitment to supporting local businesses. However, an ironic banner draped across the window clarifies: "But not THAT local..." The windows are filled with neatly stacked books, and a sidewalk sandwich board also encourages shopping local, highlighting the hypocrisy of indie bookstores that reject self-published authors despite their advocacy for local support. The scene is warm yet subtly mocking, capturing the contradiction in a humorous way.

Local independent bookstore Maple & Quill has long prided itself on being the heart of the literary community—so long as that community doesn't include self-published authors who live literally down the street.

“We are passionate about supporting local writers,” says store manager Bethany Whitmore, standing beneath a chalkboard sign that reads 'SHOP LOCAL OR THE CHAINS WIN.' “But we do have certain standards. For example, our books must be distributed through mainstream wholesalers, have publishing house backing, and preferably be written by someone who has already been interviewed by NPR.”

Curating Excellence (And Also Whatever Big Five Publishers Send Us)

Bethany insists the store isn’t against independent authors—it’s just that their selection process is highly curated.

“We want to ensure that every book meets a certain level of quality,” she explains, while unpacking a stack of mass-market paperbacks with movie tie-in covers that will sit in the clearance bin until the end of time.

Asked whether that same quality control applies to traditionally published books, Bethany hesitates before muttering something about "industry standards" and "marketing budgets that let publishers send us free tote bags."

The Submission Process: A Study in Futility

Local self-published author Cissy Stag, who has lived two blocks from Maple & Quill for a decade, has attempted to get her poetry collection carried by the store on four separate occasions. Each time, she was met with a different arbitrary reason for rejection.

“The first time, they told me they only carry books through Ingram,” says Cissy. “The second time, they said they do carry indie books, but only ones they personally select. The third time, they told me they were ‘at capacity for local authors.’ And the fourth time, they just said, ‘Oh, we don’t really do poetry.’”

Cissy points to the entire wall of poetry books prominently displayed at the front of the store. “So, that was cool.”

Exceptions Exist, But Only If You’re a Celebrity

Despite their hard stance on self-published books, Maple & Quill does make occasional exceptions—so long as the author in question has at least 500K Instagram followers, a Netflix adaptation in the works, or a famous parent.

“We did carry that cookbook by that one influencer who got canceled,” Bethany admits. “But that’s different. She had a real publisher.”

‘Shop Local’—But Not That Local

At press time, Maple & Quill had just posted an Instagram story encouraging customers to 'support independent bookstores instead of Amazon.' Meanwhile, Cissy was seen ordering her own book from Amazon because it was literally the only place she could get it.

🔥 Want to support a real independent creator?

Unlike Maple & Quill, we actually mean it when we say we support indie authors. So, if you want to stick it to the literary gatekeepers, here’s what you can do:
📚 Buy a self-published book (maybe even mine).
👕 Get a Stagtire T-shirt and make some bookstore employee uncomfortable.
💸 Pledge your undying loyalty (or just a few bucks) to the cause.

Because if indie bookstores won’t carry us, we’ll just build our own empire. With blackjack and aggressively personal poetry.

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