Distribution + availability
Make the book available.
Then give people a reason to find it.
Distribution is the infrastructure that allows a book to be ordered. It is not, by itself, a marketing strategy. We help establish the right pathway — from Australian trade metadata and fulfilment to global print-on-demand availability.
The best route depends on the book, the audience, the quantity you want to hold, and how you intend to reach readers.
Distribution pathways
Not every book needs
the same system.
Some projects benefit from a bulk print run and local stock. Others are better suited to print-on-demand. Many use a combination: economical bulk copies for direct sales, events and promotion, with POD providing long-tail international availability.
Global print-on-demand
Books can be connected to a worldwide print and distribution network, allowing individual orders to be produced closer to the customer without holding overseas inventory.
Major online retailers
Appropriately configured POD titles can become orderable through major online bookselling channels, including Amazon and other retailers supplied through the distribution network.
Australian book trade metadata
Vivid titles can be listed through TitlePage®, the Australian book industry’s price and availability service used by booksellers and libraries.
Australian fulfilment
Where a project uses locally held stock, Fontaine can discuss practical fulfilment options for trade, library or direct orders.
eBook distribution
Digital editions can sit alongside print, extending availability through major eBook retailers without physical stock.
Sales reporting
For Fontaine/Vivid distribution pathways, reported sales and royalties are consolidated through the relevant author reporting system.
Availability is not the same as bookstore placement.
A book can be fully listed and orderable without being automatically stocked on shelves. Physical bookstore placement depends on demand, sales history, commercial terms, publicity, the book itself and the retailer’s buying decisions.
For most independent titles, the author or organisation’s connection to its audience remains the most important driver of sales. Distribution makes fulfilment possible; promotion creates the demand.
Best unit economics where you can sell, distribute or use a meaningful quantity yourself.
Useful for worldwide availability, low inventory risk and long-term order fulfilment.
Bulk stock for local/direct activity, combined with POD for overseas and long-tail sales.
ISBN, metadata, title information and availability structured so booksellers and libraries can identify and source the book.
Planning distribution?
Start with how the book will actually reach readers.
Tell us who the audience is, where they are, and how you expect to promote or use the book. We can then recommend an appropriate print and distribution structure.