Chicago bookstores accepting local authors & zines
These 6 shops publicly say they accept submissions. Each card links to a listing with the exact pitch instructions from the shop's own website. Read how to pitch to retailers and grab the free line sheet template before you hit send.
The 6 shops
Quimby's Bookstore
Independent bookstore for zines, comics and small-press books; currently taking local Chicago authors and artists, art zines, risograph and letterpress work, and more.
Women & Children First
Feminist bookstore that showcases work by trans people, non-binary people and women.
Heads up: Submissions are in person only (Monday-Wednesday).
Sheep Cult Comics
Indie comic and bookstore selling mostly local Chicagoans' work on consignment, plus small presses.
Heads up: Consignment is mentioned only on their About page; there's no dedicated submissions page or published terms.
The Dropped Stitch
Yarn shop, fiber arts emporium and tiny secondhand bookstore with hand-crafted gifts and classes by local artists.
Heads up: Consignment is a one-line mention on their homepage; no terms are published.
Newberry Library Bookshop
Bookshop of the Newberry, Chicago's independent research library.
Bookie's
Independent bookstore that gives special consideration to authors with a strong Chicago or regional connection.
Los Angeles bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Bay Area bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Seattle bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Portland bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Austin bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Philadelphia bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Denver bookstores accepting local authors & zines → Boston bookstores accepting local authors & zines →