New Balboa Press Bookstore FAQs
General Information
New Bookstore
Changes
Miscellaneous
Book Detail Page
Changing My Page
Features
Books Sales and Ordering
Ordering
Authors
Retailers
Shipping
General Information
New Bookstore
When will the new bookstore launch?
The new bookstore will be available on August 18.
What are the reasons for updating the bookstore?
Balboa Press wanted to make it easier for customers to search for and order books and give authors more promotional opportunities on their book detail pages. The new bookstore will additionally offer customers better, faster options when it comes to shipping and ordering books.
What new bookstore features are available to me as an author?
There are many new features available to you as an author. You will now be able to order books at your discounted author price by simply logging in to your Balboa Press My Center account. We have a more advanced search engine with new keywords associations for each book, making it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for. Additionally, your book detail page will now display book reviews, the Google and Amazon Search Programs preview if you have purchased this service, and any Video Services that you have purchased. Shipping, ordering, and many other areas of the site have been improved upon as well.
What bookstore features will stay the same?
Many things about the site will remain familiar. For instance, your username and password to log in to your Balboa Press My Center account will not change. Also, you will still have a book detail page and will maintain the ability to edit this page yourself through the “Book Status” tab in your Balboa Press account.
Will the link to my book detail page be the same?
The link to your book’s detail page has changed. While the old link will redirect to your updated book detail page, it is best practice to update the link on your personal websites and to notify others of the change.
How can I find the new link to my book detail page?
- Please visit the new bookstore (bookstore.balboapress.com) and search for your title or pen name. Find your book in the search results and click on the title to be taken to your book detail page. That page will reflect the new link address.
- If you cannot find the link, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
Back to Top
Changes
What new features are available?
There are many new and improved features in the bookstore. The advanced search is one of the new enhancements to the site. With the ability to search by title, author, genre or subject, finding the book you are looking for will now be much easier. Another addition is the “Reviews” section on each book detail page. Customers will be able to read previous reviews and submit their own. If an author has purchased the Google and Amazon Search Programs service from Balboa Press, a preview of the book will be available. New shipping options are now available as well.
What changes will appear on the bookstore homepage?
The bookstore now displays an enhanced carousel for featured books. If you move your cursor over these books or any books on the homepage, the book summary and option to purchase the book will appear. The middle of the homepage will now display seasonally featured books, best-sellers, book trailers and author interviews.
Will I be able to search by keywords?
The new advanced search engine will not only allow you to search by a book’s title and author, but will also give you the option to search by keywords. If you come to the bookstore not quite knowing what you’re looking for or the exact title of the book you want, you can now browse books by words or topics that interest you.
Back to Top
Miscellaneous
How can I get my book featured in the bookstore?
There are four main criteria that Balboa Press uses to determine which authors and books will be featured in the bookstore; quality, quantity, timeliness and remarkability.
Books of high quality are those that have received positive editorial and/or customer reviews and have been deemed high quality by Balboa Press. Quantity is determined by the number of books that have been sold through the Balboa Press Bookstore. Books with the highest sales figures will be featured in the “Bestsellers” section. Timely books are those that are relevant to current events or hot topics in the media, or titles that are appropriate for the particular time of year. Qualifying titles may be featured in the seasonal section on the homepage. Remarkable books are those that have received special awards or designation from Balboa Press.
Authors may also be asked by Balboa Press to participate in an Author Spotlight or Author Video Interview, both of which are featured on the homepage of the bookstore.
My book just went live, why isn’t it showing up in the “New Releases” section?
The “New Releases” section is updated manually at the end of each business day. If your book has not yet appeared, check back tomorrow and it should then be available in the “New Releases” section. If your book still isn’t displaying after the next full business day, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
How are the “Bestsellers” determined?
The books featured in the “Bestsellers” section of the bookstore are determined by the number of copies sold through the Balboa Press Bookstore. The books with the highest sales will be featured. Channel sales and direct sales made by an author do NOT qualify towards this figure.
Who can I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you have any additional questions about the new bookstore, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
Back to Top
Book Detail Page
Changing My Page
How will my book detail page be affected?
Two new tabs (the Editorial Review and Customer Review) will allow book editors and customers to post reviews of your book. If you have purchased any Video Services, those can also be added to your book detail page.
Another enhancement is the Google and Amazon Search Programs preview, which will appear under the “Free Preview” tab on your book detail page. Your book detail page will also feature a recommended titles section that suggests similar Balboa Press books to customers viewing your book detail page.
NOTE: The book detail page updating process has changed. In the old bookstore, all author changes were updated immediately. In the new bookstore all changes will be reviewed by Balboa Press and posted after one business day.
How can I edit my book detail page?
The process of editing your book detail page will remain the same. Log in to your Balboa Press My Center account and click on the “Book Status” tab to edit your book detail page.
Can I control which reviews appear on my book detail page?
If the review contains objectionable material, promotional content, inappropriate content, or off-topic content, we reserve the right to remove the review. If you have concerns about a specific review, please contact us and provide all the relevant details. Be assured every review is entered into a clearance queue before it is published.
How can I find the new link to my new book detail page?
- Please visit the new bookstore (bookstore.balboapress.com) and search for your title or pen name. Find your book in the search results and click on the title to be taken to your book detail page. That page will reflect the new link address.
- If you cannot find the link, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
Why isn’t my book detail page showing updates I have made?
Changes you make to your book detail page will now take at least one business day to appear. If your changes still aren’t displaying after the next full business day, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
How do I fix broken image links?
You may notice that some images on your book detail page are not appearing. In order to repair an image, you will need to remove the image and update it from its original source. Once this has been done and approved the image should appear as before.
Back to Top
Features
How can customers preview the content of my book?
If the Google and Amazon Search Programs service was included as part of your publishing package or if you purchased it separately, potential customers will be able to view a sample of your book from your book detail page.
How does the Google and Amazon Search Programs preview work?
If you have received this service as part of a publishing package or purchased it separately, potential customers will be able to preview the content of your book directly from your book detail page. By clicking the “Free Preview” tab, a preview of your book will appear. The Google and Amazon Search Programs service allows customers to read a select number of pages or chapters of your book without ever leaving your book detail page.
Why does the Google and Amazon Search Programs preview only appear on some book detail pages?
The Google and Amazon Search Programs is a service that is only included in some publishing packages, otherwise it must be purchased. If you would like your book detail page to contain a preview of your book but you did not publish with a package containing the service, you can purchase it separately and have it added to your page.
Who can I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you have any additional questions about the new bookstore, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
Back to Top
Book Sales and Ordering
Ordering
I am an author. How do I order copies of my own book?
Authors will be able to log in to the bookstore using their Balboa Press account. Once logged in, authors will be able to order books at their discounted author price through the bookstore.
I am a retailer. How do I place a book order?
Retailers will be able to place volume book orders directly through the bookstore. Once you have registered, your retailer discount will be applied automatically when you place orders. Retail discounts range between 36 and 55 percent.
I am a customer. How do I place a book order?
Customers can place orders directly through the bookstore by logging in to their Balboa Press My Center account or by selecting to purchase as a guest.
Do I need an account to purchase books through the bookstore?
When placing a book order, you will be asked to log in to your Balboa Press account before checking out. If you do not have an account, you can create one on the login page as you continue to checkout, or you may sign in and purchase as a guest. NOTE: Those who sign in as a guest will not be eligible to receive an author discount or retailer discount.
Who can I call to place a volume book order?
If you need to place a volume book order you may contact the Book Sales Team at (877) 407-4847.
How do I find the book I’m looking for?
Through the new advanced search engine, you can find books you are looking for by searching the name of the book, author’s name, genre, subject or even by keywords that may be associated with the book.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept payment using Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards. To avoid the long delays that often occur when waiting for personal checks to clear the bank, we accept only certified checks and money orders. Checks must have a valid nine-digit bank routing number (ABA code) at the bottom.
How do I make online payments?
Online payments can be made by logging in to your Balboa Press account and proceeding through the checkout process. Once you reach the payment page, select your card type and enter the name on the card, the card number, the expiration date and the security code.
What is the bookstore privacy policy?
Shopping at Balboa Press is safe. We provide a secure server for all purchases and anything involving your personal account information. This server utilizes an encryption technology designed to protect the information you provide. Should you prefer not to submit your credit card number online when buying, we do provide an opportunity to print out your order form to mail or fax to us with your credit card number, or you can mail your order form with a certified check or money order payment.
What is the return policy?
Print-on-Demand orders are non-returnable and non-refundable, except in the event of poor print quality or an error in quantity. Please report quality or quantity issues to the Book Sales Department at (877) 407-4847 immediately upon receipt of the order. All claims must be filed within 30 days of shipment receipt.
How can I redeem a book sales promotion I heard about in an email or phone call?
Most book sales promotions will be redeemable through the bookstore with the corresponding promotional code. If a promo code is unavailable, you will need to call the Balboa Press Book Sales Team at (877) 407-4847.
Back to Top
Authors
How do I receive my author discount?
When placing an order, authors will be able to log in using their Balboa Press My Center username and password. The author must enter their Customer ID number into the campaign section of the shopping cart to receive the discount. Once logged in, authors will receive the same discounts they are used to receiving from the Book Sales Team when placing orders.
Can I get a special discount for ordering multiple copies?
Please refer to the charts below to determine the discount levels for volume book orders.
SOFTCOVER DISCOUNTS
|
Book Quantity
|
Discount*
|
1-24
|
30%
|
25-49
|
35%
|
50-99
|
40%
|
100-249
|
45%
|
250-499
|
50%
|
500-999
|
55%
|
1,000-1,999
|
60%
|
2,000+
|
Call for a Quote
|
HARDCOVER/COLOR DISCOUNTS
|
Book Quantity
|
Discount*
|
1-24
|
30%
|
25-49
|
35%
|
50-99
|
40%
|
100-249
|
45%
|
250-499
|
50%
|
500-999
|
55%
|
1,000+
|
Call for a Quote
|
*Orders must be for a single title, same print format, shipped to single address, no mix and match. All volume discount orders must be prepaid. Author purchases are royalty exclusive and non-returnable. Does not apply to author event discount purchases. Shipping charges are not included. Discounts apply to your book's retail price.
Back to Top
Retailers
As a retailer, what discounts are available to me?
Once your retailer status has been validated in the Balboa Press Bookstore, your retailer discount will automatically be applied when you place book orders.
How do I become a validated retailer?
Call (877) 407-4847 and follow the prompts; a Retail Sales Consultant will instruct you on how to log in and will authenticate your access.
Back to Top
Shipping
How can I track my order?
Email confirmation will be sent at the time of shipping to your email address on file. This shipping confirmation will allow the user to track purchases online.
What are the new shipping timelines?
Shipping timelines and options are one of the much improved features of the new bookstore. We have introduced a new print-on-demand routing system that will drastically decrease shipping times. Also the new bookstore will offer customers more varied and economical shipping options.
Who can I contact if I have a question that is not answered here?
If you have any additional questions about the new bookstore, contact Customer Support at (877) 407-4847 or by email at customersupport@balboapress.com.
Back to Top