Publishers are getting creative about finding new outlets to sell books – saying that national bookstores have peaked as a sales channel.

According to a recent New York Times article, a diverse range of stores better known for their clothes, food and other items have been adding books. “Anthropologie has increased the number of titles it carries to 125, up from 25 in 2003. Coldwater Creek, Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shops and even Cracker Barrel are adding new books.”

Some of the big box stores are also making changes. The NYT reports that Target is stocking fewer male-oriented best sellers while increasing women’s and children’s titles. I find this interesting since my local Target already has a pretty good supply of romances. I look forward to having even more to choose from. So many talented authors never get a place on the shelf at the mass retailers- maybe more will be included now.

According to the NYT, Kitson – a string of boutiques that draws celebrity shoppers – sold 100,000 books in 2010, double what it had the previous year. Kitson’s owner tells the NYT that publishers have turned aggressive about selling to Kitson as traditional bookstores switched focus or closed.

Borders filed for bankruptcy protection in February while announcing the closing of many of its stores across the country. Barnes and Noble is devoting more floor space to games and toys.

I love this trend of spreading books around. As far as I’m concerned, the more the better. After picking up that perfect jacket or pair of jeans, I’ll be more than happy to throw a book into the shopping bag as well. Considering the price of clothes, a book will seem like an even better deal!   

Self-epublished authors continue to make a name for themselves by showing up on the bestseller lists. Lower price points could be helping them along. I know I’m more likely to try a new author if her ebooks sell for under $3.

For the week ending Feb. 6, 2011, three of self-epublished sensation Amanda Hocking’s young adult paranormals appeared on the USA Today bestseller list.  All three were in the top 50. (According to Publishers Weekly, the New York Times ebooks bestseller list excludes self-published ebooks.)

According to USA Today, Hocking sold more than 450,000 copies of her nine titles in January alone.

Hocking, 26, lives in Austin, Minnesota. On her website, she reports her trilogy has been optioned for a film. She is represented by agent Steve Axelrod.

Hocking’s blog also says that her eight self-epublished books sell for between $.99 and $1.99 – and that she’s sold 900,000 copies of her books (including a novella) since April 2010.