March 21, 2026
The print books market in Tennessee serves a broad range of buyers. Starting a print book retail business in Tennessee involves a few straightforward administrative steps. New businesses must register through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) at tntap.tn.gov and then pay a $15 registration fee to the county or city clerk to receive their business license. Tennessee’s state sales tax rate of 7% applies to most retail book sales, though certain educational materials may qualify for exemptions under state law. Booksellers are also advised to file for any applicable local business taxes, which vary by county and municipality. The process is designed to be accessible for small independent operators, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue provides detailed guidance through its online portal for new registrants navigating these requirements for the first time.
Tennessee occupies a meaningful niche within this expanding national marketplace. Independent bookstores in Tennessee occupy a meaningful position in the state’s cultural and literary landscape. The American Booksellers Association (ABA), which represents more than 3,200 independent bookstores across the United States, counts several Tennessee shops among its members. Independent stores differentiate themselves from national chains through staff-curated selections, author events, community programming, and specialized collections in local history, Southern literature, and regional subjects. Cities like Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Franklin each support active independent bookstore scenes, drawing customers who prefer a personalized shopping experience over algorithmic recommendations from large online retailers.
Beyond state-level considerations, federal regulations also shape this market in Tennessee. Print book retailers in Tennessee benefit from a broad and growing national market. U.S. publishing industry revenues totaled $29.9 billion in 2023, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP) StatShot Annual Report. Trade book sales, the consumer-facing segment that encompasses fiction, nonfiction, and children’s titles sold through retail bookstores and online channels, accounted for an estimated $18.7 billion of that total. Print formats remained dominant, representing approximately 72% of all trade revenue for the year. Retailers operating in Tennessee’s used and antiquarian book sectors also benefit from the First Sale Doctrine, the federal copyright principle established under 17 U.S.C. § 109 that allows the resale of lawfully purchased copies without additional licensing from the copyright holder.
Against this regulatory baseline, practical purchasing factors come into sharper focus for buyers. Edition format, binding quality, and the curatorial depth of a bookshop’s inventory shape the print book buying experience across Tennessee’s independent and chain retailers. Tennessee’s print book retail environment is shaped by a loyal local readership, strong university communities, and a robust tourism economy that drives foot traffic to bookstores in historic downtown districts. Cities like Franklin and Knoxville attract visitors who seek out independent shops as part of the local experience. Used and antiquarian booksellers across the state have developed regional reputations for deep inventories in Civil War history, Appalachian literature, and Southern fiction. New bookstores increasingly combine curated inventory with event programming, hosting author signings, book clubs, and community readings to build recurring customer relationships that keep local readers returning throughout the year. Tennessee’s independent bookstore community, including shops in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, curates regional and national titles with staff expertise, and edition format comparisons across hardcover, paperback, and special editions reveal differences in durability, design, and collectibility.
Top Print Books Providers in Tennessee
Parnassus Books
- Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14, Nashville, TN 37215
- Phone: (615) 953-2243
- Website: https://parnassusbooks.net
- Description: Parnassus Books is an independent bookstore founded in Nashville in 2011 by novelist Ann Patchett. The store carries a broad selection of fiction, nonfiction, children’s titles, and local author works, and hosts frequent author events and signings throughout the year.
Burke’s Book Store
- Address: 936 S. Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
- Phone: (901) 278-7484
- Website: https://www.burkesbooks.com
- Description: Burke’s Book Store has operated in Memphis since 1875, making it one of the oldest independent bookstores in the United States. Located in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, the store stocks new releases, used books, rare editions, and a strong selection of Memphis writers and Southern literature titles.
Landmark Booksellers
- Address: 114 E Main St, Franklin, TN 37064
- Phone: (615) 791-6400
- Website: https://www.landmarkbooksellers.com
- Description: Landmark Booksellers operates out of an Antebellum Greek Revival building on Franklin’s historic Main Street, offering more than 60,000 new and hard-to-find books including over 1,500 signed first editions. The store specializes in rare, old, and collectible books alongside curated new releases.
McKay’s Books
- Address: 636 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
- Phone: (615) 353-2595
- Website: https://www.mckaybooks.com
- Description: McKay’s is a large-format independent used bookstore where customers can buy, sell, and trade books, music, movies, and games. The Nashville location features more than two miles of organized shelving stocked entirely with items brought in by other customers, creating a constantly changing inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a directory of independent bookstores in Tennessee?
The American Booksellers Association maintains a searchable member directory that includes independent bookstores organized by state. Shoppers can locate Tennessee-based ABA member stores, filter by specialty, and find store hours and contact information in one place. The Tennessee Antiquarian Booksellers Association also maintains a directory of rare and used book dealers across the state. Visit https://www.bookweb.org/member_directory/search/ABAmember
Does Tennessee charge sales tax on print books?
Tennessee’s statewide sales tax rate of 7% applies to most retail sales, including print books purchased at physical bookstores. Local option sales taxes can increase the total rate depending on the county and municipality where the purchase occurs. Certain educational materials sold to qualifying institutions may be exempt from this tax. Shoppers with questions about their specific situation should contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue directly at (615) 253-0600
Is there a Tennessee law that addresses sales tax exemptions for educational books?
Yes. Tennessee Code Annotated provides exemptions within its sales and use tax chapter for certain categories of educational materials sold to qualifying schools and institutions. Retailers selling books to public and private schools should review the relevant provisions carefully before applying exemptions. Consulting the Department of Revenue or a licensed tax professional to confirm eligibility before claiming an exemption under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 67-6-329 is a practical step
What organization supports used and antiquarian booksellers in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Antiquarian Booksellers Association (TABA) is the regional organization representing dealers who specialize in rare, used, and out-of-print books across the state. Membership provides access to a dealer directory, professional resources, and referrals from book collectors seeking specific titles. TABA member stores are vetted dealers with demonstrated expertise in evaluating and pricing antiquarian volumes, making the organization a trusted resource for both buyers and sellers in the used book market, which is the Tennessee Antiquarian Booksellers Association
Can booksellers legally resell used books without permission from the original publisher?
Yes. Under United States copyright law, the First Sale Doctrine permits the resale of lawfully purchased copies of books without requiring authorization from the copyright holder. This principle applies to physical copies only and does not extend to digital editions or licensed content. The doctrine is a cornerstone of the used book trade and supports the operations of independent stores that buy and resell secondhand inventory. More information is available through the U.S. Copyright Office at https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html
How do I contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue to register a new bookstore?
New bookstore owners should register for business tax through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) online portal, then pay the $15 registration fee to their local county or city clerk. Businesses with gross receipts of $100,000 or more must file a Standard Business License, while those below that threshold may qualify for a Minimal Activity License. The Tennessee Department of Revenue can be reached for registration assistance at (615) 253-0600
What return policies apply to print books purchased in Tennessee?
Print books are generally returnable within 30 days at Tennessee bookstores and retailers if the book is in new, unread condition with no highlighting, writing, bent pages, or spine creasing. Once a book shows signs of reading such as a cracked spine or page wear, most retailers will not accept a return for a full refund. Textbooks may have different return policies, with some retailers requiring returns within 7 to 14 days of the semester start date. Special-order, personalized, and clearance books are frequently non-returnable. Manufacturer warranties do not apply to books, but books with binding defects such as detached pages, missing signatures, or inverted text blocks are manufacturing errors that the publisher will typically address with a replacement copy upon contacting their customer service with the ISBN and a description of the defect. Tennessee buyers should inspect the book at the time of purchase for binding and printing defects and retain the receipt.