In another move by a publisher protesting what it calls Amazon's "unfair pracitices," San Francisco-based Barclay Publishing has announced an exclusive retail distribution agreement with the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association on its San Francisco Cross-Street Guide and Map ($22.95).

Barclay will exclude all online booksellers from its sales and distribution policy on the guidebook, which was created at the request of taxi drivers but will also be useful to San Francisco’s residents and tourists in need of making best-route decisions. The press will offer NCIBA members a 50% returnable discount and net 180 terms on billing. In addition, stores that order a dozen copies or more will receive one free display copy of the guidebook and map.

Although bookstores will be responsible for freight charges, NCIBA has offered to pay inbound shipping for multiple-copy first orders that are shipped to its offices in bulk and then picked up there. Barclay claims this is virtually a “no-risk” program. “This is only one book for one city,” says publisher Jim Chandler, “but we are taking an action and setting a precedent: one of local cooperation against unfair competition. Maybe it will catch on – like a few small protests on Wall Street.”

Contact NCIBA for more information and to place orders: office@nciba.com.