@RubyJones I have a sample size of 1 but when my debut short story got published in an anthology, I asked my local indie book store (On Paper Books, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada) if they could carry it (so I could buy a copy of something I wrote at a bookstore, just a personal goal).

I was polite but persistent, and eventually they ordered some copies, so I was able to meet my goal. They even asked me to sign a few copies!

The anthology was horror, rather than erotica though, so that might make things different.

But I think independent bookstores like to carry work by local authors? It helps to make them unique and part of the community.

Before you ask, maybe visit them a few times to get their vibe, talk to their staff (usually their "staff" is the owner), see if they have books in your genre/and/or books by local authors, and let them get to know you a little bit.

I introduced myself when I bought books there, said I was an author and might have something published soon, and asked them if they could order books for me, and what that process was like.

Good luck with your writing!

(EDIT: I just saw you were asking specifically indie authors, and my story was published by a small press, so I don't know if that makes a difference. BUT don't forget your local library, too! Indie authors in my writing group have been able to get their books into our local libraries with help from the librarians, so give that a try, too!)

@RubyJones I haven't tried this, but apparently the best chance for success is to order a small number (like 5) of paper books yourself, then talk to the owner and come to some kind of arrangement where they pay you for every book they sell, and you take back whatever isn't sold.

This massively reduces the financial risk you're asking the store to take, giving you a better chance of them giving you some shelf space.