Getting your book into libraries kindle edition by. Full of enthusiasm, i submitted an ad to the organizations catalogue and a. Again, if youre just exclusive on acx, you wont get your audiobooks into libraries. But because i published with a hybrid press for my debut. In this solo episode mark talks about how authors can get their books into libraries in print, ebook and audiobook format. Ive worked in both public and academic libraries all over the united states, from. Making your titles available to the millions of public library patrons can greatly expand your readership, broaden your fandom and encourage discovery of your ebooks. How to promote your selfpublished book to libraries author. Librarians have a similar goal, stocking their shelves with books that people want to read, which drives traffic into their library. So, you want to get your selfpublished book andor ebook into the library, where lots and lots of new readers can discover you. Getting selfpublished books into local libraries isnt always easy, but, with the right strategy, indie authors can make it happen and increase their readership. Cip data, an incomplete bibliographic record based on the subject and content of your book, allows libraries to easily catalog your book if the loc hasnt had a chance to catalog it yet. Getting your book into libraries by eric otis simmons.
Feb 22, 2015 many authors want to get their selfpublished books into physical bookstores and libraries as well as being allowed into literary organizations. How does a selfpublished author get his books into 85 libraries, including 7 of ameri. Ive long dreamed of getting my book into the public libraries at home, in canada. If youre a selfpublished author who is trying to promote your book and get it into bookstores, why not try getting it into a library first. Dec 28, 2017 maybe youve been focused on getting your book in bookstores or worrying about what its gonna look like on amazon but you might not want to forget about all of the libraries theres over a hundred. Often, the first step to getting into a library or bookstore is to go speak to someone in person. In this latest addition to our publishing u series, veteran librarian katie dunneback offers mustread advice for selfpublished authors hoping to see. If you get your book into one library in a larger city, and your book has some success, you are in a great position to have more libraries in that city buy your book and then consider the ebook and audio versions as well. Smashwords getting your book into libraries a book by. To get started, youll need to get answers to two key questions.
It starts with knowing what libraries want and what the librarians need. How indie authors can get their books into libraries. Mar 26, 2017 thinking about how to get your book into libraries as an independent publisher. Maybe youve been focused on getting your book in bookstores or worrying about what its gonna look like on amazon but you might not want to forget about all of the libraries theres over a hundred. Bar codes help our stores handle books more efficiently.
How to get your ebook into libraries the indie authors. How to get your books into bookstores and libraries amy. Thats why i hunted down librarian marlene harris for an interview. Photo courtesy orange county public library countless public libraries, just like so many schools, government offices and businesses across the country, are closed to the public for the foreseeable future to slow the. Jul 18, 2017 5 direct marketing this works for print books. Many authors want to get their selfpublished books into physical bookstores and libraries as well as being allowed into literary organizations. Right now we are selling our how to set up your own small business title to prisons and the vo. Once your marketing strategy is implemented, there are two ways to get your book into libraries. And, unfortunately, authors still face the stigma of selfpublishing. How to get your book into libraries across the us youtube.
This session covers the different ways to get your contentstorybook into the different electronic and audio distribution channels and then how to share that with the libraries. How to get your selfpublished books into bookstores and. How to get your self published book into libraries written. In order to put your book into a librarys circulation, the book first needs to be available through wholesalers. Find getting your book into libraries by eric otis simmons at blurb books. Thinking about how to get your book into libraries as an independent publisher. They claim that librarians love selfpublished and independently published books. In getting your book into libraries, simmons lays out the methodology and strategy he developed to successfully get his selfpublished books into 85 libraries, including 7 of americas largest, in less than two years, and without paying for. They also purchase newspapers and magazines, reference sources, scholarly journals, electronic resources individual and aggregated online databases, computer software, ebooks and ebook readers, audiovisual materials. A wholesaler is someone who supplies books to libraries, book stores, etc. Libraries purchase books for adults, young adults, children, and special readers emerging literates, large print, braille.
Your book in libraries worldwide quick and easy guide. Oct 11, 2019 2 thoughts on episode 99 getting your book into libraries k8ty mac says. Book distribution expert amy collins has helped countless authors sell their books into libraries across north america. It struck me the best person to ask would be someone who works in the library service. How to get your book into libraries free course reedsy. It could be because people think its hard to get their book into libraries. The big benefit of getting your book into digital libraries is the wealth of potential new readers for your work. Jul, 2018 once your marketing strategy is implemented, there are two ways to get your book into libraries. Getting your selfpublished book into bookstores and.
Jul 18, 2017 unfortunately, libraries usually order books from their own distributors, which means approaching them directly to purchase your selfpublished book may be an uphill battle. Smashwords distributes to outlets that supply ebooks to public, private, and academic libraries around the world. Ask some friends and family members to request your book. And also ebooks, again, if youre exclusive on amazon, you wont get your ebooks into libraries, but you can get your ebooks into draft2digital also smashwords, publishdrive also do have some distribution to those services. Mar 30, 2020 again, if youre just exclusive on acx, you wont get your audiobooks into libraries. How to get your book into libraries as an independent publisher. Getting your selfpublished book into the library, tips. In the age of coronavirus, libraries are getting books. Go see the manager and head librarian and give them a copy of your book. If youre selfpublishing a book and hoping for library distribution youll need to watch this video.
Distribution is important for getting your books into libraries. How to get selfpublished books into stores and libraries. Many of us grew up in the corners of libraries and still spend our money on books from bookstores, but did you know that it is possible to get your books into libraries and bookstores as an independent author. Getting indie authors into libraries an interview with mitchell davis of biblioboard. How to get your book into libraries as an independent.
Its important to know how libraries get the titles they stock. He covers the topic by discussing the triple as of. Amy walks you through the process of getting your book accepted. Getting your selfpublished book into the library, tips from librarian marlene harris posted on january 2, 2012 by lindsay so, you want to get your selfpublished book andor ebook into the library, where lots and lots of new readers can discover you. Aug 03, 2016 you can list your book with most of them directly, but its a lot easier if you choose to distribute your book through an aggregator like smashwords. How to promote your selfpublished book to libraries. They also purchase newspapers and magazines, reference sources, scholarly journals, electronic resources individual and aggregated online databases, computer software, ebooks and ebook readers, audiovisual materials dvds and online. Getting your selfpublished book into the library, tips from.
In many ways, getting selfpublished titles into libraries hasnt changed since the ebook revolution. If you want to get into your local library its important to get to know. How to get your book into libraries and bookstores with. In addition to getting your book into various digital and physical marketplaces, the public library is another literary sphere that should not be ignored. The loc doesnt provide cip data for selfpublished titles. It amazes me that we hear so much about getting your book on kindle, but not much about getting books into over 120,000 us libraries. Getting your ebook into libraries celebrating independent. Getting your book into libraries by eric otis simmons blurb. The following checklist gives you some handy tips for your quest on getting your book into libraries. So getting your books into libraries should also be about give and take.
Who are the primary decisionmakers in the libraries youll be contacting. Jan 03, 2020 so your first step is to get your book into a library vendor catalog, by uploading your titles to the right book distributor. Be careful that you dont have them submit dozens of spamlike requests for your book. Is your book priced competitively with other titles of a similar topic and quality. Work toward that goal, and one day youll see your own ancestors lined up on the stacks for others to meet and enjoy. Episode 99 getting your book into libraries stark reflections. Eve merrier is a libraries manager just on the outskirts of london, uk and south of the beautiful surrey hills. What sort of binding is your book trade paperback, hardcover, audiobook, etc.
Getting your indie book into libraries guest post by author. Enroll in this free course to learn why libraries are a top target for selfpublishing authors and how to get your books into a library system. Based on the article that generated 4,061 interactions, from readers in thirty. Laura rossi public relations founder laura rossi totten, whose 24 years as a book publicist include. Based on the article that generated 4,061 interactions, from. You can list your book with most of them directly, but its a lot easier if you choose to distribute your book through an aggregator like smashwords. As a d2d author, youll be able to distribute your books through overdrive and receive benefits you wont find elsewhere. As anne tells us, you can get your book into libraries by taking just a few careful steps.
Getting your books into libraries takes a great deal of time and effort. For ebooks, the largest vendor for libraries in purchasing and then circulating ebooks to patrons is overdrive. Viral sales dont just happen but they do happen after you hit your stride. Local businesses and libraries want to see authors from the area succeed. How to get your books into bookstores and libraries. I was pretty excited about registering with the regional independent publishers organization that i am a member of, in order to join in their space at a regional library associations annual conference. So book a mental reservation for your family history book on the shelves of the libraries you love most. Getting your book into libraries kindle edition by simmons. Getting your selfpublished book into libraries our readers are often curious about the process of writing and publishing books, and were happy to provide access to the experts.
If you can help libraries get more people in the door, youll have a better chance of having your book available there. Apr 25, 2012 so, you want to get your selfpublished book andor ebook into the library, where lots and lots of new readers can discover you. Basics marketing to libraries libguides at american. Its possible for indie authors to go beyond thinking of selling our books just at online retailers. Oct 01, 2015 in many ways, getting selfpublished titles into libraries hasnt changed since the ebook revolution. Libraries usually take requests seriously, so its a great way to get them to put your book on the shelves. The key to getting your book into bookstores as an indie author is to start locally. An orange county librarian packages up a book to mail to a patron through its materials access from your library, or mayl. Dec 19, 2018 libraries purchase books for adults, young adults, children, and special readers emerging literates, large print, braille. I am a librarian with more than 15 years experience. It is cyclical like the libraries since they are tied to state budgets. The bar code which incorporates your isbn is scanned at the time of purchase, thus recording accurately the sale of your book. This session covers the different ways to get your contentstory book into the different electronic and audio distribution channels and then how to share that with the libraries.
This doesnt guarantee that libraries will provide your book to readers library budgets are often tight, but its a great way to get their attention and increase your chances. Getting your selfpublished book into libraries the. There are also programs that will send flyers about your book to local libraries. In this course, youll discover the immense potential of getting your book stocked in a single branch and learn how selfpublishing authors can effectively pitch to librarians. The book industry uses the bookland ean bar code, not the upc. How to get your book into libraries and bookstores with mark leslie lefebvre. Lower minimum pricingset your price as low as 99 cents. Selfpublished authors have several options for getting their books into libraries. Based on simmons article, how to get your books into libraries, posted by joanna penn from. How to get your book into libraries alliance of independent. So your first step is to get your book into a library vendor catalog, by uploading your titles to the right book distributor. How to get your self published book into libraries. Getting your book in the library of congress wheatmark.
Right now we are selling our how to set up your own small business title to prisons and the votech schools affiliated with them. Does your book have an isbn international standard book number. Walk into your local library and ask them to order your book. Ive worked in both public and academic libraries all over the united states, from the chicago. Getting selfpublished books into libraries jane friedman. Getting your selfpublished book into libraries the writing. How to get your book into libraries and bookstores with mark. Unfortunately, libraries usually order books from their own distributors, which means approaching them directly to purchase your selfpublished book may be an uphill battle. Its like going to vegas and not knowing the rules of gambling. Unlike bookstores, where purchases are often dictated by a head office, most libraries operate independently of each other.
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