Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Books to Libraries

The doors close tomorrow night at midnight on the special promotion that will pitch your book to more than 4,000 libraries in the United States.

You can read all the details about how to encourage libraries to buy your book,  including seven reasons why selling to libraries is so smart. Since I announced it last week, I’ve been inundated with questions from authors about some of the finer details.

I’m including them here in case you’re on the fence and you need more information to decide if this is right for you. I’m teaming up with Amy Collins of New Shelves.  She and her assistants will be pitching your book to libraries that are getting money in their 2018 budgets this month and next to buy new books for their collections.

This promotion is limited to the first 24 authors. We have just a few spots remaining. So if you decide this is for you, order today before you miss out. 

Here’s what authors are asking, along with Amy’s answers.

Q. Are you pitching only print books? Or does this promotion also include ebooks and audio books?

All three. However, if you want to sell an ebook or an audio book, it must be available on OverDrive.com, the library wholesaler that all public libraries use to get materials into their collections.

Q. What’s the best way to get an ebook onto Overdrive?

A.  Use Draft2Digital.com.

Q. Are the chances of selling a book to a library much greater for printed books than ebooks?

A. Libraries do have a larger budget for printed books than they do ebooks. But if your print book is purchased, very often the library will eventually buy both.

Q. Is this special promotion for one book or for an author, or a series?

A. Each spot is for a book. The slot will include a direct link to a wholesaler listing at Ingram or whichever wholesaler you choose. We advertise a particular title, but are happy to mention the author or series in the text under the book.

Q. Are authors eligible if they live outside the United States?

A. Our list of libraries is U.S. only. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible as long as the book is available here in the states.

Q. My book will be published, both print and ebook, towards the end of November 2018. I will only have a cover, back cover blurb and master layout towards the end of March but no print or ebook copies. So it appears that this round is too early to promote a pitch to libraries. Is that correct?

A. No. If you decide to participate, but your book is not ready, you can sign up today and we will put you in the next mailing you choose after your book becomes available.

Q. I am a first-time author. My almost finished book is a book of photographs for children. Text is minimal. How do I get a photo of my book cover? I am a photographer but I am not a product photographer. Do you have any suggestions for me?

A. Regardless of what your book is about, your cover needs to be designed professionally. There are many book cover designers and consultants who can help you for just a few hundred dollars. 

Q. I’m having problems ordering. The payment methods simply do not work and are sending me around in circles. 

Try using a different browser. If that still doesn’t work, reboot your computer. Rebooting solves the problem 8 out of 10 times. If this still doesn’t work, email Amy or  Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound.  

Q. Can I send you a copy of my book for your consideration so I know if it’s right for this promotion?

A. Feel free to email Amy the ISBN so she can look at the book. 

Q. Do books have to already be available on sites like OverDrive?

If you want to promote an ebook or an audio book, it should be on OverDrive. Print books should be in Ingram or Baker & Taylor.

Q. Do books need specific title page information within the book to make it ready for libraries?

A. It just needs to be properly published. If the title page is formatted properly, there is no specific information needed for libraries.

Q. After you pitch, do I have to do any of the follow-up?

A. New Shelves does all the presentations and follow-up to the more than 4,000 librarians. We create your pitch, make the sales presentation and follow up via email over the entire course of the promotion for you.

Q. Can I use this if my book is on CreateSpace?

Absolutely. Many libraries order from Amazon. Those that don’t use Ingram as a wholesaler. If you have chosen “expanded distribution” in your CreateSpace account, your book will be available from Ingram, and we can direct libraries to order from there.

Q. What happens if my book isn’t a good fit?

If we determine that your book wouldn’t be ideal for this promotion, or if we worry that the librarians wouldn’t order enough to make it worth your investment, we will call you, explain the problem and refund your money.

Q. Is it possible to do this for an ebook only?

Absolutely. While we suggest making your book available in all formats, if an ebook is what you wish to promote, libraries buy tons of ebooks. The book should be available through OverDrive, however, if you’re going to do this.

Q. Is it possible to do this for a free ebook so I can use it to promote four other books in the series? 

Possible? Yes! but why spend so much money to promote a free ebook that will never get you a return on your investment? I know you’re trying to get more sales going on your next five books. But giving away your book to libraries is not the best way to do that. It’s a terrific plan for readers, but not for libraries.

How to Order

This promotion ends at midnight tomorrow—Wednesday, March 21— and there’s a good chance all the slots will be filled by then. Go directly to the page where you can get all the details on how to be among the 24 authors whose books will be featured using this affiliate link. If you’re up against the deadline and you have questions, feel free to call me, Joan Stewart, at 262-284-7451 and I’ll help you.

Author MarketingAuthors & PublishersBook Promotionsell to libraries
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