by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Tue Apr 16, 2013
Occasionally an author will see a listing for her book on a website she's had no previous contact with. Of course, the immediate question is, "Why are they selling my book? I never engaged with them to do so."
Chances are, they're not really selling it. When an author registers an ISBN with Bowker, that information goes into Bowker's Books in Print database. Many booksellers license BIP, and list the entire contents of it on their websites. They probably haven't made vendor agreements with many of the publishers in Books in Print. They're not stocking the books in their warehouses. If they receive enough orders for the book, they'll track down the publisher and arrange a vendor agreement.
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Thu Apr 4, 2013
The KDP Select program has now been around for nearly two years, and CJ Lyons has a well-thought post on Jane Friedman's blog:
The Select Program is just that: a program, a tool, a tactic.
In other words, it’s not a promise, a guarantee, or even a long term strategy—for authors or Amazon.
It’s a program. Subject to change. And it might not fit your needs now—or later—or ever. Or it might be the catalyst you need to engage new readers and propel sales.
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Tue Apr 2, 2013
- Vook - In addition to ebook conversion, interactivity, and other services, Vook distributes ebook files to Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and their own Vook storefront.
- BookBaby - You can upload an EPUB file to Bookbaby, and they will distribute it to Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, Sony, Copia, Gardner's, Baker & Taylor, eBookPie, and eSentral.
- PigeonLab - You can distribute your ebooks to Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.
- Smashwords - Uploading your file to Smashwords means that your book can be distributed to Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Sony, Baker & Taylor, Diesel eBooks, as well as Smashwords's own retail store.
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Wed Mar 27, 2013
As a publisher, the bookstore is actually your customer. And of course you want to give your customer good service.
Customers respond well when they are treated well. They buy more of your product. So it's very much in your interest to treat booksellers the way they want to be treated, even if it means a little extra work and thought; bookstores are the portal to your readers.
Some general rules of thumb:
by Laura Dawson
Bowker | Tue Mar 5, 2013
Writing and creating a book is half the battle. The rest is distribution. Unless you have thousands of people beating a path to your door, you’ll need to get your book placed in bookstores so potential customers can buy it. It may be that your publishing platform does distribution for you.
Physical bookstores
