Authors Bookstores Libraries
These resources were originally compiled in the Fall of 2019 to accompany the book An Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores and are updated from time to time. You can also download templates and other resources below. [Last Update Feb 2023]
If you wish to be informed about updates to these resources or other significant book industry updates, please feel free to subscribe to the Stark Publishing Solutions Update Newsletter.
Links to Helpful Resources
- March 2021 Book Industry Report on Immersive Media & Books
- (Via Panorama Project)
- Canada Canadian Library Directory (6610 listings as of Jan 2022)
- Ontario Public Libraries (Govt of Ontario listings)
- Click to download Alberta Public Library Directory (PDF)
- American Library Association List of Libraries (US)
- American Library Association ALA Fact Sheet and Data
- OverDrive’s listing of partner Libraries (by Postal Code/Zip Code/City, etc)
- Listings of Libraries by Country (Wikipedia)
- Indie Author Project (Library Share Program)
- BookShop.org for Authors (link opens in a PDF)
- Understanding MARC Records
Public Lending Right (PLR) International: Public Lending Right is the right of authors and other rights holders to receive payment for the free public use of their works in libraries. This program exists in 35 countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, UK, and New Zealand. PLR International Website
Downloadable Files
- A list of misc resources (PDF)
- List of US Independent Bookstores (Courtesy of Gary McAvoy via Alliance of Independent Authors)
- Library Distributor Tracking Spreadsheet (Excel)(Courtesy of Rachel Amplett)
- Library Contact Tracking Template (Excel)
- Sample One Pager – Scared to Death (PDF) (Courtesy of Rachel Amplett)
- Sample One Pager – The Friend Who Lied (PDF) (Courtesy of Rachel Amplett)
MISC Updates
- LIBRARY MARKET INFO
- OverDrive, which was owned by Rakuten, inc. (the same parent company that owns Kobo) at the time the book was written, is no longer a child company of Rakuten. KKR, a leading global investment firm from New York, has had majority interest in OverDrive since June of 2020.
- Kobo Writing Life – In May of 2020, Kobo Writing Life introduced Cost Per Checkout for OverDrive’s catalogue. Prior to this, the only option was the One Copy One user model. Authors don’t have control over these two options. If you accept distribution to OverDrive, you accept for both OCOU and CPC.
- BorrowBox – In June 2021 Draft2Digital announced a partnership with BorrowBox, a major library wholesales in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
- DPLA / Palace Marketplace – In Feb 2023 Draft2Digital announced a partnership with DPLA (Digital Public Library of America) to provide eBooks to Palace Marketplace for library lending.
- BOOKSTORE MARKET INFO
- Chapters/Indigo (Canadian Book Chain) – Books made available for wide distribution through Ingram Spark/Draft2Digital Print/etc no longer automatically populate this Canadian retailer website (the same way they do Amazon, Barnes & Noble, WHSmith, etc). You need to contact them and share information about your title to the Master Data team (masterdata@indigo.ca) or to this email: NewAuthor.indigo.ca. Please note that Indigo requires a MINIMUM discount available for listing the title. (If you’re using Amazon’s “extended distribution” for POD, you’re going to be flat out of luck). Further information can be found here.
- Barnes & Noble – Since the August 2019 acquisition of Barnes & Noble by Elliott Management Company, James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones in the UK, became CEO of the company. In March of 2020, Barnes & Noble announced that the planned closure of 400 (of 620) stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Daunt also announced plans to change the acquisition process to provide more autonomy to the existing store management teams. (IE, more power over local buying).
- Bookshop.org – Currently available in the US only, this an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores appeared. As of Jan 2020, this is still a PRINT market, with links to audiobooks from Libro.FM, but with no indie eBook offerings. (Updated Feb 2023 – Announcements were made for eBooks to be added by the end of 2023)
- eBOOK MARKET INFO
- Google Play – As expected, Google Play made modifications throughout 2020 to the publishing experience, offering better terms for authors regarding automated “price dropping” matching that was causing price matching issues in major English language territories, the ability to create DIY coupon codes, and better online sales analytics.
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