Indies in print: Using Ingram to get your books in bookstores

The Workshop

In this workshop, we will deal primarily with the PRINT aspects

of your books, which is an area with options that need to be

understood by Indie Writers in order to benefit from having a

print version of an eBook.

Other issues to be explored today will be Navigating the

publishing platform, The importance of your ISBN numbers,

pre-orders and the print publishing of backlist titles.

The information presented today, will come from:

David Wind,

Indie Author

and

Justine Bylo,

Author Acquisitions Manager, IngramSpark

As an Indie writer/author, or hybrid author, you are the target of endless advertising, ceaseless

promotions, and unending targeted attempts to get your dollars as you fight to get your books in

front of readers.

Unlike traditional publishing, where you as the writer/author, do not have a lot of input into the

distribution and marketing of your books, being Independent Writer/Author/Publisher, allows

you to have full control over your books. This means that from inception, to publishing and

production, to promotions and advertising, you need to know exactly what you are doing, how

to do it, and why you will do it in certain ways.

The Pros of using IngramSpark for print

 IngramSpark distribution includes access to between 39,000+ retailers, libraries, schools

and universities.

 IngramSpark, has direct shipping and global delivery.

 IngramSpark distributes to Canada from the U.S.

 IngramSpark maintains print facilities in the UK and Australia.

 The IngramSpark Global Connect program works with their print partners in China,

Germany, Italy, India, Poland, Russia, South Korea. The bookstores in these countries

purchase directly from the printers,.”

 Higher quality product.

 Unlike Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Ingram does not sell directly to the public.

They will act like your eBook aggregator and place your PRINT book into most online

bookstores.

 Bookstores order your book directly from Ingram, which means that booksellers look

for strong wholesale discounts, returnability, and prefer to NOT buy from their biggest

competitor— Amazon.

 You can make your book available in hardcover, Paperback, and trade-paperback

 For the Indie author/publisher, the range of discounts with IngramSpark is between 30%

to 55% on print versionsusing this, the Indie author can match or beat traditional

publishers, where KDP offers only a 40% discount to its Expanded Distribution program.

 Libraries order from Baker & Taylor: Amazon will not guarantee librarians have access

to your books.

The Cons of IngramSpark

 There is a one-time setup fee at IS of $49 for print or print plus ebook. (Today you will

receive a special discount code)

 Uploading a revised manuscript costs $25 at IngramSpark.

 Ease of use was great at CS but with KDP, I have found that to not be the case. AT CS

there was human support, at KDP you must go through the email help section first.

Ingram has human help available for you, 7 days a week. While. Ingram used to be more

complicated in creating a cover, and you need their cover template for exact

specifications, the same is now true for KDP.

 It costs $85 to get into the advance Ingram catalogue.



One way to handle Print

 Use KDP for print distribution to Amazon only. Use Ingram for print distribution

everywhere else. You can use the same ISBN number for both print editions.

 Order your proof copies at Ingram since they don’t say “Proof” or “Not for Resale” like

KDP. Also, KDP limits your proofs to five copies.

What’s the difference between IngramSpark and Lightning Source?

The best way to look at this is:

IngramSpark is

IngramSpark combines Lighting Source print-on-demand services with e-book distribution.

This gives indie authors a single platform to manage both print and electronic titles. IngramSpark

and Lightning Source offer the same trim sizes and binding types, plus they both allow for trade

discounts on titles. IngramSpark is designed as a self-service model with reduced pricing for title

setup, and as such it may be more user friendly. Royalty statements in either case come from

Lightning Source.

Other Print Options

KDP – Paperback Program

Learn more at https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202062550

Benefits of publishing paperbacks with KDP include:

 Reach readers through Amazon websites in the US, Europe, and Japan.

 Royalties: 60% of List Price minus Printing Costs

 Rights: Non-exclusive agreement.

 Publish your paperback for international sale in just a few days.

 Physical proofs and author copies are available. Unlike CS, your KDP proof and author

copies for the UK and Europe will now be printed and shipped from within Europe. For

author’s copies, you pay printing costs plus shipping and tax.

 Use your own ISBN, or KDP can supply one for you. If you choose this latter option, the

Publisher field on your paperback's Amazon detail page will read “Independently

published.” This free ISBN can only be used on KDP for distribution to Amazon and its

partners. It cannot be used with another publisher or self-publishing service.

 If you use your own ISBN, KDP will check to see if your imprint matches what is on file

at Bowker. You will not be able to publish your book if there is a mismatch. If you are

reprinting your book, the title, author name, and trim size/binding type must stay the

same. The ISBN cannot be changed after publication.

 With KDP, there can be NO variance on the title, from the cover to the title page.

Resource: http://nicholasrossis.me/2018/02/05/kdp-print-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-attractive/

Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes and Noble Press is a new self-publishing platform that combines their eBook and POD

platforms into a single site. This replaces Nook Press and their previous print program. For a

complete list of new features, visit https://press.barnesandnoble.com/whats-new and

https://press.barnesandnoble.com/author-tools-and-tips.

 Draft2Digital.

 Royalty rates on ebooks at Ingram are only 40% compared to 70% at KDP (depending on

your book’s price).

How to Use IngramSpark

Open a free account at IngramSpark. See if a coupon code is available for title setup. This is a

one-time fee of $49 for print or print and ebook. Your book will be available for as long as you

choose to keep it in their system. Title setup fee is refunded with one single order of 50+ print

copies within the first 60 days of setup. Don’t forget to put your imprint as the publisher or

company.

Decide your trim size (i.e. 8.5 x 5.5) and format (trade paperback). Hardcover options are

available with a laminated cover or full dust jacket. For paperback, choose perfect bound for the

binding, meaning the spine is glued and not stapled. Choose black and white interior, and pages

to be cream or white (white is my choice). Laminated cover with gloss or matte finish (I like

gloss).

Go to the Help page, find Tools, then find the Cover Template Generator. Fill out the form. Will

you upload an InDesign or a pdf file? If the latter, save cover as pdf. You will need the page

count, ISBN and price. They’ll email you the cover template. Cover requirements differ from

Createspace in regard to the spine.

Remember you need a separate ISBN for paperback, hardcover, and digital editions.

Global Connect Program: http://bit.ly/2xOH5T0

Pricing using Currency Converter and rounding up:

14.99 USD

11.99 GBP (UK)

12.99 EUR

19.99 CAD

19.99 AUD

Your book file will need to be a pdf file with embedded fonts. This ensures that no matter what

fonts a reader has on their device, they'll be able to see the file as you intend it to be seen.

Upload a pdf file for the book and one for the cover. You can use the same ISBN number for

your print versions at KDP and Ingram. You need a separate one for the ebook edition.

According to their user guide, the Publication Date is when you plan to make the book available

for purchase to bookstores, libraries and online retailers. The On Sale Date is the date that you

mean to release a title to be printed and delivered. This should be a date set the same as or later

than the Publication Date. My advice is to make them both the same.

If you want to do pre-orders, set the Publication date and the On Sale date to the same date in

the future. This will be the actual release date.

Ordering Physical Proof Copies

You have to approve the ebook proof before you can order a physical proof. After you approve

the pdf file, go back to your Dashboard, click on the Order link by your book title. One book

retail price $14.99 costs $4.66 + $1.99 handling = $6.65 + $3.80 shipping + $.40 tax = $10.85.

Economy service at $4.66 means it takes up to 5 days to print the book. For $5.13 express

service, you can get it shipped within 2 business days. Or use rush service at $6.06 for shipping

in 1 day. Basic Shipping Cost is $3.80 takes 7 – 10 business days and is not trackable.

Residential Ground $13.36 and takes 1 – 6 business days and is trackable. 5 books would cost

$32.81 at the cheapest rate. 28 books per carton. For 5 books with trackable shipping, it costs or

about $8.40 per book or $41.97 total. Click on Override On Sale Day if your book is available

for pre-order.

Discounts

For IS, a full trade discount is between 53% and 55% of your list price. This encourages

independent booksellers to buy your book, especially if you also offer returns. You can choose

from three different types of returns—return and destroy, return and ship, or non-returnable.

I set my book for a 40% discount with no returns. Ingram keeps half of this amount or 20%,

meaning bookstores/libraries get only 20% off. Booksellers prefer you to select the largest

discount with returns. But be aware that if you allow returns, you are charged for them.

If you will also offer your print book at Kindle Print, choose Amazon and Amazon Europe as

the distributors. Do NOT select Expanded Distribution. Amazon will favor the Kindle Print,

version over the IS one. If you don’t plan to use Kindle Print, at all, your Ingram edition will

show up on Amazon in the same way their version does..

If you’ve uploaded to Ingram first, and Amazon is showing your book as out of stock, submit

your KDP print edition. Amazon will take this version instead of the Ingram book and your title

will show as being in stock. You don't have to opt out of Amazon distribution at Ingram for this

to work.

Printing and shipping costs will depend on your book type, volume, and shipping location.

Royalties

At Ingram for a print title, you can be paid up to 60% of List Price minus printing costs.

For example, you set a retail price of $14.99. With a 40% discount, this means you’ll earn 60%

royalty. That comes to $8.99 per book. But the print cost is $4.56. This means the net royalty is

$4.43 per book. Note that booksellers do not get the entire 40% discount. Ingram takes half, so

the bookseller will only get a 20% discount.

If you offer a 55% discount, this would earn a royalty rate of 45% or $6.75 per book minus

printing costs. That would equal a net royalty of $2.19 per book.

At Kindle Print, the royalty rate on a $14.99 book may be as high as $5.02 but only $2.02 for

expanded distribution.

A proof copy at Kindle Print, for one $14.99 book is $4.30 with shipping and tax for $7.80. For

5 books, it comes to $28.74 total. A proof copy at IS for one $14.99 book with shipping and tax

is $10.85.

But at Kindle Print,, there’s a limit on proofs to five copies and it says NOT FOR SALE on the

cover. No limit at IS and books are not labeled. And it’s a better quality book. Shipping costs

differ.

Re Author’s Copies, I’ve found shipping costs for multiple books are higher at CS than at

IngramSpark. So while the books themselves might cost less at CS, expenses nearly even out

with shipping and tax. I’d rather get the better quality product from IngramSpark.

Meet a Rep from Ingram. Find their events here: http://www.ingramspark.com/events

Resources

http://www.ingramspark.com/podcast/ep-07-ingramspark-vs-createspace

https://selfpublishingadvice.org/watchdog-ingram-spark-vs-createspace-for-self-publishing-

print-books/

http://www.ingramspark.com/blog/ingramspark-vs-createspace

http://www.ingramspark.com/features

https://kindlepreneur.com/ingramspark-vs-createspace-best-print-on-demand-services/

Distributors and Third Party Aggregators

Apple iBooks: https://itunesconnect.apple.com

Amazon: https://kdp.amazon.com

Amazon KDP – Paperback Program, https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202062550

Createspace: www.Createspace.com

Barnes & Noble Press: https://press.barnesandnoble.com/

Ingram Spark: http://www.ingramspark.com/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/writinglife

Draft2Digital, https://draft2digital.com

Smashwords (SW): www.Smashwords.com

PublishDrive: https://publishdrive.com/

Choosing an Ebook Distributor

Amazon – Higher royalty, choice to be exclusive with Kindle Select and Kindle Unlimited, or to

go wide.

Kobo – You can ask to activate the promotions tab and participate in special deals; global

audience. You can opt-in for Overdrive. Royalty is 50% of library list price. Saves you

from giving an aggregator a cut.

BN – New platform may allow pre-orders up to a year in advance. You can schedule your price

promotions in advance. Authors now earn 65% royalty on eBooks priced over $9.99.

iBooks – Must upload using an Apple device. For promotions at iBooks, you need to contact

editorial and make a pitch that you want to build your readership. They also like it if you

do exclusive preorders. You can set up preorders there up to a year in advance. Sales

count twice, when the person pre-orders the book and when it goes live. They give you

up to 50 free download codes.

Third Party Aggregators

PublishDrive

PublishDrive will publish your ebook in more than 400 stores, including 240k digital

libraries (schools, universities, public libraries). Won’t show all channels until you sign

up.

Takes 10% cut of list price.

Kindle, BN, iBooks

Google Play

Overdrive

Scribd

Smashwords

Kindle, Kobo, BN, iBooks

Baker & Taylor Axis360

Bibliotheca CloudLibrary (3,000+ public libraries in the US, Canada, U.K. and Australia

Gardners (hundreds of small ebook stores and 2,000+ public and academic libraries),

Inktera

Odilo (2,100+ libraries in North America, South America and Europe)

OverDrive (20,000+ public libraries)

Scribd

Tolino (Powers Germany's largest ebook stores)

SW pays 85% or more of the net sales proceeds from the work. Earn 60% of list price from

major ebook retailers and up to 80% list at the SW Store. Monthly payments and one

penny payment threshold with PayPal.

 Daily sales reporting from iBooks, BN, Kobo, OverDrive and the SW store

 Set Preorder books to Apple, BN and Kobo. These can be Asset-less preorders

(Metadata-only) up to 12 months in advance

 Exclusive promotions such a Read an Ebook Week and the SW Summer/Winter Sale

 Audiobook production/distribution via Findaway Voices

 Use our free ISBNs or your own ISBNs.

 Author profile page and Author interview

 Ebook conversion to multiple formats via their “meatgrinder”

 Consolidated sales reporting

 Channel Manager

 Readers can buy direct from the SW Store.

 Exclusive marketing tools such as Coupon Manager, Special Deals, SW Alerts (notifies

readers of new releases), SW Series.

Draft2Digital

Takes 10% cut of retail price.

Kindle, Kobo, BN, iBooks

24Symbols

Overdrive

Playster

Scribd

Tolino

May be next: agreements with Ingram and Google Play

**Note you make a higher royalty (59.5%) going through D2D than going direct to Kobo (35%)

with a book priced less than $2.99.

Minimum threshold for royalties is $10 for international direct deposit, or $0 for all other digital

payments. We deliver payments once a month.

 Easy to upload files for free file conversion into mobi, ePub, pdf files

 Author profile page and book tabs

 Audiobook Production/Distribution via Findaway Voices

 Universal Book Links

 Easy user interface and responsive customer service

 New release notifications

 Draft2Digital can automatically update your Also By pages in all of your books, so they

are always up to date with your latest works.

Resources

https://blog.reedsy.com/ebook-distribution/

https://kindlepreneur.com/smashwords-vs-draft2digital/