marti
Junior Member
Posts: 44
Joined: Mar 27, 2012 18:13:30 GMT -8
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Post by marti on Jun 4, 2012 8:13:55 GMT -8
Anyone understand how this works?
I read somewhere that Baker and Taylor distributes to libraries who have, or will have, the hardware to let people with e-readers download books and check them out just like they do paperbacks.
What I don't understand is how we get paid. All my books have now gone to Baker and Taylor, so do the individual libraries buy them? If so, does each library have to purchase multiple copies?
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Post by Ted on Jun 4, 2012 13:24:32 GMT -8
The Smashwords FAQ page answers your question about B&T royalties. Look for the section "How are earnings calculated? " at this link... www.smashwords.com/about/supportfaq#RoyaltiesB&T are rolling out their new ebook system to libraries using the B&T Axis360 library platform.
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marti
Junior Member
Posts: 44
Joined: Mar 27, 2012 18:13:30 GMT -8
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Post by marti on Jun 4, 2012 15:21:58 GMT -8
We only get 45%? Wow, that's not what I thought it was at all. I might have to opt out of that one.
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Post by Ted on Jun 4, 2012 16:31:09 GMT -8
If you opt out you'll lose a lot of potential customers as more and more libraries adopt the B&T system. You can always keep your most popular titles out of B&T if you're worried about the royalty rate.
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aristotle
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Posts: 38
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 17:11:38 GMT -8
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Post by aristotle on Jun 5, 2012 19:14:12 GMT -8
I can see there are pro and con arguments for using this channel. If you sell one copy to a library and it proves popular, the library may buy more. Or if a member wants your title, and it is out, there is this option: "If a library patron wishes to obtain a book that's already checked out, the patron is given the option to purchase a copy." What is not clear to me is whether the patron purchases the copy at full price (and full royalty) or the purchase is on the same B&T terms, i.e. 45% for the author. I must say I do not understand the rationale of B&T paying only 45%. If your book is sold on the basis that it will be, in effect, copied and read many times, surely it is more equitable and just that a higher than normal royalty rate is paid.
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Post by Ted on Jun 6, 2012 9:15:14 GMT -8
...I must say I do not understand the rationale of B&T paying only 45%. If your book is sold on the basis that it will be, in effect, copied and read many times, surely it is more equitable and just that a higher than normal royalty rate is paid. B&T is like Amazon, our way or the doorway. Right now I'm earning 35% royalties on all my works at Amazon because 1) I don't care for the way they calculate the 70% by forcing me to sell in countries where I'll be dead and buried before I ever earn the equivalent of $100.00 and 2) then have to wait 60 days before they issue a cheque and 3) then have to wait weeks before it clears their bank. Their royalty payment system sucks big time. B&T pretty well has the libraries locked up as they are the main supplier of print works to libraries. I can imagine Mark had an Amazon-style of negotiations with them. An author can always opt-out of ebooks going to B&T. Authors with very popular works can choose to keep those out of B&T if they want to earn a higher royalty on any sales.
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aristotle
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Posts: 38
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Post by aristotle on Jun 10, 2012 3:02:54 GMT -8
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Post by Ted on Jun 10, 2012 8:30:13 GMT -8
Which only speaks well for indie-authors publishing through Smashwords and who offer their works through B&T.
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Post by garyweston on Jun 26, 2012 13:11:42 GMT -8
Hi, Ted. I have opted out of smash B and T because it is a rubbish deal. I have about 12 ebooks with a library distributer, much higher $ value @ 50% to me paid monthly also with international affiliates. I will only be interested in pay to lend at a minimum of 0.25 cents to the writer. As an example, I sold 20 ebooks last month through my library distributer. net to me $93. Smashwords way to B and T same 20 books would be about 35$ net to me. I have told M Coker this in the survery. People need to understand this. Happy to provide more details if you want them. regards, Gary PS, I have about 40 titles on smash.
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Post by Ted on Jun 26, 2012 14:42:55 GMT -8
Would love to have more details. Who is the library distributor, are ebooks DRM'd, how are royalty payments paid and when, etc.
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Post by garyweston on Jun 26, 2012 19:43:00 GMT -8
Hi, Ted. Thanks for your reply. I have read M C's comments on the site update page. Better, but I'm still not overly impressed. It would at least give the writers more say in $$$. BUT, I think it would be better for a level playing field with $$ per lend with 0.25 C per lent to the writer than create a lolly scramble. This would create the level playing field and I believe better return long term for the writer. The library distributor I am with is Wheeler's based here in New Zealand with affiliates in many other countries, inc USA, UK, France, etc. I am NOT a fan of DRM, but Wheelers are obliged to do DRM as a library requirement. I get paid monthly directly into my bank account. I also get a a comprehensive report / invoice. I have had to supply my own I S B N, because smash don't want me to use their free one (cool with that) I get mine free here in NZ. I also have to supply my own epub version and a pdf. Easy. I have about 12 titles with Wheelers in a non exclusive deal. They are also easy to work with. Because the likes of Penguin have stopped supplies to libraries of ebooks, Indies are in big demand to fill the "shelves" I give enough of my stuff away without M C (almost) doing it on my behalf. See my books on smash under Gary Weston. Happy to answer any other Q's as i think authors should get a balanced P O V. If I'm wrong, let people tell me how, because I don't see it. Wheelers were shocked to see my low prices on smash even at 2.99. I phoned a few libraries here and they are happy to pay much more for an ebook. I set mine at $10 per full length and $8 for novella, still considered cheap. $ 5 and $4 to me. Thanks for this opportunity to bang my drum, but i think this is too important not to speak up about. Regards, Gary
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Post by garyweston on Jun 26, 2012 20:38:15 GMT -8
Hi, Me again Ted. If enough people got behind the pay to lend idea, perhaps something can be done. Simple maths. 1. One book sale @ $2.99 = about $1.75 to the writer. 100 libraries = $175 to the writer approx. 2. 0.25 C PER LEND TO THE WRITER, say 20 lends per year if a good book, = $5 to the writer. then next year and the next. 100 hundred libraries (very modest) x $$5 = $500 . More books x more libraries = more $$$$ Not rocket science!!! My top 3 titles in my local library have been on loan 3 months continuously since they got there. If i sell the books to libraries, as I have with Wheelers, at least i get a decent price for them. Everyone do some phoning around and find out what your libraries are paying for ebooks as I bothered to do. You might just be surprised. Tell me I'm wrong, people!!!!!!! Thanks, Ted. Gary
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anita
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Post by anita on Jun 27, 2012 5:14:50 GMT -8
You present an interesting perspective, Gary. I'm all for making money, but am I correct in assuming that Wheelers does not accept titles that are in the erotica genre? All of my titles at Smashwords are erotica. I do have some straight titles that are written under another name. One is currently under Amazon's KDP Select program which I will pull the plug on at the end of July.
Can you provide a link to Wheelers so that we can check them out for ourselves, Gary? It is possible that it is a great way for some of us to go with some of our titles. I don't see it as detracting from our Smashwords sales, but simply adding on to them.
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Post by garyweston on Jun 27, 2012 11:21:19 GMT -8
www.wheelers.co.nz/info/ebooks/This might help. Not sure about erotica, but my Griffin's Witch has a few naughty bits in it. They do have adult listing. Best check with them. regards, Gary
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anita
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Post by anita on Jun 27, 2012 16:41:10 GMT -8
Thanks so much, Gary! I will check them out.
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