Library Distribution

[maddiecochere]

Ted, can I get some guidance about the new library distribution?

I have a four-book series. Rather than to sell all four books to a library, would it be smarter to sell just the first (or even give it away for free)? If a patron enjoyed the first book, they may head on over to Smashwords to purchase the other books in the series.

I'm not sure how selling, or giving away, all four books would be helpful. I might be missing something. I'm pretty new to all of this.

Thanks!

[Ted]

All of us are new to this library option, so none of us have any experience with the system.

I've included all my ebooks on the Pricing Manager page. Some books are priced below retail, some at retail, and some are free.

I believe pricing is a personal matter and should be left with the author to decide, but the following data may help you.

I found this data from the Site Update page for June 28, 2012: "More than 50 percent of all library users go on to purchase books by an author they were introduced to in the library." You should read that post as it contains links to further research on libraries and ebooks.

From the August 7, 2012 post: "The Library Direct channel is only available to libraries that are able to place large opening orders, and that operate their own hosting and DRM systems (typically Adobe Content Server) to control checkouts. This new channel will complement our existing relationships with library aggregators such as Baker & Taylor Axis 360 and 3M's Cloud Library. Our goal is to make our books as available and accessible to libraries as possible, and for the small subset of libraries who want to host and manage their own ebooks, Library Direct is yet another option to acquire your books. Library Direct sales will earn authors and publishers 70% of the library price."

The key words are "opening orders".

"Califa, a consortium of California libraries, to purchase the top 10,000 best-selling Smashwords ebooks.", according to a June 26, 2012 post on the Site Update page. I believe that is where the Library Direct channel comes into play and the "opening orders".

[maddiecochere]

Thank you, Ted. I appreciate all of the information and will give it all some more thought.