sophiemp


I got a lot of publicity through libraries. They are often more amenable to scheduling a reading than bookstores, and if they have regular readings, they're likely to have a regular audience. Every reading I've done has resulted in at least a few book sales.

A lot of authors don't appreciate the value of placing their book on a library shelf--they think they're being cheated when the reader borrows the book instead of buying it, but libraries buy books, and if the patron likes what they read, they might buy a copy for themselves or purchase them as gifts.



awrigley

In the UK, I understand that authors are due 6p in royalties every time the book is taken out of the library.

However, I am not sure how this works. Any UK librarians?

Andrew


Lorraine

Quote: awrigley, Friday, 1 May 2009 08:15
In the UK, I understand that authors are due 6p in royalties every time the book is taken out of the library.

However, I am not sure how this works. Any UK librarians?

Andrew


I'm not a librarian, but I do benefit from this on my non-fiction books, so am happy to answer.

I am a member of ALCS (The Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society). I have registered my two books with them and twice yearly receive a payment against lending rights revenue. I strongly advise all authors to join. It's an added bonus on the royalities. The ABC Checklist for New Writers

The Greatest Moving Abroad Tips in the World I didn't choose the title - honest!


eileenmac

To Sophie and Andrew - you have to register your work with the Public Lending Rights, which is free. You can download the application forms on the internet at www.plr.uk.com. Payments are made each January and aren't very much (5.98p per lend) but it means a lot of people read your book. I was amazed when I had my first statement for my first novel as nearly 200 people had borrowed it from the library. I am hoping to register Woodsmoke but have come across a snag. The cover was designed by an ex-colleague of mine and I have acknowledged this on the back page. This means that I have to split the money between us. I am happy with that but he doesn't want to. PLR say that he must be named as a contributor whether he wants to or not. I am not sure where I go from here on that. However, it's worth registering even if you only get a small amount of money from it.


Eileen

As I understand it, when your book is published with an ISBN number there is an obligation on the publisher to supply libraries with a certain amount of copies. That's what happened with mine and it was great to go into a library and see my book on the shelf, and on the computer catalogue.

It was through a full publisher. I think it's the same however it is published if it has an ISBN number. That's my understanding anyway.

I don't think Finchlark is quite correct - how many publishers would bear the cost, especially for a POD book?
My better-half chatted up the guy who mans the Mobile Library in our area (Vale of Glamorgan) and he happily took down the details. As a consequence, my novel is available from all the local libraries.
I know they have to buy books in, and there is a budget, but it would be worth popping in to your local and speaking to the librarian.
All the best,
Jonathan
www.cavalrytales.co.uk

'The battle that never ends is the battle of belief against disbelief'

For UK libraries, from my experience with WYLMT, if a book is published and available through Gardners or whoever, the best way to get it stocked by the library is to have someone go in and ask for it.
Assuming they have the budget, the library will order the book in, and it will then be available to all the library branches in that district. if there's enough demand, individual branches will order more copies, rather than sharing. So, it's a bit like bookshops. if the demand is there, the book will be too, eventually.
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