Launching a book is exciting, but it can also get expensive quickly. Between editing, design, printing, and marketing, the costs can pile up before your first copy even hits the shelves. The good news? You don’t have to foot the bill all on your own. There are tons of creative, community-driven ways to fund your book launch without draining your savings.

Your guide to some of the most prestigious and indie-friendly opportunities this year and next.

For self-published authors, book awards and contests offer recognition, credibility, and new readers. Winning or being a finalist can boost sales, attract media, and open new opportunities. While self-published books were once excluded from such competitions, the industry now offers many more opportunities. 

I’ve written in the past about the importance of presenting a polished first impression with your indie book. Unlike a Big 5 author, you don’t have the luxury of name recognition or publisher prestige, so you have to refine that first impression in other ways—and one thing you absolutely can’t ignore is your book’s product page. 

While I touched on descriptions, comp titles, and pull quotes in the previous post, I didn’t really get into the nitty-gritty of product pages… but there’s more to them than pure text! On that note, here are four key tips to optimize your book’s product page for reader interest and conversions.

Writing humor is a skill that can be learned. This is good news for those who've never been designated the funny one in any group. But we all have a sense of humor; we love to laugh and make people laugh and, with the advice here, you’ll have the framework for writing a book that does just that.

If you’ve spent any time reading through our blog posts or learning about the self-publishing industry, you know how important it is to get reviews for your book. Reviews increase credibility, improve discoverability, and influence potential readers to pick up your book. In light of these many benefits, you should consider running a book review campaign, which involves strategically gathering and promoting reviews for your book. Follow the steps below to create an effective campaign that'll get your book in front of readers and increase book sales.

When growing your book’s visibility, engagement, and ultimately, sales, accessing the right audience is a must. There are over 5 billion internet users in the world today with an average of almost half a million new users every 24 hours.

Dystopian literature, a subgenre of speculative fiction, has always been like a mirror, capturing society's worries and evolving to reflect the unique concerns of each era. Timeless classics like 1984, Brave New World, and The Handmaid’s Tale set the standard for bleak, cautionary storytelling, and the genre surged again in the 2010s with young adult hits like The Hunger Games and Divergent. As a result, many readers began to feel dystopian fatigue, citing predictable plots and overused tropes.

Now that dystopian fiction is making a big comeback—how can you find the right balance between grit, hope, and realism in your story that will keep readers engaged?

Research…technically, it’s not a dirty word. However, to many writers, it might as well be. Though it can be fun, it can also be headache-inducing at times. All in all, well-researched books feel more authentic, and readers do appreciate attention to detail. Any inaccuracies in your setting, real-life events, or historical references will be noticed and could pull readers out of your story altogether.

Before the internet, performing research for a book was a lot more labor-intensive. Though not necessarily intimidating, it did require, at the very least, a trip to your local library to find books and articles about your subject. At most, you might have traveled to another state or country to be sure you got your details just right. Thankfully, we don’t have to go to those extremes anymore – unless we just want to.

In today’s digital landscape, authors face the daunting question of how to break through the noise and connect with readers. We’ve all heard the phrase “content is king,” but what does that really mean for author promotion? It’s more than just posting; it’s about crafting a strategic tapestry of online materials—articles, videos, engaging visuals—that build trust and cultivate a loyal audience.

The market for ebooks is growing: By 2027, Statista projects the number of e-reader users to grow to 1.1 billion, resulting in an expected revenue of $15.33 billion in the ebooks market. If you've not yet considered creating an ebook version of your print book, now is the time. As a self-published author, it's essential for maximizing success in today's digital-driven market. 

At IngramSpark, we talk a lot about marketing, and for good reason. It’s a vital part of selling your book and becoming a successful self-published author. Our guides and blog articles delve into the how’s, when’s, and where’s, but it’s also really helpful to know what resources are out there to help you accomplish a well-thought-out and planned marketing strategy.

Have you been through an experience that you want to share with the world? Do you have solid advice on surviving a journey that you're sure will be helpful to others? Writing a book can not only be therapeutic for the author, but there are also countless individuals facing challenges or seeking solutions who are eager for advice from someone who understands their struggles.

In today's digital world, metadata is the "secret sauce" for making your book discoverable. It's the hidden magic that helps readers find your book among the millions available online. While it might seem like just a technical detail, it's actually a fantastic marketing tool that can broaden your book's reach, boost your sales, and connect you with your ideal readers.

After you've put so much of your heart and soul into creating the perfect story, you do not want to neglect the power of your metadata. You want to call attention to what makes your book special, and make sure that everyone who might be interested in reading it will know that it exists. In this article, we'll dive into some often-overlooked aspects of metadata that can really make a difference in getting your book noticed and boosting your sales.

There are often many questions that arise around the topic of when to publish a book. What's the best time of year to publish for your particular genre? Is there a right time and/or a wrong time? Does it make a difference? 

The truth is that there's no magical formula for determining when the prime time is to publish books of different genres, but we do have some clues based on sales data and industry trends. We've compiled a helpful list below for you to use in planning your next book, highlighting some of the most popular genres for each month of the year.

Are you doing everything you can to promote your book and your brand? Maybe you've got an author website, a blog, a newsletter, and social media profiles across all the platforms. It could be that you've done a few local book signings and gotten some good reviews. You may even have gone so far as to create a book trailer. You're doing all the right things, but is there more that you can do? 

Book conventions, fairs, and festivals are popping up everywhere these days! No matter what kind of book you've written, there's a group of fans out there just waiting to dive into something fresh and exciting. These events are fantastic opportunities for both readers and authors. Readers absolutely love meeting their favorite authors and stumbling upon new books. Meanwhile, authors get the chance to showcase their work and grow their author brands.

Some of you may be seasoned pros at these events, but if you're a newbie just starting out, you might be curious about what to expect. We've put together a handy list to get you ready. Even if some tips seem like common sense, it's easy to overlook the basics when you're off on a new adventure!

If you’ve been creating content—whether blog posts, social media updates, or podcast episodes—you may already have the building blocks for a compelling book. Transforming your content into a book is a great way to share your ideas, build your credibility, and really connect with your audience on a more personal level.

This guide is here to help you, from taking a fresh look at your existing content to turning it into a polished manuscript and getting it ready for publication. With a little creativity and organization, you can transform your work into a book that resonates with readers and serves as a lasting testament to your expertise.

Updated: April 8, 2025

There are tons of book-related events coming up this year, and we want to keep you up to date on when and where you can find them! Book festivals can be extremely beneficial for self-published authors aiming to broaden their audience, connect with experts in the industry, and gain knowledge about the current publishing landscape.

Self-publishing your book is quite an accomplishment, but unless you printed something deeply personal that’s just for you or a gift for someone close, you want everyone to buy and read your book. As an indie author, marketing is a huge part of your job, and IngramSpark has many resources to make that easier. One of our newest opportunities is Title Discovery Promotion.

Are you looking to bring new life to one of your older books? It can certainly be a challenge for a book you’ve published previously to hold its own today in a world full of new releases and contemporary bestsellers. However, there are some solid strategies you can follow in order for your older work to still be relevant and attract a whole new generation of readers.

A well-developed character is at the heart of any great story.

In self-publishing, where authors must captivate readers without the extensive marketing resources of traditional publishing, creating lifelike characters with recognizable traits, goals, and weaknesses is especially important. In the best stories, the plot and the character arc are inseparable. 

A question I often receive from authors after they've published is in regard to why their book is listed for sale at different prices on different retailer websites such as Amazon, Booktopia or Barnes & Noble. The author has gone to all the trouble of working out a fair recommended retail price, only to find their book being sold on a retail website for half that amount—or sometimes double! How is that possible or even fair? 

Webcomics aren't just a digital trend; they're reshaping the entire landscape of the publishing industry, offering incredible opportunities for creators and readers alike. As the dynamic webcomic community continues to grow and evolve, so does the opportunity for authors to branch out and take their comics from the screen to the page.

This season, give a gift that fuels their passion for storytelling!

As the year quickly comes to a close, it's time once again to begin holiday shopping. Whether you know a self-published author, or you are one, this insightful guide is filled with excellent gift ideas to support an author's path in writing, publishing, marketing, and selling books.

In case you haven’t heard, Taylor Swift has chosen to bypass the traditional publishing route and self-publish The Eras Tour Book under her new imprint Taylor Swift Publications, exclusively at Target on Black Friday. This decision gives her the opportunity to keep more of the revenue from her book than she would if she went through a traditional publisher, and it also gives her total creative control over her book—she can choose when to publish it, what her cover looks like, how much to charge, how to market it, and where to sell it—without having to answer to a large publishing company.

In the world of publishing, generating buzz and reaching new readers is crucial for a book's success. While online sales and bookstore distribution are effective, keeping extra copies on hand can open up new opportunities to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Here’s why every publisher should make this a priority, along with actionable strategies to boost visibility, engagement, and sales.

Black Friday 2024 is on November 29 this year, and many retailers will offer deals through the weekend and into Cyber Monday on December 2! 

Check out these great deals for writers that are available this year for Black Friday:

It's becoming increasingly clear that BookTok—a subcommunity of TikTok—has significantly influenced the sales of fiction books and is expected to do so for the foreseeable future.

GfK Entertainment and Nielsen BookData recently released their global report for the first eight months of the year, and data shows rising revenues in fiction. Among the fiction genres seeing the most growth are crime and thriller novels, whose sales are up in three-quarters of the surveyed countries.

America's obsession with true crime isn't new. One of the earliest known stories of crime involves the murder of a government official dating back to 1800 BCE in Ancient Egypt. People have been drawn to the darker side of human nature that presents itself in true tales of horrific crimes for ages. 

With the publication of such books as In Cold Blood (1966) and Helter Skelter (1974), however, the genre became popular with more and more people. Since that time, it has evolved and branched out into all forms of media. 

If you're interested in trying your hand at writing for the true crime genre, here are some tips to get you started. 

As a writer, you know that sometimes getting started is the hardest part of a task. But you’ve overcome that hurdle and are a self-published author! Your book is out there for the world to see, but maybe not many people have bought it. Maybe you're staring at the “blank page” of how to market your book. We can help…

The holiday season is coming up quickly, and it's a bit shorter this year. So, why not get ready now for those exciting holiday sales?

Bad dialogue can pull a reader out of the story faster than almost anything else. If it’s boring, unnatural, or no one can tell who’s talking, they’re likely to put the book down or at least skip to the next narration. On the other hand, good dialogue keeps them fully invested and turning the pages right til the end.

Readers have loved mystery novels for centuries, but what exactly makes for a compulsively readable mystery? What is it that makes someone want to finish “just one more chapter,” no matter what time it is? There are many aspects of a mystery that draw readers in, but a well-planned, slow-roll reveal of clues and evidence will keep readers guessing until the very end.

What is an antihero? Many iconic antiheroes have left a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. Characters such as Walter White from Breaking Bad, Tony Soprano from The Sopranos, and Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo represent the antihero archetype.

By and large, the romantasy genre has been booming for some time, and it doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. The genre offers a mix of magical escapism and romantic relationships that readers are drawn to, and it's attracting fans of both fantasy and romance in droves.

Not only has romance readership itself developed into a full-scale fandom as the landscape begins to look more and more like ComicCon (The Washington Post), but #romantasy videos have more than 800 million views on TikTok. In 2024 alone, one out of every four bestsellers was romantasy. (Bloomberg) 

As autumn approaches and the air turns crisp, it's time to rake leaves, carve pumpkins, and indulge in all things pumpkin-flavored. It's also time to cozy up with a good book. Though it's not the only time of year that readers want to dig into a gripping horror novel, many find themselves yearning for a chilling read that perfectly complements the season's eerie charm.

Comics have been around for about 100 years in some form or another and have gained enduring popularity among particular markets. Reading and collecting comic books may be a niche hobby, but those who are into it are truly devoted. Many people aren’t aware of this, but you can self-publish comic books just like you can with novels, children’s books, and almost every other form of the printed word.

If you want people to read your book, you have to write for a particular group of people,  as it's not realistic that everyone will like your book. Knowing who your audience is before you start writing is an advantage—you won't have to work that out after you've already finished a product you’re trying to promote. To be honest, that's not how most writers start out, but whether you’ve already published your book, or you’ve only written the first chapter, taking a deep dive into who you're writing for is a must if you’re doing your own marketing.

Part Four of a Blog Series

This fourth and final installment of the complete guide to creating an author website will delve into monitoring the users that visit, what happens during those visits, and what that can tell you about how well your website is performing. 

Part Three of a Series

Part Two of a Blog Series

Ideally, your domain name should be yourname.com. If you have multiple books, this should be a no-brainer. Obviously, you wouldn’t get a domain name for just one of your books if you have an author website with multiple books. What if you already have a website using the domain name of one of your books? Now might be the time to consolidate under one website using your name. Your name is generally more searchable, and by putting all of your books on one site, you allow readers looking for one book, in particular, to naturally discover your other works. Even if you are a first-time author with one book, it should still be yourname.com. 

While we often talk about authors as a collective whole, the truth is that the advice we give to nonfiction writers often doesn’t apply to those who write fiction—precisely because each set of authors is involved in such a different process (and product).

Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes, but navigating the landscape can be tricky. Whether you're an author promoting your latest novel or a publisher promoting your backlist titles, understanding how to leverage influencer partnerships effectively is key.

There's nothing wrong with book reviews, but there are so many other options to consider when you choose to market your book! No matter how great your book is or which influencers you work with, you need to be creative with the type of content you're using for your influencer marketing campaigns. Ensuring the content is delivered in a fun, relatable, and engaging way will help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and capture the attention of your audience. 

Influencer marketing can be used in a wide range of industries, including books and publishing. Spaces such as #BookTok help authors and publishers get noticed, which can lead to a wider audience and stronger sales. To have success with this kind of marketing, though, you need effective collaboration. Here are some of the biggest things to consider.

Knowing your audience is an idea you’re probably familiar with as it’s frequently mentioned in every writing community and on every writing-related website. It is a foundational concept, for sure, but when it comes to marketing your book, it’s only the very first step. You’ve got to not only recognize your target audience, but also segment that audience to get the most bang for your marketing buck. Read on to discover why the importance of audience segmentation for self-published authors cannot be overstated. 

We’re well into 2024 already, but it’s never too late to stay on top of marketing your book! Trends are constantly changing, and there are so many effective ways to get your book in front of potential new readers these days. Here are some of the top trends that have been gaining momentum this year, and there’s no indication that they'll be going away anytime soon.

Want to get your book shelved at your local library? It takes some leg work, but you can make it happen. I’ve had my independently published books included in library circulations across the United States. You can do it too by following the steps in this article.

A common struggle many self-published authors face is creating files that are usable by printers such as IngramSpark. With the right files, uploading to IngramSpark is relatively simple, but when anything is wrong with the files, the process can quickly become a nightmare.

When working with an influencer to promote your books, in order to have the highest chance of success, you'll want to make sure you're choosing the right person for the job. That involves doing your research before reaching out to make contact, including using  influencer discovery platforms and tools to find the best people for your needs.

“Success” is a funny concept in the realm of indie publishing. Many authors choose to publish independently precisely because they are uninterested in mainstream success—eye-watering advances, NYT book reviews, etc.—preferring to retain more control over the publishing process and potentially stronger relationships with their readers.

Influencer marketing is a technique that uses the influence of popular social media personalities to bring a brand or product to the public's attention. It's used for everything from health and beauty products to clothing to books.

Updated December 9, 2024

Authors today are living out the glory days for connectivity. Mere decades ago, readers were writing fan mail to authors’ agents, and authors in turn were responding with handwritten letters expressing their appreciation for reading their books.

Born from a 1970 New York City march honoring the Stonewall Uprising, Pride Month has become a global celebration. It's a time to champion self-acceptance, equality, and the richness of diversity. Recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to history and culture, IngramSpark is proud to spotlight indie authors and publishers who bring the LGBTQ+ experience to life.

TikTok is for more than just the latest dance craze or viral challenge. There’s a community for almost everything people are interested in, and this is especially true for book lovers. #BookTok is a large, thriving community. Even brick-and-mortar stores often have a section devoted to books recommended on #BookTok. It’s the perfect place to promote your self-published book.

The excitement and sense of accomplishment from publishing your book and seeing it for sale in retail stores and online is fantastic. It’s even more exciting to see the money come in. But if those sales are slowing, or even if they remain steady, it might be time to look beyond your current horizons and into selling in international markets.

The market for books in the U.S. is huge, but the 2023 global book market was valued at $132.4 billion. For authors and publishers willing to invest, selling their books globally can pay off substantially in terms of greater impact, revenue, and career opportunities. Don't limit your book’s potential by just staying in your comfort zone.

In a previous post, we discussed the many reasons why you should sell your book globally and how Global Connect makes it easy to get into international markets. The next question you’re probably asking yourself is how to go about promoting your book in those markets. Here, we'll share some things to consider when stepping into the international scene.

Self-publishing with IngramSpark gets you access to one of the largest wholesale book distributors in the world, which means thousands of retailers and libraries can easily order your book. However, these places are concentrated in English-speaking countries or where English is often learned as a second language. With the Global Connect Program (GCP), you can achieve a truly global reach that will get your book in the hands of people who otherwise might never hear of it. 

Updated February 10, 2025

Through IngramSpark's extensive distribution channels, your title has the potential to reach audiences around the world. For optimized global discoverability of your title regardless of the content language, use these metadata guidelines and suggestions. All content must follow our Catalog Integrity Guidelines. 

You may not have even considered creating author merchandise as a promotional tool, as merchandising is still a relatively new concept in the world of self-publishing. However, think about the power of merchandise in promoting all of your favorite brands, tv shows, or movies. Per Indie Wire, Star Wars retains its 2012 Guinness World Record title as history’s most successful film merchandising franchise. It amassed an unfathomable $32 billion from lucrative merchandise.

So you’ve self-published your book, and it’s available to order online, in bookstores, and even libraries. It’s a fantastic feeling to see your hard work pay off, but if the sales aren’t coming in as quickly as you hoped, it's time to look at other places to sell your book. Schools offer a variety of opportunities, including volume sales, if you have the cash flow and patience to make it past the initial hurdle.

If you want to write something truly unique that will also serve to grow your brand as an author consider writing a memoir. No one has the same story as you or will be able to tell it in your style. Your fans want to get to know you, and you can go much deeper in a memoir than in blog articles or social media posts. As an independent author, your brand is you. 

Dickinson, Frost, Angelou, Hughes, Whitman . . . the names alone conjure up a rush of "the feels." These names inspire. They are worthy of remembrance, but that's not enough. National Poetry Month is a call to not only remember these inspirational artists, but also to think about and share how their work and the art form it embodies has endured to influence millions of lives. Poetry extends across cultures and generations and you have a role to play in that.

The term “self-publishing” is often associated with the vision of an author struggling to do everything—from editing to marketing—on their own. It’s true that self-publishers wear many hats, but that doesn’t mean they’re doomed to do everything without help.

Choosing Thema Subject and Qualifier Codes are a powerful way to make your book more discoverable in the Global Market. More super-charged than BISAC Subject Codes, Themas were designed to help your book find both its broad, and very specific, audience around the world.  

Most independent authors don’t consider copyrighting until they're in the process of self-publishing, and that’s okay since it doesn’t have to be done before you publish. It can be a little complicated though, and it's often the last thing writers want to think about during the excitement of self-publishing their work. Getting a firm grasp on what copyrighting means, and the steps you’ll have to take, is essential, and you can do it at any point in your journey.

If you’ve already found success selling your self-published book and are looking for a wider market, you may want to think about translating your book so that as many readers as possible can enjoy it. Less than 20% of the world speaks English, so by translating your work into another language, you can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of new readers. 

When it comes time to print and distribute your book, it may seem as if many options are open to you. On the surface, this is true. However, a little-known secret in the self-publishing industry is that most of the “publishers” that purport to print and distribute your book for you go through IngramSpark. 

Almost all writers realize the value of feedback and editing from others. While a few may write only for themselves, most want others to see, and enjoy, their work and to know how their work is received. For authors preparing to publish their book, the process often involves others such as friends, family, beta readers, editors, and maybe a mentor. This group should also include other writers, especially those who have published before. Don’t miss out on the value of peer input.

Most people think of writing, self-publishing, and selling their books as a solitary endeavor. Though it can be, it doesn’t have to be. Usually, you’ll find great success by working with others, especially in the realm of marketing and promotion. There are many benefits to working with other authors. Here, we’ll share some of those benefits and expand on how you can find collaborators and get them to work with you.

Have you dreamed about your book being discussed by a book club, bringing a community of readers closer, and inspiring lively conversations? Authors don’t write just to have their book sitting on a dusty shelf, and book clubs are a great way to get your work out there. Keep reading to learn how to market your book to book clubs.

So, you’ve published your book with IngramSpark, and it’s available online, in stores, and around the world. Maybe you’ve thought about offering a discounted price or a special run of your title just for your friends and family, or for your followers on social media. Did you know you can now sell your book directly to readers from your author website, social media profile, and more with shareable purchase links?

Undoubtedly, you already know how important networking is to success in any business. Being an author is no different, and for self-published authors, networking is something you cannot neglect. Here, we’ll cover some of the benefits of networking and the best places, virtually or in person, to accomplish this.

Updated October 24, 2024

The new year will be here before we know it, and it's only natural to look back at what we've done over the last year. As we see the past months in review, we often think about what we want to accomplish in the coming year. This is especially necessary as a writer. Now is the perfect time to take stock of writing goals: which ones you met, which are still valuable, and which ones you should set for the coming year.

Here, we offer some goals to consider adding to your list for 2025 to make the year even more successful.

Social networking is powerful. One-third of the world uses social networks regularly. Studies show that 71% of shoppers are influenced by social media in making purchasing decisions. While physical book clubs and reading groups still exist, online communities for book lovers make it easy for readers to share the books they are reading and their thoughts about them with a much wider audience. Social networking sites for books allow readers to connect with other readers around books.

If you've recently joined a new writing group or if you've started one of your own, you may be looking for some activities for your group meetings. Some groups may have stated rules and goals, depending on the type of group to which you belong. However, there are many fun and productive exercises you can incorporate into your meetings. 

In previous posts, we’ve talked about the benefits of a writing group and how to find one, but sometimes finding a group you want to join is difficult. Maybe you’ve visited some but they didn’t fit your needs, or maybe there just aren’t any in your area. If that’s the case, you should consider starting your own group. We've got some tips to help get you started.

Being a part of a writing group is a great idea and can be very beneficial to your work…but how do you find one? We have some great resources to share to help you on your journey toward reaping the benefits associated with joining a writing group. 

2023 was another fantastic year for IngramSpark authors. I am so proud to see what our teams have achieved in 2023, including a successful 10-year anniversary, no setup fees, and shareable links. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to launch wholeheartedly into the new year!  

Writing and self-publishing are not solitary endeavors as some might assume. Sitting alone in front of a computer can only get you so far. If you're struggling to get your words onto the page or to cross the finish line and self-publish your book, joining a writing group can help.

One of the wonderful advantages of self-publishing and print-on-demand is that you don’t have to have a large stock of your book taking up space in your home. Nevertheless, indie authors should definitely have some copies on hand for a variety of uses. Neglecting to do so could cause you to miss out on many sales opportunities. Here are 11 reasons why you should buy your own book.

Updated October 23, 2024

You’ve probably heard it before, but it bears repeating. The holidays are the busiest time for book sales, and you simply can’t wait until December to prepare. According to wordsrated.com, almost 20% of all books are sold during the holiday season. Take advantage of this time by ordering your own book from IngramSpark now. 

If you follow Kwame Alexander on Instagram, or have gone to The Book Doctors for advice, you may have heard of this exciting new reality show about finding America’s next great author.

IngramSpark first released groundwood paper in 2020 as an alternative to crème and white paper during a time when the latter two were in short supply. It was only available for certain trim sizes in the U.S. Since that time, we’ve expanded our groundwood paper offering to include most small trim sizes in all our print facilities, including those in the United Kingdom and Australia.  

IngramSpark takes a necessary stand to uphold the integrity of and reduce bias against independently published works. To align with our industry’s needs for content integrity, we will actively remove content from our catalog that is deemed unsuitable according to the criteria specified below, that may be deemed illegal or harmful under applicable law, or that may otherwise harm buyers or the reputations of IngramSpark, its affiliates, our publishers or distribution channels; IngramSpark retains the right to make any such determination in its sole and absolute discretion.

There’s one distinct difference between a good author and a great author: a good author knows what their audience wants, but a great author knows what their audience needs. They understand who their audience is, what drives them, and, most importantly, how to sell to them. 

After you've spent the time and money to edit, design, and market your book, the thought of selling it at a discounted price may seem counterintuitive. However, offering a discount is an excellent way to expand your reach in the book distribution channels. Discounting your book can help get it picked up by retailers. Here's how.

It’s hard to believe that we are almost through May. It has been quite the start to 2023, and May has proven no different with the many new changes that we have introduced at IngramSpark.  In our industry, we often are busy keeping up with the day-to-day changes that come along with publishing, but I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude and thanks for the continued support we receive from our IngramSpark authors and publishers. Your use of IngramSpark is instrumental in driving our growth and enabling us to create better opportunities for indies and independently published content around the globe.

Whether you’re excited or not about AI and using it in your author business, it is here to stay. We are in the early days of AI systems like Chat GPT and Jasper.ai and their power and utility will increase. That doesn’t mean you have to use these things as an author, but if you’re looking for some low-cost short cuts, especially for research, AI could be your answer.  

Library Organization and Purchasing Decisions

America's libraries fall into four basic types: Public, School, Academic and Special (armed forces, government, corporate). Like bookstores, most libraries purchase content from book vendors like Ingram or Baker and Taylor rather than directly from publishers. If your book isn’t in a library vendor catalog, you're already behind the curve.

Many people still believe they need a literary agent to become an author. They spend months crafting the perfect book proposal and then months searching for an agent. If they are lucky enough to find an agent who wants to work with them, they then can wait six months to a year to hear if any publishers are interested. In all of that time, a book could have been written, edited, designed, and published!  

In the past, getting independent booksellers to shelve self-published books was a difficult prospect. Indie booksellers were reluctant to sell self-published books, based on the old bias that self-published meant poor content or poor quality. But that was then and this is now. Not only have self-published authors upped their game when it comes to content, but the quality of self-published books is highly competitive with those of traditionally published books. So just how do you go about selling your book to independent bookstores?

With the rise of e-readers, ebook retailers, and changing shopping patterns, it’s never been a more advantageous time to share your story in the digital marketplace! There are several prominent self-publishing companies you can choose from when deciding to publish an ebook. While famous names like Kindle Direct Publishing, BookBaby, and Issuu might sound like the way to go, IngramSpark has so much more to offer authors. This includes the convenience of having your print and ebook in one platform, a user-friendly Book-Building Tool, a wide distribution network and easy conversion of print book files to ebook.

To Ebook Or Not To Ebook

Publishing an ebook is a great way to make your work available to a whole new market of readers! You may be wondering if your book will only work as an ebook or if it can also be a print book. What type of books should or should not be an ebook? Except for a few niche genres, anything that can be a print book can be an ebook as well! All different genres and book types, from cookbooks to poetry, memoirs to illustrated children’s books, can all become ebooks accessible on multiple smart devices.

What is Kindle Direct Publishing? 

In the world of self-publishing, Kindle Direct Publishing is undoubtedly a well-known name. Kindle Direct Publishing or KDP for short, is Amazon’s platform for self-publishing ebooks, paperback, and hardcover books. When deciding to self-publish your ebook, you probably thought of KDP as the go-to platform. If you have used KDP, then you are aware of the process of creating an account, uploading your book, book cover, and the book’s description to create a book that is ready for sale. It is a fairly straightforward process that has worked for many authors.

Updated January 29, 2024

Getting your ebook into the world is a smooth process with IngramSpark. Whether you've already published a print book through IngramSpark or are ready to start your self-publishing journey, there are only six steps for your ebook to go from your computer to the rest of the world!

Whether it’s on a small phone screen or a large desktop, your ebook cover needs to grab attention and pique the reader’s interest. While the print cover and ebook cover are usually the same, the design approach is different for each. For the print cover, there are numerous factors to consider, such as paper type and texture, colors, embossed or debossed lettering, the spine, and back cover design. The ebook cover design doesn’t have those concerns but must still communicate effectively and attract the reader.

Who Sells Your Ebook?

There is a great sense of pride in seeing your book for sale at a bookstore. You can touch your book, you can take pictures of it, and persuade your friends to come and see your book in person. It can be an adjustment to feel that same level of excitement when your ebook is for sale on a website. Sending your friends a link is not quite the same as having them stand in front of your book on the shelf. Yet we cannot deny that our society continues to increase its activity and engagement in the digital world. So who are the distributors in this digital world, and how are they going to sell your ebook? IngramSpark is in partnership with over 40 ebook sellers and subscription services. When you create your ebook through IngramSpark those 40-plus distributors can sell your ebook to readers all over the world. There are too many to discuss all of them in one blog, so let’s focus on the top subscription services and the top online stores that will sell your ebook.