Today’s post is from debuting children’s book author ilham alam (@ilhamal50397575), whose rhyming picture book wonder walk is now available.
You are reading: Sell books to libraries
for a long time i dreamed of getting my book into public libraries in canada. but because I published on a hybrid press for my first children’s picture book, I had to do the work of getting the book to libraries myself.
Through trial and error, I identified six steps that helped get my book into circulation in the library, even though I didn’t have the power of a traditional publisher’s marketing team, agent, or PR team.
While this worked for library systems in Ontario, Canada, the same steps should work for any local library system. I’m also sharing the template I used to approach libraries.
1. investigate, investigate, investigate.
Check the public library’s website to find out if they have a system for accepting self-published books into circulation. or you can contact the Chief Librarian or Purchasing Librarian for the specific department that corresponds to the genre of your book. for example, I always looked up the lead children’s librarian of the system I was communicating with.
2. nice people finish first.
Whether you approach by phone, email, or in person, always remember to be courteous and approachable. When you find out the name of the relevant person to contact, go to them personally and show them that you care.
3. create a sales sheet.
Prepare a basic sell sheet that includes your book cover, title, publisher, available formats and isbn, price, a brief description of the book, why it will appeal to library patrons, advertisements or significant prizes and how it can be ordered. this information can be embedded in an email or can be designed and printed as a one-page cover sheet that you can take with you if you meet librarians in person.
4. show off (persuade) a bit.
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If you submit the library via email, definitely include links to your profile on your publisher’s website (if any), your own author website or blog, and your social media channels.
For easy reference, on a single page of your website, collect your review links, images of your book cover, social media links, and photos from any authoring events you’ve done. then link to this in your introduction email.
In your submission, mention other libraries that have already purchased your book, if any, as this helps validate the quality and appeal of your book.
5. make sure your book is available at library wholesalers.
This makes the difference between your book being accepted or rejected. And I found this out the hard way! make sure your book is available through baker & taylor (united states and canada), whitehots (canada) and library services center (canada). libraries can easily find your book and buy it from these wholesalers.
6. offer to do an event.
let libraries know you’re happy to come and do author readings and book signings. it’s a win-win: you get more exposure and the library has programming for its community members. this is especially useful for smaller libraries.
To do this, however, you need to do your part to promote your appearances, as you want to ensure that your author reading is well attended.
librarian proposal template
hello [librarian name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am a Canadian children’s book author from nearby Toronto. my first picture book, wonder walk, has been published by iguana books and is available through library distributors such as library services centre, whitehots and baker & Taylor.
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Written in rhyming verse, Wonder Walk is perfect for preschoolers and celebrates the father-son relationship, as the insatiably curious Johnny asks his mother endless questions about the cuddly bug and the gruff red bird and all. the rest. natural wonders that he sees.
beagles and books wrote, “With big, bold illustrations and concise, rhyming text, Wonderful Walk is a story young children will enjoy and can encourage families to take their own walk together. to observe nature. and ask questions.”
Libraries in the Durham region, such as Whitby and Clarington, have added Wonder Walk to their children’s collections. I was hoping that the Blue Mountain Public Libraries would also be interested in adding Wonder Walk to their collections.
here is more information about wonder walk in iguana books:
[web address] hardcover isbn: 978-1771803236 ($25.99) paperback isbn: 978-1771803076 ($9.99)
Also, here is a link to my author website, story mummy, which includes more wonder walk reviews:
[web address]
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
See Also: Top 10 books about New York | Books | The Guardian
for more information
- Bringing Self-Published Books into Libraries
- Public Libraries: How the Author Can Increase Both Visibility and Profits