SELF-e Select curates self-published/indie books for libraries so that librarians know which books are worth adding to their lending collections. Here are a few links with more information:

• Library Journal‘s press release announcing the program
• The SELF-e FAQ page explaining that even if your book isn’t selected as one that gets recommended, you can still add it to a statewide database of available self-published books
• A guest blog post by publishing consultant Porter Anderson with specifics on the program, which Anderson is paid to promote

The author who contacted me was debating what to do because authors aren’t paid for self-published books that libraries select through the SELF-e program.

Should you offer your book to libraries for free?

Here’s what I told her.

Because authors aren’t paid for books selected, SELF-e seems like an option for an author with a backlist.

Applying the strategy for e-book giveaways (be sure to read the comments on one of our most popular guest blog posts, “Why you shouldn’t give your book away“), offer your first book free to libraries only after you have four or five published already. Once readers sample your work, they are more likely to buy more of what you write or ask libraries to carry your subsequent books because they’ll know what they’re getting.

With the “no royalty” option limited to your first book and demand for subsequent books you’ve written increasing, libraries are more likely to buy subsequent books through the only channel you’ve made available for those books — the one that pays you a royalty.

Options for selling to libraries

If the no-royalty option isn’t a good fit for your book, you’ve got other ways to get into libraries.

ebooksareforever is a new service that charges libraries the same price that you charge consumers. The site says that libraries will own the e-books they buy and will have easy access to as many copies as they need so more than one patron can borrow a title at the same time.

Three things to note:

1. This service is still in beta mode, so rules and procedures could change.
2. Once you register on the site as an author, the company “will review your books and back catalog, and promptly approve or deny your application.” (After applying five days ago, I still haven’t heard from them about mine.)
3. Authors are paid a 70 percent royalty.

Simply put, just because you want to use this service to get your e-book into libraries doesn’t mean you can.

There’s a do-it-yourself option, too. I’ve taken Elaine Wilke’s e-course that teaches you “How to Get Your Book and E-Books into Libraries” and particularly like that it includes a database of U.S. public libraries, but the insider tips from librarians are really helpful, too. My affiliate link at Udemy will save you $30 on the course fee and get you free access to Elaine’s other course, “Let Siri Save Time, Boost Productivity & Keep You Organized” (regular price $39).

(Pro tip from Elaine’s DIY course: Librarians like it when you’ve got some buzz going for your book. That includes reviews and media interviews.)

What’s the best move for you?

In the end, it all comes down to your goals. Do you need to earn money from the book to help pay off publishing expenses? Do you  want to build a fan base for subsequent books? Will getting it to as many readers as possible boost your speaking or consulting career?

Always take your goals — and nobody else’s — into account when making book marketing decisions. Blindly doing what another author is doing without thinking about what’s best for you and your future could take you in the wrong direction.

And that’s what I told the author who contacted me to take into account before she made a decision. Only she knows the answer to the question: “What will help you reach your goals for this book?”

Do you want to get your book into libraries? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in a comment.

Virtual library tours for authors

By Elaine Wilkes

Did you know you can speak to groups at libraries all over the country—without leaving your home?

Virtual library tours are the latest thing. Like virtual book tours, you don’t have to pack and travel. You just need a computer, a webcam, and a smile.

3 libraries host 1 author

Adriana Trigiani, author of The Shoemaker’s Wife, enjoyed the benefits of a virtual library tour in suburban Chicago when three libraries simultaneously used an interactive webinar to host her book talk.

Here’s how it worked: Adriana and the libraries used webcams so that each library was able to see and hear all four camera images on one big screen at the same time. Adriana could interact with patrons at all three libraries at once from her home in New York — how cool is that!

Adriana — and any other author making a virtual presentation to a library — could see, hear, and speak to them, but couldn’t shake their hands. To make it feel even more real and in-person, the libraries offered Italian refreshments to go with the theme of the book. As a result, each had a waiting list for the book.

Library coordinator Laura Birmingham of the Indian Prairie Library in Darien, Ill., said this was actually better than an in-person event because the large screen made it possible for everyone to see the expressions on the author’s face “up close and personal.”

And . . . the technology they used was free. The Illinois libraries used GoToMeeting.com’s free 30-day trial, but some use other options that include Google Hangouts and Skype.

Success tips

The New York Library System has similar programs that uses webcams to connect patrons with authors in sessions that resemble large book club meetings.

The potential to be seen all over the country, but without leaving your home, is huge if you know how to do it. The trick is knowing who to contact at the libraries and how to approach them.

Once you snag your first virtual book talk, keep these tips in mind:

• Do a test run with the library
• To make sure your book is described accurately, give the library the press release that announces your book.
• Ask the host library if it would like others to participate, too.

What are you waiting for? Fire up that webcam and start contacting libraries now! And just think — you don’t even have to select cities where you’ve got a friend who will house you for free!

Note from Sandra: Elaine spent more than 120 hours putting together her comprehensive new online training program, “How to Get Your Book and E-Books into Libraries,” with much of that time spent developing a database of library contacts for you to use. I’ve been reading the material and listening to the audio files and have to say that anyone who’s smart enough to know that it’s important to get into libraries so you sell more books, reach more readers, and create more fans, should definitely check it out while Elaine’s offering a sale price on the training. Learn more on the e-course website. 

Do you have a question about virtual library tours or how to get your book into libraries? Ask it here and Elaine will respond.