This article is an overview of IngramSpark, the available services, and how they work. IngramSpark is an award-winning independent publishing platform, offering indie authors and publishers quality print books and ebooks as well as global distribution. If you are an author, you are also the publisher of your book. As the publisher, you are responsible for all aspects of publishing including marketing and promoting your book.
Your book can be listed as available for sale through Ingram's global distribution network reaching more than 39,000 distributors, wholesalers, retail outlets, bookstores, and libraries in 200 countries.
Quick Access Links:
Instructions for Setting Up an IngramSpark Account
Proper ISBN Use and Title Transfers
Ebook Sales Models and Earnings
Distribution Returns Information
Print & Ebook Distribution Partners
Transfer a Book to Your IngramSpark Account
Use Our Book Building Tool to Create the Files We need
GETTING STARTED
If you are an author and don't own a business and are not sure what to use for a publishing company name, this information may be of help to you. When you set up your IngramSpark account and use your legal name (which needs to match your bank account for deposits) and set up a new title, you have the option to add an imprint to be used as the publishing company name for the title. However, Barnes and Noble and other retailers may not recognize the imprint and may list your account name as the publisher. If this happens, you can notify the support team and they will try to help correct this, but there are no guarantees the retailer will change it.
The first step is to create an account. Here’s what you need to start the process:
- Valid email address
- Credit card to keep on file in your secure account (can be changed at any time or others added)
- Tax ID number (because as a publisher, you are also considered a business owner)
- Banking information or PayPal information (US) (for direct deposit of what you earn for every book sold through our global distribution network)
Click HERE to access step-by-step instructions for setting up an account.
It takes about 20 minutes to set up an account. It's important to complete the account setup process as quickly as possible to avoid systematic deletion of your account.
Click HERE to learn why your account may be deleted.
SETUP YOUR BOOK
Once your account is fully set up, and you've decided on the trim size, type of binding, and interior paper you would like your book printed with you can log in to your account and upload a book, at which point, you’ll enter all of the information about your title. Click HERE to access our Title Setup article for step-by-step instructions and details on what kind of information you’ll need to provide about your book, including basic book information like title, description, and author bio, pricing, returns, and wholesale discounts.
To use Ingram's distribution services, the book must be printed in one of the trim sizes we offer and you must have an ISBN to have your book sold through our global distribution networks. Click HERE to learn more about the proper use of ISBNs and how to get one. If you are transferring a title to IngramSpark, you can learn more about the process and ISBNs HERE.
If you do not have an ISBN, you can obtain one from www.ISBN.org or if you're located in the US you can buy one through IngramSpark for $85 (you own the ISBN), or have a free ISBN assigned. The FREE ISBN cannot be combined with the free title set up promotion codes when offered. The free ISBN will display the publishing company/imprint as Indy Pub on websites (you don't own the free ISBN).
PRINT READY FILES & EBOOK FILES
To print your book we will need a print-ready digital file for the book interior and a separate print-ready digital file for the cover, and an epub file for an ebook (or we can have one created for you). Click HERE to access our file requirements in our File Creation Guide.
If you do not have print-ready files, you can use our free Bookbuilding tool (more info here) to create the files we need for both print and digital/ebook. You can upload your manuscript in a Word document or type the manuscript directly into the Bookbuilding tool.
We also offer conversion services and can create an EPUB ebook from your print-ready files for your print book. The cost is $0.60 cents per page and takes about 15 business days. Learn more HERE.
If you would prefer to hire a professional to help with your book, click the following link for a list of Self-Publishing Experts Companies vetted by IngramSpark who provide services for editing, book design, file creation, marketing, and more (many at special discounted rates)
EPROOF INFO
After we process the files you will have an eproof of the print book to approve before you can print copies or have the book distributed. We do not provide an eproof of the ebook and will make it available to retailers as soon as the files are uploaded and processed.
DISTRIBUTION OVERVIEW
Print distribution: Ingram will list the print book as “in stock” on iPage, which is Ingram's online catalog more than 39,000 bookstores, retailers, and libraries use to order books, so they always have access to buy your titles. Ingram also sends the book information (metadata) to all of their retail partners for them to list as available for sale on their websites, at their discretion.
When the distribution channel partner or retailer receives an order for your book, they let us know how many copies they need. We print the books and ship them to the distribution channel partner/retailer who will fulfill the order. We register the sale of the book in the reporting section of your account. Click HERE to access all the distribution information for print books.
Ebook distribution:
IngramSpark's ebook channels also include subscriptions, libraries, and more! This means your ebooks can be available in more places and in more ways, including lending services that haven’t previously been able to receive ebooks from IngramSpark. Click HERE to access all the information about ebooks.
Click HERE for a list of our print and ebook distribution partners.
MARKETING & PROMOTING YOUR BOOK
You, the publisher, will promote your book to bookstores, readers, and book lovers everywhere, referring them to the distribution partner’s websites, your own website, or to retailers where they can buy your book. Ingram does not provide a sales team or sales-related services to promote your book to retailers & libraries.
Click HERE to learn more about our limited offerings to promote your book.
PUBLISHER EARNINGS & PAYMENTS
We pay you compensation earnings for print books sold through our global distribution networks approximately 90 days after the sale of the book (Ex: Earnings for December book sales are paid the first week of April). Ebook compensation earnings take about 1 month longer to allow time for the retailers to report their sales to Ingram.
Publisher compensation earnings/payments for print titles are based on the retail price you set, minus the wholesale discount you offer our partners, minus the print cost we charge. Whatever is left is what we pay you for every book sold. Use our publisher compensation calculator to better understand what you’ll earn for each print book you sell through the global distribution channels. Click HERE to learn more.
Ebook compensation earnings take about 1 month longer to allow time for the retailers to report their sales to Ingram. Click HERE to learn about the different sales models for your ebook and how you are compensated.
Click here to learn more about pricing your book and how compensation earnings and returns are calculated.
Use our publisher compensation calculator to better understand what you’ll earn for each print book you sell through the global distribution channels.
ORDERING YOUR BOOK
You can also submit orders for your book through your IngramSpark account to be printed and shipped wherever you choose. Orders can be printed through our print facilities in the US, UK, and Australia. You pay the print cost, applicable taxes, shipping, and handling fees.
Use our print and ship calculator to better understand the cost of ordering and shipping your book yourself. Click here for step-by-step instructions for ordering your book. Click HERE to access all the information for ordering your book.
FREE PUBLISHER EDUCATION
Online User Guide How to use our website
Weekly Blog Industry tips on topics that matter most from publishing experts
Free Online Courses Subjects that matter most to your success, such as How to Build Your Author Platform and · Understanding Your Book Metadata
Podcast Industry experts on the go, in short, info-packed episodes covering publishing topics
Downloadable Guides Deeper dives into publishing essentials in quick guides
Community Connection to fellow IngramSpark authors and publishers for peer help and discussions, accessed from the “Support” button in the bottom right corner of your IngramSpark account dashboard
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