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One of the major benefits of using IngramSpark is the access your book has to one of the industry’s largest global distribution networks, offered by Ingram. IngramSpark does not actively sell or promote your book. Ingram does not sell to consumers. Ingram sells direct to qualifying businesses and institutions only, such as bookstores, libraries, and other retailers.
Ingram sends the information for your book to all of the 40,000+ bookstores, libraries, and retailers in their global distribution network and lists the book as available for sale to them at a discounted price depending on the wholesale discount the publisher offers. As you can appreciate, we are not the only piece of the distribution chain in your title. Each company that is involved in the distribution chain may receive a portion of your wholesale discount. The bookstore or retailer then sells the product to consumers at the retail price and they also keep a portion of the discount you offer.
It is up to the author or publisher to promote, market, and create an interest in the book and refer purchasers to Ingram's network of retailers.
Can I expedite or rush the distribution process?
How can I find out who ordered my book?
How can my customers order my book?
How do I add distribution services to my book?
How do I Unpublish or Remove My Book From Distribution?
How do stores know about my book?
How long does it take for my book to appear on websites?
Is there a cost for distribution services?
Returns - Books Returned From Distribution Partners
What Book Types Cannot be Distributed?
When Do I Receive Compensation Payments for Books Sold Through Ingram's Global Distribution Network?
Why can’t customers order through IngramSpark?
How does distribution work?
With Ingram/Lightning Source’s Print on Demand service, books can be purchased through Ingram by bookstores, libraries, and retail outlets. The order prints, ships, and arrives at the customer or store within a few days.
It is up to the author or publisher to promote, market, and create an interest in the book and refer purchasers to Ingram's network of retailers.
Is there a cost for distribution services?
Yes, effective July 1, 2023, IngramSpark will charge a fee for Ingram's global distribution services. The fee will be in the amount of 1.875% of the list price of a book and will be deducted from the compensation earnings each time the book is sold. The fee will appear in the "other" column of the compensation report.
Fee example: If the book has a US list price of $20.00, the fee will be $0.37 cents.
Depending on the country you are located in there may be additional VAT or GST charged on top of the Global Distribution Fee for print books. The additional charge can be seen within the ‘Compensation’ section of your account under the ‘Other Charges’ option.
How do stores know about my book?
Ingram sends a metadata feed containing all the information and pricing for your book to more than 40,000 bookstores, libraries, and retail outlets all over the world. Ingram's customers and Print-On-Demand distribution channel partners will upload the metadata for your book to their website and will decide if they want to sell the book through their website. A store can search for your book on Ingram Book Company's iPage website or other websites and see the metadata linked to it.
*Ingram allows your book to be available for sale, but there is no guarantee that stores or libraries will order your book. We cannot guarantee sales.
*It is up to the author and/or publisher to market and promotes the book to consumers, bookstores, retailers, and libraries, so they know it is available for sale. More information on marketing can be found here
How can a bookstore order my book?
If your title is enabled for wholesale distribution, IngramSpark will make your title available to its distribution channels, including our affiliate Ingram Book Group LLC (“Ingram”) who maintains one of the industry’s largest global distribution networks. Ingram sells directly to qualifying businesses and institutions only, such as bookstores, libraries, and other retailers.
How long does it take for my book to appear on websites?
During the title setup process, once you click the enable button to add distribution services to your book, it can take 2-6 weeks before appearing on retailer websites or on a distributor or retailer’s internal ordering system. Depending on the time of year, it can less than 2-6 weeks and you may see pieces of information appear and then disappear (depending on the retailer) until the title information and cover are fully uploaded onto websites.
Any bookstore, library, retail outlet, online store, or school that purchases books from Ingram Book Company can order your book! Click HERE to view the most current list of retailers where your book may be sold. We cannot guarantee sales of your book.
What Book Types Cannot be Distributed?
Books with perforated pages cannot be distributed through Ingram's Global Distribution network. Books with duplex covers CAN be distributed.
How can I find out who ordered my book?
We are unable to provide any specific sales information as to which bookstore, retailer, or library purchased the book(s). Sales information for the retailer or library who purchased the book(s) is proprietary information and cannot be shared. However, you can view the sales of your book in the Sales section of reports.
When do I receive Compensation Payments for books sold through Ingram's Global Distribution Network?
The sale of the book is added to your sales reporting within 24-48 hours of us receiving the order from the retailer. After the book is printed and shipped to the retailer, it will appear in your unpaid compensation report. You can learn more about compensation payments and minimum payment requirements HERE.
Compensation Payment Schedule for Print Books
Can I expedite or rush the distribution process?
We are not able to rush the distribution process for your book. When the distribution service is added to a book, we send out a metadata feed containing the book information to our retail partners. How quickly the metadata is uploaded to retailer websites depends on that retailer and is not controlled by Ingram. Also, during the 4th quarter of each year, it can take longer for the book to appear as available for sale due to all the data feeds our distribution and retail partners are receiving.
How can my customers order my book?
Customers are able to order the book through bookstores or online retailer websites.
Why can’t my customers order through IngramSpark?
Your customers need to order books through a retailer, bookstore, or from you, the publisher. Only the publisher has access to direct printing and shipping costs through their IngramSpark account.
How do I add distribution services to my book?
Enabling your title for distribution is quick and easy, and the steps are included below.
Add pricing to the markets where you would like your book listed as available for sale.
- When you log into your IngramSpark account, click on your book's title and the PRINT INFORMATION button. Click on the Enabled for Distribution button.
Recently, there have been changes in the way booksellers are ordering books. Many online retailers who sell books will no longer purchase books that are non-returnable. Having a book available as non-returnable can affect the availability messaging on websites. You as the publisher can decide if you want to give bookstores, retailers, and libraries the option of returning unsold books. You have three options to select from:
- Yes-Deliver- Available in the U.S. Market only
Select this return status if you want your book to be sold as returnable and you would like the returned book shipped to you. IngramSpark cannot guarantee the condition of the book being returned. (This return option is only available for books sold in the United States or Canada.)
Returns to US addresses - If you select this option, you will be charged for the current wholesale cost of each book returned, plus a $3.00 per book shipping and handling charge.
Returns to non-US/international addresses - If you select this option, you will be charged for the current wholesale cost of each book returned, plus a $20.00 per book shipping and handling charge.
- Yes-Destroy- Available in all markets EXCEPT Global Connect
Select this option if you want to allow your book to be sold as returnable and you do not want to receive a physical copy of the returned book. If you select this option, you will be charged only for the current wholesale cost of each book returned. No shipping and handling fees will apply. IngramSpark will destroy and pulp any returned books received if this option is selected.
- No or Non-Returnable- This option is available in all markets
Select this designation if you do not want to allow your titles to be sold on a returnable basis. IngramSpark will not accept returns from booksellers for any title so designated. Returns can be very costly and if you are not financially prepared for returns, this may be your best option.
Publishers should be financially prepared for the cost of returned books.
How do I Unpublish or Remove My Book From Distribution?
You can submit your request here, within your request be sure to advise that you would like your book removed from distribution. Include your account number, ISBN, and title.
If you would like to be able to continue to print your book for orders you place, let them know that too.
How can I cancel my book?
If you no longer want the book available for orders you print or for distribution, please submit your cancellation request here, Include your account number, ISBN, title and that you would like your book cancelled.
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