Are you worried about your ability to pay for books you want to read? Several of my newsletter readers have that problem. They're unemployed and trying to figure out what to do next, their pivot.
Since they read my newsletter and blog, these people trust my advice. They have asked where to find my free books. But I charge money for all my books.
Still, they can read for free, as long as they ask their library for my books.
Your local taxes support your local libraries. That means your library does not charge you anything to read any book, including mine.
If you're wondering, here's the quick version of how this works. I have to start with publishing and distribution. (And yes, this is the quick version!)
Publishers Distribute to the Book Ecosystem
If a publisher wants to distribute a book widely, including to libraries, that book requires an ISBN: International Standard Book Number.
In the US, Bowker manages ISBNs. US citizens pay for their ISBNs. However, many other countries offer ISBNs to their publishers for free.
The entity that buys the ISBN is the publisher of record. Anyone can buy ISBNs for their books so no writer needs a publisher to get ISBNs.
If a writer chooses to use a publisher to format and distribute books, that publisher obtains the necessary ISBNs, creates each format, and then publishes—distributes—the various formats for the book.
Not every book needs an ISBN. For example, before I published the first version of the hiring book, I offered a self-published booklet that I printed on paper with a coil binding. Since I only sold that book when I met people and not in bookstores, I did not need an ISBN.
Many fiction writers only sell on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited. Because they only distribute their ebooks to Amazon, Amazon allows them to sell the ebook without an ISBN.
The quick version about publishers:
- Each publisher creates the book format(s), adhering to the various standards, that they want to distribute.
- Once the various formats exist, the publisher chooses how to distribute the book to the book ecosystem. Every publisher can distribute to “all” ebook and print book vendors.
Libraries buy print books from the same place bookstores do: either Ingram or Baker and Taylor. (I suspect larger libraries can buy from both.)
Libraries Buy from That Book Ecosystem
Every library has access to all published books, with two caveats:
- Both Ingram and Baker and Taylor require ISBNs to be in their catalog. Remember that each book format requires its own ISBN.
- Libraries never buy from Amazon. Not ebooks. Not print books. Libraries do not buy from Amazon. Not even from Amazon's so-called “wide” distribution.
- Libraries can only buy formats outside of an exclusive subscription service. For example, if a writer chooses to put her ebook in an exclusive service such as Kindle Unlimited, she can still put her print book into Ingram and/or Baker and Taylor.
Libraries expect to pay more for the books they buy (library pricing) because they will lend those books many times over the book's lifetime. Library pricing for ebooks depends on cost per checkout, the number of concurrent readers, and more. Often, libraries pay at least three times the list price for a physical book because the library expects to lend the physical book out many times.
All publishers select their library price. (I use Draft2Digital to help me.)
Then there's the other piece of how libraries buy. Because libraries buy so many books, Ingram and Baker and Taylor often offer libraries (not stores) discounted pricing on print books, both paper and hardcover.
There's a lot more here, but honestly, that's all most of us need to know. Writers write books. Some of those writers also publish their books. (I do.) When writers publish their books, they look just like all the other kinds of publishers because their books require ISBNs. Ingram and Baker and Taylor review all those ISBNs and decide what to buy.
Then, there's you, the patient reader who wants to read for free. Thanks for hanging in there. This part is for you.
If You Want to Read for Free, Ask Your Local Library
Most libraries do not buy self-published books. Even though I sell a “lot” of nonfiction books, most libraries do not stock my books. However, you can ask for my books. The library can then request my book from Ingram or Baker and Taylor. All my ebooks and print books are available through the regular book ecosystem.
If you are a member/cardholder of your local library, the library will acquire the books you want to read. You can then check those books out. (Some libraries also affiliate with local universities. Even if your regular library doesn't want my books, the university will probably acquire it. )
Then, reading looks like a regular library reading experience: you have several weeks to read and return the book.
Why do I offer my books to libraries? For discoverability.
Libraries Help with Discoverability
Discoverability is a huge problem for writers and publishers. “Everyone” seems to be writing a book these days. Are these books any good? If it fits the needs for that book's ideal reader, sure, it's a good book.
Nonfiction writers need help finding their ideal audience. And libraries can help, because the library catalogues the book in the right place. Readers know what they will get—even if they don't like the book.
If you're worried about spending money, ask your local library for the book you want to read. That's why there's no reason at all to pirate or steal a book. Ever.
No Piracy Needed
Don't steal or pirate anyone's books. You don't have to. Instead, ask your library to carry the books you want to read. Those books are free for you.
I appreciate every reader, regardless of how you got the book to read. Your library is an excellent start.
See all my books, to decide which one you want next.
Yes, this is another “writing secret” post that is actually part of a series of books about writing, publishing, and marketing books. I'll figure out a tag for that later.