Best way to purchase books to support the authors

Submitted by Vizzenya t3_zz73q7 in books

With all of the drama surrounding Amazon and Audible, it got me wondering: what is the best way to purchase books, if the goal is to support the authors?

I used to buy my books exclusively on Kindle. I loved the format, but I hate giving my money to Amazon. Then I started buying paperbacks from Barnes and Noble (there are no indie stores within 100mi of where I live), but I wondered if I should be buying hardcovers to get more royalties to the authors. I also frequent the library, but I have no idea what they make off of borrowing a book from there, whether it be physical or digital.

There are a lot of factors to consider, and I don’t know the answers, so I’m looking to my fellow readers for insight. If I want to support the authors with my book purchases, in what format and from where should I buy them?

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petrichor1969 t1_j2a2gwr wrote

You can buy books from indie bookstores online:

https://www.indiebound.org/

https://bookshop.org/

Disclaimer: I have no connection to either of these except that I have bought from both.

I'm not privy to contract details, but I'm assuming they'll take care of authors better than will Bezos.

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AvenRahziel t1_j2apnla wrote

This! I order from Bookshop.org whenever possible. I've had good experiences.

Also, rent from your library! It may seem more indirect, but a book getting traction at a library does mean more sales, attention, and traction for the author. It makes libraries want to buy more copies or put more in circulation.

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Open_Lawfulness_4783 t1_j2aj2m6 wrote

This. If I'm not going to a physical independent bookstore soon (never Barnes and Noble), I order from one of these. With bookshop.org (maybe indiebound?) You even get to choose which independent bookstore you support, so I'm supporting mine even without going in person. You could also order from an independent bookstore and have them ship, I just use bookshop bc of UI ease.

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HerbertWigglesworth t1_j29ta1s wrote

Authors websites or public pages may advertise where they sell them physically and digitally, take your pick.

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HauntedReader t1_j29v10n wrote

As far as libraries go, I don't think they make anything off the physical books you check out. Just what they made when the book was originally purchased. With that said, supporting an author by checking their book out of the library could influence them to purchase more and future books by said author.

As someone else already recommend, maybe check out the author's official website and see if you can buy directly from them.

With that said, there isn't anything wrong with purchasing paperbacks from Barnes & Nobles or benefitting from sales. Especially if you don't have extra cash.

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FionaTheGreen t1_j29wbk8 wrote

>As far as libraries go, I don't think they make anything off the physical books you check out.

They do actually. Each country will have its own law, but in the UK we have the PLR (Public Lending Right) that entitles authors to be paid for the public lending of their books, just like when songs are played on the radio or anywhere public the artist gets paid.

So, OP, checking books out from your local library is still a way to support authors. Also, depending on where you live, most indie bookshops will be happy to ship books to you, and you'll be supporting small businesses at the same time.

Edit: I don't know about how it works in the US, as different states might have different laws regarding this.

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HauntedReader t1_j29wyvl wrote

I live in the US so I don't think that's the case for our libraries. I know it's different with digital lending here but with physical books not so much.

As far as indie bookstores, I always advise people to look into them before supporting. I use to hit the one local bookstore by me pretty frequently until it came out they're huge Trump supporters and were funneling a lot of money into his campaign. Supporting a small business isn't inherently a good thing.

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Griffen_07 t1_j2amx2i wrote

However, libraries are good for growing a readership. They get books in the hands of people that will not think to buy them at a store. They also host smaller authors for events and can promote less known books. They keep the back catalog going for longer than most bookstores.

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FionaTheGreen t1_j2a3c99 wrote

Oh, I can see the reality is very different there, then. PLR is supposed to compensate authors for the loss in sales, essentially. A quick search tells me there was a campaign to implement a similar scheme in the US, but I guess it didn't take off.

Small business isn't nearly as politicised in the UK; indie bookshops certainly don't make enough revenue to make significant contributions to political parties, as they're usually a labour of love. Amazon's destroying traditional bookshops everywhere, so I always advocate for readers to remember them whenever possible.

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HauntedReader t1_j2a4ipu wrote

>Oh, I can see the reality is very different there, then. PLR is supposed to compensate authors for the loss in sales, essentially. A quick search tells me there was a campaign to implement a similar scheme in the US, but I guess it didn't take off.

Our libraries currently barely have the funds to stay open and stock new books. Something like this would likely close most small-town libraries, which is likely why it didn't take off.

Especially with the current climate of the alt-right looking for excuses to pull funding.

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gjallerhorn t1_j2a9n1m wrote

>Our libraries currently barely have the funds to stay open and stock new books

And this is already with barely paying librarians anything.

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hmountain t1_j2amp00 wrote

it's not just the alt-right, the right has been trying to cut public programs including library funding for at least half a century

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HauntedReader t1_j2an5d8 wrote

True but what is happening now is much more specific and targeted. It makes it a bigger threat than just cutting funds.

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bubbameister33 t1_j29tk98 wrote

Maybe buy directly from their website, if they have one. Or ask them through email or social media.

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Fine-for-now t1_j2a53wz wrote

I follow Ilona Andres' blog, and they have answered this (from their own perspective) a few times - buy or enjoy anywhere, just don't pirate the book! They do get more money from the physical version than kindle, but they're happy their books are being bought, rather than stolen.

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zedatkinszed t1_j2e6hnt wrote

100% this. If you don't want to buy a book ask your local library to order it in.

Don't pirate

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LightspeedBalloon t1_j2bru32 wrote

As an independent author, I make the most royalties off Amazon for paperbacks. Ebooks are higher royalties and about the same from every vendor.

But I'm just happy if people buy my book at all. :)

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Sir_StudMuffin t1_j29tn5y wrote

I buy a lot of books and comics from local art and comic conventions, that way I can directly buy it from the artists hand.

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7ootles t1_j2ajbkv wrote

>I used to buy my books exclusively on Kindle. I loved the format, but I hate giving my money to Amazon. Then I started buying paperbacks from Barnes and Noble (there are no indie stores within 100mi of where I live), but I wondered if I should be buying hardcovers to get more royalties to the authors. I also frequent the library, but I have no idea what they make off of borrowing a book from there, whether it be physical or digital.

I publish my work on Kindle and my royalty is 70%. I also publish in paperback, again through Amazon, and my royalty there is 60%. When I start doing some of my work in hardback, that will also be at a 60% royalty.

The only way in which my royalties are higher with a physical copy is just that the price is higher. If I charge £3.99 for an ebook, I get £2.80 in royalties - if I charge £14.99 for the same book in hardback, I get £8.99 in royalties. But if I charged the same price for both, I'd be making a lot more off the Kindle version.

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-1_2_3 t1_j2dp23x wrote

Could you comment if UK’s xigxag would treat you equally as well?

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7ootles t1_j2dq04f wrote

I've never heard of it before tbh. It looks like an audiobook platform, rather than a self-publishing platform, so I'd have to contact them to find out.

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-1_2_3 t1_j2drvpa wrote

Thank you. Yes, they also have synchronized e & audio in their x-book format. I was hoping you had experience with them, but I think they are relatively new.

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7ootles t1_j2dv5g2 wrote

I think they are new, and I can't find any info on how to publish through them.

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-1_2_3 t1_j2dzjqv wrote

On their site under ‘helpful info’ they claim authors & publishers will be pleasantly surprised by contacting them via email.

Edit: helpful info>get in touch>I am an author…content at xigxag dot co dot uk

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Deliriums_BabelFish t1_j2ccfjw wrote

There's an episode of the Reading Glasses podcast that discusses this very topic - one of the co-hosts IS an author and she recommends the following:

- preorder the book if possible. This contributes to the "first week" sales of the author

- if you use your local library, you can request the library purchase certain titles for their collection for the community to check out

- Paperback purchases are completely ok!

- Even if you buy on Amazon/Kindle, the author still benefits from that in some way. BUT what also helps is making sure you leave a review of the book so others who may be purchasing from that place can see something positive

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crystalsinwinter t1_j2b1py2 wrote

I buy stuff on Amazon. A lot of people don't know this about Amazon but Amazon has a charitable side. "smile dot amazon dot com"

If you type it into your search engine, you can sign on to your amazon account and select who to donate money to. Your every purchase, as long as you go through Amazon Smile first can allow your selected pick to get a donation from Amazon.

You can select from the selection they have or type in the organization you want them to donate to. So, you can donate to organizations that help authors, your favorite library, etc.

And self-publishing authors on Amazon can get up to 70% profit from each sale they make if you buy their books on Amazon. So, that is another way you can help the authors.

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shredinger137 t1_j2awsa2 wrote

Every time I see an author asked this, which is often, they say it doesn't matter. But if you can many of them like to see the markup go to smaller book sellers, independent if you have them.

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-1_2_3 t1_j2dodbq wrote

You may have missed it, but author Brandon Sanderson made some comments recently.

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Stephh075 t1_j2ch9m1 wrote

If you do ever order from Amazon... leaving a review makes a big difference

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Kathryn-Fletcher t1_j2dzbke wrote

For the US, Kickstarter is a great way to support authors! Fun swag, a book or books, and this is by far the most profitable to the author because you are not just buying a book but investing in an author. Plus the author has a way to contact you and let you know when their next book is coming out. We can also build a relationship with our readers too. Amazon and other retailers don’t give us any way to contact previous readers.

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Osobady t1_j2ctikh wrote

I’m just about to publish a book. There is a concept called “Library price” where you can make up your book when a Library purchases it. So let’s say I sell my book for 9.99 on iBooks but I can charge 20.99 to sell to a library. The issue is that the library may only buy one copy. Your best bet and the best way to support the author is still to buy the digital book as printed books have a cost associated with them (printing, binding, etc) and the margins are much lower. Hope this helps.

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BruhComeOnn t1_j2d55te wrote

Like others said, their own website if they offer it.

But if you want to support authors then use Amazon. Self publishing on KU is literally the only way I, and countless others, make a cent off our books. Most people don't get picked up by a publisher or have thousands to self advertise. Amazon has done more for independent authors than anywhere else and it's not even a competition.

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pagetwenty t1_j2dehow wrote

Surprised so many people wrote Amazon. Amazon has the lowest book prices because they are trying to become the leading bookseller and hope to put other bookstores out of business. Eventually, they could have a monopoly on books if they are successful and prices could rise. This will damage business for indie bookstores

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BirdEducational6226 t1_j2b8wij wrote

Biblio and Abebooks sell used and new books. You can select the book you want from a business that you don't mind giving your money to.

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RideThatBridge t1_j2chc4d wrote

Abebooks is owned by Amazon now.

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BirdEducational6226 t1_j2db0yq wrote

So? You're still buying books from small, individual bookstores.

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RideThatBridge t1_j2deg8x wrote

Calm down-You were offering an alternative to Amazon. A lot of people don’t know Abe books is owned by Amazon now. I don’t know how that qualifies as buying from a small independent bookstore when it’s owned by the biggest worldwide seller in the business. Happy New Year to you.

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trickydeuce t1_j2aaj8t wrote

{{Chokepoint Capitalism: How Big Tech and Big Content Captured Creative Labor Markets and How We'll Win THem Back}} by Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin

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