Most independently published authors have heard of J. A. Konrath. They follow his blog and his progress with his independently published books. He took his traditionally published books back from the publisher and successfully published them himself. Others joined him. He’s the first true guru to many indi authors.
Now he’s going a step further. He has started a program that’s still in beta form, one to supply e‑book manuscripts to libraries. It is called EAF-Ebooks Are Forever. Instead of a library buying a manuscript for a limited number of borrows, it will buy a copy that is good forever. (The same way libraries buy physical books.) And, just as with physical books, the e‑book can only be loaned to one person at a time. For a popular book, a library would buy multiple copies, just as they do with physical books. Sounds like a good idea to me.
A full-size book would be purchased for $7.99, no matter its price on line, even if it is offered for free. It would probably already be available for sale everywhere, not locked into one venue, such as KDP.
Konrath envisions eventually offering every interested independent author’s books to libraries. I’d like to join. I tried, but the site doesn’t seem to be accepting other contributors yet. But I’ll watch for any updates. Meanwhile, to learn more, click highlighted words to see Konrath’s blog explanation. Find EBooks Are Forever here.
Norma, at a library event I attended last month, one of the panelists is with an organization that is picking 20 books a month out has been submitted be approved for libraries. I haven’t taken the time to read all the information yet and submit my first book for consideration because I’ve been too busy, but it’s something I’m going to look into — as soon as I can find the information buried under piles of papers on my library table.