Here are some important facts you need to know about publishing on IngramSpark:
IngramSpark provides free ISBNs to American customers. So does Amazon. However, each keach platform's ISBN cannot be used on the other platform.. Only an ISBN purchased from Bower can be used on both.
You need to format your book files correctly. IngramSpark has specific formatting requirements for both print and ebook files. You can use the same interior files for both Ingram Spark and Amazon (unless you publish a hardcover version on IngramSpark), but you will need slightly different cover files. Your cover designer can handle this for you. You can publish in both print and ebook formats.
IngramSpark distributes your book to over 40,000 retailers worldwide, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
IngramSpark publishes its catalog once a month. The new catalog is released on the first day of each month. This means that if you publish your book on IngramSpark on January 15th, it will be included in the catalog that is released on February 1st.
The number of books included in the Ingram Spark Catalog each month varies, but it is typically in the hundreds of thousands. The catalog is divided by category and genre, so authors can easily find books that are relevant to their interests.
When you publish on Ingram Spark, you are not 100% guaranteed that your book will appear on Amazon when you publish on Ingram Spark. Amazon has its own set of criteria for books that are eligible to be sold on their platform
If your book is listed on Amazon, you will receive an email notification from IngramSpark. The email will include a link to your book's listing on Amazon. You can also check the status of your book's listing on Amazon by logging into your IngramSpark account and going to the "My Books" section. Under the "Distribution" tab, you will see a list of all the retailers that are distributing your book. If Amazon is listed, your book is available for purchase on their platform.
IngramSpark charges a distribution fee of 15% of the retail price of each book sold. This fee covers the cost of printing, shipping, and handling your book. Amazon also charges a fee for each book sold on their platform. The Amazon fee varies depending on the book's category and the format (print or ebook). For example, if you sell a print book on Amazon for \$10, you will be charged a distribution fee of \$1.50 by IngramSpark and a fee of \$2.99 by Amazon. This means that your total earnings will be \$6.51.
You can order author copies at a discounted rate. IngramSpark offers a 50% discount on author copies, so you can get your book in hand to sell or give away.
IngramSpark provides marketing and promotional tools. IngramSpark offers a variety of marketing and promotional tools to help you sell your book, such as book trailers, social media promotion, and author events.
The turnaround time for print book orders is typically 2-5 business days. Ebook orders are typically fulfilled within 24 hours.
You are responsible for marketing and promoting your book. IngramSpark can help you with this, but ultimately it is up to you to get your book in front of readers.
There are some advantages to publishing your book through both IngramSpark and Amazon. For example, you will have more control over your book's pricing and availability. However, there is also more work involved in managing two different distribution channels.
Ultimately, the best way to distribute your book depends on your specific goals and needs. If you want to reach a wide audience and sell your book on as many platforms as possible, then publishing through IngramSpark and KDP is a good option. However, if you want to focus on selling your book on Amazon, then publishing through KDP is a better choice.