How can I order copies of my own books from IngramSpark? | Order book proofs from IngramSpark

[@1MKWilliams]

Have more questions about self-publishing with IngramSpark? Here is a playlist with my most helpful tips and answers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fardl6R8rJJsp80

[@aarongottfried5595]

anyone order a small order and receive their shipment fast?

[@BlaineLittle]

You are awesome! Thank you.

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome!

[@SDHuston]

Haven't taken the plunge in using Ingramspark yet, but seeing this helps prepare me. Thank you for the great tips and insight!

[@1MKWilliams]

You are so welcome!

[@carolepenfield7295]

Enjoy your coffee! Watching you on KZbin and reading your books is a great help to me. Have you done a video on mailing lists?

[@1MKWilliams]

Thank you thank you! And yes, here is the email marketing video (it's looonnggg) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHSqenaHqNp6l7M

[@Irishwritersheilahamilton]

You've been amazingly helpful I'll sign up

[@1MKWilliams]

Happy to help :)

[@LukeLevi4]

Thank you! I had already ordered a couple copies from Amazon to sign and resell, but I forgot I had an Ingram Spark account too. Lol I now ordered from Ingram.

[@1MKWilliams]

Wonderful!

[@MinaMichaelides]

Very helpful thank you! One question I have is whether IngramSpark allows us to preview a book prior to finalizing the process? (Like KDP does).

[@1MKWilliams]

Yes for print you'll receive a digital proof for you to review and approve before it is distributed. It can take a couple of days for that email to come through

[@MinaMichaelides]

@@1MKWilliams very good to know! Thank you!!

[@KianaAngalia]

This is super help. Exactly what I was trying to figure out. Thank you, MK!

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome!

[@MrJbeano]

Thanks this was really helpful. Questions: Can I order books after the launch/publication date? Mine is not showing up in the reports, and there's a revision happening so the status is "revision incomplete". Where there used to be a "Place Order" button on the Home page, there's now an "Undo Revision" button. It's been in this state for about a week. WHat should I do to order books for launch activities? Thanks!

[@1MKWilliams]

Reach out to IngramSpark customer service to have them push the revision through for approval. Once you approve you can order again. And yes, you can order after publication the same way

[@gei_virtuoso]

are you able to re-sell those books at a bookstore signing? or does bookstore ordering it directly from ingramsparks?

[@1MKWilliams]

Yes to both. You can bring them and sell directly or the store can order them

[@brttny98]

Hi! Just sent my book in for approval on Friday, oct 27 2023. Online I’m getting a lot of mixed and outdated answers so I’m hoping you can help. How long is the turnaround for getting the final proof, then once approved the process and wait time for getting an author copy? My book is scheduled to release Nov 30th and I think It’s enough time for everything, but with the inconsistent info on it I’m worried. I was Expecting about 3 weeks altogether and don’t mind moving release a few days, but I would Just like a concrete time line lol. Thanks in advance 😆

[@1MKWilliams]

It can take a full week sometimes to get the proof sometimes it is the same day. They used to be really good about emailing when the proof is ready, id suggest checking each morning this upcoming week until you see it ready to approve. Once you approve it will prompt you to order copies and you can pick the speed that it is delivered to you

[@brttny98]

You’re the best! Thank you 😆

[@SelfPubWithAndy]

Super useful tutorial! Makes me think I need to try IngramSpark for my next book...😎

[@1MKWilliams]

Go for it! Let me know how it goes :)

[@shelbyelizabeth6671]

Great video, thanks! Quick question: When you override the on-sale date, that’s just for this specific order, right? So the on-sale date will remain as you set it? I approved my book but only for my own purchases, so I can get a copy as a proof before enabling distribution.

[@1MKWilliams]

Correct, it's just for this specific order

[@shelbyelizabeth6671]

@@1MKWilliams Thank you! Just watched a few of your videos! They’re so helpful!

[@1MKWilliams]

@@shelbyelizabeth6671 so glad I can help :)

[@chrislianos]

Thanks for the insights. Wondering what royalties are like on Ingram. I published my last book with Balboa Press but their royalties are not great so considering going Ingram this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Chris, Great question. The royalties you receive from Ingram come in net-90 and are based on your list price and your wholesale discount (I talk a bit about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5OrpZukqc51kMU) . You have more control over the price you charge and discount you offer which is nice.

[@WinnieLavery]

do you get a confirmation number when you submit your order?

[@1MKWilliams]

Yes it is under submitted orders

[@WinnieLavery]

Once I approve a proof and order my books, does it take long to get to me?

[@1MKWilliams]

Depends on the speed of shipping you paid for

[@WinnieLavery]

Also, is there an order of which place to upload to that is better? Ingramg spark or KDP?

[@1MKWilliams]

I upload to Amazon first but I try to upload my book on both platforms on the same day.

[@aibeginnertutorials]

Your videos are all excellent and highly informative. Thank you MK

[@1MKWilliams]

My pleasure!

[@jayceevictoria3647]

would say it is a smart move to choose a European print location rather than US right now? It says print is between 20-25 days in the US.

[@1MKWilliams]

Potentially, you can check the print timing on those but you may pay extra for shipping. It's worth calculating the added cost.

[@haydenquinn8080]

Hi, was that shipping price flat or based on weight? Thank you in advance.

[@1MKWilliams]

I believe it is tiered at certain weights.

[@lynellsmith1576]

Hello! I did exactly what you said I override my date so u can get an author copy. On my screen it never offered me shipping options. I select my book and update order twice but still no offer of the shipping and no submit button was offered either.

[@1MKWilliams]

Hmmm, not sure what the issue might be then if I can't see the screen. Did you check the postal address? If not, I would suggest logging back in this morning to see if the system has reset. It can be glitchy at times. Best of luck getting your book out there!

[@lynellsmith1576]

@@1MKWilliams thank you and yrs the shipping address is correct. Thank you for your videos

[@caitlinstafford228]

Thanks for the info! I know print times are crazy long right now. I have a book currently in the "printing" status. It was stuck in "submitted" for about 3 weeks. How long would you guess it would stay in "printing" before updating to "shipped'? For reference, I have 2 orders in. One for 2 books and one for 20. So both are small runs. Thanks!

[@1MKWilliams]

I believe they are estimated 10-20 business days so that is 2-4 weeks. If you don't see the status move from printing to shipped in another week I would reach out. I'll have a video coming out soon on doing private offset and digital runs as well. Best of luck!

[@TheRigsOfficial]

@@1MKWilliams awesome, thanks! I’ll look out for that video!

[@SylviaUnscripted]

Can you elaborate on why you send a copy to the Library of Congress? Also, how do returns on Ingram work?

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Sylvia, Part of the agreement when I registered to get my LCCN for free from the Library of Congress was that I send in a copy. Also, I have a video all about returns with IngramSpark right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ65Y4eOjNV4qqs

[@WinnieLavery]

how much is KDP shipping? i know that Ingram Spark has their own calculator about services rendered, tax and shipping and will give you a nice number for you to use. But does KDP do the same thing? how do you calculate that?

[@1MKWilliams]

KDP shipping is based on the individual user, much like when you check out on Amazon.com you can pick next day shipping, same week, or slow and cheap.

[@gonnadanceagain]

Sooo..., I pay a small fortune (editors, formatting, pulling out of hair... so a new wig), will pay to upload, buy the book, pay shipping, and then, at the end of the year, will have to pay taxes on what I wrote to make money?! Wonderfulll...

[@Misty_mixologist]

Question, where it says carton Quantity , if the number shown is 24 , is that saying there are 24 books in the carton?

[@1MKWilliams]

Yes, if you order up to 24 books you will just get 1 box. If you order 25 you'll get a fill box and then a single book in a separate package.

[@hananharb2301]

sooo helpful, thank you!!

[@1MKWilliams]

You're so welcome!

[@jmv1969]

What if I wanted to order 30 copies to sell on my own? Do I get charged the retail price I specified or just the unit price?

[@1MKWilliams]

When you order from your IngramSpark account you pay the unit price, not retail

[@jmv1969]

@@1MKWilliams Thank you for the quick response. I've asked this question on other Ingram Sparks videos posted on KZbin and you have been the quickest to answer by far.

[@whyaskwhybuddry]

@M.K. Williams, How long does it take Ingram on average to 1) approve upload of a new book, 2) produce and ship ARCs or Author copies? I am trying to plan my the Release Date for my first book, but have no clue if the dates I have are Realistic.

[@1MKWilliams]

In terms of time to upload and then approve, it can take 4-5 days. It used to be super fast but I've noticed they've been a little slower of late. In terms of time to print and ship you can pay for expedited printing and shipping to get the books within a few days or pay less to get them within a week or so. I always estimate 6 weeks from upload to the book release when I can to give time for any error, issues, and just life happening. Best of luck with your book.

[@whyaskwhybuddry]

@@1MKWilliams Thanks.

[@aVersCloudSolution]

So would you use it when you sell books on your own website? Because Ingram Spark does not have option to sell it on your own website. Thank you for your answer :-)

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Nick, When selling books on your own website you could order the inventory from IS and have that in stock. If you are selling enough units from the website you might consider ordering a digital print or offset print run. I"ll have a video about that process coming soon.

[@patriciadanna7433]

Great information. Thanks.

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome! Happy to help :)

[@Yanaristocrat]

Hi! I have a question, what did you mean by sending a copy to the Library of Congress?

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Diana, As a US author who wants their books in public libraries, I registered for a Library of Congress Control Number. To register is free, but they ask for a copy of the book so I mail it to them once the book is printed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/onLdgoNueb2DaLM

[@realisticequestrian8229]

In ORDERS, it's blank. My book is still processing. Does that mean I can't get a proof?

[@1MKWilliams]

Correct, you can't order a copy until you approve the digital proof. Once you approve the digital proof you'll be prompted to order a physical copy

[@realisticequestrian8229]

@@1MKWilliams Thank you. It processed, I approved the eproof and enabled distribution but it's still not showing up and now it's saying revision incomplete. WHY do they make this so clunky and difficult? The help/support from them is non-existent.

[@1MKWilliams]

@@realisticequestrian8229 hmmm give it an hour and log back in. They can indeed be a little clunky

[@thenuttybunch36]

I have a question.....I went with a publishing company to publish my book, I don't get any copies for myself so I wanted to order some but they want to charge me more than the retail price, they said because they're printing company is high quality but on my contract it says Ingram spark so anyway I was wondering if I can order my book straight from Ingram instead of through the publishing company because I'm not paying those ridiculous prices

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Lisa, I would recommend two things in this case. If they are charging you more than retail for your books then you can order copies via retail. And second, I would find a way out of this contract ASAP! This is not how a publishing company works, usually they have a specific contract clause that authors can obtain books at 20% off of retail, not at a markup. This sounds very suspicious and I would recommend you look at how you can exit this partnership.

[@thenuttybunch36]

@@1MKWilliams can you pm me please I need help

[@1MKWilliams]

@@thenuttybunch36 feel free to reach out to me via email

[@thenuttybunch36]

@@1MKWilliams can you please give me your email

[@belindamccollie1001]

What was the price for Author copies

[@1MKWilliams]

It varies based on page count, paper selection, binding, etc. You can find the print cost (the cost for author copies) here: myaccount.ingramspark.com/portal/tools/pubcompcalculator

[@user-nn5vt1ez1v]

Hi MK! So my book is on the Ingram spark. I contacted my local Barnes and Noble and they said they don’t usually deal with print on demand because they would have to pay for the book before hand. If they ordered my book would it be shipped to them or me and would I have to pay first or after I’m so confused lol

[@1MKWilliams]

Sounds like they are looking at a consignment arrangement: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJTakoGErLyNkLs

[@user-nn5vt1ez1v]

@@1MKWilliams is it possible to have a store buy a large amount of your books and put the money upfront if you make your books returnable on Ingram spark? And for a wholesale discount of 55%? And if so, would you recommend to make them returnable? I don’t want to have all these books return back to me if they don’t sell though, so it definitely is a risk.

[@Zuytdorp]

Hi, a Q: you may not wish to answer; do you accept returns, and assuming a YES reply, what would be the estimate, overall, of the total percentage of returns you've suffered? Just trying to get an idea.

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi, Yes I do accept returns on my print books and to date I've had 0. I see more issues with KDP ebook returns (I notice I'll get two sales on the same book right away and then one is returned so they mostly seem like errors). I'm doing a video on returns with IngramSpark in a few weeks. Best of luck!

[@aimeespring-cecil5463]

Thank you!

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome!

[@spadaacca]

But can you order our copies to check before publishing?

[@1MKWilliams]

Yes, when the book is approved by you and on preorder or not yet distributed you can order author copies

[@pamflowers8364]

Can I have my author proof copy mailed somewhere other than my default address?

[@1MKWilliams]

Yep! You can mail it just about anywhere. If you shipping to the U.K. or Australia you can even change the print location so it ships from that region instead.

[@brendaarce1]

What if you wanted 500+ copies of your book? Do I do it this way?

[@1MKWilliams]

Hi Brenda, At that volume you would want to do a digital print run or an offset run with a print house. I'll have a video on that topic coming out in late January

[@Yhoni875]

Thanks

[@1MKWilliams]

You're welcome! Thank you for supporting my channel 😁

[@RedWizardFox]

I wish I had an option to deliver it in one to two days haha. My lowest is 5 business days.

[@1MKWilliams]

Agreed and that is just for delivery, no control over print times either.

[@adhithvr1941]

Love from india 💐💐

[@k.williams9256]

This was so very helpful thank you so much for this great informative video. You answered all my questions...thank you such a life saver. 😊😊😊

[@1MKWilliams]

You are so welcome!