Alternative Book Promotion - Little Free Libraries
Putting your indie book in free book libraries around your town
When I first started researching indie book marketing, I balked at the thought of putting my novel into Little Free Libraries. I mean, give away my hard work and soul to anyone who walks by? For free??
Well, almost a year later, reality has sunk in about the challenges an indie author faces. And I now believe Little Free Libraries are a viable way to promote your novel.
What are Little Free Libraries?
If you don’t know what a free library is, it’s a movement that started in 2009 by Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin. As a tribute to his mother who loved to read, he built a model of a one-room schoolhouse, filled it with books, and put it on a post in his front yard.
Several years later Little Free Libraries had popped up all over the world. Today, there are over 150,000 registered book-sharing boxes in 120 countries.
The idea is that anyone can leave a book they no longer want or need, and others can take a book they’d like to read. The motto is “Take a Book; Share a Book.” It’s very similar to community fridges which I also love. (I co-founded one when I lived in New York City.)
How a Free Book Program Can Help an Indie Author
The most obvious reason anyone would put copies of their book into a free library is to help their work get more exposure. I’ve taken it a step further.
I typed a note on shipping labels, printed out multiple sheets, and attached one to the back of each book. I asked the reader to leave a review on a site of their choice if they wanted to show their appreciation for a free book.
Will it work? Only time will tell. I recently met another indie author here in Santa Fe who’s doing the same thing, and he shared that he’s gotten online reviews from leaving his books with notes in various libraries around the city.
I also happen to have extra bookmarks, so I’m putting them in the boxes also.
Another option is to offer your book through the Little Free Library website. If you have more than fifty books to give away, you can submit a request that the organization will post on their site.
You can specify what area you’d like them to be distributed in, though they do not accept textbooks, reference books, political, or religious books. You must also pay any shipping costs if you plan to mail them.
There is a Cost
This might not be cost effective for everyone because you need to order and pay for author copies to give away. But if you have extra books on hand like I currently do, and you’re planning to update your novel, it’s a great way to use your soon-to-be-outdated books in order to market yourself.
How to Find a Library Near You
If you have any books you no longer want, or you want to drop off a copy of a book you’ve written, you can easily find a box in your area through the Little Free Library Map.
They also have a mobile app if you’re looking for multiple libraries.
(This article first appeared in Diane Digs, the Whole Healthy Group blog.)
An Update
Apologies for being a bit sporadic with posting. I’m deep into my second novel, am planning to relaunch the first one (I’m calling it my hard launch), and, well, it’s summer. Too much to do, too little time.
I just got back from an amazinggggg trip to Colorado. I’ve never been to Aspen and simply fell in love. Maroon Bells is something everyone should see at least once in their life. I am definitely going back.
I hope you’re enjoying yourself and hitting the road in some form now that the weather’s warmer and life is in full bloom everywhere.
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Yes! I think I've given away 20 books this way at this point. And the app will help you find them in your area of you're traveling (like we were up visiting family in Michigan this weekend and we found five). I'm also contemplating updating my book and doing a relaunch and I'm going this gets me some readers. I put a business card in each with a QR code for my Substack. Only time will tell, but I figure if people don't know I exist, how can they find me???
Interesting promotion idea. Thanks for sharing