Vancouver Indie Authors FAQ

We are not accepting submissions to our Indie Authors collection at this time.

If you are an author and want us to know about your book or other publication, please visit our information page on Selling Your Book or Other Publication to VPL.

Thank you, Selections Team, Vancouver Public Library.

Find quick answers to frequently asked questions about Vancouver Indie Authors.

Will I get paid for my work?

Yes. The library will purchase your book at the listed retail price. If you apply for the Public Lending Right Program, you may also be eligible to receive annual payments for public use. (See ‘Getting an ISBN’ above.)

How will you purchase my work?

Print

We purchase books from a variety of suppliers (such as Library Services Centre, Amazon.ca, Library Bound Inc., United Library Services, etc.). Self-published authors may want to look into Library Services Centre’s Small Press and Author Program.

eBook

We purchase ebooks either through Smashwords or directly from the author. Smashwords is the largest distributor of indie ebooks in the world and does not require exclusive publishing contracts. Authors can also remove their work at any time. For more information on Smashwords and how to upload your title see the Smashwords publishing page.

Will you accept my self-published book for your collection if I don’t live in Vancouver and it isn’t about Vancouver?

We will consider it if it meets our Collection Development Policy, staff believe that it will be of interest to our audience, and it meets the other criteria for formatting, publication date, and being compliant with Canadian law. Please include reviews along with information about your book. If we accept it, it will be a part of the library’s main collection and not a part of the Vancouver Indie Authors collection and promotion.

What if my book is in a language other than English?

VPL accepts books in all languages the library collects, providing the book meets the criteria detailed above and our staff is able to verify this in a reasonable manner.

What if my book is a translation?

We will consider print books or eBooks in translation if the author is the translator of their own work or if the purchase agreement can be made with both the author and translator.

How long will my book be kept in the collection?

Books will generally remain in the collection for a minimum of one year. Based on usage, we will periodically remove older books to make room for new titles.

Why didn’t you add my book to the collection?

As with any library collection, there are more books produced each year than the library can accommodate and we must be selective about which books we include in our collection. This is why we have a Collection Development Policy that guides our selection process. We are most likely to include self-published books that have a uniquely local perspective or significance. We also take into account media attention and local demand.

Who can borrow my book?

All VPL patrons with active library cards will have access to the collection. This includes residents from most neighbouring municipalities, provided they have a VPL card.

Can people copy or pirate my eBook?

You will have the option to apply a digital lock to your eBook when you submit it. Copyright law applies to copying of material in the library’s collection.

Will I be notified whether my book has been added to the collection?

If the library is purchasing your book, you will receive payment from us, and this will tell you that it’s being added to the collection. Please check our online catalogue to check whether your book is ready to borrow.

What if I’m a local author but my book was commercially published?

This collection focuses on self-published titles but we can consider your book for the main collection. Please take a look at our guidelines for selling your book to the library or donating a copy.