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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.
