
Ingram Content Group offers a range of services specifically designed for authors and publishers. These services aim to help writers reach a wider audience and increase their book's visibility.
IngramSpark is a digital platform that allows authors to print and distribute their books in both print and digital formats. This service is available to authors and publishers worldwide.
With IngramSpark, authors can reach a vast network of retailers, libraries, and online platforms. This includes major booksellers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.
Ingram Content Group also provides access to a global distribution network, making it easier for authors to get their books into the hands of readers.
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Services
Ingram Content Group offers a wide range of services to support the book industry. They distribute to independent bookstores throughout the United States from warehouses in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Indiana.
In addition to print distribution, Ingram provides digital content services and distribution through CoreSource, VitalSource, and MyiLibrary. This makes it easier for publishers to reach readers digitally.
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Ingram's print-on-demand business, under the Lightning Source brand, operates in several locations worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Ohio, and California. This allows for quick and efficient printing and distribution of books as orders are received.
Ingram also acquired Aer.io in 2015, which allows websites in the US to sell books from the Ingram catalog. This expands the reach of Ingram's services to online bookstores and retailers.
Ingram Publisher Services
Ingram Publisher Services is a division of Ingram Content Group that offers full-service distribution to large publishing operations. This service is geared towards companies with a minimum of six title releases per year and annual gross revenue greater than $250,000.
To be considered for inclusion in Ingram Publisher Services, you'll need to go through a qualification process. This typically involves having a leadership team with deep book-industry experience.
The qualification process also requires you to be willing to sell to Ingram at a 60% discount and on a returnable basis. This means that you'll need to be comfortable with the possibility of returns on your books.
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Ingram has facilities in various locations, including Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, United Kingdom, France, and Australia, which enables them to efficiently distribute books to a wide range of customers.
Here are the key requirements for Ingram Publisher Services:
- Minimum of six title releases per year
- Annual gross revenue greater than $250,000
- Leadership team with deep book-industry experience
- Willing to sell to Ingram at a 60% discount and on a returnable basis
IngramSpark" -> "Spark
IngramSpark, or "Spark" for short, is a popular self-publishing platform that allows authors to print and distribute their books to a wide range of retailers.
Spark offers a global distribution network, which means your book can be sold in over 40 countries worldwide. This is especially useful for authors who want to reach a global audience.
One of the key benefits of using Spark is that it allows you to control the pricing of your book, so you can set the price that works best for you.
Spark also offers a high-quality printing service, with options for hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats. This means you can choose the format that suits your book best.
With Spark, you can print and distribute as many copies of your book as you need, without having to hold any inventory. This can be a huge cost-saver for authors who are just starting out.
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Book Manufacturing
Ingram Content Group's book manufacturing capabilities are a game-changer for authors and publishers. They have a global network of printing facilities, with over 1,000 titles printed daily in the United States alone.
Ingram's printing facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing for quick turnaround times and high-quality printing. Their presses can produce up to 1,000 copies per hour.
Ingram's manufacturing process is designed to meet the needs of authors and publishers of all sizes, from small presses to large publishing houses. They offer a range of services, including hardcover, paperback, and e-book production.
Ingram's e-book production capabilities are particularly impressive, with the ability to produce millions of e-books per year. Their e-book distribution network reaches over 200 countries worldwide.
Ingram's commitment to quality and customer service sets them apart from other book manufacturers. They have a dedicated team of experts who work closely with authors and publishers to ensure their needs are met.
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Competing Self-Publishing Platforms
Ingram Content Group has a significant presence in the self-publishing world, and it's not the only game in town.
Ingram powers other self-publishing platforms, including Blurb, BookBaby, Draft2Digital, and PublishDrive.
These platforms offer a way for authors to reach a wider audience, but it's worth noting that you'll be managing your book listing at a retailer website with another layer between you and your reader.
Here are some examples of how this works:
- Draft2Digital sends your book to Ingram (not IngramSpark)
- Ingram sends your book to Amazon
- Amazon displays your book to shoppers
In contrast, using Amazon KDP allows you to list your book directly with Amazon, cutting out the middleman.
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Customer Experience
Ingram Content Group has a strong focus on customer experience, with a dedicated team that works to provide personalized support to its customers.
Their customer experience team is made up of experts who understand the unique needs of different customer segments, allowing them to tailor their support to each group effectively.
Ingram Content Group's customer experience strategy is centered around building long-term relationships with its customers, which has led to high customer retention rates.
Lightning Source Customer Service Deteriorates

Lightning Source's customer service has seen a decline in recent years, with many customers expressing frustration with long wait times and unhelpful representatives.
In 2019, a survey of 100 Lightning Source customers found that 75% of respondents reported waiting on hold for 10 minutes or more to speak with a customer service representative.
The company's website also shows a lack of transparency, with no clear information on how to contact customer service or what to expect from the process.
One customer reported waiting for 30 minutes on hold before being disconnected, only to be told that their issue would be resolved within 24-48 hours.
The decline in customer service has had a significant impact on customer loyalty, with many customers taking their business elsewhere.
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Reader-Facing Websites
Signing up for a free Ingram iD account grants access to an excellent blog filled with useful marketing articles.
These websites cater specifically to readers, offering personalized book recommendations and exclusive deals. Bookfinity, for instance, uses a fun quiz to match readers with their ideal books.
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Shelf Savvy takes the hassle out of finding deals, offering discounts of up to 90% off from popular retailers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Some websites, like Little Infinite, provide a more curated experience, offering email newsletters and updates on new poetry resources.
Others, such as Her Promotion, focus on the modern businesswoman, providing tools, strategic advice, and tips through their weekly newsletter and downloadable guides.
Page and Pairing stands out by combining book recommendations with wine pairings and food recipes, delivered to your inbox every other week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ingram Content Group a good company to work for?
Ingram Content Group has a 4.2/5 rating from over 719 employee reviews, with 83% recommending it to a friend. Employees generally have a positive outlook on the company, indicating a great work environment.
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