Baker and Taylor

Baker & Taylor for Indie Authors

For indie authors focused on long-term career building, library sales are more than just a niche—they’re an essential part of a healthy wide publishing strategy. One of the most established pathways into the library and education market is Baker & Taylor, a company with over 190 years of history distributing books to public libraries, academic institutions, and select retailers.

Unlike newer aggregators or niche digital platforms, Baker & Taylor operates as a major supplier for over 5,000 public library systems and countless schools across North America. It also serves select international markets, providing curated and professional catalog listings that librarians trust. Although Baker & Taylor traditionally catered to large publishers, recent shifts in self-publishing infrastructure have opened doors for indie authors—especially those distributing through IngramSpark or Draft2Digital. If your book is properly formatted and meets industry standards, you can gain access to the same channels once reserved for the Big Five.

For authors looking to expand their reach into libraries and education, Baker & Taylor is a foundational platform worth understanding and utilizing. And with ScribeCount offering integrated sales tracking across many of B&T’s distributor partners, authors can monitor their progress with precision.



Platform History from Origin to Present Day

Founded in 1828, Baker & Taylor is one of the oldest and most respected book distributors in the world. Originally serving brick-and-mortar retailers and libraries with print inventory, the company steadily expanded into digital content and educational services throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Its influence among libraries grew to the point that B&T became the go-to supplier for public and school collections, valued for its curated selection, professional metadata, and predictable fulfillment systems.

In 2019, Baker & Taylor divested from its retail operations to focus exclusively on library and institutional markets. This sharpened its mission and allowed the company to invest more deeply in digital library systems, educational resources, and content platforms like TitleSource 360, its centralized ordering and cataloging interface.

For indie authors, entry into Baker & Taylor became more accessible through print-on-demand distributors like IngramSpark, as well as through eBook platforms that have partnered with B&T’s digital catalog feeds. Today, indie authors can be listed alongside major publishers—so long as their books meet trade standards for metadata, pricing, and print quality.

How Baker & Taylor Fits in a WIDE Strategy

Baker & Taylor plays a vital role in wide publishing because it bridges a gap between traditional retail and institutional markets. Libraries, schools, and academic buyers use B&T as a trusted vendor, which means being listed here puts your book in front of professional curators—people who recommend, lend, and shelve books for the long haul.

Here’s how B&T fits into your wide strategy:

• Library accessibility: Make your books available to thousands of public libraries across North America.

• School and academic reach: Get into classrooms, university libraries, and K-12 systems.

• Print and digital distribution: Offer your books in multiple formats to suit various library needs.

• Credibility boost: Being listed with B&T signals professional quality to institutional buyers.

Unlike retail platforms, library systems aren’t driven by advertising spend or bestseller status—they’re looking for quality content that fits their patrons' needs. This makes B&T especially valuable for authors writing in educational, literary, or community-focused genres.

What Baker & Taylor Offers Indie Authors

Through Baker & Taylor’s partnerships, indie authors can access a robust catalog system used by librarians and educators to discover, evaluate, and order titles. These catalog systems include TitleSource 360 and Axis 360—the latter being B&T’s digital lending platform for eBooks and audiobooks.

While B&T does not allow direct upload from indie authors, distribution is available through:

• IngramSpark for print books

• Draft2Digital and Smashwords for digital content

• Findaway Voices for audiobooks distributed to Axis 360

Once listed, your books are searchable in B&T’s library catalogs. Librarians can order print copies or license digital versions for lending, depending on how your book is distributed. Listings include cover images, ISBN data, author bios, BISAC codes, and pricing—all crucial metadata elements that drive discoverability.

Baker & Taylor Terms, Royalty Structure, and Payment

Your royalties from Baker & Taylor depend on which distribution partner you use. B&T does not pay authors directly. Instead, royalties are passed through the aggregator handling your book.

Some common models include:

• Print royalties via IngramSpark: Libraries buy your print book at a wholesale discount, usually 40–55%. You earn the remaining percentage after print and distribution costs.

• eBook and audiobook royalties via Draft2Digital or Findaway: Digital licensing to libraries often works on a per-unit basis or time-limited license model, with royalties ranging from 35% to 70%, depending on the license and platform.

• Lending model through Axis 360: Similar to OverDrive, titles are licensed for lending, with your share determined by your distributor.

Most distributors offer monthly or quarterly payouts, and you can track your performance via their dashboards—or with ScribeCount, which consolidates all your library and retailer earnings into a single interface.

Comparison Chart vs Other Self-Publishing Platforms

Marketing Through Baker & Taylor and How to Leverage It

While Baker & Taylor does not provide traditional promotional tools like email campaigns or paid ads, its catalog-driven ecosystem rewards professionalism, metadata accuracy, and strategic outreach. Here’s how to maximize visibility:

• Use proper metadata: Ensure your BISAC codes, author name, series data, and keywords are correct. This increases your chance of appearing in library searches and topical lists.

• Maintain library pricing: Many authors assign higher pricing for library sales—often 2 to 3 times retail. This is accepted practice and allows for sustainable royalty earnings.

• Promote availability to libraries: Let your audience and local library patrons know your book is available through Baker & Taylor. This encourages reader requests and acquisitions.

• Submit press kits: Send professional media kits to local libraries or educational institutions that may be interested in author talks, events, or local author features.

• Track data with ScribeCount: Use the ScribeCount dashboard to see where library borrows or sales are coming from and adjust your outreach accordingly.

A strong listing on B&T opens doors for word-of-mouth, librarian recommendations, and ongoing discovery. Unlike retail, where visibility can vanish after a week, library presence builds slowly and lasts for years.

Pros and Cons of Using Baker & Taylor

Pros:

• Massive library and school reach

• Long-standing industry trust and catalog credibility

• Both print and digital distribution supported

• Professional distribution infrastructure via major partners

• Valuable long-tail discoverability

Cons:

• No direct upload for indie authors

• Slower acquisition cycle than retail platforms

• No native promotional tools or author dashboards

• Requires professional formatting and metadata

ScribeCount Integration with Baker & Taylor

Since Baker & Taylor doesn’t provide author dashboards or direct reports, you’ll rely on your distributor (e.g., IngramSpark, Draft2Digital) for data. But ScribeCount streamlines this process by aggregating earnings and borrows from all supported platforms, including those distributing to B&T.

With ScribeCount, you can:

• See sales across your print, ebook, and audiobook channels

• Track performance in library markets alongside retail

• Compare pricing strategies and monitor long-tail income

It’s the ideal solution for wide authors serious about scaling across all reader access points—including libraries.

Conclusion

Baker & Taylor represents one of the most strategic gateways into the institutional and library landscape for indie authors. While it requires going through a trusted distributor, the opportunity it presents is enormous: access to thousands of libraries, schools, and educators actively looking for quality content. With a well-crafted listing and strategic outreach, your book can find a second life outside the retail chaos—one supported by readers who discover books through curated shelves, not just sales charts.

Pair B&T with ScribeCount for data clarity, and you’ll be in a strong position to track your wide strategy’s full impact, one library system at a time.