History >
First a thriving small press, then 40 years of steady growth as a book distributor.
What Makes IPG Different? >
IPG offers more distribution programs, marketing channels, and support services than any other distributor.
General Marketing Approach >
For publishers: high selectivity and close consultation. For customers: intense human contact and state-of-the-art data feeds.
Sales Channels >
IPG has more sales channels than any other distributor.- National Retail Accounts
- National Wholesalers
- Mass Market Retailers
- Independent Booksellers and Regional Wholesalers
- Special Sales and The Gift Market
- Schools, School Libraries, and School Supply Stores
- Book Clubs and Foreign Rights
- The Professional and Academic Market
- The Spanish Language Market
- Canada
- International Sales
- Libraries
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales
Digital Services >
Since 2001 IPG has provided e-book conversion, consolidation, storage, and distribution, and very favorable rates for POD printing.
Specific Services for Publishers >
Pre-pub consultation, sales meetings and shows, access to Bookscan, Publicity and PR, advertising opportunities, and much more.
Operations >
State-of-the-art software and Distribution Center facilities; 24-hour turn time on orders.
Financial Condition & Payment Policies >
IPG's client publishers have been, without exception, paid in full and on time. IPG has no long-term debt at all.
Distribution Agreement >
IPG takes a fee based on net billing but no fees (unlike most distributors) for the storage of active titles, in-out charges, sample copies, etc.
FAQs >
Any questions? Check out answers to frequently asked questions from customers, clients, and current publishers.
Book Clubs and Foreign Rights
IPG's book club and foreign rights manager meets face to face several times a season with many different buyers at a wide variety of clubs, among them the Book-of-the-Month Club group and Scholastic Book Clubs.
Foreign rights sales are nonexclusive per the IPG publisher agreement. For those publishers who choose to have IPG sell foreign rights for them, IPG presents their titles to foreign publishers and subagents from all over the world at the Frankfurt and London book fairs, where IPG has a major booth in the general publishing section.
Such contacts continue throughout the year, and review copies and promotional materials to elicit offers are sent as available. IPG negotiates an agreement and after confirming with the IPG publisher, drafts a contract, transmits graphics, collects the fees (typically an advance against royalties), handles taxes, and ensures that royalties are paid each year. With the publishers’ permission, IPG utilizes electronic book files to facilitate this review process and to respond more quickly to interest in a title.
Susan Sewall
Book Clubs and Foreign Rights Manager
Susan's first position in publishing was as manager of Forecasting and Analysis for G. K. Hall in Boston. At that publishing house she instituted a trade division, which entailed hiring and managing a sales force, planning and executing booths at BEA and ALA, and introducing the trade to serious literature, literary analysis, and large-print books. For eight years she ran her own company, distributing books published by nonprofit organizations. She joined IPG in 1998.
Susan also forwards publicity and notifies club buyers of titles of interest that are selling well in the trade, negotiates sales prices, reviews contracts, acts as liaison and troubleshooter between publishers and book club personnel, and maintains records of sales, inventory, contracts pending, and payments. Publishers are always consulted before any offer is accepted.
