Blogs

In March 2016, the Public Lands Alliance (the Alliance) and Publishers Group West (PGW) signed a distribution agreement to assist Alliance nonprofit member organizations in distributing their publication titles across the nation. Since then, five nonprofit cooperating associations, operating retail and developing publications on public lands, have taken part in this partnership. Now, the Alliance and PGW invite other nonprofit members who develop publications to take advantage of this distribution opportunity.

Here are some frequently asked questions for members interested in participating:

WHAT IS PGW?

PGW is a leading book sales and distribution company in the United States, representing over 100 independent client publishers. Earlier this year, PGW became part of Ingram Publisher Services Inc., Ingram Content Group’s full service book and sales distribution company. PGW sets the standard for integrated, full-service distribution, provides complete digital conversion services, and is a top-ten vendor to book retailers and wholesalers across the country. PGW’s sales and marketing expertise, experience, flexibility, and unmatched service provide valued client publishers with comprehensive and targeted distribution of their titles in today's ever-changing market place.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PGW AND THE ALLIANCE?

The Alliance and PGW signed a distribution agreement in March 2016. This agreement has served as a pilot project thus far, collaborating with the following nonprofit organizations who operate as independent book publishers: Eastern National, Grand Teton Association, Great Smoky Mountains Association, Western National Parks Association, and Zion Natural History Association.

The titles that have been distributed through this pilot project thus far are existing titles that were published and sold in stores before the agreement took place. The distribution agreement was meant to help expand market opportunities and sales for these titles and to help distribute future new titles.

PGW IS NOW A PART OF INGRAM CONTENT GROUP. WHAT IS INGRAM CONTENT GROUP AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PGW’S AGREEMENT WITH THE ALLIANCE?

Ingram is committed to the success of its partners. Ingram works closely with publishers, retailers, libraries and schools around the world to provide them with the right products and services to help them succeed in the evolving world of content publishing.

Ingram acquired Perseus’ distribution business, which included PGW, Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, Perseus Distribution Services, and Legato, on March 31, 2016. The acquisition also included adding Perseus’ distribution facility in Jackson, TN to Ingram’s network.

The agreement remains between PGW and the Public Lands Alliance. However, now that PGW is part of the Ingram Content Group, this provides a greater network of sales markets and resources to help PGW with its distribution efforts of Alliance members’ publications.

WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALLIANCE’S NONPROFIT MEMBERS?

The opportunity for Alliance members is greater distribution and the ability to reach different markets beyond those visiting their public land stores. The Alliance and PGW encourage public land nonprofits to participate in this opportunity and to submit newly published, or works to be published, so that PGW can increase distribution opportunities from the start.

Through this agreement, participating organizations enter their title information directly through an online system, including metadata, descriptions and cover images that populate distribution catalogs, as well as wholesaler and retailer websites. They can also check the progress of their titles to see how well they are selling across the nation.

WHAT TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS IS PGW LOOKING FOR?

Travel guides, coffee-table conversation books, and books that serve as mementos for those visiting public lands.

WHAT TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS IS PGW NOT LOOKING FOR?

No spiral-bound books, books without spines, or pieces that are more brochure-like than book quality.

WHO IS THE MAIN CONTACT FOR THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT?

Public Lands Alliance member organizations interested in participating should contact Amy Matthews, Director of Administration and Finance at amy@publiclandsalliance.org. For public land nonprofits interested in joining the Public Lands Alliance to take advantage of this member benefit, visit publiclandsalliance.org/join.