"One of the key components necessary for self-published authors to get their book into Black Expressions"

Publishers Indemnity Insurance: What is it, and how do you get it?
by Trice Hickman

The tooth fairy, leprechauns, and unicorns…to me, these elusive myths were the equivalent of obtaining Publishers Indemnity Insurance! I’d heard about it, searched for it, but this mysterious insurance seemed harder to find than the fountain of youth.

I’m an independently published author, and I worked tirelessly to promote and sell my debut novel, Unexpected Interruptions. In addition to having my book available on bookstore shelves nationwide, I wanted to have it made available in hardback to the over 400,000 members who subscribe to Black Expressions Book Club. The exposure an author can receive from having their book available through Black Expressions is huge. But in order to secure a deal with them, I had to have Publishers Indemnity Insurance first.

What is this insurance, why do you need it, and how do you get it?....

We live in a litigious, “lawsuit-happy” world where everyone is ready to sue if you sneeze too hard in their direction. As published writers, our words and content can be scrutinized on everything from defamation, libel, and slander, to full copyright infringement. In a nutshell, Publishers Indemnity Insurance protects the publisher from such claims. But as with any professional exposure, wrongful acts that are deliberate or malicious are excluded. Basically, if someone files a lawsuit as a result of something the author has written in their book, the publisher is protected against the claim. There are addendums you can add to your policy which will protect you from frivolous lawsuits (talk to your insurance broker about this).

In order to sell the Book Club Rights of your novel to Black Expressions, you must show proof of Publishers Indemnity Insurance before a contract offer can be extended. All major publishers have this insurance, but for independently/self-published authors it can be hard to find and challenging to afford. How do you find it? First, start with a good insurance broker. I personally and highly recommend Judy Roberson, of Business Insurance Solutions, Inc., (she can be reached by email at judy@tbisi.com or by phone at 301-962-0130. Tell her that Trice Hickman referred you!). A good broker can find you a policy that is right for you. The cost of a policy can range from as little as $1,500 to as much as tens of thousands of dollars, depending upon your revenues and the amount of books you’ve published and sold.

Now, I’m sure it goes without saying that having this insurance doesn’t guarantee you an offer from Black Expressions. Your book has to have several elements going for it, i.e., an attractive cover, good storyline, and an appeal to readers. As an independently published author, you must remember that your product has to be able to compete alongside any book on the shelves by the major publishers…so make sure your stuff is “tight.” Product packaging is very important. Make sure you have the elements I mentioned above, in addition to a good web site, press kit, and marketing plan (you’ve got to have a plan!). PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE! This is critically important whether your book makes it into Black Expressions or not.

I was fortunate because not only was Unexpected Interruptions, picked up by Black Expressions, it was chosen as their “Dynamic Debut” feature in their December 2008 catalog. To say I was elated is an understatement. But it didn’t happen overnight. As I said, I worked tirelessly to sell and promote my book. It was hard, but I’m living proof that it can be done!  

Visit me at www.tricehickman.com

Copyright © by Trice Hickman, June 2009

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Related Links

Trice Hickman on AALBC.com
http://authors.aalbc.com/trice_hickman.htm

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