Many people have either written books or want to write books, but they don’t know who to contact to help them with the process. Big publishers cannot publish ALL the books, it just isn’t practical nor feasible. It takes time, effort and money to publish a book. They are rightfully very particular when they decide which books to publish, because they carry the risk of not seeing any returns on their investment. This puts the 90% of writers whose books don’t make the cut in a dire, depressing position. They want to see their stories in printed format. They want to sell their books to all their friends, family and their friends’ friends and family… and hopefully a few strangers, too.
We are here to connect authors with people who can help them get their books published, and then help them to sell those books on Takealot, South Africa’s biggest online shop. Up until now, Takealot have not accepted self-published authors to sell their books on this platform. They don’t allow individuals to “sell just anything”. The media division manager of Takealot recognised that there is a need for independent authors to sell their books on Takealot, and this was where the “Independent Authors” portal originated. Please note that this is not a division of Takealot.com. This is a venture coordinated by a private media company.
Please note that, although this service is offered to authors to sell their books of all genres, there are certain strict terms and conditions, and “Independent Authors” reserve the right to decline this service with no obligation to explain such decline, but will summarily decline a book when:
- A book’s cover shows nudity or violence (not allowed by Takealot). Takealot’s exclusion rule states: “Products containing prohibited images of children and any other violent, offensive, obscene or sexual content that is unlawful in the Republic of South Africa.” The content is deemed R-rated or offensive. Only family-friendly books will be allowed to ensure compliance to this rule.
- The author cannot prove that the work is their own and that they own copyright. To do this, the author has to apply for an ISBN and a corresponding barcode printed on the book’s back cover and on its verso-page.
- The author cannot provide high-quality images of the book’s front cover or back cover that has a minimum size of 600 pixels on the shortest side of the image, but maximum 2048 px by 2048 px. Ask your graphic designer for these images. Files may not be larger than 2 MB.
- The book clearly has not been proofread or the cover looks “self-designed”. If you want to be a writer, you have to be proud of your writing, which includes proper spelling and grammar. If a book’s cover doesn’t look professional, readers will not buy it. To be and stay in good standing with Takealot, “Independent Authors” have to ensure that only worthwhile, quality products will be offered.
If your book passes the above criteria, then go ahead and read the detailed information pieces, How to Submit your Application and Fee Structure, as monthly fees are charged for administering the Takealot procedures, as well as courier costs and labelling and packing costs.
If you still have to write your book, be sure to read the information piece, How to Self-publish your book.