Are Libraries the Hidden Book Market? with Erin Cox of Words & Money
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In this debut episode of *The Publishing Playbook*, host Sarah Russo interviews Erin Cox, publisher of *Publishing Perspectives* and co-founder of *Words & Money*, a new digital venture spotlighting libraries as a vital yet underappreciated force in the publishing ecosystem. Cox shares her diverse career journey—from book publicist at Scribner and HarperCollins to advertising sales at *The New Yorker* and agent at Rob Weisbach Creative Management—highlighting how her in-house experience shaped her mission to demystify publishing for authors and readers alike. The conversation centers on the often-overlooked role of libraries: not as free book dispensers, but as key market players that make guaranteed, non-returnable purchases, drive long-term sales through wear and tear, and serve as powerful community hubs for author engagement. Cox debunks myths like the 'hold system' being a reliable sales indicator and emphasizes that libraries offer a unique, reader-centric pathway to discovery—especially for authors who don’t thrive on social media. She also celebrates emerging innovations like Spotify’s Page Match and Bookshop.org’s mission to support indie bookstores, while underscoring the enduring power of curiosity, rereading, and the lifelong joy of books. The episode closes with a heartfelt reflection on the emotional resonance of literature across generations.
Libraries are not just free book lenders—they are major buyers and long-term sales drivers through guaranteed, non-returnable purchases.
Authors should actively recommend their books to local libraries via request forms to boost visibility and support.
The library hold system is not a reliable sales predictor—many holds go unclaimed, and forcing libraries to buy extra copies can strain budgets.
Libraries serve as powerful community builders, offering year-round programming and spaces for connection beyond just book checkout.
Authors who dislike social media can still build authentic communities through library events and local engagement.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing the Hidden Power of Libraries in Publishing
“Our thinking when we think of libraries is that you're not selling books. You are selling books. You're selling books in a different kind of way.”
Erin Cox’s Publishing Journey and the Birth of Words & Money
Cox recounts her varied career—from book publicist to agent to media publisher—and explains how her in-house experience inspired her to co-found *Words & Money*, a platform dedicated to elevating libraries in the publishing conversation.
Libraries as Marketplaces: Sales, Editions, and Long-Term Impact
“You get 50,000 out the door, those 50,000 are not coming back. And sometimes if those books are really loved, you're going to sell 50,000 more because they're going to wear out after a couple of years.”
Libraries as Community Hubs and Author Engagement Platforms
“Libraries bring people in because they want to be a part of the community. And so I think being able to provide this content and this kind of great event with a mother-son duo talking about cooking. And that's a really rich program for a community.”
Debunking Myths: The Hold System and Author Misconceptions
“Hold at a library is forcing a library to order more books than they actually need. That can actually hurt a library's budget because they're buying those books...”
“You get 50,000 out the door, those 50,000 are not coming back. And sometimes if those books are really loved, you're going to sell 50,000 more because they're going to wear out after a couple of years.”
“Our thinking when we think of libraries is that you're not selling books. You are selling books. You're selling books in a different kind of way.”
“Hold at a library is forcing a library to order more books than they actually need. That can actually hurt a library's budget because they're buying those books...”
Host
Guest
Erin Cox
person
Sarah Russo
person
Words & Money
organization
Andrew Albanese
person
Publishing Perspectives
organization
Scribner
organization
Bookshop.org
organization
The New Yorker
organization
Rob Weisbach Creative Management
organization
Spotify
organization
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