1. I am an author. Can I get a grant from the Welsh Books Council?
The Welsh Books Council provides grants for authors but applications must be submitted through a publisher. For information on Publishing Grants click 'Grants' above and go to 'Information for Authors'.
2. I’ve written a book. Where do I get advice on how to get it published?
The Welsh Book Trade Information site contains much useful advice together with a list of publishers from Wales. If you would like an independent opinion on your typescript, the Editorial Department can also arrange a reader’s report on your work; for details of this service, click here.
3. I am an author. Can the Welsh Books Council tell me how many copies of my books have been sold?
No, you should contact your publisher. The Distribution Centre’s contracts with individual publishers do not allow us to disclose any sales information to a third party.
4. I am an author. Can the Welsh Books Council ensure that I receive royalties/fees regularly and on time?
Your contract should stipulate the amounts due and the payment schedule as agreed by both parties. In the case of non-payment, you should immediately contact your publisher. The Welsh Books Council can intervene on your behalf, in the case of grant-aided books, but only when you have failed to get any satisfactory answers from your publisher.
5. I want to become a publisher. How can the Welsh Books Council help me?
Several of the Books Council’s Departments will be able to advise you. Your initial contact should be the Grants Department by clicking 'Contact Us' above. The Department will refer you to other Departments as necessary. Click on 'Grants' above for further details.
6. I want to open a book-shop. How can the Welsh Books Council help me?
Contact the Manager of the Distribution Centre and/or the Head of Sales and Marketing by clicking 'Contact Us' above.
7. How can I become a Friend of the Welsh Books Council?
Click here to download a membership form or contact:
The Secretary of the Friends, Welsh Books Council, Castell Brychan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 2JB Tel: 01970 624151 Fax: 01970 625385
E-mail: castellbrychan@wbc.org.uk
8. I want to purchase a book and am unable to source it locally. What should I do?
Your local book-shop can order any available title on your behalf from our Distribution Centre. If this is not practicable, go to the Welsh Books Council's www.gwales.com website which offers a quick and efficient service. We do our best to offer a next working day delivery service for all books in stock.
9. Is it possible for me to order a book although the Gwales website says it is Out of Print?
When a publisher informs us that a book is no longer available, and that they have no plans to reprint the title, the status on our Gwales website is changed to 'Out of Print'. There is no point, therefore, in trying to order these titles. We suggest, in such cases, that you approach your local bookshop in case they still have a copy in stock, borrow a copy from your local library, or search the internet or a second-hand book-shop for a copy.
10. How can I get information on the resources available for my child/school?
Contact the Department of Children's Books and Reading Promotion by clicking 'Contact Us' above. The Department has a number of specialist officers who are knowledgeable in the field.
11. I'm contemplating self-publishing my own book. Can the Welsh Books Council help me to sell it through the book trade in Wales?
If you are Welsh or based in Wales, or if your book is of Welsh interest, we can consider handling your book through our Distribution Centre. Please contact our Sales and Marketing Department, ideally at least three months before publication, with as much bibliographical information as possible, including the ISBN and a JPEG of the cover. They normally require a 55% discount and the right to return unsold copies.
12. What if I can't afford the discount or if the Distribution Centre decide not to stock my book?
Our Information Services Department can still offer your book a free listing on our www.gwales.com website, and will add contact details of your choosing to the description. Any orders would then come to you.
13. I’m a teacher and I’d like to view new books and educational resources.
The Books Council has a team of schools officers that are available for school visits to display the materials and offer advice. Please contact the Department of Children's Books and Reading Promotion by clicking 'Contact Us' above.
14. Can a school buy books online by using gwales.com?
Online purchases can only be made with a credit card, paying the full price and the postage. You should contact your local bookshop should you wish to discuss possible discounts, or contact the Department of Children's Books and Reading Promotion by clicking 'Contact Us' above.
15. When will World Book Day be held next year?
World Book Day is held annually on the first Thursday in March.
16. What is the date of T. Llew Jones’s memorial day?
Unless the date falls on a weekend, it is held on 11 October, T. Llew Jones’s birthday.
17. I am an author. How can the Welsh Books Council market my book?
If your book is stocked at the WBC Distribution Centre your publisher will need to discuss with the WBC Sales and Marketing Department if any of our generic marketing campaigns are relevant for your book . The Council's Sales Team will carry a sample of the book and encourage booksellers with accounts at the DC to order copies. It is the publisher's responsibility, however, to market and promote your title through the media, distribute review copies and undertake any advertising and to produce any promotional material.
18. I am a self-published author. Is the above true for me?
As the publisher of the book, the above is relevant to you if the WBC Distribution Centre stock your title.