Title Transfers

If you’re interested in transferring a title from one Lightning Source or IngramSpark account to another, please review the information below.

Title transfers from one Lightning Source Account to another

-- We require written permission, by email, from the author/publisher who currently has possession of the title and files stating the title, files and ISBN can be released and transferred to the author/publisher account. 

-- A Title Transfer Addendum needs to be completed by the author or publisher receiving the book/title ISBN and files it into their Lightning Source account.

-- The account receiving the transfer must be fully activated.

-- All the sales and returns history for the ISBN will also transfer over to the author/publisher account if the same ISBN is used. Please review the paragraph further below, marked as IMPORTANT for more information.

Title Transfers from a Lightning Source Account to an IngramSaprk Account

If you would like to transfer or move book files and information from a publisher, KDP, or other author service accounts at Lightning Source to an IngramSpark account, you'll need to provide the required information in the form located HERE to start the transfer process.

 

Title Transfers from KDP/CreateSpace to a Lightning Source Account   

You can have your book in your own Lightning Source account and available for sale through Ingram's global distribution network AND have it in your Amazon Kindle Publishing (KDP) account, as long as you do not use their Expanded Distribution option.  

-- A Title Transfer Addendum needs to be completed by both the publisher receiving the title and the publisher relinquishing the title/ISBN. This will be filed on their Lightnng Source account.

-- If CreateSpace or KDP owns the ISBN or if it is CreateSpace or KDP exclusive, it cannot be transferred.

-- If the author/publisher owns the ISBN, the files and ISBN can be transferred to the author/publisher account once Expanded Distribution is removed and CreateSpace or KDP confirms with Lightning Source support that the transfer can be completed.

-- If the title has never been in Expanded Distribution with KDP, it can be set up as a new title on the Lightning Source account without having to go through the title transfer process.

-- The account receiving the transfer of the title, ISBN, and files must be fully activated.

Transfer Information

Transfer requests can be sent to your Client Relations Team. They will send the Title Transfer Addendum document to the Publisher relinquishing titles and then to the Publisher receiving titles. The fully executed agreement will then be attached to both Publisher’s accounts.

Once this step is complete the titles will then be transferred by the Client Relations Team. Please note that title transfers can take up to 30 days to complete. 

Once a title is transferred to the author or publisher's Lightning Source account, that author/publisher will be responsible for the title moving forward. This includes invoices, returns, and compensation payments for sales through Ingram/Lightning Source's global distribution network.

The author/publisher of the transferred title will have the ability to update metadata, submit new files, and make revisions to the files for the title.

Important Note about Returns:

-- If the same ISBN will be used and transferred, all of the title's history moves with it. This includes returns if the book was set as returnable with the previous publisher.

-- If the book was listed as returnable when transferred and the same ISBN is used, the new owner/publisher could receive returns, if there are any.

-- If the return status is changed from returnable to non-returnable, returns will be allowed and accepted for 180 days.

-- To avoid returns for a book that was listed as returnable with a prior publisher, it is best to use a new ISBN.