Knowledge Unlatched/Open Access

[Bookworm]

In the home stretch of book publication, and my European UP has asked if they can submit my book for consideration in the KU Select 2023 collection of open access books-- no cost to me, the press says they will still sell and promote print copy of the book. I need to respond within a week so that they can transfer contract to Creative Commons license (and if book is accepted for inclusion I'd have an addendum to contract to sign). I think that ethically it's the 'right' thing to do, to make the book accessible globally and to readers without affiliations or resources.... but am I missing anything? I'd never heard of Knowledge Unlatched, and I'm a first-time author, so a bit worried that my naivete might work against me.

[Vkw10]

KU is respectable. Publishers nominate titles for KU. A panel reviews the nominations and selects titles for the annual KU bundles. KU promotes the programs to academic and research libraries, seeking pledges to fund Open Access ebook. If they get enough pledges, KU bills the libraries then pays publisher the agreed amount. Publishers can also publish and sell a print version.

My library has funded some KU bundles, including one that opened a book by a member of my department. He's been happy with results, because the book is getting read and cited. The print sales were about average for a university press book in our field.

[traductio]

I don't know about Knowledge Unlatched, but I can speak to the value of open access publishing for books. I've published half a dozen books, half of those in open access formats with creative commons licenses. (The others are at university presses in Canada.) My OA books get read a lot more. I've even had people email from far-flung places (India and China, which are far-flung to me, at least) to engage with my books and ask me questions. Never did I think I'd find such a wide readership.

My next book is OA, as will be the one I'm currently working on.

[Bookworm]

I really appreciate these replies and insights. Since the KU project is based in Europe, I (and some of my colleagues) hadn't heard of it at all before. These reassuring replies have encouraged me to agree, and I'll let my press know. Thanks so much!