About Our Subscriptions
Q: What if I don’t like the books selected for the month or I’ve already read them?
A: You can always swap out your book for another title in our library instead of receiving the book of this month. We will announce the books of the month with at least a week’s notice to swap.
Q: Why are there two books of the month? How will I know which one I’ll get?
A: We select one fiction book and one non-fiction book each month based on a monthly theme. You can sign up for one or the other or let us surprise you each month! You can always swap your book selection in your account if you’re not interested in the selected title. For example, if you sign up for the Fiction subscription but don’t like the July Fiction pick, you can swap for the July Non-Fiction pick (or something else entirely!).
Q: Can I sign up for both a fiction and non-fiction subscription?
A: Not at this time. If you want to receive both titles each month, your best bet is to sign up for a fiction subscription and then add-on the non-fiction title each month through the member store.
Q: There are several different membership options in the store. What’s the difference between them?
A: Depending on your reading habits, you may prefer physical books or audiobooks. Or maybe you like to listen to an audiobook while you read along with a physical book. We have options for all of those preferences! In the past, we’ve also heard from members that we read too many non-fiction books, so we’re now offering the opportunity to select either fiction or non-fiction books. You can always swap for any book in our library no matter your subscription type. If you’re not picky, select Surprise me! and we’ll do just that – surprise you with one of the two books of the month
Q: I have an audiobook subscription but I want to switch to the physical book subscription. Help!
A: We’re working on making this process a little more streamlined but right now, we have to do this on the backend. Please submit the subscription preferences form in your account portal.
Q: I have a fiction subscription but I want to switch to the non-fiction subscription. Help!
A: We’re working on making this process a little more streamlined but right now, we have to do this on the backend. Please submit the subscription preferences form in your account portal.
Q: Does the subscription for the audiobook + physical book include both titles or are they both the same title?
A: The combo subscription means you’ll receive the same title as an audiobook and physical book. We’ve heard from members that they enjoy listening to the audiobook while reading along, so we wanted to accommodate that preference.
Q: I have an audiobook subscription. If I swap it for another title this month, will I get a physical copy?
A: No. If you swap for another title, you will receive that title in the same format as your default subscription. Physical book subscribers will receive the swap as a physical book. Audiobook subscribers will receive the swap as an audiobook.
Q: Can I add on an audiobook?
A: Technically, no. At least, not through our add-on shop. You are welcome to purchase any additional audiobooks through our Libro.fm store, though!
Q: How do I redeem my audiobook? Will I get to keep them even if I cancel?
A: We’ve partnered with Libro.fm to provide audiobooks and, unlike other audiobook providers, the audio files you receive through Libro.fm are yours forever, regardless of membership status. Around the first of each month, you will receive an email through Libro.fm that contains a code to redeem for our book of the month. While you do have to have an account at Libro.fm, you do not need to be a Libro.fm member or make any purchases through their website to redeem your FBC audiobook. Once you redeem the audiobook, the mp3 files will be available to download to your audio/music app of choice or play it directly through the Libro.fm app (which is fantastic and we highly recommend it!).
Q: Why should I purchase my audiobooks through you and not directly through Libro.fm?
A: We would love it if you supported Libro.fm! But your audiobook subscription includes so much more than just the book itself. All subscriptions get you access to our virtual book club, chock full of exclusive content, workshops, Q&As with the authors, guided discussion questions and forums, and moderated live book chats. Join at the audiobook level to get the full experience of reading in community!
Q: When will I be charged?
A: All subscription plans renew on or around the 10th of the month, regardless of when you placed your first order.
Q: When will you ship my order?
A: Subscription orders ship the first week of each month, regardless of when you placed your order.
Q: Why are the prices so high?
A: In addition to giving back to charity, we believe in sourcing as ethically as possible and compensating our partners what they deserve in the name of a more feminist economy. Everything from our printer to our podcast editor are woman-owned businesses. Our dedication to small businesses puts our product at a more premium price-point.
Membership Questions
Q: What’s your cancellation policy?
A: You can cancel any time! Simply log into your account before your next renewal date and cancel your membership. You will have access to the discussion group through the end of that month.
Q: When do you charge me?
All subscriptions renew on or around the 10th of the month for the following month’s book. For example, if you sign up on January 15, you will receive the February book and your credit card will be charged again on February 10 for the March book.
Virtual Community
Q: What does the virtual community look like?
A: We broke up with Facebook in March 2022 and moved our community to our own platform, which includes an easy-to-use app to stay connected on the go! Our community has separate spaces for each book, so you can discuss as you read or catch up on some of our previous books of the month. We host weekly giveaways, exclusive content, author Q&As, workshops, events, and live video chats and text-based discussions with guided reading questions all month long.
Q: When do you do the monthly chats?
A: We host several video discussions near the end of each month, typically two per title, and do our best to schedule them for times that make sense for our members. The majority of our video discussions occur on weekday evenings or weekend mornings. These discussions are not recorded. But we do have text-based discussion forums with guided reading questions in case you want to chat and can’t make it to a video call!
Q: Do the authors always join you?
A: We are often able to schedule a live Q&A with our featured authors and, with the author’s consent, these are recorded for members who cannot make it live. There have been cases when the author is unavailable (or no longer alive), so we cannot guarantee author access. However, we’ve had very good luck hosting Roxane Gay, Jane Fonda, Mariame Kaba, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Melissa Febos, Nikita Gill, Stephanie Foo, and more!
Q: Are your video chats accessible?
A: We use Zoom’s automated caption feature for all our video chats and workshops. Please reach out to hello [at] feministbookclub.com for other requests or questions about accessibility information.
Q: Can I just join the community and get the book of the month from the library?
A: YES! We love the library. Our community membership is $12/month or complementary with a subscription. You can sign up here – your first week is free!
Shipping Questions
Q: For U.S. orders, how does shipping work?
A: Shipping is free in the United States and we send out all orders the first week of the month. We use Media Mail and you will receive tracking information via email and in your account.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes. International shoppers should be aware that packages may not arrive in a timely manner. Feminist Book Club is not responsible for any additional fees, taxes, or duties. We cannot replace lost international shipments.
Q: Can my book be shipped early?
A: Sadly, no.
Q: I’m local to Minneapolis. Can I pick my order up?
A: Absolutely! Email hello(at)feministbookclub.com to schedule a pickup time.
Company Questions
Q: What does it mean that you’re a worker-owned co-op?
A: In 2023, we started the transition to becoming a worker-owned co-op. There are a few ways to define a co-op (or cooperative) but essentially it’s when the folks who produce or use a product or service own that company. In our case, it means that the Feminist Book Club staff has the option to become a worker-owner so that they not only contribute to FBC through their labor, but they also own a portion of it and get a say in some of the strategy and decision-making. We chose to make this switch for a few reasons, namely: to have a more collaborative and democratic workplace, to give workers a chance to share FBC’s profits, and to counter the inherent inequality of capitalism.
Q: Can feminism be reconciled with capitalism?
A: Unfortunately, capitalism is compulsory. But we can participate in and critique it at the same time. Feminist Book Club seeks to disrupt traditional for-profit companies by focusing on what’s best for the community and our members as a whole, rather than the bottom line. Our members are consulted in nearly every decision, from which books we read to what kinds of workshops they would like us to host. Our founder does not earn an income from this business, and the vast majority of revenue is either reinvested into the company or donated to charity.
Q: Why did you decide to add audiobooks through Libro.fm?
A: Our team loves audiobooks so it felt silly not to offer them as an option. The popularity of audiobooks is skyrocketing and we fully support it. Audiobooks count as reading and to insinuate otherwise is ableist. We chose to work with Libro.fm for a number of reasons but here are our top two:
1. The audiobooks are yours for life. You own the files. This is not the case with Audible or Book of the Month.
2. Libro.fm is an employee-owned Social Purpose Corporation that shares its profits with bookstores like us. We love supporting other companies who are disrupting capitalism as we know it!
Q: How are you addressing climate change?
A: As a company, Feminist Book Club is committed to minimizing our carbon footprint as much as possible. Some ways we do this is through partnering with local brands that allow for product pickup when we can, using minimal packaging and distributing few physical advertisements, and bulk ordering as much as possible to limit our use of packaging and shipping materials.
Q: Can you pick my book as your monthly book pick?
A: While you are welcome to pitch us your book, the chances of us featuring your book are very slim. We select our themes 6-10 months in advance and take book suggestions from our members first. We believe in a truly democratic process when selecting our books each month, relying heavily on current members to help us make the decision. However, if you would like us to consider coverage of your book on our blog or podcast, you may send a pitch to hello [at] feministbookclub.com.
Q: How do you select which books to cover on your blog, podcast, and social media?
A: We’re always happy to take book pitches for potential media coverage. Any pitches sent our way will be shared with our team of 20+ contributors to consider and we will be in touch if there is any interest. We give our contributors full discretion as to which books they want to cover and to do so on their own timeline. We are also open to paid partnerships. Please email hello [at] feministbookclub.com for more information.
Q: How do you select a charity? Can I submit mine?
A: We are happy to consider your charity or your favorite charity. The organization we choose must be committed to intersectional social justice, preferably working primarily with marginalized populations.
Q: How do I become a content contributor?
A: We open contributor applications 1-2 times per year. Please keep an eye on our social media and sign up for our email list to be the first to know.
Scholarship Questions
Q: How do I donate to the scholarship fund?
A: You may donate directly at this link.
Q: Can my company sponsor a scholarship?
A: YES! Please get in touch via email: hello [at] feministbookclub.com and we’ll happily discuss more details.
Q: How do I apply for a scholarship?
A: We have a form you can submit here. We carefully review all applications on a rolling basis. Currently, we are at capacity but will follow up with applicants as more funding comes in. Please do not submit more than one application.
Do you have any other questions? Is there something we missed? Please email us hello [at] feministbookclub.com and we’ll be happy to help you out!
