Keep Books After Publishing
Every Sim author knows the sting of finishing a masterpiece, submitting it to a publisher, and watching the only copy vanish from their inventory. The "Keep Books After Publishing" mod solves this exact frustration. Designed by the talented modder Scumbumbo, this add-on ensures your Sim keeps a personal copy of any self-written book after it has been sent to a publisher or the literary digest. No more losing your bestsellers to the void of the mail system.
Why Your Sim Needs This Mod
In the base game, once a Sim submits a manuscript, the book is consumed. This means you cannot display it on a shelf, reread it for enjoyment, or pass it down as a family heirloom. With this mod, the original stays in your Sim's inventory, while the publisher receives their duplicate. It is a simple quality-of-life improvement that changes how you approach the writing career and hobby.
What Happens to Submitted Books?
Books that have already been submitted will appear grayed out in the inventory. This is intentional. The mod prevents you from republishing the same copy, which would otherwise create duplicate royalties or break the game's logic. You keep the book for sentimental or decorative value, but the business side remains clean. This distinction is crucial for players who want to maintain a realistic gameplay loop.
Compatibility with Game Versions
This mod works with the base game of The Sims 4 and has been updated to support the wall mailboxes introduced in the City Living expansion pack. The core functionality covers standard mailboxes, while version 3 and later add compatibility for apartment wall mailboxes. If you play with City Living, you need the updated files to ensure the mod functions correctly when your Sim uses the wall-mounted mailbox in an apartment building.
For players who enjoy a streamlined setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Keep Books After Publishing. This launcher automatically detects your current game version and applies the correct mod files, saving you the hassle of manual extraction. It is a reliable way to keep your mods organized and up to date.
Technical Details for Advanced Users
If you are a mod creator or a troubleshooting enthusiast, the technical notes are valuable. The mod modifies several XML resources related to writing and publishing actions. Specifically, it touches the writing_SelfPublish and mailbox_Writing_SelfPublish interactions, as well as the sell-to-publisher and sell-copy actions. Version 3 adds three more resources for the wall mailbox variants from City Living.
Conflict Resolution and Credits
Should you experience a conflict with another mod that alters book publishing, you now know which XML files are in play. The author requests credit if you incorporate these changes into your own mods. The community tools like S4PE, credited to Kuree and the Sims4Group, were instrumental in creating this fix. Understanding these resources helps you debug issues or merge changes seamlessly.
How to Install
Installing this mod is straightforward. First, download Keep Books After Publishing from a trusted mod repository. The file typically comes as a .package or .zip archive. Extract the contents to your Mods folder, which is located in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Mods. Ensure that "Script Mods" and "Custom Content" are enabled in your game settings.
- Locate your Sims 4 folder in Documents.
- Open the Mods folder. If it does not exist, create it.
- Place the extracted
.packagefile directly into the Mods folder or a subfolder. - Restart the game and check that the mod appears in your mod list.
If you prefer a more automated approach, the foxygame.net launcher maintains a catalog of add-ons, including Keep Books After Publishing for The Sims 4. The launcher handles updates and version checks, so you never have to worry about a broken mod after a game patch. It is a practical tool for players who manage multiple mods.
Using the Mod in Gameplay
Once installed, the mod works silently in the background. Write a book on your computer, submit it via the mailbox, and check your inventory. The original copy will be there, ready to be placed on a bookshelf or read aloud to your children. The grayed-out status only applies to the action of republishing, not to reading or selling the physical copy. This means you can still earn money by selling the retained copy to a bookstore if you wish, though the primary intent is preservation.
Final Thoughts
Keep Books After Publishing is an essential mod for any Sim who values their literary works. It removes a frustrating limitation without altering the core gameplay mechanics. Whether you are a casual player or a dedicated storyteller, this mod ensures your Sim's legacy lives on their bookshelves. Download Keep Books After Publishing today and start building your Sim's personal library.
Remember to check for updates after major game patches, as EA sometimes changes the underlying XML structures. The mod community is active, and Scumbumbo's work remains a staple for writers in the game. With the foxygame.net launcher, you can enable auto-updates for this mod, ensuring it always works with the latest version of The Sims 4. Happy writing, and may your Sim's books never be lost again.