The thing about e-book publishing in
today’s digital age is how incredibly easy it is to realise the dream of
becoming a published e-book author.
With today’s technology ebooks are becoming
more popular and much easier to produce. The cost can be minimal, if not free.
But it takes a little research to find the right publisher for your book.
RESEARCH
Everyone needs to do their research, to find the right home for their work. Today we will go through a few of the topics we need to consider.
RESEARCH
Everyone needs to do their research, to find the right home for their work. Today we will go through a few of the topics we need to consider.
Publishing with an ebook publisher v self publishing.
There are several reasons for either
option. Control, cost, percentage of royalties etc weigh in favour of self
publishing.
Marketing, exposure, creating various
formats and distribution are easier through a publishing house.
Whichever way you decide to go, always
check out your choice with sites like Writers Beware.
These sites will list any scam or unethical publishers.
Things
to consider… not in order, but each need
thought.
Copyright.
You will
need to have a covering statement at the start of your book, protecting you
from people copying your work.
Also, beware of using trademarks and names
of actual people, quotes, song lyrics and references from text without
permission. Unless the quote is in the public domain, it is wise to get
permission or create your own version. The large companies will sue. As an editor
for a small ebook publisher who doesn't have vast resources, it is one of the
house rules, to avoid any threat of copyright infringement. It doesn't matter
how small the distribution, if it is out there, with your name attached, take
care not to step on any sensitive toes. It can cost.
Images, photos for cover, or as part of the manuscript must have permission for use. It is important to check they are suitable formats for e-publication. Jpeg, grayscale, resolution etc all become important terms.
Introducing your E-Book Acknowledgements, dedication, tag line, blurb and author bios are needed as part of your e-book and sales page.
A tag line is a twenty word hook to grab a reader's attention.
The blurb is a longer hook. This is where the reader is given a taste of your writing and ability to create interest and share some components of the manuscript.
Images, photos for cover, or as part of the manuscript must have permission for use. It is important to check they are suitable formats for e-publication. Jpeg, grayscale, resolution etc all become important terms.
Introducing your E-Book Acknowledgements, dedication, tag line, blurb and author bios are needed as part of your e-book and sales page.
A tag line is a twenty word hook to grab a reader's attention.
The blurb is a longer hook. This is where the reader is given a taste of your writing and ability to create interest and share some components of the manuscript.
ISBN. Most ebook publishers will
provide an ISBN
if you want one. If you are just publishing for yourself and are not
planning to market or distribute your work, you may not need an ISBN.
If however you plan to sell, distribute and
market your e-book, an ISBN is necessary. You can purchase one yourself. They
are available and cheaper in lots of ten or so. Again, research will give you
the best prices, cost and most ebook publishers will provide one in their
publishing package.
Books in print (even self published) with
an ISBN also need to have one copy sent off to the National and State Library
as ‘Legal Deposits’. It could be worth checking the rules concerning e-books.
Cover. If you
have your own photos, design skills, and ideas, this need not be a challenge.
Make sure you have permission to use the images though. Also, ensure you use
the highest resolution possible to create your cover. Examples of great ebook
covers (Pinterest board) at The Book Designer
There are places where you can
purchase ready made covers. For a price. Some ebook publishers will offer a
range of covers. Example of a graphic designer who does ebook covers – includes
pricing for covers, book trailers etc
INDIE Bookcovers
Images are available for purchase from places like Fotolia, Dreamstime, Getty. There are free images available. I was lucky enough to have Rachel Lewis Photography Coffs Harbour provide the cover images for my books. The cover model was a local Medieval re-enactment enthusiast from Lismore. My CA (cover artist) did the design work.
INDIE Bookcovers
Images are available for purchase from places like Fotolia, Dreamstime, Getty. There are free images available. I was lucky enough to have Rachel Lewis Photography Coffs Harbour provide the cover images for my books. The cover model was a local Medieval re-enactment enthusiast from Lismore. My CA (cover artist) did the design work.
Remember the cover needs to be impressive
even as a thumbnail image. Since that is how it will look on many of the
marketing pages. A quick and useful blog post on good ebook cover design is Killer Ebook Covers
Editing. Finding a crit group, words to avoid, general polishing. Before you decide
to show your work to the world, and hope they will purchase it, take the time
to make it the best you possibly can.
Find and join a critique group in your
genre. It might take a while to find one you can work with. Giving and getting
critique that suits your style of writing, your level of commitment and need,
may take a few trial and errors working with groups, but it is time well spent
when you find a niche.
I joined Writing.com, found a Fantasy and science fiction group who gave critiques, worked with
them through each novel, chapter by chapter. Giving feedback is as important as
getting it. You can learn from others’ mistakes. A good critique group should
offer advice and support, without being derogatory or inflammatory. Levels of
critique need to fit your needs. Participating means you need to reciprocate.
Be prepared to go the distance.
Get feedback from beta readers who know
your genre or who have the qualifications to check your work.
Find an editor to double check your
grammar, spelling and continuity.
Try for the strongest writing you can
deliver. Avoid passive voice, POV changes within scenes, weak verbs/adverbs,
telling not showing. Get yourself a list of words to avoid and learn how to
reword sentences to give the reader a richer, more rewarding experience as they
follow your story.
Remember to hook your reader in every
chapter, page, paragraph. Make your opening as strong as possible. Remember
with ebooks potential readers can often ‘look inside’. Make sure you have a
perfect example for them to browse. Weak writing in the opening scene will have
a reader closing your book.
Formatting. Then there are the formats. This link will explain nine
of the common formats.
You need a different format for different e-readers. Kindle, Nook, epub, html, pdfs etc. Formatting for each requires different set ups. MS WORD for example has hidden icons that will spoil transition to many of the ebook formats. Word files need to be changed before publication. Most ebook publishers offer conversion programs to ensure your ebook looks professional.
Remember to look at your work in terms of white space... does your writing look appealing, fit easily on the page, invite the reader to cruise through a read. A balance of spacing, indents, easily read fonts and aesthetic appeal is important to grabbing a reader's interest. It isn't only a great story and good grammar.
You need a different format for different e-readers. Kindle, Nook, epub, html, pdfs etc. Formatting for each requires different set ups. MS WORD for example has hidden icons that will spoil transition to many of the ebook formats. Word files need to be changed before publication. Most ebook publishers offer conversion programs to ensure your ebook looks professional.
Remember to look at your work in terms of white space... does your writing look appealing, fit easily on the page, invite the reader to cruise through a read. A balance of spacing, indents, easily read fonts and aesthetic appeal is important to grabbing a reader's interest. It isn't only a great story and good grammar.
MS WORD will allow you to save your
manuscript in PDF format. This enables you to check for spacing, and formatting
problems. FIX them before you publish. (I recently was asked to read an ebook
that had occasional words underlined throughout the text. It made the story
unreadable. The words weren't hypertext, nor was the underlining relevant. It
just led to head-shaking confusion.)
Distribution. The main reason for choosing to publish with
even a small ebook publisher, is to ensure your story is available from the
largest number of outlets, and readily available for all types or ereaders.
There are far too many sites to name, but getting your book onto the most
popular sites should be included in any publishing package. Amazon, of course
is a favourite, Barnes and Noble, Omnilit, Smashwords… the list is endless.
Individual sites may have hoops to jump
through before accepting your ebook. Check before you publish, if the publisher
distributes to your favourite marketing pages, or if you are able to upload y
our books yourself. This is where the
different formats become important. Amazon accept Kindle ready formats but you
are able to create other formats for other sites. Amazon offers many outlets
for your ebook with their affiliated sites. Smashwords takes all types and
distributes them on multiple sites. Check where your ebook will be displayed
and available for sale, before you sign up for any package.
Also, there are literally thousands of
sites who will take your ebook to distribute. If you have the time and patience
to approach them. Check out their requirements. Some will only take books they
publish, others are more flexible. Be aware they may take a percentage of cost,
to host your books.
Marketing. Website, blog, twitter, Pinterest, book trailers, Facebook. Once you have sorted distribution… the
marketing is up to you. A minimum for marketing is running a website. Amazon
will offer an author’s page. This is a useful tool that incorporates blog
updates. As an author you are able to update it yourself. Even if you are with
a publisher marketing will be your responsibility. There are a few basic tools you need to
become familiar with.
Website…where people can find you, your
books and links to your sales pages. Linking to your Facebook page or blog can
help create interest in you as an author and your books. There are free sites,
that are user friendly. Or you can pay for a more professional site, without
advertising. Depending on your need.
A blog… a great way to spread the word
about your book/s and your interests, a place to show off your work, talk about
inspiration, share other authors’ books, find readers, and let them know about
releases and interesting events. Blogger
and Wordpress are both popular.
Twitter… ditto above… in very small doses.
Facebook… marketing through Facebook via
groups, pages, sharing posts… time consuming, but it is one way of getting your
name and books known to many. It is also a way to keep people informed about
launches, releases and awards etc.
And joining groups related to your
genre/topic can help reach readers.
Signing… book launch coupons, pricing. If you choose to self publish your
ebook you can still do book launches and signings. There are several ‘ebook’
signing programs now. Also, at an ebook launch you can hand out postcards of
the cover, brochures, and even coupons that enable the reader to download the
ebook. If you are with a publisher these coupons should still be available on
request.
Autography is one online site offering e-book signings.
Autography is one online site offering e-book signings.
Sales, royalties, paypal, credit card management. If you choose to publish
your ebook and distribution and sales are NOT included in the package, you can
still handle the sales yourself. You will need to implement a secure payment
page on your website. There are different programs available. If you are not
computer literate, get help!
If you feel confident to create your own online shopping page, this is one example of DIY Sales software I have seen used...E-JUNKIE
If you feel confident to create your own online shopping page, this is one example of DIY Sales software I have seen used...E-JUNKIE
With an ebook publisher this side of things
is taken care of. This is where you need to do your research. Talk to other
authors who are with the publisher. There are so many dodgy publishers out
there. Their sites look great but when it comes to payment of royalties,
setting prices, specials and tracking sales etc and paying on time and
remaining honest, their records are less than impressive.
Doing your own publishing, through a site
like Amazon or Smashwords, you can set your own prices. You have control of costs
and the large sites will have tracking records for you to follow. The smaller
sites need to be assessed individually. It is the ability to set your own
prices, claim the higher royalties and monitor sales that makes self publishing
more attractive. It is imperative you do your research before signing on. What
are you able to do, and costs are involved?
Even FREE ebook publishing means the publisher will take their cut of sales.
Even FREE ebook publishing means the publisher will take their cut of sales.
An interesting example of hidden costs. An
ebook sold through Amazon to a reader in the northern hemisphere will give a
higher return to the author than one sold to Australia. Same digital download.
Not sure how they figure that one out. How could it cost more to send digitally
to Oz?
Returns, complaints, reviews. Amazon has a two week return policy. If a
reader doesn’t like their ebook they can return it. Then it becomes the
author’s problem repaying costs. Most ebook publishers will cover their
author’s returns. When self publishing… check the publisher’s return policy.
Complaints downloading the various files
and formats is common. If you are working through your own website, this will
be your problem. If you are with a larger ebook publisher, they will have
policies in place. Check them before signing on.
Reviews. These help with marketing,
promotion and sales. Blog tours, sharing galleys before release, beta readers
are all great places to get a few reviews for your book. Once you have a few,
they make good blog posts, Facebook posts etc. There are forums and online
sites that offer reviews for different genres. Beware of sites that want
payment for reviews.
Right,
that’s enough to think about. Let’s explore the world of Ebook publishing…
Smashwords;
Createspace; Lulu… Three popular sites. We now
know what we are looking for… let’s see how these three sites stack up. What do
they offer? How easy are they to navigate? Would they suit our needs?
LULU
Account name: Coffs Writing Workshop
There is a PDF document you can down load which is a guide to LULU E-book PUBLISHING . Once you have logged in it should be available to download to an email address.
COVERS at AMAZON
Account name: Coffs Writing Workshop
There is a PDF document you can down load which is a guide to LULU E-book PUBLISHING . Once you have logged in it should be available to download to an email address.
COVERS at AMAZON
Overview…
a blog worth reading. "How To Self Publish an Ebook."
REMEMBER
If in doubt "Phone a Friend". Google has most of the answers.
REMEMBER
If in doubt "Phone a Friend". Google has most of the answers.
You are invited to join the inaugural
Anzac weekend. Dorrigo High School $25 registration fee. Three days of workshops and mingling with other writers.
Click link for program details and registration form.
See you there!!
Thank you for attending this workshop. I hope it has been of some help.
All images on this blog are used with permission of the author's featured, are images I have taken myself, or are from a photo shoot with Rachel Lewis Photography, or from Fotolia. Fotolia.com have provided many useful images for promotion and marketing.