By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_C_Andrews]Benjamin C Andrews
As many eBook authors may know, or will soon find out when creating their first publication, actually writing the book is only half the battle. Once it's finished, you have to bundle it up into a neat little package that can be presented to readers. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy to do.
What should you do? Where should you begin? How do you format the document? These are all questions that can be difficult to answer, especially if you are a first timer. These questions aren't always easy to answer, but finding those answers is crucial to the success of your book. After all, content may be king, but your court will be empty if the formatting is terrible. No matter how great the story may be, few things turn off readers like a book with poor formatting.
Luckily, there is help out there to get the job done. For example, there is a fantastic free eBook about formatting available on Smashwords, written by the site creator, Mark Coker. If you're planning to publish via Smashwords, this guide is an absolute must. It lays out all the formatting you'll need to do, and how to do it, in an easy to follow guide. This guide is tailored to Smashwords' ebook creation program, the Meat Grinder. However, even if you don't plan on using Smashwords, this guide is still a great resource. You may have to tweak your file some if you want to publish elsewhere, but the Smashwords Style Guide is a great resource to start formatting your eBook correctly.
There are many places you can self publish, and many of them also include free guides. Always be sure to check the specification requested by each publisher. Amazon, for example, also has formatting tips related to their eBook creation software, Mobipocket Creator. Make sure you defer to the recommended formatting for the company you are trying to publish with.
As for some actual tips, from personal experience I've learned you have to be absolutely methodical. It can be a very time consuming job, and you may want to hurry through it as quickly as possible. To that, I say reign it in and take your time. Making mistakes can lead to extraordinary amounts of time trying to fix issues. Be sure to activate the show/hide option that most word processors have so you can see the non-printed characters, such as paragraph marks, spaces, etc., so you can find and remove unnecessary items. The final tip for the do-it-yourself crowd is follow the specifications set by the publisher to the letter. They tell you how to format because they want your book to sell. Never just blow off steps because it seems unnecessary. You'll only hurt yourself, and your book in the process.
Should you feel you do not have the necessary skills to do the formatting yourself, you do have options. Mentioning Smashwords again, you can obtain a list of others who have published on Smashwords, and are willing to format books for other authors. Don't mistake this with editing. These people will format your book for a price. Some may edit, you'd have to ask each one individually. Beyond Smashwords, there are probably individuals and businesses who will also format your eBook for you. Like any other time you buy goods or services off the internet though, it's buyer beware. Ask for what they've formatted in the past, and do everything you can to verify their claims.
No matter which route you take, eBook formatting is a crucial step in the publication process. Having a book that looks professional will go a long way in helping you achieve writing success. Take the necessary time to polish the formatting on your book, and always be sure to check the final product after the first or any subsequent revision. You will be all the happier when you know your book's content is solid, and the way it's presented is beautiful and professional.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?eBook-Formatting-Tips&id=6670312] eBook Formatting Tips
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Reviewing: The End Is Only the Beginning
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_C_Andrews]Benjamin C Andrews
You're at the computer, fingers flying across the keyboard as you type that last page. It's like seeing the finish line after a grueling marathon. As you type that final word, and reach the end, you're filled with a sense of complete joy. It was a long time getting there, and there were many times you thought you'd never make it. You pushed through that though, and kept your goal in sight. Even if it took longer than you possibly imagined, you still finally reached that goal.
Be sure to pat yourself on the back, you've earned it! But don't fool yourself into thinking that's the end. One of the biggest mistakes you could make would be to simply turn around, and submit that piece of writing as a finished piece. Unfortunately, you've only completed the first leg of the race.
Don't despair though! Writing a book is like running a triathlon. The three events you have to contend with are writing, reviewing, and promotion (or submissions to publishers if you're going the traditional route). The second event, reviewing, is still definitely a lot of work. The good news though, is that you're already over that first hurdle.
No matter how great a writer you may be, there will be things in your writing to be fixed. Grammatical errors, punctuation, or even just how your ideas come across. I know even after reviewing my own works multiple times, I found tons of errors. Even after all the ones I corrected, when I passed it off to someone else to proofread, there were still errors I had missed. It's key you don't let that get you down. We aren't all sitting on an advanced English degree with years of practical experience at proofreading. The key elements are patience, and thoroughness.
Make sure you are looking at material you haven't read recently. I personally recommend typing it out the first time all the way through, without going back and reading it. That way, when you reach the end of your writing, you can move back to the beginning of the piece with fresh eyes. You are many times more likely to see mistakes in something you haven't seen for a while. Read through the whole thing, correcting anything you see wrong, until you reach the end once more. After that? Do it again. Do it as many times as you can, until you feel ill just from thinking of looking at the manuscript again. It may get tedious, but your work will look much better for it, and have far fewer errors.
Something else you may consider is letting someone who hasn't read it before take a shot at it. It could be a family member, or a friend. As mentioned above, fresh eyes see mistakes much easier than those that are familiar with the writing already. The plus side about this, is you can generally convince your loved ones to do it for free, which can be a great help to a new author who may not have a lot of cash to pay for a professional editing service.
Should you want to go all the way though, having your manuscript professionally proofread can be a great step in getting your book to look as professional as possible. Rates vary, but this isn't usually an incredibly cheap venture. The longer your book is, the more it is going to cost. Also, be sure to research into the people who you are going to trust with your money and manuscript. If you're going to do it, make sure you do it right, and don't set yourself up to lose a ton of cash for someone who may be even less capable than you when it comes to proofreading.
My last tip is something I discovered on my own, as I was editing my own book, Rift of Askrah. If you've typed your manuscript on the computer, which most of us do these days, print the whole thing off for one of your proofreading rounds. Something about seeing the words on paper instead of the computer screen gave me a different perspective as I was doing my editing. I noticed a lot of errors that my eyes just kept sliding by on the computer screen. Make changes on the paper so you can go back and add them into your saved manuscript.
Reviewing your hard work can be a difficult part of the process, but it is also an indispensable part of making your writing as close to perfect as possible. If you've spent all the time it already took to actually write the thing, then you might as well go all the way and make it great. Read with fresh eyes as you review, leave it alone for a week if you have to. Get help from family and friends too. They want you to succeed just as much as you do. It may be an arduous process, but it is an important part of creating great books people will want to read.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Reviewing:-The-End-Is-Only-the-Beginning&id=6669793] Reviewing: The End Is Only the Beginning
You're at the computer, fingers flying across the keyboard as you type that last page. It's like seeing the finish line after a grueling marathon. As you type that final word, and reach the end, you're filled with a sense of complete joy. It was a long time getting there, and there were many times you thought you'd never make it. You pushed through that though, and kept your goal in sight. Even if it took longer than you possibly imagined, you still finally reached that goal.
Be sure to pat yourself on the back, you've earned it! But don't fool yourself into thinking that's the end. One of the biggest mistakes you could make would be to simply turn around, and submit that piece of writing as a finished piece. Unfortunately, you've only completed the first leg of the race.
Don't despair though! Writing a book is like running a triathlon. The three events you have to contend with are writing, reviewing, and promotion (or submissions to publishers if you're going the traditional route). The second event, reviewing, is still definitely a lot of work. The good news though, is that you're already over that first hurdle.
No matter how great a writer you may be, there will be things in your writing to be fixed. Grammatical errors, punctuation, or even just how your ideas come across. I know even after reviewing my own works multiple times, I found tons of errors. Even after all the ones I corrected, when I passed it off to someone else to proofread, there were still errors I had missed. It's key you don't let that get you down. We aren't all sitting on an advanced English degree with years of practical experience at proofreading. The key elements are patience, and thoroughness.
Make sure you are looking at material you haven't read recently. I personally recommend typing it out the first time all the way through, without going back and reading it. That way, when you reach the end of your writing, you can move back to the beginning of the piece with fresh eyes. You are many times more likely to see mistakes in something you haven't seen for a while. Read through the whole thing, correcting anything you see wrong, until you reach the end once more. After that? Do it again. Do it as many times as you can, until you feel ill just from thinking of looking at the manuscript again. It may get tedious, but your work will look much better for it, and have far fewer errors.
Something else you may consider is letting someone who hasn't read it before take a shot at it. It could be a family member, or a friend. As mentioned above, fresh eyes see mistakes much easier than those that are familiar with the writing already. The plus side about this, is you can generally convince your loved ones to do it for free, which can be a great help to a new author who may not have a lot of cash to pay for a professional editing service.
Should you want to go all the way though, having your manuscript professionally proofread can be a great step in getting your book to look as professional as possible. Rates vary, but this isn't usually an incredibly cheap venture. The longer your book is, the more it is going to cost. Also, be sure to research into the people who you are going to trust with your money and manuscript. If you're going to do it, make sure you do it right, and don't set yourself up to lose a ton of cash for someone who may be even less capable than you when it comes to proofreading.
My last tip is something I discovered on my own, as I was editing my own book, Rift of Askrah. If you've typed your manuscript on the computer, which most of us do these days, print the whole thing off for one of your proofreading rounds. Something about seeing the words on paper instead of the computer screen gave me a different perspective as I was doing my editing. I noticed a lot of errors that my eyes just kept sliding by on the computer screen. Make changes on the paper so you can go back and add them into your saved manuscript.
Reviewing your hard work can be a difficult part of the process, but it is also an indispensable part of making your writing as close to perfect as possible. If you've spent all the time it already took to actually write the thing, then you might as well go all the way and make it great. Read with fresh eyes as you review, leave it alone for a week if you have to. Get help from family and friends too. They want you to succeed just as much as you do. It may be an arduous process, but it is an important part of creating great books people will want to read.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Reviewing:-The-End-Is-Only-the-Beginning&id=6669793] Reviewing: The End Is Only the Beginning
Friday, March 23, 2012
Dealing With the Indie Doldrums
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_C_Andrews]Benjamin C Andrews
Dealing with being a drop of water in an ocean of books is something pretty much every indie author has to deal with. You worked hard, and wrote a book that you're proud of. After all the hours of slaving and hammering those keys to get it done, you hope and pray that some people will actually read it and spread the word.
Sometimes it doesn't go very smoothly though. Day after day ticks by, and yet the sales just aren't there. It can be extremely difficult not to feel despaired. Not only are you competing with other indie authors for attention, but also another massive mountain that stands between you and readers. That mountain is the main stream and traditional publishing.
For whatever reason, as an indie author you have chosen to circumvent this traditional route. Maybe it was constant rejection letters, or simply wanting to avoid additional months or years before your work could have its chance in the spotlight. If you're not one of the lucky ones who managed to gain fame over night, then your book is probably still stuck back stage. As you watch other books get all the attention, how can you deal with the fear that your book will never be given a chance?
That's the million dollar question. The best advice I can give is to just keep working. Keep blogging, and mentioning your book. Use social networks and book forums. Most of all, keep writing! Fear is a difficult opponent to combat, especially when you're putting yourself out there in such a personal way. People aren't always kind, and like to bring you down for trying to accomplish your dream. I've been told I should follow in van Gogh's footsteps, but cut my fingers off instead of my ear. It can be hard to keep a positive attitude after some of the things people have to say.
When it feels like it's becoming too much, don't dwell on it. Take a break, and do something you enjoy to take your mind off it. Agonizing over every negative comment you get will only bring you down. If you give up because of it, then it won't be because your book may not be the single best one ever written that barred you from your dream. It will be because you gave up, and left the dream behind.
It's a tough road to be an indie author. You're baring your soul for all to see, without the backup of known publishers who are giving your work their seal of approval. It will probably get worse before it gets better. Keep your attitude positive, and the books coming. With enough work, your day in the sunshine will eventually come.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dealing-With-the-Indie-Doldrums&id=6669804] Dealing With the Indie Doldrums
Dealing with being a drop of water in an ocean of books is something pretty much every indie author has to deal with. You worked hard, and wrote a book that you're proud of. After all the hours of slaving and hammering those keys to get it done, you hope and pray that some people will actually read it and spread the word.
Sometimes it doesn't go very smoothly though. Day after day ticks by, and yet the sales just aren't there. It can be extremely difficult not to feel despaired. Not only are you competing with other indie authors for attention, but also another massive mountain that stands between you and readers. That mountain is the main stream and traditional publishing.
For whatever reason, as an indie author you have chosen to circumvent this traditional route. Maybe it was constant rejection letters, or simply wanting to avoid additional months or years before your work could have its chance in the spotlight. If you're not one of the lucky ones who managed to gain fame over night, then your book is probably still stuck back stage. As you watch other books get all the attention, how can you deal with the fear that your book will never be given a chance?
That's the million dollar question. The best advice I can give is to just keep working. Keep blogging, and mentioning your book. Use social networks and book forums. Most of all, keep writing! Fear is a difficult opponent to combat, especially when you're putting yourself out there in such a personal way. People aren't always kind, and like to bring you down for trying to accomplish your dream. I've been told I should follow in van Gogh's footsteps, but cut my fingers off instead of my ear. It can be hard to keep a positive attitude after some of the things people have to say.
When it feels like it's becoming too much, don't dwell on it. Take a break, and do something you enjoy to take your mind off it. Agonizing over every negative comment you get will only bring you down. If you give up because of it, then it won't be because your book may not be the single best one ever written that barred you from your dream. It will be because you gave up, and left the dream behind.
It's a tough road to be an indie author. You're baring your soul for all to see, without the backup of known publishers who are giving your work their seal of approval. It will probably get worse before it gets better. Keep your attitude positive, and the books coming. With enough work, your day in the sunshine will eventually come.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Dealing-With-the-Indie-Doldrums&id=6669804] Dealing With the Indie Doldrums
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Want Your Book Published? Don't Give Up
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Martha_Liu]Martha Liu
Every year hundreds of thousands of would be authors dream of having their first book published. Of these, only a relatively few will ever realize their dreams.
But, if you are willing to persevere, things may not be as bleak as you think. Because, each year, well over ninety thousand authors manage to see their book published. Because of the ease of creating electronic files, many of these book are self published as ebooks. But at least fifty thousand of these books go through the traditional publishing system and are put out by traditional publishing houses.
There are many potential benefits to being an author. For one, as people find out you have written a book, you automatically become a celebrity. You may only be a neighborhood celebrity. Or, if you are a professional, you may become a celebrity among your peers.
Having a published book to your name, automatically gives you credibility. It marks you as an expert in your area of interest. This can be especially helpful to you when trying to find a job. You would be amazed how much a published book impresses an employer in a job interview.
Having a book to your name can also increase your income in other ways. If your topic is one of broad general interest, you can make a very lucrative second income from speaking engagements. This helps to raise your profile among the public which, in turn, possibly creates even more avenues of income for you.
There are downsides to being an author as well. In reality, only a very small number of writers manage to sell enough books for it to become a viable income for them. In fact, in most publishing houses, it is the overwhelming sales of a relatively few of the books that actually subsidize the more poorly selling books. And this is why most authors will have a difficult time convincing an author to publish them.
In order to have your book be published, you need to have a salable idea. Not just any idea. But one that will captivate the interest of the audience who you are targeting. Unless you are a well known author, before a publisher will even entertain the idea of publishing a book by you, he will want to be assured that there is a potential group of people interested enough in the topic to be willing to shell out money to find more about it.
Please see our web site for additional information on topics like [http://www.bookauthorservices.com/small-desks-for-small-spaces.html]desks for small spaces, [http://www.bookauthorservices.com/novel-writing-software.html]novel writing software, and others geared towards the needs of the writer.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Want-Your-Book-Published?-Dont-Give-Up&id=6671996] Want Your Book Published? Don't Give Up
Every year hundreds of thousands of would be authors dream of having their first book published. Of these, only a relatively few will ever realize their dreams.
But, if you are willing to persevere, things may not be as bleak as you think. Because, each year, well over ninety thousand authors manage to see their book published. Because of the ease of creating electronic files, many of these book are self published as ebooks. But at least fifty thousand of these books go through the traditional publishing system and are put out by traditional publishing houses.
There are many potential benefits to being an author. For one, as people find out you have written a book, you automatically become a celebrity. You may only be a neighborhood celebrity. Or, if you are a professional, you may become a celebrity among your peers.
Having a published book to your name, automatically gives you credibility. It marks you as an expert in your area of interest. This can be especially helpful to you when trying to find a job. You would be amazed how much a published book impresses an employer in a job interview.
Having a book to your name can also increase your income in other ways. If your topic is one of broad general interest, you can make a very lucrative second income from speaking engagements. This helps to raise your profile among the public which, in turn, possibly creates even more avenues of income for you.
There are downsides to being an author as well. In reality, only a very small number of writers manage to sell enough books for it to become a viable income for them. In fact, in most publishing houses, it is the overwhelming sales of a relatively few of the books that actually subsidize the more poorly selling books. And this is why most authors will have a difficult time convincing an author to publish them.
In order to have your book be published, you need to have a salable idea. Not just any idea. But one that will captivate the interest of the audience who you are targeting. Unless you are a well known author, before a publisher will even entertain the idea of publishing a book by you, he will want to be assured that there is a potential group of people interested enough in the topic to be willing to shell out money to find more about it.
Please see our web site for additional information on topics like [http://www.bookauthorservices.com/small-desks-for-small-spaces.html]desks for small spaces, [http://www.bookauthorservices.com/novel-writing-software.html]novel writing software, and others geared towards the needs of the writer.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Want-Your-Book-Published?-Dont-Give-Up&id=6671996] Want Your Book Published? Don't Give Up
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Steps Involved in Publishing a Book
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ashly_Lorenzana]Ashly Lorenzana
Thanks to the eReader revolution, publishing an eBook is easier today than it has ever been before. In the past, major publishers ruled the written world due to their hold on the industry. If you wanted to get your book in print, you had to capture the interest of a literary agent who would sell your story or book idea to one of the Big 6 publishers. Also known as "gatekeepers," it was the literary agent who would more or less decide if your manuscript ever saw the light of day.
This system is incredibly flawed for a number of obvious reasons. First, the quality and worthiness of your book is decided by a single individual. Sure, the publisher has to want your story as well. However, without an agent to play middle man, your writing would never reach a publisher for consideration.
Agents and publishers both may have years of experience, which has given them insightful knowledge on how the industry works and what manuscripts are likely to rake in the highest profits. However, it's important to remember that they are naturally most interested in manuscripts that will increase their own bottom line the most, should they choose to publish it.
This also explains why author royalties are setup the way they have been by big publishing companies. For the majority of traditionally published authors, they can expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 10% in royalties from their paperback sales. In my opinion, this is hardly fair to the author.
Things are starting to change rapidly, and the allure of traditional publishers is fading. Why? Because a much better option for aspiring authors has recently emerged over the last few years.
The first option is print-on-demand publishing, which makes it easy for writers to self-publish without having to print bulk orders of their book in order to sell them. Instead, customers can order copies online which will then be manufactured and shipped. This virtually eliminates the potential of financial loss that has long been associated with self-publishing in the past. Using print-on-demand to publish your book means that you can only make money from selling books, not lose it.
The second option is to simply publish an eBook instead of a print book. Since eBooks are digital and do not require printing and can be created for free with little difficulty, they are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to printed books. Industry leaders in digital publishing such as Amazon have created simple, easy resources and products for both readers and authors alike. Their Kindle eReader and Kindle Direct Publishing Platform have bridged the gap between authors and their customers.
What this means is that you no longer need to send out query letters to agents, hoping that one of them thinks your manuscript is good enough to sell tons of copies. In many cases, the market for a particular story or book may be too small or insignificant to interest a publisher or agent. Passing up on a manuscript in that case would make lots of sense for both parties.
But it doesn't make sense for the writer or author. If you decide to self-publish your eBook, you will generate more money from the sales than you would if you never did anything with your writing at all. Maybe selling 1300 copies in one year isn't going to interest a major publisher, but I'll be it might interest you.
Let's say that you decided to publish your eBook on Amazon and priced it at $4.99. Since Amazon offers a 70% royalty rate for authors, that means you'd be earning roughly $3.50 per copy that you sell. At that rate, you would be bringing in an extra $350 each month. That may not seem like a huge number, but it's completely passive income! I don't know about you, but I wouldn't object to a few hundred extra dollars every month if I didn't have to work for it!
So if you aren't sure how the process works and what steps you need to take to make this happen, the following list should help you get started.
Choose a topic or find an idea for your story. Create an outline. Write your book!
Edit and proofread your manuscript. Hire a professional editor if you can afford one. Otherwise, ask friends and family to help. Proofread multiple times.
Choose a compelling and descriptive title for your eBook. Be sure it accurately describes what your book is about, for non-fiction. For fiction, pick a title that captures the essence of your story and is tailored to your genre. Non-fiction eBooks should probably have a sub-title as well, to reinforce the title.
Format your manuscript and create versions in the following file formats: Kindle, Mobi, PDF and ePub.
Create an attractive cover design for your eBook. Hire a professional graphic designer if you can afford one. Otherwise, try freelancing sites or learn Photoshop/GIMP yourself and find tutorials on YouTube and other sites. If you choose to DIY, download cover templates from the POD company you are using (if provided). If money is not an issue, POD companies all offer professional cover design services also.
Buy an ISBN or get one for free from a POD company. You need an ISBN for your eBook. Buy your own or get one assigned for free through a site like Lulu, Smashwords or CreateSpace.
Write a powerful book synopsis. Think of this as rewriting your book as 3-4 short paragraphs. Describe your story in an exciting way that makes people want to read your more.
Select two genres/categories for your eBook. No matter what you have written, it likely falls into at least two different genres or categories of writing. The broad genre will always be either fiction or non-fiction. The second category is more specific, such as romance novels or biographies.
Make a list of tags that describe or relate to your eBook. This is important. Write down a quick list of tags that people might use to describe your eBook or your type of writing. Remember, tags do not have to be one word only. You should also include phrases up to 3 words long that may be added to your eBook.
Decide on a price for your eBook. One of the final steps is pricing your eBook. New authors who are unknown should generally price their eBooks lower than more established authors. The nice thing about this part is that you can go back and change the price at any time, to whatever amount you think will increase your profits. Experiment.
Upload your eBook and sell it Amazon and other sites. First stop is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, which will be your biggest sales distribution channel of them all. Next, Barnes & Noble's PubIt. After that, Smashwords and Lulu. You can even upload and sell it on GoodReads too.
It's pretty straightforward and simple, isn't it? Of course, you will be learning a lot along the way as you work through each step. Try your best to have fun with it and remember that it's an adventure! [http://www.ashlylorenzana.com]Ashly Lorenzana is a freelance writer, blogger and memoir author. Her passions include technology, writing, social media and creative marketing. Her specialties include press release writing, website copywriting, marketing and promoting.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Steps-Involved-in-Publishing-a-Book&id=6674446] The Steps Involved in Publishing a Book
Thanks to the eReader revolution, publishing an eBook is easier today than it has ever been before. In the past, major publishers ruled the written world due to their hold on the industry. If you wanted to get your book in print, you had to capture the interest of a literary agent who would sell your story or book idea to one of the Big 6 publishers. Also known as "gatekeepers," it was the literary agent who would more or less decide if your manuscript ever saw the light of day.
This system is incredibly flawed for a number of obvious reasons. First, the quality and worthiness of your book is decided by a single individual. Sure, the publisher has to want your story as well. However, without an agent to play middle man, your writing would never reach a publisher for consideration.
Agents and publishers both may have years of experience, which has given them insightful knowledge on how the industry works and what manuscripts are likely to rake in the highest profits. However, it's important to remember that they are naturally most interested in manuscripts that will increase their own bottom line the most, should they choose to publish it.
This also explains why author royalties are setup the way they have been by big publishing companies. For the majority of traditionally published authors, they can expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 10% in royalties from their paperback sales. In my opinion, this is hardly fair to the author.
Things are starting to change rapidly, and the allure of traditional publishers is fading. Why? Because a much better option for aspiring authors has recently emerged over the last few years.
The first option is print-on-demand publishing, which makes it easy for writers to self-publish without having to print bulk orders of their book in order to sell them. Instead, customers can order copies online which will then be manufactured and shipped. This virtually eliminates the potential of financial loss that has long been associated with self-publishing in the past. Using print-on-demand to publish your book means that you can only make money from selling books, not lose it.
The second option is to simply publish an eBook instead of a print book. Since eBooks are digital and do not require printing and can be created for free with little difficulty, they are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to printed books. Industry leaders in digital publishing such as Amazon have created simple, easy resources and products for both readers and authors alike. Their Kindle eReader and Kindle Direct Publishing Platform have bridged the gap between authors and their customers.
What this means is that you no longer need to send out query letters to agents, hoping that one of them thinks your manuscript is good enough to sell tons of copies. In many cases, the market for a particular story or book may be too small or insignificant to interest a publisher or agent. Passing up on a manuscript in that case would make lots of sense for both parties.
But it doesn't make sense for the writer or author. If you decide to self-publish your eBook, you will generate more money from the sales than you would if you never did anything with your writing at all. Maybe selling 1300 copies in one year isn't going to interest a major publisher, but I'll be it might interest you.
Let's say that you decided to publish your eBook on Amazon and priced it at $4.99. Since Amazon offers a 70% royalty rate for authors, that means you'd be earning roughly $3.50 per copy that you sell. At that rate, you would be bringing in an extra $350 each month. That may not seem like a huge number, but it's completely passive income! I don't know about you, but I wouldn't object to a few hundred extra dollars every month if I didn't have to work for it!
So if you aren't sure how the process works and what steps you need to take to make this happen, the following list should help you get started.
Choose a topic or find an idea for your story. Create an outline. Write your book!
Edit and proofread your manuscript. Hire a professional editor if you can afford one. Otherwise, ask friends and family to help. Proofread multiple times.
Choose a compelling and descriptive title for your eBook. Be sure it accurately describes what your book is about, for non-fiction. For fiction, pick a title that captures the essence of your story and is tailored to your genre. Non-fiction eBooks should probably have a sub-title as well, to reinforce the title.
Format your manuscript and create versions in the following file formats: Kindle, Mobi, PDF and ePub.
Create an attractive cover design for your eBook. Hire a professional graphic designer if you can afford one. Otherwise, try freelancing sites or learn Photoshop/GIMP yourself and find tutorials on YouTube and other sites. If you choose to DIY, download cover templates from the POD company you are using (if provided). If money is not an issue, POD companies all offer professional cover design services also.
Buy an ISBN or get one for free from a POD company. You need an ISBN for your eBook. Buy your own or get one assigned for free through a site like Lulu, Smashwords or CreateSpace.
Write a powerful book synopsis. Think of this as rewriting your book as 3-4 short paragraphs. Describe your story in an exciting way that makes people want to read your more.
Select two genres/categories for your eBook. No matter what you have written, it likely falls into at least two different genres or categories of writing. The broad genre will always be either fiction or non-fiction. The second category is more specific, such as romance novels or biographies.
Make a list of tags that describe or relate to your eBook. This is important. Write down a quick list of tags that people might use to describe your eBook or your type of writing. Remember, tags do not have to be one word only. You should also include phrases up to 3 words long that may be added to your eBook.
Decide on a price for your eBook. One of the final steps is pricing your eBook. New authors who are unknown should generally price their eBooks lower than more established authors. The nice thing about this part is that you can go back and change the price at any time, to whatever amount you think will increase your profits. Experiment.
Upload your eBook and sell it Amazon and other sites. First stop is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, which will be your biggest sales distribution channel of them all. Next, Barnes & Noble's PubIt. After that, Smashwords and Lulu. You can even upload and sell it on GoodReads too.
It's pretty straightforward and simple, isn't it? Of course, you will be learning a lot along the way as you work through each step. Try your best to have fun with it and remember that it's an adventure! [http://www.ashlylorenzana.com]Ashly Lorenzana is a freelance writer, blogger and memoir author. Her passions include technology, writing, social media and creative marketing. Her specialties include press release writing, website copywriting, marketing and promoting.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Steps-Involved-in-Publishing-a-Book&id=6674446] The Steps Involved in Publishing a Book
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Do You Want to Write a Book? (Traditional Publishing Vs Self Publishing)
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amber_Lisa_Maiden]Amber Lisa Maiden
Do you want to write (and sell) a book? Well you're not alone. There are literally millions of us out there who want to (and now, due to technology) we actually can. The good news? If you want to write a book, yay! Whoever you are, it is now quite possible, (and in the case of the e-book-easy) to write and actually publish a real book! Hooray!
The Bad News
The bad news... the technology is moving so fast that the book as we know it is quickly becoming obsolete! (That hasn't happened yet, but, you best believe that in the next twenty or so years, paper books will be a thing of the past.) The other bad news? There are millions of us (really good writers out there blogging, publishing traditional books and e-books) so the competition (if you are hoping to make a buck off of your writing) is ferocious. The even more bad news? The publishing industry is in such a state of transition and confusion, that getting a book deal from a traditional publisher, (if you're a first time author) is nearly impossible. But here's some good news: there are other options. Self-publishing is quickly becoming one of the best!
The Good News
I personally think, (given the state of the publishing industry) self-publishing is the way to go. Let's take a look at why traditional publishing is such a limited option for first time authors.
The Deal with Traditional Publishers
Traditional publishers hate first time authors. They consider them a huge risk, so it takes anywhere from two to five years to even get a deal with a traditional publisher.
What They Do
Once you get a deal, the advances for first-time authors are really small: $1000 to $10,000. Once they pay you that advance, the traditional publisher takes ownership over certain parts of the publishing process: they will edit the book, they will format the book, they will title the book, they will have their designers design a cover for the book, they will print a certain number of copies of the book, and they will be responsible for distribution of the book. (Distribution is a huge part of the publishing process.) While traditional publishers will take on a limited amount of marketing for the book, they still expect the author to do most of the marketing for it. (Marketing makes or breaks the book. It's also the most expensive and time-consuming part of the publishing process.) Finally, if you can't sell a certain amount of books, (typically 25,000) in a certain amount of time, (typically three months), a traditional publisher will consider your book a failure. They won't be offering you any additional book deals.
What it Costs
The down side to going with a traditional publisher? You lose control of your book. You no longer own the book, you share the rights to the book with a publisher, who is going to make the most profit off the book. And, with a traditional publishers, this is understandable because they are bearing a greater amount of risk in the publishing process. They take on all the costs of publishing the book, from editing to marketing, and quite honestly all of that stuff is pretty expensive. Due to technology, these costs have gone down. But anything that requires live human effort: (editing, book formatting, cover design, distribution, marketing) is going to be expensive.
Why They Do It
So, why do they do it? Why do publishers take the risk? Well, much like everyone else looking to make a buck in the entertainment industry, publishers are looking for the next big thing. And, in order to get it, the will act like bullies. If your book becomes a huge commercial success, publishers will bully you into playing by their rules. Even if your work doesn't become a huge commercial success, publishers will still bully you into playing by their rules. Once they pay you that advance, they really want you to dance to their music. They push you to sell the book on their terms, not your own. They expect you to invest in your own marketing. (I've known authors who spent over $20,000 on marketing, when they only got a $5000 advance. That just doesn't make any sense to me!) But, they did it because they were pressured into it by the publisher. After all the money these authors spend on marketing, the publisher makes the most off of every book sold. Most authors with traditional publishers only get $1 to $2 per a book in royalties, some times even less than that. So, if you're thinking of pursuing a traditional deal with a traditional publishing house, just remember, all that glitters is not gold.
The Deal with Self-Publishers
Now, let's compare traditional publishing to self-publishing.
What They Do
With self-publishing the author does and pays for everything themselves: editing, formatting, ISBN purchase, cover design, printing, distribution, marketing... all of it.
What it Costs
It used to be nearly impossible to do this without a huge investment of time and money, (at least $25,000) but now, publishing your own book is much more affordable due to advances in publishing technology (Print on Demand) technology and E-book technology, for starters. It's still not cheap - well it can be, if you eliminate certain steps. But if you do that, you'll probably end up with a crappy book that won't really sell. So what's the point? (If you hope to make money.) To do it right, you do need to spend some money, but it is something that is within reach for most professional people. (You can probably publish a print book for about $5,000 to $10,000, and you can follow up with an e-book version for a few hundred more dollars.)
Why They Do It
So after you go through all of these steps, and pay for all of this money for various services, what's the benefit? You completely own and control the work. All of the profits from the book will be yours and yours alone. If you build a substantial platform (and audience for your book and future books). (For more on platforms, check out my article on Publisher's Weekly), you can actually expect to recoup your initial investment of $5,000 to $10,000 and begin making a profit- your own profits for you to keep- on your book! These days, traditional publishers won't even look at authors who can't prove that they can move 100,000 books.
Here's my question: If you can move 100,000 books, why do you even need a traditional publisher? I guess for the wider distribution. I decided to go the self-publishing route, because I wondered if traditional publisher doesn't invest much in marketing, and they want you to build your audience before they sign you - what are they doing exactly for you (the author) exactly? Yes, it's true they do pay for many different aspects that go into creating a print book - editing, formatting, cover-design, etc. But is that worth all of the rights and control and profit that you, as the writer, give up to the traditional publisher? I don't think so! It just didn't make sense to me, to give up control of my book if my publisher would require me to invest so much of my own money into it anyway. I figure, just go all out and pay for all of it. History shows that self publishers who have done that, and have made it big on their own terms had the traditional publishers coming after them. At that point, they could negotiate on their own terms. When and if that happens, to you, as an author, you must be very careful. Always remember traditional publishers want to get as much work out of you and money from your book, while paying you the smallest percentage of profits that they possibly can.
So, after researching the traditional publishing industry, I decided, I just didn't want to go that route. I decided that I wanted to self-publish, simply because I wanted to be in control of the product, by selling it on my own terms, my own way. I've done my research and I've finally decided on how to go about self-publishing my own book. But, I haven't actually done it yet. (I'm still in the process.) I purchased a publishing package from Lulu, a print on demand publisher. (POD) I decided on Lulu, because honestly, there are very few reputable "self-publishing" companies who will actually allow you to "self-publish." Out of all of the self-publishing companies out there: Lulu is one of the biggest and arguably cheapest, though, probably not the best. But they have a fairly good relationship with Amazon...and that is key in the world of book publishing.
Oh that Vanity! (Watch Out for Scamming Vanity Presses)
Most of the so called "self-publishing" companies are vanity presses, who do everything that a traditional publisher does, (including con you out of your rights to the your book) and to add insult to injury... they make you pay for everything! (And I do mean everything, editing, book-formatting, cover design, distribution, marketing.) What happens with a lot of vanity presses, is that they make you spend thousands of dollars on these services, which they do not perform all that well. I actually had an author complain about how, after a $4000 edit, her manuscript came back from a vanity press editor with even more errors! Not only did she end up editing her manuscript herself, she even had to fix the errors the vanity press made! What a clever scam! You pay for everything. You clean up the messes! You lose all of your rights! You end up paying thousands of dollars in time and money trying to buy your work back from the horrid vanity press. That's why vanity publishing is such a dirty word in the publishing industry.
Amazon is King!
In my next article, I'll go into more details on which vanity presses to avoid, and why. Also, sooner or later we are going to have to discuss the beast that is Amazon. Right now, AMAZON IS KING, not only in the book-selling world, but also, in retail as well. As a result, as most Kings do, Amazon has everyone frightened: traditional publishers, booksellers, (Amazon took Borders out!), writers... Amazon is pretty much feared by all in the publishing world at this point. Why? Because you really can't publish without Amazon... not if you hope to do it effectively... and so... Amazon knowing this... power trips! But anyway, more on all of that later. For now, if you're thinking about publishing a book, I say, go for it! If you simply want to publish an e-book, that can be done for hundreds, instead of thousands of dollars. (More on that later.) And, if you need help with any part of the self-publishing process, remember, that's what I'm here for! Remember my motto: read, write and relax!
Who is Amber Lisa? I manage a literary spa for readers and writers. I've also written a self-help book entitled The Way Through Lessons Learned on Life, Love and the Journey. Read it if you want to change your life.
My next book out? Live Rich Now! A 30 day workbook designed to help you attract more abundance and wealth into your life. Need a good read? Check out my recommendations. Need something written? Check out my services. Need to relax? Check out my spa products! Remember my motto: Read, Write, Relax! http://www.lylu.co
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Want-to-Write-a-Book?-(Traditional-Publishing-Vs-Self-Publishing)&id=6658380] Do You Want to Write a Book? (Traditional Publishing Vs Self Publishing)
Do you want to write (and sell) a book? Well you're not alone. There are literally millions of us out there who want to (and now, due to technology) we actually can. The good news? If you want to write a book, yay! Whoever you are, it is now quite possible, (and in the case of the e-book-easy) to write and actually publish a real book! Hooray!
The Bad News
The bad news... the technology is moving so fast that the book as we know it is quickly becoming obsolete! (That hasn't happened yet, but, you best believe that in the next twenty or so years, paper books will be a thing of the past.) The other bad news? There are millions of us (really good writers out there blogging, publishing traditional books and e-books) so the competition (if you are hoping to make a buck off of your writing) is ferocious. The even more bad news? The publishing industry is in such a state of transition and confusion, that getting a book deal from a traditional publisher, (if you're a first time author) is nearly impossible. But here's some good news: there are other options. Self-publishing is quickly becoming one of the best!
The Good News
I personally think, (given the state of the publishing industry) self-publishing is the way to go. Let's take a look at why traditional publishing is such a limited option for first time authors.
The Deal with Traditional Publishers
Traditional publishers hate first time authors. They consider them a huge risk, so it takes anywhere from two to five years to even get a deal with a traditional publisher.
What They Do
Once you get a deal, the advances for first-time authors are really small: $1000 to $10,000. Once they pay you that advance, the traditional publisher takes ownership over certain parts of the publishing process: they will edit the book, they will format the book, they will title the book, they will have their designers design a cover for the book, they will print a certain number of copies of the book, and they will be responsible for distribution of the book. (Distribution is a huge part of the publishing process.) While traditional publishers will take on a limited amount of marketing for the book, they still expect the author to do most of the marketing for it. (Marketing makes or breaks the book. It's also the most expensive and time-consuming part of the publishing process.) Finally, if you can't sell a certain amount of books, (typically 25,000) in a certain amount of time, (typically three months), a traditional publisher will consider your book a failure. They won't be offering you any additional book deals.
What it Costs
The down side to going with a traditional publisher? You lose control of your book. You no longer own the book, you share the rights to the book with a publisher, who is going to make the most profit off the book. And, with a traditional publishers, this is understandable because they are bearing a greater amount of risk in the publishing process. They take on all the costs of publishing the book, from editing to marketing, and quite honestly all of that stuff is pretty expensive. Due to technology, these costs have gone down. But anything that requires live human effort: (editing, book formatting, cover design, distribution, marketing) is going to be expensive.
Why They Do It
So, why do they do it? Why do publishers take the risk? Well, much like everyone else looking to make a buck in the entertainment industry, publishers are looking for the next big thing. And, in order to get it, the will act like bullies. If your book becomes a huge commercial success, publishers will bully you into playing by their rules. Even if your work doesn't become a huge commercial success, publishers will still bully you into playing by their rules. Once they pay you that advance, they really want you to dance to their music. They push you to sell the book on their terms, not your own. They expect you to invest in your own marketing. (I've known authors who spent over $20,000 on marketing, when they only got a $5000 advance. That just doesn't make any sense to me!) But, they did it because they were pressured into it by the publisher. After all the money these authors spend on marketing, the publisher makes the most off of every book sold. Most authors with traditional publishers only get $1 to $2 per a book in royalties, some times even less than that. So, if you're thinking of pursuing a traditional deal with a traditional publishing house, just remember, all that glitters is not gold.
The Deal with Self-Publishers
Now, let's compare traditional publishing to self-publishing.
What They Do
With self-publishing the author does and pays for everything themselves: editing, formatting, ISBN purchase, cover design, printing, distribution, marketing... all of it.
What it Costs
It used to be nearly impossible to do this without a huge investment of time and money, (at least $25,000) but now, publishing your own book is much more affordable due to advances in publishing technology (Print on Demand) technology and E-book technology, for starters. It's still not cheap - well it can be, if you eliminate certain steps. But if you do that, you'll probably end up with a crappy book that won't really sell. So what's the point? (If you hope to make money.) To do it right, you do need to spend some money, but it is something that is within reach for most professional people. (You can probably publish a print book for about $5,000 to $10,000, and you can follow up with an e-book version for a few hundred more dollars.)
Why They Do It
So after you go through all of these steps, and pay for all of this money for various services, what's the benefit? You completely own and control the work. All of the profits from the book will be yours and yours alone. If you build a substantial platform (and audience for your book and future books). (For more on platforms, check out my article on Publisher's Weekly), you can actually expect to recoup your initial investment of $5,000 to $10,000 and begin making a profit- your own profits for you to keep- on your book! These days, traditional publishers won't even look at authors who can't prove that they can move 100,000 books.
Here's my question: If you can move 100,000 books, why do you even need a traditional publisher? I guess for the wider distribution. I decided to go the self-publishing route, because I wondered if traditional publisher doesn't invest much in marketing, and they want you to build your audience before they sign you - what are they doing exactly for you (the author) exactly? Yes, it's true they do pay for many different aspects that go into creating a print book - editing, formatting, cover-design, etc. But is that worth all of the rights and control and profit that you, as the writer, give up to the traditional publisher? I don't think so! It just didn't make sense to me, to give up control of my book if my publisher would require me to invest so much of my own money into it anyway. I figure, just go all out and pay for all of it. History shows that self publishers who have done that, and have made it big on their own terms had the traditional publishers coming after them. At that point, they could negotiate on their own terms. When and if that happens, to you, as an author, you must be very careful. Always remember traditional publishers want to get as much work out of you and money from your book, while paying you the smallest percentage of profits that they possibly can.
So, after researching the traditional publishing industry, I decided, I just didn't want to go that route. I decided that I wanted to self-publish, simply because I wanted to be in control of the product, by selling it on my own terms, my own way. I've done my research and I've finally decided on how to go about self-publishing my own book. But, I haven't actually done it yet. (I'm still in the process.) I purchased a publishing package from Lulu, a print on demand publisher. (POD) I decided on Lulu, because honestly, there are very few reputable "self-publishing" companies who will actually allow you to "self-publish." Out of all of the self-publishing companies out there: Lulu is one of the biggest and arguably cheapest, though, probably not the best. But they have a fairly good relationship with Amazon...and that is key in the world of book publishing.
Oh that Vanity! (Watch Out for Scamming Vanity Presses)
Most of the so called "self-publishing" companies are vanity presses, who do everything that a traditional publisher does, (including con you out of your rights to the your book) and to add insult to injury... they make you pay for everything! (And I do mean everything, editing, book-formatting, cover design, distribution, marketing.) What happens with a lot of vanity presses, is that they make you spend thousands of dollars on these services, which they do not perform all that well. I actually had an author complain about how, after a $4000 edit, her manuscript came back from a vanity press editor with even more errors! Not only did she end up editing her manuscript herself, she even had to fix the errors the vanity press made! What a clever scam! You pay for everything. You clean up the messes! You lose all of your rights! You end up paying thousands of dollars in time and money trying to buy your work back from the horrid vanity press. That's why vanity publishing is such a dirty word in the publishing industry.
Amazon is King!
In my next article, I'll go into more details on which vanity presses to avoid, and why. Also, sooner or later we are going to have to discuss the beast that is Amazon. Right now, AMAZON IS KING, not only in the book-selling world, but also, in retail as well. As a result, as most Kings do, Amazon has everyone frightened: traditional publishers, booksellers, (Amazon took Borders out!), writers... Amazon is pretty much feared by all in the publishing world at this point. Why? Because you really can't publish without Amazon... not if you hope to do it effectively... and so... Amazon knowing this... power trips! But anyway, more on all of that later. For now, if you're thinking about publishing a book, I say, go for it! If you simply want to publish an e-book, that can be done for hundreds, instead of thousands of dollars. (More on that later.) And, if you need help with any part of the self-publishing process, remember, that's what I'm here for! Remember my motto: read, write and relax!
Who is Amber Lisa? I manage a literary spa for readers and writers. I've also written a self-help book entitled The Way Through Lessons Learned on Life, Love and the Journey. Read it if you want to change your life.
My next book out? Live Rich Now! A 30 day workbook designed to help you attract more abundance and wealth into your life. Need a good read? Check out my recommendations. Need something written? Check out my services. Need to relax? Check out my spa products! Remember my motto: Read, Write, Relax! http://www.lylu.co
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Want-to-Write-a-Book?-(Traditional-Publishing-Vs-Self-Publishing)&id=6658380] Do You Want to Write a Book? (Traditional Publishing Vs Self Publishing)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Making Your Own Book Cover?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nelson_Rodriguez_Serrano]Nelson Rodriguez Serrano
What should you keep in mind when making your own book cover?
It's been said that one shouldn't judge a story by its cover. However, book purchasers are easily touched by a book's presentation. As a serious author, you are naturally inclined to ensure your book is appealing to the customer as you possibly can. When avid readers enter a store, whether it's online or a physical bookstore, they rummage through books or magazines of their interest, hoping to find one that suits them. Some cover art may scream to customer, "Take me! You know you want to." And then there are the many that leave people sighing, wondering if they should risk buying a book with a plain cover.
So let's go to the basics. What can you do to ensure your cover art is a looker?
A book cover is supposed to tell an interesting story in a few seconds. Be objective when looking at a cover you created. After grinning with the satisfaction that you accomplished making a book cover, take another look. Does the message you're trying to send out to a customer achieves its goal with the cover alone?
One thing that can help you a lot is by browsing online what kind of covers are selling like hot pancakes, especially the ones that fall under the genre you're writing. Could you create a book cover similar to their design, but is unique to your story? I am not talking about copying other peoples' designs, but in allowing them to inspire your creative side.
What should you keep in mind when the time to design your book cover comes along?
1. Don't complicate yourself. Make one that is simple.
2. Show a glimpse of what the book is about.
3. Project the core of the story with a few words.
Maintaining it simple It's vital that your book cover's presentation is clear, by not cluttering up with too many things. The message of your cover should be felt by a simple glance. A client at times cannot spend too much time trying to see and figure out every detail of your cover art if it's all cluttered it up. The title, author's penname and any words written on it should be readable. Try not using too many colors, your book cover is not a rainbow. Harmonize everything perfectly so that it can look both striking and enthralling.
Showing a glimpse of what your book is about A picture speaks a thousand words. Who hasn't heard that saying? And we all know it's true. So ensure your cover can speak for itself with the imagery you provide it.
Projecting the core of your story Some use two or three words, others use a short sentence. It's not easy, but as the author you need to take time to ponder. How would you describe your story in a few words? Once you nail down a few catching phrases, then those are the words you want to add to your cover. Practice makes perfect. Again, rummage through other book covers and see what phrases they use.
How can I avoid any legal troubles?
Always be careful when using photos or illustrations that are copyright material. Only use those that you have been given written form permission to utilize, or those you purchased rights to use. You can find many pictures to purchase rights to at places like: bigstockphoto, shuttershock, 123rf and etc. May you have success in making your own book cover.
Although a book cover is essential in making load of sales, we cannot ignore that fact that quality is the key. Looking for a few writing tips? Feel free to drop by: BestEpicNovels.com
Maybe you can be inspired too after checking out a few book covers displayed there.
Nelson Rodriguez
Member of http://www.bestepicnovels.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Own-Book-Cover?&id=6679474] Making Your Own Book Cover?
What should you keep in mind when making your own book cover?
It's been said that one shouldn't judge a story by its cover. However, book purchasers are easily touched by a book's presentation. As a serious author, you are naturally inclined to ensure your book is appealing to the customer as you possibly can. When avid readers enter a store, whether it's online or a physical bookstore, they rummage through books or magazines of their interest, hoping to find one that suits them. Some cover art may scream to customer, "Take me! You know you want to." And then there are the many that leave people sighing, wondering if they should risk buying a book with a plain cover.
So let's go to the basics. What can you do to ensure your cover art is a looker?
A book cover is supposed to tell an interesting story in a few seconds. Be objective when looking at a cover you created. After grinning with the satisfaction that you accomplished making a book cover, take another look. Does the message you're trying to send out to a customer achieves its goal with the cover alone?
One thing that can help you a lot is by browsing online what kind of covers are selling like hot pancakes, especially the ones that fall under the genre you're writing. Could you create a book cover similar to their design, but is unique to your story? I am not talking about copying other peoples' designs, but in allowing them to inspire your creative side.
What should you keep in mind when the time to design your book cover comes along?
1. Don't complicate yourself. Make one that is simple.
2. Show a glimpse of what the book is about.
3. Project the core of the story with a few words.
Maintaining it simple It's vital that your book cover's presentation is clear, by not cluttering up with too many things. The message of your cover should be felt by a simple glance. A client at times cannot spend too much time trying to see and figure out every detail of your cover art if it's all cluttered it up. The title, author's penname and any words written on it should be readable. Try not using too many colors, your book cover is not a rainbow. Harmonize everything perfectly so that it can look both striking and enthralling.
Showing a glimpse of what your book is about A picture speaks a thousand words. Who hasn't heard that saying? And we all know it's true. So ensure your cover can speak for itself with the imagery you provide it.
Projecting the core of your story Some use two or three words, others use a short sentence. It's not easy, but as the author you need to take time to ponder. How would you describe your story in a few words? Once you nail down a few catching phrases, then those are the words you want to add to your cover. Practice makes perfect. Again, rummage through other book covers and see what phrases they use.
How can I avoid any legal troubles?
Always be careful when using photos or illustrations that are copyright material. Only use those that you have been given written form permission to utilize, or those you purchased rights to use. You can find many pictures to purchase rights to at places like: bigstockphoto, shuttershock, 123rf and etc. May you have success in making your own book cover.
Although a book cover is essential in making load of sales, we cannot ignore that fact that quality is the key. Looking for a few writing tips? Feel free to drop by: BestEpicNovels.com
Maybe you can be inspired too after checking out a few book covers displayed there.
Nelson Rodriguez
Member of http://www.bestepicnovels.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Making-Your-Own-Book-Cover?&id=6679474] Making Your Own Book Cover?
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Write a Book Starting Today: It's Easier Than You Think
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Angela_Booth]Angela Booth
Many people want to write a book. Indeed, a survey found that ten per cent of the population want to do it. Few people accomplish it, but you can.
I wrote my first book at the age of eight. From memory, it had 270 pages and the story involved ghosts, intrepid kids, and horses. Everything I wrote up to the age of 14 involved horses.
Sadly, none of my early stories survive; I wish I'd kept them. But here's what they taught me: they taught me to get started, and to keep going until I finished.
Most importantly of all, those early stories taught me that writing a book is easy when you have the attitude that you CAN do it. Somehow I knew that writing was simple: you sat down, and you wrote whatever came to mind.
Here are three tips which will help you to start writing your book today. It really is easier than you think.
1. Sit Down and Write
This is key. Write anything at all; don't stop to think. Keep going. If you try to impose logic on this process, you won't write much, and writing will be difficult for you.
Think of your writing self as someone else. Let that other self write. You can sort out the mess later (all writing is messy.)
2. (Nonfiction or Fiction) Create an Outline Before or After You Write
Some writers swear by outlines. Other writers swear at outlines.
It doesn't matter which kind of writer you are. I use outlines for nonfiction; I don't start the book until the outline is done.
For novels, I outline after I've written anywhere from 20 to 100 pages. The "outline" is just a collection of scene notes, each scene written on an index card.
When I've completed the first draft of a novel, I outline the whole thing, just to see what I've got. It makes it easier to cut scenes, and create needed scenes before I write the second draft.
3. Realize That You Can Write Any Scene or Chapter in Any Order You Like
Let's say you're writing a mystery. A promiscuous heiress has been murdered. Her husband and her lover are both suspects. Your protagonist, an ambitious, over-worked, and under-appreciated female detective, who has a lover of her own, and a suspicious, violent spouse, is emotionally involved in the case.
Just get started. Write the scene where the gardener, one of the heiress's former lovers, finds the body. Or write the scene where the detective interviews the husband, and gets nowhere.
On the other hand, perhaps all you know is that you want to write a novel. You have no clue what kind of novel, nor do you have a single glimmer of a plot.
Again, just get started. Write something, anything. Describe your favorite coffee shop or bar in four sentences. The door opens. Your protagonist enters. Her white silk blouse is torn, she's lost a shoe, and has skinned knees and ripped stockings.
Just start writing and keep writing. Describe the images in your mind.
So there you have it -- three tips to help you to write a book. Sit down, right now, and write a sentence. Then another one... See? It's easier than you think.
Want to write a book? You can, with Angela Booth's comprehensive [http://www.justwriteabook.com/collection.html]Write a Book Collection. Discover the secrets and develop the skills you need to write ANY book, from how-to guides to novels and memoirs. Angela's been writing since the 1970s, and she shares her secrets with you. Her Just Write A Book Blog helps you to [http://www.justwriteabook.com/blog/]write a book and get it published.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Write-a-Book-Starting-Today:-Its-Easier-Than-You-Think&id=6685165] Write a Book Starting Today: It's Easier Than You Think
Many people want to write a book. Indeed, a survey found that ten per cent of the population want to do it. Few people accomplish it, but you can.
I wrote my first book at the age of eight. From memory, it had 270 pages and the story involved ghosts, intrepid kids, and horses. Everything I wrote up to the age of 14 involved horses.
Sadly, none of my early stories survive; I wish I'd kept them. But here's what they taught me: they taught me to get started, and to keep going until I finished.
Most importantly of all, those early stories taught me that writing a book is easy when you have the attitude that you CAN do it. Somehow I knew that writing was simple: you sat down, and you wrote whatever came to mind.
Here are three tips which will help you to start writing your book today. It really is easier than you think.
1. Sit Down and Write
This is key. Write anything at all; don't stop to think. Keep going. If you try to impose logic on this process, you won't write much, and writing will be difficult for you.
Think of your writing self as someone else. Let that other self write. You can sort out the mess later (all writing is messy.)
2. (Nonfiction or Fiction) Create an Outline Before or After You Write
Some writers swear by outlines. Other writers swear at outlines.
It doesn't matter which kind of writer you are. I use outlines for nonfiction; I don't start the book until the outline is done.
For novels, I outline after I've written anywhere from 20 to 100 pages. The "outline" is just a collection of scene notes, each scene written on an index card.
When I've completed the first draft of a novel, I outline the whole thing, just to see what I've got. It makes it easier to cut scenes, and create needed scenes before I write the second draft.
3. Realize That You Can Write Any Scene or Chapter in Any Order You Like
Let's say you're writing a mystery. A promiscuous heiress has been murdered. Her husband and her lover are both suspects. Your protagonist, an ambitious, over-worked, and under-appreciated female detective, who has a lover of her own, and a suspicious, violent spouse, is emotionally involved in the case.
Just get started. Write the scene where the gardener, one of the heiress's former lovers, finds the body. Or write the scene where the detective interviews the husband, and gets nowhere.
On the other hand, perhaps all you know is that you want to write a novel. You have no clue what kind of novel, nor do you have a single glimmer of a plot.
Again, just get started. Write something, anything. Describe your favorite coffee shop or bar in four sentences. The door opens. Your protagonist enters. Her white silk blouse is torn, she's lost a shoe, and has skinned knees and ripped stockings.
Just start writing and keep writing. Describe the images in your mind.
So there you have it -- three tips to help you to write a book. Sit down, right now, and write a sentence. Then another one... See? It's easier than you think.
Want to write a book? You can, with Angela Booth's comprehensive [http://www.justwriteabook.com/collection.html]Write a Book Collection. Discover the secrets and develop the skills you need to write ANY book, from how-to guides to novels and memoirs. Angela's been writing since the 1970s, and she shares her secrets with you. Her Just Write A Book Blog helps you to [http://www.justwriteabook.com/blog/]write a book and get it published.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Write-a-Book-Starting-Today:-Its-Easier-Than-You-Think&id=6685165] Write a Book Starting Today: It's Easier Than You Think
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Becoming an Author of Credibility
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ifeanyi_Enoch_Onuoha]Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
We are living in a time of recognition and documentation. To be a person of influence in this wisdom age you must leave foot prints of excellence on the sand of time. The best way to leave a lasting legacy, immortalize you name and success is by packaging your thoughts, ideas, stories, findings and convictions in a book. Becoming an author is a thing of joy. It is higherlife because you have used the genius in you for the betterment of human kind. Who is an author? An author is the writer of a book. This makes you an expert, authority, a consultant and a sage. An author is an immortal and a life-giving spirit. An author is an entrepreneur and a leader.
The Acronym for Author:A - Authenticity, U-Uniqueness, T-Trust worthy, H-Humble, O-Organized, R-Realistic.Good people read books, but great ones write books. Authorship is for everyone! How can I make such a bold claim? Because we all have an idea, a story or an experience that can be packaged in a book and bless human kind with it. Authorship is for the rich because you must be a happy and healthy person who has abundance mentality for you to be able to bless generations with your genius.
Benefits of being an author include: Authority, Creative Exchange, Recognition of Your Genius, Exposure of your accomplishment, Business Growth, Networking Platform, Multiple stream of income, Branding, Consulting/Speaking opportunities, Successful immortality and gestational impartation.
There are four parts involved in book authorship. 1 is the Writing, 2 is the Editing, 3 is the Publishing and 4 is the Marketing/Publicity.To write a good book you must communicate your message with simplicity, clarity and power. As a genius with a pen, your book must be outstanding. You write because there is a message that you want to pass across to the masses and surely this will bring you respect, fame and riches. There are questions you must answer before you start writing: 1. Who is my audience? 2. What is the importance of my book? 3. How and what will my reader benefit from my work? 4. Will my book provide important information? 5. Will my book inspire the reader to do something - to act upon the information?
To do well in your writing, you must enhance your knowledge in the literary field. You need a good dictionary and thesaurus. Putting thoughts on paper is an art that requires information and creativity. To overcome writer's bloc, be knowledgeable in the subject you want to write about, relax your mind and allow your pen to flow. The substance of your manuscript must satisfy three basic laws of writing: syntax, phonics and semantics.
Syntax-the rule of grammar must be obeyed. Your sentences must be structured and words correctly spelled. Make sure your writing is coherent.Phonics- Every word has a sound. Read your manuscript aloud listen to how it sounds. Does it flow?Semantics-- know the meaning of each word you use, and use it correctly. Some writing tips include: Give your book a precise and mind-provoking title, chapters should be well arranged.Make your words evoke images and sensations, give your readers something they can tuck into their heart and meditate on. Example: "you have a life; make a success of it." and research very well.
Editing is the period of scrutinizing the words and ideas you have brought to light in your work. As the writer, you are in love with your work and this closeness can blind you to errors. You need a professional editor. Editors know what make a book sell and they give you the best. An editor fine-tunes your work. You must invest to harvest. To save money on editing services is a recipe for absolute failure. Pay an editor and get the best editing services.
If you write and your manuscript is edited but your work is not published, you have not realized your goal of authorship. Self publishing is the way to go. All great authors you know started as self publishing authors. For the publishing of your book, use a reputable publisher and he will give you the best packaging and services. From cover design, to page layering, ISBN, etc., he make sure that you book stands out anywhere in the world.
Now your book is published, you don't go to sleep for heaven to do the marketing, promotion and publicity for you. This is the time to bring your influence, connections and contacts to play. Before you now, you know the niche/genre your book is into; utilize your network in this area and get publicity for your work. Here are some marketing tips you can use: 1. Get reviews, endorsement and testimonials. 2. Organize a book lunch. 3. Set up an autograph party. 4. Make your book available in book fairs and conferences. 5. Use Mass Media, e.g., newspapers, TV and radio services. 6. Use the internet. The internet has features that can be used to publicize, promote and market your book examples:Datebook article writing, LinkedIn, good reads, Websites, MySpace etc. Remember to include your bio and picture in your book.
One thing I know is that you won't remain the same after going through the processes involved in making your book a success. I have been there and I know what I am talking about. You will be made better and stronger. Immortalize your name, inspire and empower others by writing a book. You must be in control of the authorship of your own destiny. The pen that writes your success story must be held in your own hand. Take a deep breath, brainstorm on an ideas and allow your pen to flow. I greet the genius In You!
Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha is a visionary leader, author, entrepreneur, positive change facilitator and a life- giving spirit. He is the President of Higherlife International; a non-governmental organization focused on enriching lives positively. An Administrator at Chiysonovelty Book Club and a Chaplain at International Christians Corp and Chaplaincy (ICCC). He's the best-selling author of Overcoming the Challenges of Life.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Becoming-an-Author-of-Credibility&id=6656339] Becoming an Author of Credibility
We are living in a time of recognition and documentation. To be a person of influence in this wisdom age you must leave foot prints of excellence on the sand of time. The best way to leave a lasting legacy, immortalize you name and success is by packaging your thoughts, ideas, stories, findings and convictions in a book. Becoming an author is a thing of joy. It is higherlife because you have used the genius in you for the betterment of human kind. Who is an author? An author is the writer of a book. This makes you an expert, authority, a consultant and a sage. An author is an immortal and a life-giving spirit. An author is an entrepreneur and a leader.
The Acronym for Author:A - Authenticity, U-Uniqueness, T-Trust worthy, H-Humble, O-Organized, R-Realistic.Good people read books, but great ones write books. Authorship is for everyone! How can I make such a bold claim? Because we all have an idea, a story or an experience that can be packaged in a book and bless human kind with it. Authorship is for the rich because you must be a happy and healthy person who has abundance mentality for you to be able to bless generations with your genius.
Benefits of being an author include: Authority, Creative Exchange, Recognition of Your Genius, Exposure of your accomplishment, Business Growth, Networking Platform, Multiple stream of income, Branding, Consulting/Speaking opportunities, Successful immortality and gestational impartation.
There are four parts involved in book authorship. 1 is the Writing, 2 is the Editing, 3 is the Publishing and 4 is the Marketing/Publicity.To write a good book you must communicate your message with simplicity, clarity and power. As a genius with a pen, your book must be outstanding. You write because there is a message that you want to pass across to the masses and surely this will bring you respect, fame and riches. There are questions you must answer before you start writing: 1. Who is my audience? 2. What is the importance of my book? 3. How and what will my reader benefit from my work? 4. Will my book provide important information? 5. Will my book inspire the reader to do something - to act upon the information?
To do well in your writing, you must enhance your knowledge in the literary field. You need a good dictionary and thesaurus. Putting thoughts on paper is an art that requires information and creativity. To overcome writer's bloc, be knowledgeable in the subject you want to write about, relax your mind and allow your pen to flow. The substance of your manuscript must satisfy three basic laws of writing: syntax, phonics and semantics.
Syntax-the rule of grammar must be obeyed. Your sentences must be structured and words correctly spelled. Make sure your writing is coherent.Phonics- Every word has a sound. Read your manuscript aloud listen to how it sounds. Does it flow?Semantics-- know the meaning of each word you use, and use it correctly. Some writing tips include: Give your book a precise and mind-provoking title, chapters should be well arranged.Make your words evoke images and sensations, give your readers something they can tuck into their heart and meditate on. Example: "you have a life; make a success of it." and research very well.
Editing is the period of scrutinizing the words and ideas you have brought to light in your work. As the writer, you are in love with your work and this closeness can blind you to errors. You need a professional editor. Editors know what make a book sell and they give you the best. An editor fine-tunes your work. You must invest to harvest. To save money on editing services is a recipe for absolute failure. Pay an editor and get the best editing services.
If you write and your manuscript is edited but your work is not published, you have not realized your goal of authorship. Self publishing is the way to go. All great authors you know started as self publishing authors. For the publishing of your book, use a reputable publisher and he will give you the best packaging and services. From cover design, to page layering, ISBN, etc., he make sure that you book stands out anywhere in the world.
Now your book is published, you don't go to sleep for heaven to do the marketing, promotion and publicity for you. This is the time to bring your influence, connections and contacts to play. Before you now, you know the niche/genre your book is into; utilize your network in this area and get publicity for your work. Here are some marketing tips you can use: 1. Get reviews, endorsement and testimonials. 2. Organize a book lunch. 3. Set up an autograph party. 4. Make your book available in book fairs and conferences. 5. Use Mass Media, e.g., newspapers, TV and radio services. 6. Use the internet. The internet has features that can be used to publicize, promote and market your book examples:Datebook article writing, LinkedIn, good reads, Websites, MySpace etc. Remember to include your bio and picture in your book.
One thing I know is that you won't remain the same after going through the processes involved in making your book a success. I have been there and I know what I am talking about. You will be made better and stronger. Immortalize your name, inspire and empower others by writing a book. You must be in control of the authorship of your own destiny. The pen that writes your success story must be held in your own hand. Take a deep breath, brainstorm on an ideas and allow your pen to flow. I greet the genius In You!
Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha is a visionary leader, author, entrepreneur, positive change facilitator and a life- giving spirit. He is the President of Higherlife International; a non-governmental organization focused on enriching lives positively. An Administrator at Chiysonovelty Book Club and a Chaplain at International Christians Corp and Chaplaincy (ICCC). He's the best-selling author of Overcoming the Challenges of Life.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Becoming-an-Author-of-Credibility&id=6656339] Becoming an Author of Credibility
Friday, March 9, 2012
Submitting Books to Reviewers and Bloggers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_C_Andrews]Benjamin C Andrews
One of the scariest parts of writing a book is when it come time to submit it for review. It can be an ominous task, pressing the send button on a query to a reviewer. It can be very disappointing when they say they aren't interested, but it is also gratifying when someone accepts. This post will be about the general query process, and what an author or their representative can expect.
There is a general pattern of events that can be expected when looking for book reviews. The first is to find a website or print publication that reviews genres your book falls into. It will do nothing but waste time to submit your book to random reviewers who may not work on your genre of book. Once you've found a compatible website, it's time to check the reviewer's guidelines. Most reviewers will have a set way they would like you to ask them to review their books. If you want to have a chance of being considered, it's important to follow those directions to the letter.
Once you've tailored your query to the reviewer's guidelines, and send it, there's nothing to do but wait. Every reviewer will have different response times, so find and query more! At this point, one of three things can happen. The first is the reviewer responds, and accepts your query. Of course this is the desired outcome! Option two is the reviewer responds, and declines your query. Shrug it off and find another. Third is never receiving a response. More likely than not this means your query was not accepted. Shrug it off and find another.
Remember that you are not alone in this battle either. Some sleuthing around the internet will uncover places for you to query, and as long as you keep searching, you'll keep finding more. There are also collectives, paid services, and many other ways to get reviews. Be cautious in your ventures though. Everything is not always what it appears to be.
Reaching out for reviews is definitely one of the more daunting aspects of book marketing. Most of the reviewers are going to post their honest opinion, even if that's a single star review. Prepare yourself for those, because there are probably people out there who won't like any given book. Some aren't very shy about sharing that either. Reviews can be an enormous help in generating sales though, and they are a must-use marketing strategy for any author. Treat each query seriously, and always be as professional as possible. If you think you're being too polite, then you are on the right track.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Submitting-Books-to-Reviewers-and-Bloggers&id=6689562] Submitting Books to Reviewers and Bloggers
One of the scariest parts of writing a book is when it come time to submit it for review. It can be an ominous task, pressing the send button on a query to a reviewer. It can be very disappointing when they say they aren't interested, but it is also gratifying when someone accepts. This post will be about the general query process, and what an author or their representative can expect.
There is a general pattern of events that can be expected when looking for book reviews. The first is to find a website or print publication that reviews genres your book falls into. It will do nothing but waste time to submit your book to random reviewers who may not work on your genre of book. Once you've found a compatible website, it's time to check the reviewer's guidelines. Most reviewers will have a set way they would like you to ask them to review their books. If you want to have a chance of being considered, it's important to follow those directions to the letter.
Once you've tailored your query to the reviewer's guidelines, and send it, there's nothing to do but wait. Every reviewer will have different response times, so find and query more! At this point, one of three things can happen. The first is the reviewer responds, and accepts your query. Of course this is the desired outcome! Option two is the reviewer responds, and declines your query. Shrug it off and find another. Third is never receiving a response. More likely than not this means your query was not accepted. Shrug it off and find another.
Remember that you are not alone in this battle either. Some sleuthing around the internet will uncover places for you to query, and as long as you keep searching, you'll keep finding more. There are also collectives, paid services, and many other ways to get reviews. Be cautious in your ventures though. Everything is not always what it appears to be.
Reaching out for reviews is definitely one of the more daunting aspects of book marketing. Most of the reviewers are going to post their honest opinion, even if that's a single star review. Prepare yourself for those, because there are probably people out there who won't like any given book. Some aren't very shy about sharing that either. Reviews can be an enormous help in generating sales though, and they are a must-use marketing strategy for any author. Treat each query seriously, and always be as professional as possible. If you think you're being too polite, then you are on the right track.
I'm Benjamin C. Andrews, an author sharing my writing knowledge with others. Visit http://magicjarpublishing.blogspot.com/ for more writing tips and tricks, and other quality information.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Submitting-Books-to-Reviewers-and-Bloggers&id=6689562] Submitting Books to Reviewers and Bloggers
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Kindle Publishing - The Process In Details!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Herry_Jeany]Herry Jeany
To get your book published is becoming more and more of an impossible task. The publishing companies want authors that can sell themselves and that are able to promote their own books. Hence, this has leaded many authors to think about publishing their books themselves.
Amazon's Kindle publishing makes publishing your book a simple task, they will pay you up to 70 per cent royalty. They will handle collecting the money and delivering it to you. However, you need to make sure that your book is promoted well. Kindle will handle everything; all you have to do is promote your book!
The first thing you need is to have your eBook in a word document form. Then, all you need is a computer and an internet connection! Create and account on Amazon.
The following steps will take you through the process of getting published for Kindle:
1. You want to use word document to be able to convert it to HTML form.
2. Amazon will not edit the book; hence, you need to make sure that it is perfect by all means. Hire someone ask a friend anything!
3. Once you have been signed up in Amazon, you want to download the Quick start Guide from dtp.amazon.com and follow their instructions. Remember, HTML is the most recommended form; PDF does not always work well with Kindle.
4. it will continue to ask you a few questions, such as, the price, the description, author biography etc... this your chance, so make sure it is exactly what you want it to be, makes sure it represents your book and you well. You can save and go back to it before submitting.
5. On Amazon's platform you get to test and monitor your price, sales, and royalties. The price you put on the book is very critical. You don't want to ask for too much to guarantee sales. However, you can always go in and change the price or ask to have a trial price for a month. Just make sure that your price is not too exaggerated and if found that price doesn't matter you can always increase it.
6. A good way to promote your book is to have a page for it on Face book and also on Twitter, add the keywords. You want to create a community for your book. Make it a reason why people will follow you. You might end up with ideas for future books.
When it comes [http://kindlepublishingadvice.wordpress.com/]Kindle book Publishing, Herry Jeany is the expert you should see. Keep reading his articles to know more about the topic!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kindle-Publishing---The-Process-In-Details!&id=6690797] Kindle Publishing - The Process In Details!
To get your book published is becoming more and more of an impossible task. The publishing companies want authors that can sell themselves and that are able to promote their own books. Hence, this has leaded many authors to think about publishing their books themselves.
Amazon's Kindle publishing makes publishing your book a simple task, they will pay you up to 70 per cent royalty. They will handle collecting the money and delivering it to you. However, you need to make sure that your book is promoted well. Kindle will handle everything; all you have to do is promote your book!
The first thing you need is to have your eBook in a word document form. Then, all you need is a computer and an internet connection! Create and account on Amazon.
The following steps will take you through the process of getting published for Kindle:
1. You want to use word document to be able to convert it to HTML form.
2. Amazon will not edit the book; hence, you need to make sure that it is perfect by all means. Hire someone ask a friend anything!
3. Once you have been signed up in Amazon, you want to download the Quick start Guide from dtp.amazon.com and follow their instructions. Remember, HTML is the most recommended form; PDF does not always work well with Kindle.
4. it will continue to ask you a few questions, such as, the price, the description, author biography etc... this your chance, so make sure it is exactly what you want it to be, makes sure it represents your book and you well. You can save and go back to it before submitting.
5. On Amazon's platform you get to test and monitor your price, sales, and royalties. The price you put on the book is very critical. You don't want to ask for too much to guarantee sales. However, you can always go in and change the price or ask to have a trial price for a month. Just make sure that your price is not too exaggerated and if found that price doesn't matter you can always increase it.
6. A good way to promote your book is to have a page for it on Face book and also on Twitter, add the keywords. You want to create a community for your book. Make it a reason why people will follow you. You might end up with ideas for future books.
When it comes [http://kindlepublishingadvice.wordpress.com/]Kindle book Publishing, Herry Jeany is the expert you should see. Keep reading his articles to know more about the topic!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kindle-Publishing---The-Process-In-Details!&id=6690797] Kindle Publishing - The Process In Details!
Monday, March 5, 2012
How to Publish Your Books on Kindle
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Green]Jim Green
The very mention of Kindle sends ripples of foreboding trickling through the established fields of traditional publishing and bookselling; and with good reason.
Not only are sales of the Kindle reader booming worldwide but so too are the instances of everyday usage on planes, trains, buses, parks and beaches. Vacationers for example now carry up to 5000 books in a jacket pocket rather than lugging around a dozen or so good reads in a suitcase.
As an established traditionally published author I decided recently to put Kindle Publishing to the test by uploading five of my out-of-print fiction titles; not just any five old titles though; five titles with a linking thread.
I have to say that initial returns were highly promising; 36 sales over just 6 days.
Thus enthused I uploaded my remaining fifteen out-of-print fiction titles but at the time of writing they haven't elicited a single sale which has prompted me to investigate further.
1. The five titles that took off immediately all sold well as paperbacks ten years ago so could it be that Kindle readers have a longer than average memory? I doubt it.
2. Did I score a bulls-eye with my choice of Kindle publishing category? Very much so.
3. Did my painstaking choice of keywords pay off? Again, very much so.
Clearly what I must do now is to revisit the categories and keywords for the other fifteen titles and strive to accomplish by design what I achieved through happenstance for the first five.
TIPS FOR PUBLISHING ON KINDLE
If you have unpublished works cluttering up your computer (especially fiction) or if like me you have previously published books that are no longer in demand, pay close attention to these tips for publishing on Kindle.
Target market: This is vital work. Ensure that you select the definitive Kindle readership market for your book(s). Kindle provides ample tools.
Front cover: For previously published works scan the front covers; for unpublished works do not use a placeholder image. Design your own images to precise Kindle specifications.
Text formatting: Study the Kindle tutorials and implement exactly what they tell you into your formatting.
Categories: Choose your publishing categories with care. Kindle provides a comprehensive list covering every aspect of fiction and non-fiction.
Keywords: Here is where you succeed or fail on Kindle publishing. Spend more time on choosing your keywords than you would normally on any other type of online marketing. Don't select keywords with high usage like 100,000; choose tighter usages like 3/4000. TIP: If your prime keyword also features in the title of your book you are automatically on a winner.
Pricing: Be realistic with your pricing. For example, if you have a title which previously sold for $15 as a paperback, lower your sights for the electronic version; $3.50 to $4.95 would be much more realistic.
Promotion: Kindle and Amazon will assist you in a myriad of ways but fail to do your own marketing and returns will decrease dramatically. Use Twitter, Facebook, articles like this one, and above all, create an Amazon Author Page.
PS: I have just checked up to date Kindle Sales for my first five titles: 167 in just 21 days...
Click on the URL in the bio box below to inspect the full range of my out-of-print fiction titles on Kindle. See if you can spot the 5 that are selling well (It shouldn't be difficult; the core keyword is an integral part of each title).
JIM GREEN is a bestselling traditionally published author with 40+ titles in the realms of fiction and non-fiction. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0034PAPH6
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Publish-Your-Books-on-Kindle&id=6697646] How to Publish Your Books on Kindle
The very mention of Kindle sends ripples of foreboding trickling through the established fields of traditional publishing and bookselling; and with good reason.
Not only are sales of the Kindle reader booming worldwide but so too are the instances of everyday usage on planes, trains, buses, parks and beaches. Vacationers for example now carry up to 5000 books in a jacket pocket rather than lugging around a dozen or so good reads in a suitcase.
As an established traditionally published author I decided recently to put Kindle Publishing to the test by uploading five of my out-of-print fiction titles; not just any five old titles though; five titles with a linking thread.
I have to say that initial returns were highly promising; 36 sales over just 6 days.
Thus enthused I uploaded my remaining fifteen out-of-print fiction titles but at the time of writing they haven't elicited a single sale which has prompted me to investigate further.
1. The five titles that took off immediately all sold well as paperbacks ten years ago so could it be that Kindle readers have a longer than average memory? I doubt it.
2. Did I score a bulls-eye with my choice of Kindle publishing category? Very much so.
3. Did my painstaking choice of keywords pay off? Again, very much so.
Clearly what I must do now is to revisit the categories and keywords for the other fifteen titles and strive to accomplish by design what I achieved through happenstance for the first five.
TIPS FOR PUBLISHING ON KINDLE
If you have unpublished works cluttering up your computer (especially fiction) or if like me you have previously published books that are no longer in demand, pay close attention to these tips for publishing on Kindle.
Target market: This is vital work. Ensure that you select the definitive Kindle readership market for your book(s). Kindle provides ample tools.
Front cover: For previously published works scan the front covers; for unpublished works do not use a placeholder image. Design your own images to precise Kindle specifications.
Text formatting: Study the Kindle tutorials and implement exactly what they tell you into your formatting.
Categories: Choose your publishing categories with care. Kindle provides a comprehensive list covering every aspect of fiction and non-fiction.
Keywords: Here is where you succeed or fail on Kindle publishing. Spend more time on choosing your keywords than you would normally on any other type of online marketing. Don't select keywords with high usage like 100,000; choose tighter usages like 3/4000. TIP: If your prime keyword also features in the title of your book you are automatically on a winner.
Pricing: Be realistic with your pricing. For example, if you have a title which previously sold for $15 as a paperback, lower your sights for the electronic version; $3.50 to $4.95 would be much more realistic.
Promotion: Kindle and Amazon will assist you in a myriad of ways but fail to do your own marketing and returns will decrease dramatically. Use Twitter, Facebook, articles like this one, and above all, create an Amazon Author Page.
PS: I have just checked up to date Kindle Sales for my first five titles: 167 in just 21 days...
Click on the URL in the bio box below to inspect the full range of my out-of-print fiction titles on Kindle. See if you can spot the 5 that are selling well (It shouldn't be difficult; the core keyword is an integral part of each title).
JIM GREEN is a bestselling traditionally published author with 40+ titles in the realms of fiction and non-fiction. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0034PAPH6
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Publish-Your-Books-on-Kindle&id=6697646] How to Publish Your Books on Kindle
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Kindle Publishing - A Must for Every Author!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Weld_Ltiffou]Weld Ltiffou
If you don't know how to publish on kindle, you might as well just stop being a writer. You will see that it is only a matter of time and people will not buy the printed books. This is the worst case scenario; however, it is one of the possibilities of what may happen in the future.
Hard cover books are not in high demand as it used to be. Although many people will still prefer to buy physical books, they still buy the eBooks. According to amazon, in the year 2011 the number of 3 books sold was more than the number of hardcover books sold. This reached a ratio of 3:1.
The paper back is not a trend anymore, as people prefer paper cover books due to quality of the printed material; PDF books are also not the most convenient books. The screen makes it hard to read from and when you print them, the ink and paper are expensive. This is what makes the kindle device so great. People will want to buy eBooks in the format of the Kindle device because it is easy to read and it is paperless. Hence, Kindle is very environmentally friendly.
These will also extent to magazines and newspapers. To simply go to a stand and buy a magazine or a newspaper may be out. Why do all that when you have an electronic book-reader. Think of it, if you are standing at a bus station, would you rather hold a big ass paper trying to fold it against the wind until the bus arrives, or wouldn't it be comfortable to just use your kindle.
This brings the article to the important part; the self publishing. It is free and it is a win-win situation. Through Amazon, kindle offer a publishing option for you in the most uncomplicated way. You just need to follow the instruction and you will be a published writer very soon.
Here's a crash course on how to publish on Kindle:
* Create an account on Amazon.
* Use this account to access the Kindle Direct Publishing area.
* There will be a few forms, fill them out.
* Add a new title, but the name of your book and its descriptions etc...
* Now upload the book and the cover picture (use HTML format).
* pick the price of the book.
* Now wait, in a few days your book will be up on Amazon for sale!
These are just simple headlines; you need to learn more about [http://kindlepublishingpro.wordpress.com/]Kindle ebooks publishing to do well. Armin Vich is an expert in this field, and he can give you all the necessary information to successfully publish your ebooks on Kindle.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kindle-Publishing---A-Must-for-Every-Author!&id=6693422] Kindle Publishing - A Must for Every Author!
If you don't know how to publish on kindle, you might as well just stop being a writer. You will see that it is only a matter of time and people will not buy the printed books. This is the worst case scenario; however, it is one of the possibilities of what may happen in the future.
Hard cover books are not in high demand as it used to be. Although many people will still prefer to buy physical books, they still buy the eBooks. According to amazon, in the year 2011 the number of 3 books sold was more than the number of hardcover books sold. This reached a ratio of 3:1.
The paper back is not a trend anymore, as people prefer paper cover books due to quality of the printed material; PDF books are also not the most convenient books. The screen makes it hard to read from and when you print them, the ink and paper are expensive. This is what makes the kindle device so great. People will want to buy eBooks in the format of the Kindle device because it is easy to read and it is paperless. Hence, Kindle is very environmentally friendly.
These will also extent to magazines and newspapers. To simply go to a stand and buy a magazine or a newspaper may be out. Why do all that when you have an electronic book-reader. Think of it, if you are standing at a bus station, would you rather hold a big ass paper trying to fold it against the wind until the bus arrives, or wouldn't it be comfortable to just use your kindle.
This brings the article to the important part; the self publishing. It is free and it is a win-win situation. Through Amazon, kindle offer a publishing option for you in the most uncomplicated way. You just need to follow the instruction and you will be a published writer very soon.
Here's a crash course on how to publish on Kindle:
* Create an account on Amazon.
* Use this account to access the Kindle Direct Publishing area.
* There will be a few forms, fill them out.
* Add a new title, but the name of your book and its descriptions etc...
* Now upload the book and the cover picture (use HTML format).
* pick the price of the book.
* Now wait, in a few days your book will be up on Amazon for sale!
These are just simple headlines; you need to learn more about [http://kindlepublishingpro.wordpress.com/]Kindle ebooks publishing to do well. Armin Vich is an expert in this field, and he can give you all the necessary information to successfully publish your ebooks on Kindle.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kindle-Publishing---A-Must-for-Every-Author!&id=6693422] Kindle Publishing - A Must for Every Author!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Sure Fire Tips On How To Publish A Book
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Blalock]Marcus Blalock
Book publishing basically involves taking your content (the book) and making it available to the general public. It means that the reading public will now have access to the book or information. Whether you're selling the information or giving it away, as long as you're allowing the public access to it, this is publishing.
It sounds simple, but actually the process of book publishing encompasses much more than this. It also involves things such as distributing your book, promoting it, and getting the media involved.
Book publishing is complicated, but it has become much easier in recent years. Much of the information you can find on book publishing is true of the publishing industry 30 or more years ago, but technology has changed radically since then. Today's technology offers new equipment and new means of communication for getting published. The publishing process has not only gotten easier, but also cheaper and faster.
The Stages Of Book Publishing
The process of book publishing can be broken up into a number of stages. If you follow these stages and execute each one well, you'll end up with a published book that's getting to its readers.
The first step is to complete the book's content. This is the genesis and foundation of how to publish a book. However, it's only one step along the way. At this stage you can start thinking about sales and marketing by choosing topics and information that there's a demand for. If you focus on what people want, it will be much easier to sell when it's published.
The next step is editing, and it's just as essential as the actual writing itself. All of your book's content must be completely error-free. The grammar and spelling must be absolutely perfect or it can really hurt your book's chances of selling widely. You should spend just as much focus and attention on editing as you did on writing.
When the writing and editing are done, the final step is the book's production. At this stage, your book is on the verge of being ready for the public. This stage includes formatting, design and printing. Once your book is ready for print, it's time to make it available to the public.
How The Internet Can Help
There are a number of websites on the Internet that you can use to publish your own book, including Lulu and CafePress. These sites can essentially publish your book for you and they are a great opportunity for authors to publish as many books as they'd like to. You can put out books in a very short period of time.
These sites allow you to download and proofread your book before it goes to print. This way, you can finalize and approve everything before it's published. It's another good step in making sure that your text is free of errors.
Sites such as these make it easy to publish your own book, but another difficult task comes next. This is the task of marketing and selling your book. When you self-publish, you're on your own to do this.
However, some of these sites have groups that help to facilitate this process. There are also ready-made platforms such as Amazon that are ready to sell your book immediately. All of this makes marketing your book much easier.
Want to become a published author? �Discover how one man went from ebook publisher to NY Times Best Seller by scoring $5.8 million in free advertising from the media... visit: How Do I Get Published? Why are you still reading this? �Click Here Now:� http://www.optpages.com/howdoigetpublished/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sure-Fire-Tips-On-How-To-Publish-A-Book&id=6699354] Sure Fire Tips On How To Publish A Book
Book publishing basically involves taking your content (the book) and making it available to the general public. It means that the reading public will now have access to the book or information. Whether you're selling the information or giving it away, as long as you're allowing the public access to it, this is publishing.
It sounds simple, but actually the process of book publishing encompasses much more than this. It also involves things such as distributing your book, promoting it, and getting the media involved.
Book publishing is complicated, but it has become much easier in recent years. Much of the information you can find on book publishing is true of the publishing industry 30 or more years ago, but technology has changed radically since then. Today's technology offers new equipment and new means of communication for getting published. The publishing process has not only gotten easier, but also cheaper and faster.
The Stages Of Book Publishing
The process of book publishing can be broken up into a number of stages. If you follow these stages and execute each one well, you'll end up with a published book that's getting to its readers.
The first step is to complete the book's content. This is the genesis and foundation of how to publish a book. However, it's only one step along the way. At this stage you can start thinking about sales and marketing by choosing topics and information that there's a demand for. If you focus on what people want, it will be much easier to sell when it's published.
The next step is editing, and it's just as essential as the actual writing itself. All of your book's content must be completely error-free. The grammar and spelling must be absolutely perfect or it can really hurt your book's chances of selling widely. You should spend just as much focus and attention on editing as you did on writing.
When the writing and editing are done, the final step is the book's production. At this stage, your book is on the verge of being ready for the public. This stage includes formatting, design and printing. Once your book is ready for print, it's time to make it available to the public.
How The Internet Can Help
There are a number of websites on the Internet that you can use to publish your own book, including Lulu and CafePress. These sites can essentially publish your book for you and they are a great opportunity for authors to publish as many books as they'd like to. You can put out books in a very short period of time.
These sites allow you to download and proofread your book before it goes to print. This way, you can finalize and approve everything before it's published. It's another good step in making sure that your text is free of errors.
Sites such as these make it easy to publish your own book, but another difficult task comes next. This is the task of marketing and selling your book. When you self-publish, you're on your own to do this.
However, some of these sites have groups that help to facilitate this process. There are also ready-made platforms such as Amazon that are ready to sell your book immediately. All of this makes marketing your book much easier.
Want to become a published author? �Discover how one man went from ebook publisher to NY Times Best Seller by scoring $5.8 million in free advertising from the media... visit: How Do I Get Published? Why are you still reading this? �Click Here Now:� http://www.optpages.com/howdoigetpublished/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Sure-Fire-Tips-On-How-To-Publish-A-Book&id=6699354] Sure Fire Tips On How To Publish A Book
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