Ebooks have come a long ways since 2002 when they had just 0.05% of the marketplace! So, it's likely no surprise that the technology behind ebooks has also come a long ways. This infographic introduces you to the three types of ebooks we see today. The good news is that you can create your own [...]
Add a Comment
new posts in all blogs
By: Linda Aksomitis,
on 2/22/2016
Blog: Linda Aksomitis (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: responsive, fixed, reflowable, eBooks, formats, Add a tag
.jpeg?picon=2058)
By: Shelli,
on 10/19/2011
Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: formats, indie pub, Add a tag
Display Comments
Add a Comment
Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: formats, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 2 of 2
By: Linda Aksomitis,
on 2/22/2016
Blog: Linda Aksomitis (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: responsive, fixed, reflowable, eBooks, formats, Add a tag
By: Shelli,
on 10/19/2011
Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: formats, indie pub, Add a tag
First, I all of a sudden looked up and realized it was Wednesday and I had not posted this week.
Yikes.
The biggest problem with ebooks (besides the slew that are low quality and printed at Kinkos) is distribution. If people can't get access to your books then why sell them at all?
Today, I wanted to quickly go through how to decide what format to choose for your indie published book. But how do you know what format to do them in?
1) Think about whether you just want digital or also want a physical copy.
Some people only want to go digital in indie publishing and they make great money and have little hassle. Indie writers don't make much off paperbacks. With Amazon's 70% royalty (if your list price is 2.99 or above - you can make about $2 on every 2.99 book sold. That's great compared to most publishers. I think we will see a time in the future where authors will try and keep their digital rights b/c the royalty rate is low and put out the ebooks themselves once the physical book is available.
2) Going Digital? Decide what ebook formats.
If you just want your book available on Amazon - it will only go to those people with Kindles. B&N has Pub it, which only goes to Nooks. So - do you want all the other ereaders to have access? I say why not? Smashwords will sell your book in most formats for Sony, or iBooks etc. So why not. I think it will cost you extra time and probably under $50. So what do you have to lose. I will say about 80% of sales come from B&N and Amazon (mostly Amazon) so it might not be worth it to you.
3) Want physical copies? Understand your royalties first!
Okay so this is where indie published authors vary. Some only do digital, others do paperback while some do hardback (only Lightning source offers that). The problem is the royalty - I mean if you are not smart - you will end up paying for people to buy your book, which sucks. So it comes down to money.(doesn't everything?)
Theer are tons of POD companies - LuLu, iUniverse etc - but I have heard CreateSpace and LS are the best from reliable sources so I don't have time to research all of them.
7 Comments on What to consider when creating other formats?', last added: 10/21/2011
Did you see this post, Shelli?
http://www.novelpublicity.com/2011/10/createspace-or-lightning-source-which-is-the-more-intelligent-choice-for-self-publishing/
It's shows the pros and cons between Createspace and Lightning Source.
Great post!
Yeah, listen to Stina. I just read that article, too, and it has some really great info. For more info and another perspective, see Robin Sullivan's post:http://write2publish.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-create-space-is-better-than.html
I haven't used the pro service for Amazon, B&N, or Smashwords. I don't really see what the advantage is, but if you know something I don't I'd be fascinated to learn about it. Maybe that would make another good blog post. Most of the indies I know just opt for the free ebook versions.
Molly Green did an indepth comparison between Create Space and Lightning Source.
http://worthbecoming.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/the-great-debate-createspace-or-lightening-source-for-self-published-print-books/
What is ISBN block?
I don't really expect to make tons of money with print (hopefully I'm proved wrong) but having it available makes you sound more legit to some people. Plus you can buy at a discount yourself and sell for less and make more profit, than if you rely on the Amazon site alone. It is also needed for certain marketing efforts.
I hope you are scheduling time to breathe and to sleep! I have to admit the thought of researching it all and making all the decisions that go along with it totally overwhelms me. You must be exhausted!
I've read those articles too and yes, it seems that Amazon works better with you if you go through them too. Good choice to start with.
Hi Shelli,
I went with Createspace and upgraded to the Pro Plan, but then ended up pricing my book at less than they recommended, because I couldn't imagine anyone buying a paperback of an unknown for $11.50.
I priced it at 8.99, so I will still make about $.90 a copy at 302 pages. The advantage of having a paperback, even without lots of sales, is that you can put it up on Goodreads for a giveaway-they don't yet do ebooks. That gives you a way to let readers know the book is out there.
I’m a single mom and I have 2 kids who both needed dental braces. I make just enough to not qualify Medicaid
services so I can’t get free dental and medical services for the kids. I had to pay over $4800 so that my child
can have braces and a beautiful smile. . .She was very scared and timid at school. I couldn’t find anyone in
Los Angeles who would do the braces at a normal price so I had to launch find it with free services like
http://www.healthsouk.com (HealthSouk- the dental discount plan or discounted dentistry) and
www.1800dentist.com (800 dentist) The first one was free and the second apparently charges the dentist but not
me.healthsouk
- Jenny Thomas