Ebooks

1. 71

   donnaisabellaposted 12 years ago

   I am considering publishing an Ebook but wonder if it is such a good idea.

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      Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What do you have to lose?

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         donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Nothing but time, I guess.

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      kimberlyslyricsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      awesome, love writing them!

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         donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         That is refreshing.

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         donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Kimberly, I would like to read the Ebooks you have written. Thanks for letting me know you write them all the time! That is impressive.

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      AdeleCosgroveBrayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So long as the book you've written is of a professional standard, what have you got to lose?  Go for it. 

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         donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Adele. It seems I can publish anything as an Ebook just like I would if I used a conventional book publisher.

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2. 92

   Pcunixposted 12 years ago

   I have earned over $3,700.00 in the past 3 years selling my own e-books.  As Randy said, what do you have to lose?

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is encouraging. Thanks.

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         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You need to consider whether you're writing fiction or non-fiction. It takes a bit more in the marketing department to make the kind of money pc has made on ebooks if you're writing fiction.

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3. 61

   Nouveau Skepticposted 12 years ago

   The same could be said of publishing a paper book, or pretty much anything.

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are probably right. I am probably just used to the other medium. Thanks.

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4. 68

   Pearldiverposted 12 years ago

   Probably a good idea to write your e-books more decisively than this thread.

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What do you mean?

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   MakinBaconposted 12 years ago

   The biggest challenge is to write the book first. The format in our time isn't as important as it used to be.
   
   Once a book is written you can take a few steps and have it offered as POD, as a digital download, or as an e-book, as you mention.
   
   One great thing about an e-book is you can use it to let people know who you are, which can be much more valuable, in the long term, than just attempting to make a few dollars.

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   1. 71

      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Precious advice. I am really learning a lot about Ebooks from this thread than I ever have. I was looking at publishing an ebook almost 5 years ago, my fear was not having enough information and letting something go out on the internet which was less than good. I will look at some of the suggestions and resources that have been shared here. I am not in lack of what to publish, it is how to publish it and the quality of what I have to give that is major issue to me. Thanks a lot.

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6. 61

   tobey100posted 12 years ago

   I've done a couple.  The Deerflat Chronicles and Life as a Nobody.  Believe it or not they actually sell.  You may not get rich but it's a blast.

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh thanks for sharing. I may not get rich! Wow, I am just looking for a starting point, never mind the getting rich stuff, we will sort that out when we get there.

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         tobey100posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Amazon has the application and directions you need to create your own eBook and they're free.

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         1. 59

            readytoescapeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I’d investigate Amazon thoroughly before publishing an E-book there. A POD via Createspace is an option, but you may severely limit marketing options by using Amazon’s E book publishing because of their exclusivity rules.
            
            The Best Option out there right now is Smashwords. Stupid name but good service, easy to use lots of marketing outlets.

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               JChan13posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I am epublished through Siren BookStrand.  I have had a very good experience with them, but my debut novel has only been out for a month.  Not too much money, but just to FINALLY have a published book out there is amazing!  And as a previous comment said, just to use it as a springboard to get a pubished credit to your name is good.  Be careful though, because some publishers basically get total creative control over your manuscript once they accept it, and can change your story any way they want to and you can't say anything to stop it.  ONe of my writing friends had that happen and was devastated.  Siren BookStrand has been very good about working WITH the author on edits, rather than forcing changes down our throats.  As for self-pub, I know someone who has done extremely well with Smashwords.  She is very happy with her choice to self publish.  So research before you make a decision, then go for it!

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               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Agree about Smashwords. They have the easiest step by step formatting guidelines and the largest distributorship outside of Amazon. They distribute to everyone but Amazon.

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   2. 71

      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey, I will look for those two you have done! If they sell, that is good enough, if the numbers add up, that is what matters for a beginner. Thanks for sharing.

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7. 59

   readytoescapeposted 12 years ago

   I decided to publish independently rather than accept conventional publishing deal that put all the profits from my work in other pockets. In so, I chose to publish my first novel as an E-Book only and it is working well. I have sales in over twenty countries across 4 continents.
   
   Through the path I choose, once published, my book was available worldwide via the internet or phone APP in 10 different reading formats, with sellers like Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple and many more.
   
   I also have it set up so that independent websites or individuals that promote my novel can receive an 11 % commission for all digital copies they sell on my behalf.

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds really interesting. I am beginning to be very interested!

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         readytoescapeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         If you would like some more info email me through my website, there are links on my profile page

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            donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I will make sure to check out your website. Thank you very much.

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Impressive! Thanks for sharing, I will check out your profile and website. All of you are being so gracious with the information you share. You just gave another perspective on publishing Ebooks which is quite helpful. I will run and see what your books are about. Best wishes and wish me the best too because I will definitely do it!

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8. 84

   lex123posted 12 years ago

   I too have made my ebooks on smashwords and amazon - a novel, short story book  and children's books, and are available worldwide. They do sell. I'm planning to do more books this way.

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   jessicagavin1posted 12 years ago

   you are awesome :*

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      donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Jessica, welcome to Hubpages. I should run and read your hub!

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10. 77

    Shadesbreathposted 12 years ago

    Do it. I just put my first one out. It's awesome. People really will buy your stories. I'm having a blast. Don't make any more excuses. Do it.
    
    Read a bunch of this guys blog post and you'll be super inspired:
    
    http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

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       donnaisabellaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       A little awed but definitely following this very closely.

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11. 60

    couturepopcafeposted 12 years ago

    To all you people who have ebooks selling, any advice on marketing? Or did you just let it sell on its own?

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       Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I "market" on my website, but that's it.  It actually surprises me that they keep selling month after month.

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          JChan13posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I have a blog site that I use to promote my book, and also placed ads on a couple of book review sites.  I finally figured out how to make my own movies, using Windows Live Movie Maker and have just put a couple of "book trailer" videos out on You Tube.  Not sure it has increased sales, but at least it gives me a fighting chance.  Hopefully the longer they're out there, more people might actually buy the book.  But I do confess I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment in just knowing I am published, even if I never make it to a best seller's list.

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       readytoescapeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       The most important item I have found is to use a distributor that has multiple marketing and retailing arms. For example, if your book is accepted by Smashwords (the distributor I use), your Ebook will be formatted in roughly ten different digital delivery options that include Kindle (mobi) Nook (Epub) and more for computer and smart phone.
       
       Further if the book is reviewed and approved as a Premium listing, they have marketing and delivery relationships with Barnes & Noble, Diesel Ebooks, Sony, Apple IBooks (thru I tunes) Kobo, Baker & Taylor and many more. As well as affiliates like Goodreads, All of which will give your book Global presence. I have actually sold more books in Europe, Australia and Asia than here in the US.

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12. 67

    leni sandsposted 12 years ago

    I publish ebooks through Amazon and have had some success https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/ … 4-3133016.  It is good fun and very easy to do.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leni-Sands/e/B005ZOG20S
    I have also tried lulu.com but I find Amazon the most successful.  You still need to do a lot of self-promoting but by the time I've finished my two novels http://lenisands.hubpages.com/hub/Dead- … l-synopsis & http://lenisands.hubpages.com/hub/The-A … ory-script I am sure I will have much more experience.
    
    I had requests for printed versions so I am 'self-publishing' using a program I downloaded from the internet called 'FinePrint' http://fineprint.com/fp/.  I am hoping to sell some of these printed books at the charity where I work to raise some money for the charity. They are only short children's stories so they are in a thick booklet design, one taking up 7 sheets of A4/100gms, the other taking up 14 sheets of A4/gsm (then folded with the front cover printed on double sided gloss A4/180gsm instant dry and stapled).  They look quite professional and customers at the shop are quite happy to pay £2.00 for them.
    
    my website: http://lenisands.yolasite.com/

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    tosocialsuccessposted 12 years ago

    You won't get a professional editor for your Ebook, so make sure to really pay attention and correct those grammar/spelling mistakes. Let me know if you got it published. Maybe market it to libraries with digital programs so more people will read it

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14. 60

    shaylove727posted 11 years ago

    Writing ebooks are awesome and very inexpensive.

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