6 Things to Consider Before Publishing Your NaNoWriMo Book. All of November you were on the clock to complete your book for NaNoWriMo. If you succeeded (WOW!) You're basically a superstar. Congrats! And after you spent an entire month lovingly crafting the perfect manuscript we know you’re eager to get it published. Use promo code NANO2016 for FREE title setup with IngramSpark.
Before you jump into the next stage of your journey, take time to make certain you’re giving readers the best possible version of your masterpiece. 1. Self-edit, revise, and then get it professionally edited. 2. Who’s going to read your book? Regional appealSocial and cultural groupsAge and gender demographics 3. A smart tactic here is to compare your book to other books in the same category and genre. 4.
This is what helps potential customers find your book and quickly explain to them what it’s about. A quick synopsis of your book—create a hookSearch terms your target audience will use to find your bookQuestions your book may answer for potential buyers 5. 6. Good Book Editing Doesn’t Just Correct, It Collaborates. I love the economy of publishing: a writer takes an idea and creates a product (the writing-the-book part), perfects the product (the editing-the-book part), and then prints the product (the finished-book part that readers pay to read).
It’s one of the purest forms of capitalism. I also love the collaboration. Over the past decade, my role in the editing-the-book part that “perfects the product,” while still focused on grammar, punctuation (the taking-the-narrative-where-it-needs-to-go part), has morphed into having a say when it comes to such elements as theme and design. So when Jmichael Peeples, a talented jazzman and new author, compared me to Quincy Jones, I thought, now there’s a man who knows a thing or two about collaboration. "I just opened my email! Man! Jmichael's book was originally written as a play, so we focused on the novelization, loosely based on his grandfather’s experience of losing his son in a motorcycle accident, as much as the writing and editing. 7 Book Marketing Services to Question. Book marketing and book promotion packages are a common offering from author service companies as well as publishing service providers—and for good reason. There’s demand for them and first-time authors, whether indie or traditional, need guidance.
The challenge with such services, however, is that they can take a cookie-cutter approach to book marketing. In order to make such services affordable to the average author, they often have to be somewhat templated and repeatable across many titles. But to reach the most likely audience who will buy your book, a template approach may not work. Here are areas you may be most likely to invest in from an author service company’s offerings. Book Marketing Copy Assistance One of the best marketing investments an author can make is ensuring they have effective and professional copy for their book’s back cover and Amazon page. Book Metadata Assistance Press Release Distribution Book Reviews Book Discoverability Programs and Tools Video Book Trailers.
Publishing Terms Every Self-Publisher Should Know. If you intend to make a business out of self-publishing a book, be sure you understand the key elements to the book publishing process. Once you have an understanding of these basic publishing terms, you’ll be more prepared to succeed in this business we call the book business. Barcode: A machine-readable image on the back of books to indicate ISBN and possibly the price.
Barcodes are required by many retailers for print products that they carry. Copyright: A form of intellectual property, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to that work’s publication, distribution, and adaptation for a certain time period. Description: The brief description of the book will be communicated to distribution partners who wish to describe and market the book on their website(s) and to their customers, such as booksellers. Digital Rights Management (DRM): A system or technology used to place limitations (in regards to access or copying) onto digital content (books, movies, music, etc). 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Writers Wanting to Print a Book in 2017.
Be a nicer person. Paint a self-portrait. Shake the dust from that copy of “Sweatin’ to the Oldies, Vol. 3.” We probably can’t help with any of those, but for New Year's resolutions for writers and independent publishers who want to print a book (or several) this year, we have a few good suggestions. Aside from 2017 being the year of the Fire Rooster (good news for Sriracha fans), it’s also going to be a great year for book printing. Over the past few years book sales have been steadily rising and things don’t appear to be slowing down. The following New Year's resolutions for writers offer a few insights and tips on what it takes to actually publish a book, so you can capitalize on this booming market. 1.
Distractions create huge barriers to finishing a book. Revisit an old story you always wanted to writeDevelop a writing schedule and stick to itSet aside time dedicated to editing, proofing, and polishing Basically, get the book completed, all the way. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Top 10 Mistakes Authors Make and How It Costs Them. As an author advocate, part of me dislikes creating a top ten list with a negative slant, and yet, it’s so easy to get things wrong in book publishing that it’s easy to come up with a list like the one below, which is hardly comprehensive. If you recognize your book in any of these errors, don’t fret. Part of becoming an author, and especially a self-published author, has to do with learning the ropes, and doing it better each time around to avoid common mistakes authors make. 1. Bad Book Cover and Interior Book Design It’s difficult for authors to be objective about book cover design and interior book design, and to some extent design is subjective, because you like what you like.
That said, there are trends and protocols in book publishing that ought to or need to be followed—and book industry people can spot designs that “look self-published” from a mile away. 2. There’s really no excuse for bad writing, poor grammar, or multiple egregious typos in a manuscript. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Authors Crediting Authors: Help Your Fellow Writers.
As authors advance in their skill and understanding of social media and marketing, one of the things that seems to come curiously late for some is a question of credit—crediting authors, or each other, that is. At times, I’ve used the hashtag #creditwriters to try to help folks remember this simple courtesy. Help your fellow writers. Journalists notice the problem right away. Why? Because we journos know that The New York Times has never written a word. CNN has never done an on-camera interview. “Great story!” But wait. It turns out that this is a two-way street. Writers fail to credit each other all the time, but just as frequently, authors aren’t thinking to put bylines on their own posts. That’s why bylines are important. On each blog post you write—yes, including on your own site—use your byline.List not only your name but also your Twitter handle or your Facebook link—whatever social account you use the most.
Is it more blessed to credit than to be credited? What Libraries Look For in a Self-Published Book. If you are looking for a new source of income from your book, you might want to consider libraries. Libraries in the US are experiencing a huge surge in foot traffic. Public librarians are seeing a lot more patrons and their checkout rates are skyrocketing. Need more good news? Their budgets are going up too. In many cities, the annual budget for libraries is increasing and libraries are opening new locations and reopening at historical rates.
For additional information about how indies get their books into libraries, click here. With over 3 billion dollars a year being spent in US libraries (according to ALA Materials Survey released March 2016) on materials (read: books), it is time for you to spend some of your sales and marketing time presenting your book to librarians. Before you pick up the phone or keyboard, you need to know one key piece of information: what libraries look for in a book. #1 They want books that will appeal to their patrons. Librarians are just like the rest of us. How to Set Up Interior Bleed for Your Book. “Interior bleed” probably sounds like what happens on your favorite medical program when someone has an internal injury, however, bleeding is not something that only concerns the medical profession. Interior bleed gives your book a much more professional look and increases overall sales, and you can set it up yourself.
Download the File Creation Guide to make sure your files meet the requirements. How to Set Up Interior Bleed The first step for creating interior bleed is determining the trim size of your book. Your trim size ensures each page of your book is exactly the same size, making it look neat and professional. As you determine how to set up interior bleed, make sure you define the correct bleed area. In a standard book, you will want a bleed of 1/8 of an inch (0.125 inch) at the top, bottom, and outside edges of the pages.
The next step is to determine your page layout. We recommend using half-inch margins for your entire book. Interior Bleed for Color Books A Final Note. Book Distribution for Indie Authors. So you've penned your masterpiece, published it, and have a solid marketing campaign in place, but how do you plan to distribute your book? Navigating the choppy waters of distribution can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools, finding a means to distribute your book is a lot easier than it sounds. Here are some popular ways to circulate your work. Work with a Bookstore If you plan to sell your book in local bookstores, or if your book is in a niche category, it may be beneficial to work directly with retailers.
Traditional Book Distribution (Offset Printing) Print book distributors are a traditional way to get your book out there. Print On Demand Print-on-demand (POD) services are one of the most affordable and efficient ways to distribute your book. When you use a POD service, your book is formatted across multiple platforms, so you can easily sell it on your own website, through other online retailers, and on physical shelves in local bookstores. 3 Things to Avoid When Social Media Marketing for Your Book. When it comes to social media marketing, even though I am personally comfortable using it and have been successful in my marketing efforts through a range of channels, I sometimes feel at a loss when authors specifically ask me what they should do. It’s like trying to tell people how to be themselves or how they should behave in public—we’re all quite different. However, it is easy to tell authors what they shouldn't do on social media.
Decide to get on social media specifically when your book launches When I consult with authors who have a book ready to publish, one of their immediate questions—if they’ve never before used social media—is: What social media accounts should I join and what should I do there? Unfortunately, an author in this position is likely to have a very dissatisfying experience. On social media, people want to be informed and entertained. Focus primarily on your book while on social media, not your readers or the interest areas and themes related to your book. Digital Book World Indie Author Conference. On January 19, 2017, for the first time ever, one of the world’s largest digital content publishing conferences has added an entire day that focuses on the continued success of independent publishing.
The Digital Book World Indie Author Conference is a day full of opportunities to learn from successful independent authors and industry thought leaders. The conference will also host a handful of exhibitors offering a breadth of services specifically designed for aspiring authors and small- to midsized-publishers. Why Should I Attend the Digital Book World Indie Author Conference The people at Digital Book World have used the moniker “the new professional author” to describe the conference's overall position toward the indie community. Inclusion and recognition such as this represents a pivotal moment in the indie movement. Learn from Indie Publishing Pros The day-long event will be packed with opportunities to learn from successful indie authors and digital publishing professionals.
Us. Book Marketing with Endorsements. Online Retail Partners | eBook Publishing & Distribution | How to Self Publish an eBook | IngramSpark. 5 Things You Need Before You Print a Book. Self-publishing is a really exciting process. After spending years putting blood, sweat and tears into your book, it can be tempting to rush to the finishing line, but that only leads to mistakes. Some authors don’t realise just how many careful processes are involved once the final draft is complete but before it makes sense to actually print a book. In a traditional publishing house, there are teams of people ensuring everything is double-triple signed off as ready for publication. That’s not the case with self-publishing, and without this, some authors can really damage their brand by publishing a book that isn’t ready. 1.
Like it or not, people judge books by their covers. Bonus tip: Do your homework on Amazon to get a real feel for cover design in your genre, and make sure your book can compete visually. 2. No matter what you have written, your writing needs to be in the absolute best shape possible, and that inevitably means bringing in an editor and proofreader. 3. 4. 5. IngramSpark Self-Publishing Friends | How to Publish an eBook | Print on Demand Book Printing. Self-Publishing Tools of the Trade | How to Publish an eBook | Print on Demand Book Printing | IngramSpark. Global Print Distribution Partners | Book Printing | Print on Demand Publishers | IngramSpark. Book Distribution | Online eBook Publishing | Best Self Publishing Companies | IngramSpark. Global Book Distribution See your title on the Amazon Kindle store or Apple’s iBookstore, made available to readers worldwide. Imagine your book on the shelves of a local bookshop in the U.K. Consider a college student in Sydney finding your book on Chegg to help them ace an upcoming exam.
All this is made possible through one dedicated and reliable print and digital book distribution partner. Your Book Around the World It helps to have friends. Independent bookstoresOnline storesBig chainsLittle chainse-book retailersLocal niche retailersLibrariesSchoolsUniversitiesAnd just about anyone on the planet who sells (or is even thinking about selling) a book in any format. Not only do we provide access to a huge global network, but we do it in a way that gives you more market coverage with less work and at a lower cost. Get more readers. How to Publish a Book Based on Best Practices of Traditional Publishing The Basics of Book Metadata and Keywords It’s NaNoWriMo Time.
Quick Links Upcoming Events. How to Self Publish a Book | Print on Demand Services | Online Publishing. Online Retail Partners | eBook Publishing & Distribution | How to Self Publish an eBook | IngramSpark. EPUB Guidelines | eBook Publishing & Distribution | How to Self Publish an eBook | IngramSpark. Below, you will find the most basic instructions on how to create the two files you need to successfully publish your e-book through IngramSpark: An EPUB file for your book’s interior A high-res JPG image for your cover. This image will be used for display on retail partner’s websites. At any time during the e-book publishing process, if you have any questions concerning EPUB conversions or file creation, do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly IngramSpark Customer Service peeps.
Why EPUB? Each of our 70+ e‐book retail and library partners have unique file requirements. The majority of e‐retailers will not sell PDF files in their e‐book stores. E-Book File Creation Important Specs: COVER (High-res JPG) File must contain front cover only. Size: 100MB or less. For more information Visit Digital Book World for a good QED checklist of e‐book best practices. A Note on Using a Third-Party EPUB Provider. eBook Publishing & Distribution | How to Self Publish an eBook | IngramSpark. Color Book Printing | Print on Demand Publishers | Book Printing Services | IngramSpark. Printed Book Types | Print on Demand Publishers | Custom & Hardback Book Printing Services | IngramSpark. Book Printing | Print on Demand Publishers | Custom & Hardback Book Printing Services | IngramSpark.
Business and Textbooks | Self Publish Your Own Book | IngramSpark. Children's Books | Self Publish Your Own Book | IngramSpark. Novels | Self Publish Your Own Book | Print on Demand Book Printing and eBook Publishing | IngramSpark. Self Publish Your Own Book | Print on Demand Book Printing and eBook Publishing | IngramSpark. IngramSpark.com Gets a Facelift in the name of Self-Publishing. How to Publish a Book | eBook Publishing | Print on Demand Book Printing | IngramSpark. Where does the book editing process begin? | Ellie Maas Davis. Authors: Cut the Competition! Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Fatigue. Publishing Your Own Book? How to do it and What it Costs. 4 Things Local Bookstores Look for in an Indie Author. 3 Wonders of Print on Demand. Best Self Publishing Companies | Publish ebook | On Demand Book Printing. Using Social Media to Drive Book Sales. 4 Things Local Bookstores Look for in an Indie Author.
10 Self Publishing Tools You Need to Know. Here's Why You Should Discount Your Book. Publishing Your Own Book? How to do it and What it Costs. Using Social Media to Drive Book Sales. The Magic of Print on Demand (POD) 10 Successful Independent Publishing Behaviors & Traits. Best Self Publishing Companies | Publish ebook | On Demand Book Printing. Online eBook Publishing & Distribution | On Demand Book Printing Services. Book Printing | Print on Demand Services | Custom & Hardback Book Printing.
eBook Publishing & Distribution | How to Self Publish an eBook | IngramSpark. Blog. 10 Self Publishing Tools You Need to Know. Using Social Media to Drive Book Sales.