As the landscape in publishing continues to change, authors of all types are looking into self-publishing options. Maybe you’re a veteran author who has regained the rights to your backlist titles, and want to self-publish to get these titles back in circulation. Maybe you’re seeking a traditional deal with a book publisher, and you’ve figured out that self-publishing is the new farm league for publishers. Or maybe you’ve always been independent and you like it that way. All three kinds of authors have valid–if different–reasons to self-publish. Thanks to modern technology and distribution systems, the process gets easier every day.
There’s power in the pen–or eBook–that can make major waves. There are a number of options and platforms available that are quick, easy and inexpensive to help you get your work out to the masses in record time. Let’s start at the beginning:
Getting it Ready
Before you even think about putting your book into print, you should go through the editing process to make sure it makes sense and is error-free. As an author, presenting your best work should be a top priority, so making it reader-ready is key. This is also the time when you should consider how you want your cover to look. Think about what would be appealing to the reader, and how you can tie it visually to the title. Take the time to copyright your work to avoid any discrepancies in the future and consider getting an ISBN number. After you’ve gone through these few steps, you’re ready to publish!
How Will You Publish?
There are a number of ways to publish books, and deciding how you want to present your work is entirely up to you. Here are a few choices:
eBook vs Print
eBooks are available online and can be downloaded onto an eReader or read via the computer. There are multiple eBook formats to consider, so choosing carefully is key. Two main open standard eBook formats are Epub and Mobi, with the ePub format being the most common. One of the advantages when using ePub files is its responsive nature. It will adjust according to the device being used in flow and layout. The ePub format is compatible with the Nook, Apple’s iBooks, and other major ereaders, but does not support Amazon Kindle or Fire. The Mobi eBook format was designed by Amazon. Mobi eBooks are interactive and are usually designed for smaller screens. It also has a responsive design, but is not as compatible with ereading devices on the market.
When publishing in print form, you need to decide whether you want a paperback or hard cover version, which can get expensive. This should be considered as an option if you have a platform in which to sell your book. For speakers who carry books to their engagements and authors who have worked out a distribution deal to have the book carried in bookstores, this is a viable option. If you decide to publish in print form, considering the interior design of the book, number of pages and layout are also major factors that must be decided pre-production.
Where Will You Publish?
Once you decide whether you will publish an eBook or a print version, the next step will be choosing the publishing option that will work best for you. Using online eBook retail stores is a good option for exposing your work to a wide audience, your book will be formatted under their platform, eliminating the learning curve, and you will be paid royalty rates based on your sales. This could assist in keeping you organized while saving time and money. If you are using a platform that does not have an automatic formatting function, Scrivener is a good option for creating your book into a variety of formats, including .mobi, ePub, PDF and more.
Here are the most popular eBook publishing options and some of the differences between them:
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon allows changes to your eBook at any time and has a worldwide reach. The book appears on the site with 24 hours and offers a 70% royalty. They also offer versions of your book in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese with the books being available in a number of international countries. You can publish to a standard eReader platform or the Kindle platform.
https://kdp.amazon.com
Barnes and Noble Nook Press
Barnes and Noble is free with no fees or production costs, and takes a percentage of the list price as the book is sold. Barnes and Noble also has an international audience and has expanded their eBook availability to the UK and other European countries this year.
https://www.nookpress.com
BookBaby
BookBaby’s eBook services have a signup fee but distribute through the major stores and others except for Baker & Taylor Axis, and Page Foundry, with a percentage of the royalty depending on the eBook store. There is a continued yearly fee at a discount. They allow one update per year and charge for any changes you want or need to make to your eBook.
http://www.bookbaby.com
Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital has no upfront costs, distributes to the following sales channels: Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Scribd, Page Foundry and CreateSpace. They have a conversion platform that will format your manuscript and they keep a percentage of the retail price. You have the ability to choose which eBook stores you wish to sell your book.
https://www.draft2digital.com
Kobo Writing Life
Kobo has no fees, has a reach in over 190 countries, and keeps a percentage of the royalties. They pay twice a year.
http://www.kobo.com/writinglife
Lulu
With Lulu, you can DIY or can choose to have them do it for you. They also offer specialized services in book cover design, editing and more. They take a small percentage of the royalty. The author receives a 90% royalty share, and books are distributed through all the major eBook retailers.
http://www.lulu.com
Reedsy
Still in Beta as of this writing, Reedsy promises to offer tools for the whole gamut of the publishing experience–from the writing, to collaborating with others for editing, design, translation, and audiobook services, before publishing the work.
https://reedsy.com
Smashwords
Smashwords does not have any fees associated with signup or changes. They distribute through the major channels, except for Copia, eBookPie and Gardners, with fluctuating percentages of royalties based on the eBook store, or a 100% royalty option. Authors are allowed to set their own pricing for their eBooks on each distribution platform and should price competitively to get the most return.
https://www.smashwords.com
Wattpad
Wattpad is a social network where writers can publish their entire eBook, drafts, or single chapters to share with the world. All the content on Wattpad is free–so you’re not going to sell it here–but the platform’s social features means that you can get feedback on a work-in-progress, or get new readers on board for your series. Wattpad is compatible with any phone, tablet or computer.
http://www.wattpad.com
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It’s all in the Print
Although most self-published and indie authors may make more of a profit from their eBook sales, there are situations when an eBook just won’t do. Those authors who choose to have a printed version of their book have resources available that offer paperback and hardcover options:
Amazon CreateSpace
This is Amazon’s self-publishing company that offers options to have your physical book published on demand. That means your book is never out of stock and prints on order. They have a wide distribution network and the book is immediately available on Amazon and Amazon Europe, with an expanded distribution option to bookstores, libraries and more. They take a percentage of the list price before paying royalties and are offered in trade paperback with full color options if needed.
https://www.createspace.com
BookBaby
BookBaby offers trade paperback and hard cover print selections in color or standard copy. They offer book printing packages and a variety of styles to choose from with over 8 standard trim sizes, 3 hardcover binding options, 4 soft cover binding options and 2 cover finish options. Authors are in control of the size, binding, paper and text. They also offer design services for covers and layout, but if you already have the dimensions correct, just upload and print. After submitting all the files, the author can purchase a “proof” to see if any changes or edits need to be made. The process usually takes about 5 days. They have distribution through major channels and take a percentage off the royalty fee.
http://www.bookbaby.com
Ingram Spark
Ingram has been around for quite some time, offering print-on-demand services to authors who wish to have their works published. They offer trade paperback, hardcover, standard color and premium color book options with a large catalog of sizes. They have free account set-up, but have a title set-up fee which will apply for both print and eBooks if chosen. Ingram also has over 39,000 global retailers in their distribution network. Authors are paid between 45% and 60% of the list price, minus printing costs depending on the wholesale discount.
https://www1.ingramspark.com
Lulu
Lulu offers print-on-demand trade paperback and hardcover options for authors with a few binding options. The author uploads their files and chooses their distribution options, applying an ISBN number. Lulu also provides free ISBN numbers if needed, but the book will be under Lulu publishing. The author can purchase a proof prior to the book being available for sale.
http://www.lulu.com
Lulu Jr. (children’s books)
Lulu Jr. specializes in print-on-demand trade paperback and hardcover children’s books. They offer classbook and storybook options, which are full-color 8.5” x 11” books up to 12 pages. Lulu Jr. has an online book creation platform and publishing tool which is free. They also offer book making kits for sale.
http://www.lulujr.com
Where Will You Publish Now?
You’ve got the tools and choices that can help you move to the next level. The decision is yours. Your next step is to create a great marketing strategy – your book won’t fly off the shelves unless people know about it. Now’s the time to get your plan in place and make it happen. Good luck!
ALLAIRE WALLACE
Allaire Wallace is a writer and novelist with experience in “All Things Literary.” Her work has been featured in magazines, newspapers, radio and digital content. She has worked in the literary industry for more than 15 years.
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