E-books have changed everything as far as publishing is concerned. The popularity of E-books keeps growing and sadly, bookstores are closing. The good news, this is the best time for first time authors to get published. The bad news, the competition increases as self-produced e-books flood the market.
First of all, I suggest that you do not rush into self-publishing and try to sign with a publisher for your work. This will give you third party input, an edit and hopefully a professionally designed cover. Having a publisher, even a smaller one will boost the initial reputation of your book because it means someone said “Yes, I will sell this.” Just make sure that the other books the publisher is known for are similar to yours. These other titles in the publisher's library will help to promote your book when it is released.
If all else fails, self publishing is a luxury that was not a viable option for most writers until now. So go for it, take advantage of the fact that you call the shots and keep all the profits. I would recommend that you do a lot of proof reading and get feedback on the text and cover design before you go to press. You only get one chance at a first impression, so it will be worth all the extra time and effort.
Once your baby is ready to be taken out into the world, the next step is to get an ISBN number. This International Standard Book Number is a 13 digit number that is unique to your book and used to identify your book. Each edition, including separate E-book formats, audio books and versions written in different languages should have its own ISBN. This is a requirement if you want to submit your book to be distributed through stores, libraries or wholesalers. Every country has only one agency that is allowed to assign ISBN's for publishers (including self-published authors) who live in that country.
To purchase an ISBN if you live in the United States go to www.myidentifiers.com
Pricing is a main factor when it comes to sales and could affect the percentage of each e-book sale that you are given. This is why many E-books are priced around $2.99 because that is generally the lowest price it can be to get the higher share of profit. This is something you should research with possible retailers before you price your E-book because agreements change.
Some independent authors decide to give an E-book away for free. While this may seem like an act of madness at first, I assure you it's not. Just don't do this if you have only one book to publish. When author Darrell Pitt published his three book series Diary of a teenage superhero, he priced the first book, all 411 pages of it for free to get readers hooked. Free, people love that word and it's no surprise since the cost of everything around them keeps rising. This lets readers decide if they like your writing at no risk. Just make sure that even though you plan on giving away your E-book, it is the strongest example of your writing that it can be. If all goes to plan droves of people will decide to shell out a few bucks to buy your other books. Mention your other books and provide links in the back pages of your free E-book to get the most out of this promotion. Some boutique publishers do this for their books after they have been out in the market for a while. Wheelman Press, the publisher who released my first novel Box CutterKiller gives away free books.
Check out this informative E-book: So you want to publish an E-book? By J. P. Kurzitza
I also recommend these free E-books on the subject.
Secrets of successful writers –Edited by Darrell Pitt
The savvy book marketer - Edited by Dana Lynn Smith
Curt Wiser is the Author of Box Cutter Killer, a suspense novel available on Paperback, Kindle and Nook.
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