How and Where to Publish Your Ebooks

[dreams]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

I can attest to that, I've just reached the 8,700 mark (overall) on my short stories in just over 6 months of publishing. A number I don't think I would have reached even if I'd gone the traditional print route.

Congratulations, Moejoe!

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by dreams

Congratulations, Moejoe!

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I looked at the numbers the other day. I'm not writing novels, I've not even put out any novellas yet, and we're continually told by the big pubs that short-stories aren't read and don't have an audience. I would have been happy with 50 downloads, so this number is ridiculous and goes beyond all my wildest dreams

[peajayar]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Hello all, excuse me for sneaking into this writers-only chit chat.

Over in "News and Commentary" Ficbot began an interesting thread, and zelda_pinwheel suggested I bring the conversation over here, so here I am.

Ficbot had noted that so many new authors seemed to publish exclusively for the Kindle, and that this frustrated him as a non-Kindle owner. My response was that the publishing learning curve might be pretty steep for newcomers to the industry.

We might want to consider adding a series of wiki articles that explain the steps in publishing. Everything from creating books in different formats, pro's and con's of different publishing web sites, and even opportunities to market your book without spamming. In the interest of starting this effort, zelda_pinwheel suggested this post. I welcome your inputs to a guide for writers. Please feel free to add your thoughts and comments to this thread, or even to add pages to the wiki that we can pull together into our writer's guide.

I am looking for both topics that writers need to understand as well as explanations and/or suggestions on those topics.

Here is my initial list of topics / wiki pages

First, an intro to ebook publishing that introduces the key concepts and links to separate pages that then explain:
1) Different formats for ebooks and the tradeoffs
2) How to convert between formats: Calibre, Sigil, and more
3) DRM and the problems of using it
4) Web sites that accept self-published books; the pro's and con's of each and where to go to submit books.
5) Options for setting up your own store using your own web site and paypal or ebay or google checkout????
6) Marketing your ebook including does and don'ts on Mobileread

Your thoughts?

P.s. If you'd prefer to simply contribute your thoughts as a new page in the wiki, then go here:
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Main_Page
In the search box to the left type in the name of your new page. When it comes up as a missing search term, you will be given the option of creating a page with that name. If you do take that approach, please report back to this thread to let us know what pages you have added.

Smashwords.com already does most of the things suggested. It also publishes (free, but you do the work yourself before submitting and they give full instructions) in a heap of formats, including the one for kindle and epub.

[jeremy_ahn]

i want to make ebooks and have people pirate the free ebooks i put out to spread my name like bubonic plague throughout prague and beyond

[nomesque]

Originally Posted by jeremy_ahn

i want to make ebooks and have people pirate the free ebooks i put out to spread my name like bubonic plague throughout prague and beyond

Now there's a beautiful metaphor for you... plague-ridden pirates...

[jeremy_ahn]

Originally Posted by nomesque

Now there's a beautiful metaphor for you... plague-ridden pirates...

mmm deliciousness. i drool on my keyboard. brb, i'm going to my fridge for cheese and yogurt and dip and ranch dressing. slurpy time.

[llreader]

If anyone is using Scrivener and Smashwords, I posted an export filter to format the former for the latter: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?p=643143

If you use it, let me know how it works. Thanks!

[Mindy Reed]

What is the best way to get my manuscript onto the Kindle. I have the .pdf files from book publisher.

[pshrynk]

Originally Posted by Mindy Reed

What is the best way to get my manuscript onto the Kindle. I have the .pdf files from book publisher.

I would suggest that you go to the Kindle Forum and ask there. The Writer's Corner is mostly about writing books. The folks who hag out at the Kindle forum are very helpful and will walk you thorugh the process. And welcome to Mobile Read!

[sibelhodge]

This is a very helpful discussion. Most writers just want to write, but these days they have to know about marketing, different e-reader formats etc. Confusing for a lot of people who are tech-minded. Easy to understand guides and more info on different companies who distribute and sell your ebooks is very helpful to all writers.

[sibelhodge]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I looked at the numbers the other day. I'm not writing novels, I've not even put out any novellas yet, and we're continually told by the big pubs that short-stories aren't read and don't have an audience. I would have been happy with 50 downloads, so this number is ridiculous and goes beyond all my wildest dreams

With e-readers now, I think there is going to be a big demand for short fiction, magazines etc as well.

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by sibelhodge

With e-readers now, I think there is going to be a big demand for short fiction, magazines etc as well.

And just when I gave up writing short-fiction and marketing too Damnit, I always end up shooting myself in the foot.

[David Marseilles]

Do any of the portals mentioned here force you to go exclusive with them? I gather Amazon requires charging for books epublished with them, could someone publish there but still publish elsewhere without charging?

[nomesque]

Originally Posted by David Marseilles

Do any of the portals mentioned here force you to go exclusive with them? I gather Amazon requires charging for books epublished with them, could someone publish there but still publish elsewhere without charging?

I don't think any of them do. Smashwords, Feedbooks and Amazon definitely don't. You can sell for a price on Amazon and give away free elsewhere - I know a few authors doing exactly that.

[David Marseilles]

Thanks nomesque.