You always wanted to write a book? You have a great idea for a cookbook, a science fiction novel or a kids` story? Writing means to transform thoughts into reality, with a lot of discipline and preferably with good insider tips. Hundreds of thousands new titles are published every year, now simplified by e-books. Nevertheless, about 90% of written books remain unpublished. Why?
Most authors, perhaps you too, are looking desperately for a guide on how to deliver their work into the right hands. Publishers usually have a lot of demand and new manuscripts are always needed and welcome. Authors need to know how to navigate the crowded market and how to publish.
According to experts and publishers, most new authors made the same mistakes.
One should know the wishes of the editors and what is currently "in". The book titles must be powerful and interesting, inviting to read. You must attract the attention of a publisher (editor). Learn techniques to promote your book (e.g. readings or signings) and to increase sales. Read internet tips on how to find the right agent and work with him. Contests are an excellent chance to become known as a budding author. Usually one earns at the same time the book publishing contract. The revenue-percentage show significant differences!
If you want to circumvent all these difficulties, you should think about an internet publication as e-books. Inform yourself among others at Amazon self-publishing, book-on-demand, ruckzuck book, wege-zum-buch, August Goethe Verlag, eleboo or epubli; Incidentally, all free of charge!
How to publish your e-book!
Particularly important for authors the issue of e-publishing. Cost-effective, simple, almost no restrictions. Check out the author margins; there are differences in the percentages! Last year, 12 million e-books were sold, after all!
Also an e-book begins as a "normal" book. You need a good product that can be sold. This already happens in frontpage, the so-called "cover", which must be as attractive as possible, as it is supposed to attract readers. Ideally contract a graphic designer who is familiar with creating book covers. But some publishers offer free templates too.
Marketing is extremely important. This can ideally be done through the social media, but also through ads or handouts (flyers), business cards, etc.
According to distribution platforms, most e-books are bought with a price from 2.99 to 5.99 Dollars (self-publishing authors, among others, at Lulu, one of the largest online self-publishing provider). Amazon, the largest e-book seller calculates 30% fees for Kindle books (range from 2.99 to 9.99 USD selling price), otherwise 35%.
Attention: The following listing is not complete and will never be, because new companies appear daily!
Amazon, Kindle, Smashwords, Lulu, XinXii
With Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) in several languages (including German, French etc.) the file upload is made directly, without intermediaries. One can make his own cover with Word files by a free software Tolls (Calibre, Mobipocker eBook Creator) format in HTML.
Kindle KDP formatted only for a fee.
Amazon (30% of the author fees income) also includes Barnes & Noble Nook and Kobo as well as Apple equipments like phones. Authors can upload e-books directly here (fill out application). Therefore, many authors prefer to use Lulu or Smashwords.
Anyone offering with KDP Select up to 90 days exclusively on Amazon, receives particularly reductions. Books can be offered to million potential customers, increasing sales opportunities.
According to experts, information the market share of Kindle is at 60%, Nook at 25% and Apple at 15% (direct suppliers).
Lulu sells e-books among others on eBay and Barnes & Noble (Nook), is usually free of charge, including Creator guide and conversion tool. Premium services such as ISBN and prints are chargeable. Author profits are reduced by 30% fee. Payment by PayPal monthly or quarterly by check.
XinXii Germany with about 28,600 e-books online, is currently only free, if it comes to the genre "fiction and poetry". For Plus or power service, which include customer support, format converting, delivery to more stores and ISBN number, are calculated once EUR 9.99 per e-book. XinXii retains 30% at a sale price from 1.99 Euros up and 60% at rates from 0.99 to 1.98 Euros. This company pays out per quarter; most other companies once a year. Author fees are only between 5 and 20%; VAT will be deducted at source. In addition, you can let print your book for a fee.
Smashwords (ideal for international marketing) is considered by experts as one of the largest e-book pioneers and distributors of Self-Publish Books. Within minutes you have loaded Word files, provided a cover and can start selling. Smashwords offers at Barnes & Nobles, eBookstore, Kobo, Sony, Baker & Taylor and others. Available is also a free style guide for formatting, so a professional e-book with table of contents, paragraphs, chapters and styling is created in about 30 minutes. The Smash Word license fee is relatively small: 15%. The processing is transparent and dynamical. In the retail (e.g. for sales in the Apple Bookstore or at B & N) 30% is replaced by the dealer, Smashwords 10%, in international sales (English books) up to 45%. Particularly interesting is that Smashwords also offers free ISBNs. Lists with cheap formatters and designers are also available per email there. However, foreign authors must fill out the tax papers, which can be a little annoying.