Jason A. Cheek's Blog, page 22
April 2, 2014
What are ASIN and ISBN numbers and why do I need them?
After creating your account on https://www.createspace.com/ you can begin building your book. One of the very first questions they ask you is do
you want your own ISBN number or do you want to use one of Amazon's
own ASIN numbers.
Initially I thought I had to have an ISBN number to get my first book created world wide, but that is really not necessary. Also, if you're not careful it can be a very expensive prospect.
If you choose to get an ISBN number, it is important to understand what that means. First, the good part is that if someone wants to look up your exact novel they can go to an ISBN site and search for your exact book. Interesting enough, if you get an ASIN number from Amazon for free there are websites for searching out your ASIN number to find exactly your novel.
If you buy your ISBN directly from Amazon it is expensive. In my case it was $125 for one number.
Sounds great, you now have your ISBN and you can upload your novel as a Mass Market Paperback book, hardcover book and an Ebook with your ISBN, right? Wrong. Your one ISBN is only good for one of those book. Each type of print or ebook layout of the same book could use its own ISBN. At $125 a pop that could turn into a lot of money.
Interesting enough, Amazon offers ISBN's for you to buy from http://www.myidentifiers.com which sells, at this time, a set of 10 ISBN's for $250. This is a much better deal than Amazon's and only requires a little knowledge on your part. But, before you take the plunge to buy your ISBN's, let me point out a few other interesting bits of fact.
If you change from Amazon to another seller like https://www1.ingramspark.com or https://www.nookpress.com/ or a
bunch of other websites. Although your ISBN should work for whomever you are publishing through, it really doesn't. I'm not stating that I fully understand it, but to change your ISBN over to the new company that is offering your books for sale requires some major paperwork. From everything I have heard and researched about this subject. It is simpler to just use a new ISBN for the new company and the same book you're trying to sell.
After making the decision to buy one ISBN for $125 (and not the 10 for $250), I am now questioning how necessary it is to have an ISBN. Why not use each service's free or cheap numbering code they are using like Amazon's ASIN number? As I further prepare my hardback book I will do additional research on this option, but for now I would argue that buying an ISBN number is a waste of time when your self-publishing. It is an extra expense that is not needed if you're wanting people to buy your book directly from Amazon USA, Amazon Europe or the Create Space Estore.
you want your own ISBN number or do you want to use one of Amazon's
own ASIN numbers.
Initially I thought I had to have an ISBN number to get my first book created world wide, but that is really not necessary. Also, if you're not careful it can be a very expensive prospect.
If you choose to get an ISBN number, it is important to understand what that means. First, the good part is that if someone wants to look up your exact novel they can go to an ISBN site and search for your exact book. Interesting enough, if you get an ASIN number from Amazon for free there are websites for searching out your ASIN number to find exactly your novel.
If you buy your ISBN directly from Amazon it is expensive. In my case it was $125 for one number.
Sounds great, you now have your ISBN and you can upload your novel as a Mass Market Paperback book, hardcover book and an Ebook with your ISBN, right? Wrong. Your one ISBN is only good for one of those book. Each type of print or ebook layout of the same book could use its own ISBN. At $125 a pop that could turn into a lot of money.
Interesting enough, Amazon offers ISBN's for you to buy from http://www.myidentifiers.com which sells, at this time, a set of 10 ISBN's for $250. This is a much better deal than Amazon's and only requires a little knowledge on your part. But, before you take the plunge to buy your ISBN's, let me point out a few other interesting bits of fact.
If you change from Amazon to another seller like https://www1.ingramspark.com or https://www.nookpress.com/ or a
bunch of other websites. Although your ISBN should work for whomever you are publishing through, it really doesn't. I'm not stating that I fully understand it, but to change your ISBN over to the new company that is offering your books for sale requires some major paperwork. From everything I have heard and researched about this subject. It is simpler to just use a new ISBN for the new company and the same book you're trying to sell.
After making the decision to buy one ISBN for $125 (and not the 10 for $250), I am now questioning how necessary it is to have an ISBN. Why not use each service's free or cheap numbering code they are using like Amazon's ASIN number? As I further prepare my hardback book I will do additional research on this option, but for now I would argue that buying an ISBN number is a waste of time when your self-publishing. It is an extra expense that is not needed if you're wanting people to buy your book directly from Amazon USA, Amazon Europe or the Create Space Estore.
March 24, 2014
Self-Publishing - Finding an artist for your book
Before you even begin the createspace.com process, I would recommend determining the design you want for the cover of your book. I believe this is so important because of two things:
First, because for most of us this is a skill we will need to rely on another person to complete this, and the time and money it will take will depend on when we can complete the process of publishing our story.
Second, because we should have at least the outlines of our website determined before our book is published, and the art for the cover of our book is an essential element needed to make our website really stand out and promote our story.
I went ahead and found my artist at http://www.deviantart.com/ Just by going over artists websites and profiles you get an excellent idea of the different types of art available for your story, and normally you can see the going rate of what each artist is charging for the work they are doing. Also,
you have the perfect medium to communicate with them and arrange for the work that you would like for your cover.
Typical practice is for you to explain what you are looking for and a general price to be discussed. Once that has been determined, normally you work with the artist to get a rough sketch of what you would like to be drawn. The artist sends you the rough sketch for your approval to proceed with the final image, and you pay half of the cost at this time. The last half is due at the time the artist has finished the piece to both your satisfaction. You get full rights over the image for your website and book and to do as you like, and they get the option to post their artwork on their website.
Prices vary greatly between artists, so it really is important to do your homework. I did my cover with Leo Black http://dleoblack.deviantart.com/ who was a great artist to work with. He made me feel comfortable with making changes and brought my image to life. Not to mention, I think his artwork is incredible.
Once you have your cover finished for your book. I suggest getting your website created and setup if you do not already have one. I used www.weebly.com for my page. As long as you have your own content ready to go, aka artwork, everything else is drag and drop for the entire design. No other special software is needed and they link automatically with Twitter and Facebook and other websites to automate your posts and help you
establish your web presence.
This is important since you will be doing your own marketing.
First, because for most of us this is a skill we will need to rely on another person to complete this, and the time and money it will take will depend on when we can complete the process of publishing our story.
Second, because we should have at least the outlines of our website determined before our book is published, and the art for the cover of our book is an essential element needed to make our website really stand out and promote our story.
I went ahead and found my artist at http://www.deviantart.com/ Just by going over artists websites and profiles you get an excellent idea of the different types of art available for your story, and normally you can see the going rate of what each artist is charging for the work they are doing. Also,
you have the perfect medium to communicate with them and arrange for the work that you would like for your cover.
Typical practice is for you to explain what you are looking for and a general price to be discussed. Once that has been determined, normally you work with the artist to get a rough sketch of what you would like to be drawn. The artist sends you the rough sketch for your approval to proceed with the final image, and you pay half of the cost at this time. The last half is due at the time the artist has finished the piece to both your satisfaction. You get full rights over the image for your website and book and to do as you like, and they get the option to post their artwork on their website.
Prices vary greatly between artists, so it really is important to do your homework. I did my cover with Leo Black http://dleoblack.deviantart.com/ who was a great artist to work with. He made me feel comfortable with making changes and brought my image to life. Not to mention, I think his artwork is incredible.
Once you have your cover finished for your book. I suggest getting your website created and setup if you do not already have one. I used www.weebly.com for my page. As long as you have your own content ready to go, aka artwork, everything else is drag and drop for the entire design. No other special software is needed and they link automatically with Twitter and Facebook and other websites to automate your posts and help you
establish your web presence.
This is important since you will be doing your own marketing.
March 22, 2014
creation of amazon author page
So I just created my first Amazon author's page and finally hooked everything together, except for Facebook. The good thing is that if I post from my Blog it does hit everything. I'm still tweaking Amazon's website to make sure the links are functioning correctly.
Overall I'm super excited.
Overall I'm super excited.
Flight's audio book planned
Flight,
Book One of the Last Paladin Series, Author Jason A. Cheek, Audio
by Alexander Edward Trefethen.
Listen now on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/vGALHL6y1Fs
This is the Audiobook sample of the first several pages of Flight, about four minutes of audio. Alexander has an incredible voice and I think he brings the characters to life with his rendition of my story.
Please check it out and post what you think. Let me know if you like Alexander's voice!
The audiobook's planned release is around June 30th 2014.
If you can’t wait for the audio book, you can always find the ebook here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I42YWGO
Author: Jason Cheek
Blog: http://www.thecheekyfellow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-A-Cheek/1415815985327666
Voice Actor: Alexander Edward Trefethen
Website: http://trefethenvoice.com/
Book One of the Last Paladin Series, Author Jason A. Cheek, Audio
by Alexander Edward Trefethen.
Listen now on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/vGALHL6y1Fs
This is the Audiobook sample of the first several pages of Flight, about four minutes of audio. Alexander has an incredible voice and I think he brings the characters to life with his rendition of my story.
Please check it out and post what you think. Let me know if you like Alexander's voice!
The audiobook's planned release is around June 30th 2014.
If you can’t wait for the audio book, you can always find the ebook here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I42YWGO
Author: Jason Cheek
Blog: http://www.thecheekyfellow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-A-Cheek/1415815985327666
Voice Actor: Alexander Edward Trefethen
Website: http://trefethenvoice.com/
February 24, 2014
Amazon breakthrough novel contest 2014
February 16th, 2014 at 12:01 AM was Amazon's Breakthrough Novel
Contest for 2014. This is one of the few free and 100% real and respected
writing contexts available for writers to join in hopes of getting recognition
and possibly a publishing contract. The judges for this contest are real
editors and publishers, and it also happens to be the only way to put in a
blind submission to Amazon Publishing.
So all around, it’s a win / win situation.
Rules and entry information is located here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000633821You still have until Midnight on March 2nd 2014 or until Amazon receives 10,000 entries.
If you’re a writer and want to be recognized and possibly find a publisher, I recommend taking part in this contest.
If you’re a reader and enjoy good books, then I suggest keeping an eye on this contest, because you will have the ability to vote for different aspects of the contest and the writers.
Around April 14, 2014 Amazon customers will be able to vote on which “Hooks” of the various stories that they like or don’t like. July 8th to 18th 2014 will be the time that Amazon customers can vote for which book they like the best that have made it to the final entry round.
So like I said, there are a lot of interesting opportunities for both writers and readers.
Contest for 2014. This is one of the few free and 100% real and respected
writing contexts available for writers to join in hopes of getting recognition
and possibly a publishing contract. The judges for this contest are real
editors and publishers, and it also happens to be the only way to put in a
blind submission to Amazon Publishing.
So all around, it’s a win / win situation.
Rules and entry information is located here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000633821You still have until Midnight on March 2nd 2014 or until Amazon receives 10,000 entries.
If you’re a writer and want to be recognized and possibly find a publisher, I recommend taking part in this contest.
If you’re a reader and enjoy good books, then I suggest keeping an eye on this contest, because you will have the ability to vote for different aspects of the contest and the writers.
Around April 14, 2014 Amazon customers will be able to vote on which “Hooks” of the various stories that they like or don’t like. July 8th to 18th 2014 will be the time that Amazon customers can vote for which book they like the best that have made it to the final entry round.
So like I said, there are a lot of interesting opportunities for both writers and readers.
January 27, 2014
First Release
Okay, here is the first World Wide Release of Flight - Book 1 of the Last Paladin Series.I was able to get both the Printed Paperback and Digital Ebook released last night from Amazon. I will be getting a Printed Hardcover available in the very near future too, which I will be giving as signed gifts for the people who helped me so much on getting the novel to its finished state.
I am sorry to say that for now the book is only in English, but I would love to get the story translated into multiple languages. I just need to find a good means for doing this. Hopefully our Deutsch and Polska friends can help me find a good alternative for getting this translated. I would love to find a university student who could do the translations affordably.
Also I'm planning to get the book released as an audio book in the future too, and will be posting the entire process of my experiences in my website's articles.
Please find the link to your country's version of the book on Amazon. Again the location is only relevant at this time for purchasing from the country you are in. I just ask that anyone who buys the book to please post your review on Amazon.
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook USA
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Printed Book USA
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook United Kingdom
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Printed Book United Kingdom
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Deutschland
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Printed Book Deutschland
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook France
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Printed Book France
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Australia
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Canada
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Spain
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Italy
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Japan
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Brazil
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook Mexico
Flight - The Last Paladin Series - Digital Ebook India
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