Self- Publishing – What Is Essential and What Isn’t

Almost every self-publishing company offers services from copyrighting to printing. The problem is that all of the services can be overwhelming to the first-time author.

     You need to copyright your book. This is the first requirement. Many people believe that if they can prove they wrote the book and someone steals their idea or manuscript, that they are protected. If you go to court, you need your copyright. It is proof that the material is your intellectual property.

     ISBN’s are your second need. You need one for each version of the book, with the exception of a Kindle version. Amazon has its own system to designate Kindle products. That means one ISBN for your hard cover, one for your soft cover, and one for your e- book.

     You need your book edited and formatted. Many people feel that they are adept enough at the English language that they do not need their book edited. There is an old saying about lawyers who represent themselves are fools. The same principle applies here. You will not have the objectivity to correct your own mistakes. You need to have your manuscript edited. In addition, it should be proofread after it is formatted.

     Next, you must to decide how you want your book to appear in print. My personal assessments from publishing my own novels show that hard covers do not sell well. Unless your family wants them as souvenirs’ or you are a bestselling author and we all are waiting with bated breath for your next book, you will not sell many. Yet if you choose hard cover, you will pay set-up fees for this type of book.

     Soft-cover books are good sellers if they are priced well. One of the traditional drawbacks with self-publishing has been that books are priced high to make a profit. This is because, most self-publishing companies take a cut of the profits. My first book from with a self-publisher was priced at $15.99, very high for a 218- page mystery novel.

     A Kindle version is also an essential. The Kindle formatting is separate from the book formatting. Many people are using the Kindle e- reader to read book for good reasons. It is portable and can store many books. In an era of extra luggage charges, it is an excellent way to store your vacation reading. This method is also more economical. The best reason for you to publish your book in Kindle format is Amazon and their Indie-friendly policies. Indie’s are independent publishers. Amazon has programs that are free to authors to enlarge their readership.

     Your next question asking concerns the difference is between Kindle and an e- book. I wouldn’t waste my time on having an e- book made unless I am a non-fiction author who may sell it from my website. E-books are distributed to small sites that don’t have the consumer visibilty that Amazon provides. Don’t be alarmed because your e- book is not on Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble shuns independent authors. Your best bet is to be listed on Amazon.

 

Juliet Dillon Clark is the author of four novels and CEO of Winsome Entertainment Group, a self-publishing company. If you are interested in publishing your novel, call us at (661)251-6900 or e- mail juliet@julietclark.com.