Ebook Retailers Grade for Upload Process
Just finished an update to stay current with the e-publishing industry (not an easy task), then went to the sales venues to submit ebooks and paperbacks. Here’s the graded list in order of most efficient and user-friendly IMO to the least:
1. Amazon KDP – A+, love the subtle changes to their preview mode, still with the ability to both download the converted document or to view the newly enhanced on-screen version with Kindle options and working hyperlinks–very nice and super fast in about 6 hours. This company has always done more to sell ebooks and help me do it than anywhere.
2. CreateSpace – A , the interior digital proof and final proof including cover design are miles better than years past. I love this company for paperbacks. Proofs went through in about 12 hours at the slowest shipping speed (because I chose to order a copy), just took about 3 days to deliver (wow). Fine quality and price is fantastic, can’t be beat by LightningSource or Lulu. Only wish they did more to proof the cover design online before submitting and perhaps add interior template options.
3. Smashwords. A-, some of this is my familiarity and loyalty but they still do a great job and give LOADS of advice on this business. I wish times were faster for being approved to Premium Status, but it has sped up to around 24-48 hours compared to several days in the past. Also it can be a grizzly bear passing meat-grinder for newbies, but hey, I’m not a newbie, and SW is doing everyone a service by keeping formatting standards high.
4. NookPress – B-, my first time uploading since the change from Pubit. Definite improvements with the ability to edit within their system and working links in Preview mode. Still not as sweet as the way Amazon handles TOC but getting better. Needs improvements with the Editorial Review department, couldn’t get that to work right or to just delete it altogether. Now if they could fix their Nook Store search engine and get sales going (a long story).
5. Draft2Digital C+ My first experience with them and mixed feelings. Love how they’re attempting to simplify approval for authors without formatting experience, but does it currently come at a cost to those of us with experience? Perhaps, perhaps not. I’m only distributing to Apple through them and have been watching my book in Publishing status for a week now and assuming it’s going to be distributed to iTunes soon. Excited for the promise of “real time” sales reports. Jury still out on this company but since they’re new, that’s understandable. Wishing them the best.
Besides the biggies, I upload to my own websites for direct sales (pdf, epub, mobi) and give that an A+ at both Webs and Yola. So easy and nice to sell books via PayPal.
I may update the samples at Scribd and other venues but doubt to upload again to Google Ebooks-Partners-Play, not even sure what they’re calling it theses days.
Your thoughts?
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