Eldon’s Comments (group member since May 30, 2016)

Eldon’s comments from the Support for Indie Authors group.

Cendrine wrote: "Hello everyone!

Probably 7 or 8. But it will depend on the time I have..."

That's awesome :)

T.J. wrote: "I released my first book this year, and hoping to release the other two in my trilogy in 2020 :) If everything goes to plan, anyway!"

Here's hoping it does!

Dwayne wrote: "Rita wrote: "I'm looking for ..."

No links. No self promoting. You're off topic. Etc."

Oops! Sorry Dwayne, guess I missed that one. Still too new I guess lol

Anna Faversham wrote: "One, I hope..."

One is always better than none :)

P.D. wrote: "Twelve."

Wow!!

So how many prolific writers do we have here? Thought it would be fun to share how many ebooks we plan to publish in the upcoming year. My plan is to send out two darlings into the world.

Who's got me beat? :)

Dwayne wrote: "I've had mine for at least six years. There are times I use it nearly every day, sometimes for hours. I've dropped it. I've left it in my car for days in sub-zero weather. I've pulled the back off ..."

Damn. And mine is toast after 3.5 years. What gives?

Well, it happened. After three and a half years, the battery in my Kindle Paperwhite is crapping out on me. Just wondering if any other Kindle readers out there could share how long of a life they got out of their device?

C. Susan wrote: "I'm brand new to publishing and there is much to learn. I've created my own publishing company for the purpose of self-publishing my work. My question for today: How do I format my book before uplo..."

Hello C. Susan :) Welcome to the exciting world of publishing!! Many people sing the praises of Vellum. As a non Mac person, I can't say personally how good it is, though consensus rules it a godsend. If, like me, Mac isn't your thing, don't despair. Proper book formatting can be a challenge, but it doesn't need to be an insurmountable one.

Most novels (not all mind you) are justified. You're right in saying this can create unsightly gaps in the text. But, if you use kerning properly, you can avoid most of these as well as those pesky widows and orphans.

Check out The Book Designer for some helpful hints and insights. Joel Friedlander really knows his stuff. Cheers :)

Hi Wanjiru! There are loads of resources around here for covers, formatting, and the ins and outs of publishing. As regards the ISBN, it depends on where you are located. I know in America, Bowker pretty much is the go to place, while in Canada our ISBNs are free.

Anna Faversham wrote: "And your post has charged my batteries to zip away this very minute and get editing!"

New book Anna? :)

Nat wrote: "writing is not a money maker. It's a money sink. I think of it like a hobby, like skiing, and don't dwell on the costs.."

I like that!!

Tomas wrote: "Eldon wrote: "You're going to work hard either way you go so the crux of the issue is this. Do you want to be paid 10% or 70%?"

While it can be simplified to this in case of e-books (and there's n..."

True enough Tomas. My business is more focused on ebooks, as I've found it very difficult to compete on print books given production and shipping costs. To each their own though, for sure :)

Wanjiru wrote: "My manuscript, which my editor thinks is commercially viable, is ready for me to start sending query letters. This is a long road to publication, and I doubt I have the stamina for that kind of wai..."

As to your issue Wanjiru, lots of good advice on here. Only thing I'd add is a math problem. You're going to work hard either way you go so the crux of the issue is this. Do you want to be paid 10% or 70%?

Anna Faversham wrote: "Lyvita wrote: "Wanjiru I suggest checking out this guided marketing & promotional planner called, The Writer's Book Launch Journal, by Keely Brooke Keith. It may help you with your decision making...."

I think it's called Navigating Indieworld Anna :)

Gregory wrote: "I think we're in new territory these days. So long as you feel comfortable claiming it, should you be asked by a reader, I think this is up to your personal discretion and integrity. Congratulation..."

Well said, Gregory :)

M.J. wrote: "Good news - Apple replied this time, and made it very easy. I put in a DBA application and attached as proof a screen shot of my books selling under my pen name on Amazon, with a pic of my Amazon c..."

Awesome 😁

M.J. wrote: "Eldon wrote: "I imagine going through D2D could work as well. As a fellow Canuck, I'm curious, what proof do they require that won't work for us?"

Hi Eldon, the Apple Author help site lists a DBA ..."

Hi M.J., Thanks for the info. Seems like Apple is being difficult for no reason, in my opinion. I'm sure someone on here will have the solution to the problem though :)

Nicholas Erik curates an exceptional list of promo sites here: https://nicholaserik.com/promo-sites/

I imagine going through D2D could work as well. As a fellow Canuck, I'm curious, what proof do they require that won't work for us?