Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
Author Resource Round Table
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Has anyone used CreateSpace?
If you can do it all yourself then it is a good service...lots on my blog if you want some help with cover and interior formatting :)
I have been very happy with CS. If you already have done Kindle, you can handle the formatting, and presumably already have a front cover. Doing the rest isn't too hard.
I think a lot of people do not take the time and trouble to submit precisely what is required (down to 0.00mm) and in the right DPI and so forth - then when it prints badly they are disappointed. They will just print what you send and so it needs to be exactly right or things may go askew (apparently). The printing is outsourced anyway (here in UK), so I as fairly sure it is the exact same presses that do all the 'professional' stuff anyway.
If you do use them, I would advocate going for a matt finish and cream pages.
If you do use them, I would advocate going for a matt finish and cream pages.
I have published both of my novels through CS. I have truly enjoyed the experience.
I know many of my friends who used CreateSpace. I heard from them that it was quite easy to operate and figure out, but you just have to make sure all your formatting is exactly right before printing it. Otherwise, you might end up with mistakes that you can't fix. I think it's a good choice, as long as you take your time and do it properly.-Nihar
www.niharsuthar.com
I used CreateSpace for Juror 1389: Dorsie Raines Renninger. I read all the CS reference material and drilled down through many, many posts by users. This helped me make a critical decision to outsource technical tasks for cover and interior design to someone who knew CS specs in and out. Once I had all the files my upload process was seamless. I am very happy with the printed product. I would use CS again and most likely outsource again because I know I'd find the DIY way stressful and time consuming. If you go the DIY way, there are many outstanding gurus on the CS Community Forum to help you out.GT
www.gttrickle.com
Hi Candace,I have most of my books on Createspace as well as on Kindle because there are still plenty of people who prefer a 'real book' over an ebook, me included. Also, it adds some value to your ebook price if the physical book sales for substantially more than the ebook, which it'll need to do for you to make any profit on it.
Yes, there is a learning curve on Createspace but nothing you can't handle. I would advise for your first CS books requesting a proof copy sent to you before finalizing matters...an option CS advocates as well. Good luck and happy publishing.
Createspace is great - and now you can submit a .pdf file so formatting issues are past. Download their handy templates, cut & paste, save as pdf!I also use Lulu because they get your ebook in the Apple store- for free! And I sell about the same number on Amazon as Apple so it's like doubling your sales.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I will be sure to do my homework, so that my experiences will be as positive as yours. It didn't occur to me that it would add value to my Kindle book. Great insights. Thanks again.
I used CS for all four of my books, but I did the Kindle/Smashwords route and then did the paperback on CS. Not many complaints from me about CS.
I have my paperback version of "War of Destiny: Lost Soul" through Createspace and it was easier than I thought it would be. All the formatting issues were actually on my end, lol. I do suggest getting a proof before finalizing anything. It is worth its weight in gold.
I have six books through Createspace and have never had a problem. Seems user friendly. https://www.createspace.com/pub/simpl...
Createspace is great - but always order a proof before you publish. It is a fantastic feeling to hold your own book! You can also do a giveaway then on Goodreads, which attracts a lot of readers to your work.
I have used create space for all 17 of my novels. I like them and they will also link paperbacks with e-books on Amazon kindle. Easy process that walks you through. mine are @ www.amazon.com/author/pswinn
Thanks everyone, so far this seems the best route for me.
I published my first novel, Raping Aphrodite, on Kindle, for Nook and Createspace. I really didn't understand how to format it for a paperback, so I hired someone who did it for me. It was worth it to have it professionally done because without that, when I tried to do it myself, my book looked unprofessional. At least, that was my experience. I have made sales on Kindle, CS and Nook. The CS site is easy to read for payments and you can see where your sales have been made, when, etc. I just released my second book, Delicate Secrets, as an ebook but will have it out on CS this spring.
If you download a template from Creatspace and just paste your book into it, it will come out perfectly 90% of the time. They have Word templates for many book sizes and they look really professional.
Jonathan wrote: "If you do use them, I would advocate going for a matt finish and cream pages...."
The matte finish may be more a matter of taste. I tried it and didn't like the result at all--too flat. I went with the glossy and it looks much better (to me).
The matte finish may be more a matter of taste. I tried it and didn't like the result at all--too flat. I went with the glossy and it looks much better (to me).
Ed wrote: "If you download a template from Creatspace and just paste your book into it, it will come out perfectly 90% of the time. They have Word templates for many book sizes and they look really professional."Ed's latest book, "Afterlife," looks GORGEOUS in both the print and e-book versions.
Candace wrote: "Thanks everyone, so far this seems the best route for me."Be sure to join the CS Community Forum. There are gurus there who can answer any questions you have and help you out of a jam. These gurus know CS specs in and out and will tell you which templates cause upload issues. CS template is not the best. Many of these talented/knowledgeable people offer their services at reasonable prices to someone looking to outsource technical tasks. Need recommendations, email me via Goodread mail function.
GT
I'm in the middle of the process and have found it a little arduous. My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and spine which meant altering the title size to avoid cutoff. My advice would be to allow a generous amount of space around the edges of your cover artwork and design it to the CS template at the Kindle stage, rather than adapting it later. I will be taking my own advice, next time!
There is a manual that gives you all sorts of hints. The two that helped me a lot were to make sure you full justify your text and make sure your page numbers are done properly. I've done my eight books on CS and have very few problems getting it done, including one book with a lot of graphics.
J.D. wrote: "I'm in the middle of the process and have found it a little arduous.
My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and..."
I've run into the "bleed" problem, too, and had to recreate a cover to fit. With my next book, the cover is perfected, and if I run into the problem again on CreateSpace, I'll probably reduce cover size slightly and put a tinted blank margin around it. That should work, and may even look better.
My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and..."
I've run into the "bleed" problem, too, and had to recreate a cover to fit. With my next book, the cover is perfected, and if I run into the problem again on CreateSpace, I'll probably reduce cover size slightly and put a tinted blank margin around it. That should work, and may even look better.
J.D. wrote: "My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and..."Hopefully you guys are using Photoshop. You should create a 300 DPI images in layers first for the print version and fit it into the template. Using layers you can resize it and nudge the text where ever it needs to be.
Then make a copy and resize it to 96 DPI for the Kindle version. Higher resolution on the Kindle is wasted and makes the finished file too large for quick download.
J.D. wrote: "I'm in the middle of the process and have found it a little arduous.
My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and..."
Hopefully this will help. :)
http://jonathancotty.wordpress.com/20...
Photoshop is great but you don't need it, just need to understand how you can output in 300DPi from programs like WORD and POWERPOINT, which is actually very straightforward.
My main problem has been with the cover. My artwork for the Kindle version has had to be enlarged to allow for bleed, trim and..."
Hopefully this will help. :)
http://jonathancotty.wordpress.com/20...
Photoshop is great but you don't need it, just need to understand how you can output in 300DPi from programs like WORD and POWERPOINT, which is actually very straightforward.
I had been using the Paint program that came with my computer, but it has certain disadvantages, such as limited font size, and no special effects. To overcome it, I downloaded the free program, Paint.net, which is basically the same program but with far more options and more flexible features. It's easy to use, and using both programs together seems to be working for me. None of my current covers were produced by this method, but the cover for my next book was, and looks much more professional.
Ed wrote: "If you download a template from Creatspace and just paste your book into it, it will come out perfectly 90% of the time. They have Word templates for many book sizes and they look really professional."Ed, I'll be sure to check out that template.
G.T, I've started lurking on the CS community forums and I've already learned a lot.
Ken, that idea about using margins is excellent and it would never have occurred to me. I'm pretty comfortable with Photoshop, Gimp, Illustrator and Sribus. So I already do most of my work in layers.
Johnathan, thanks for the link, I've bookmarked it.
Thanks everyone.
I used Createspace for my novel, and am pleased with the service. I used the Word template, which required a bit of maneuvering, but it wasn't that difficult (not as easy as hitting my kindle generator button in Scrivener, but hey). I sent the size requirements for the cover, spine, and back to my cover artist, my son :), and he didn't seem to have a problem putting the design together.
Candace wrote: "Ed wrote: "If you download a template from Creatspace and just paste your book into it, it will come out perfectly 90% of the time. They have Word templates for many book sizes and they look really..."Read all R.C., Walton, Lighthouse 24, McMullen, Lipman, Seisa posts no matter what the subject line. They know their stuff. I'm still learning from them even though I outsourced tech tasks.
GT
Thanks, Ed and Ken. My problem was that I didn't have the original layered PS file, so I had to do a little creative work around the artwork edges to extend it. If I'd have had the original, then of course I would have simply resized the font and any layer too close to the trim line. If anyone is in the same position be careful of putting a border around the front cover; despite the best efforts of CS it may not be equal on all four sides, as a fellow author found out.
I have always used CreateSpace and have a step by step leading up to the process on my blog. It is the fifth one down. I have never used anything other then CreateSpace but I find it practical and great as it has a step by step process to aid you as well, Kia.http://www.thethreeimmortalblades.com...
I have 3 books with them and I have been very satisfied with their services. I used the DIY approach and if I have any questions I just call and ask them and usually they help me with whatever I need assistance with. I can't say I have ever had an issue with them and I know one of the good things about them is that even while being with them you are free to get your book published elsewhere.
Candace wrote: "I currently have my first novel on Kindle only. It's been well received and I'm wondering if it's worth trying CreateSpace. How have others' experiences been?Thanks."
My experience with CreateSpace with my first book published in July 2014 is great. I am very happy. My book is "Hearts, Minds, and Coffee, a Vietnam Peace Odyssey." I think they are better than Kindle. If you need further elaboration, let me know. Good luck. Kent Hinckley
CreateSpace was totally supportive and easy to use for me. Kindle Direct Publishing was and is a nightmare with completely worthless support.
I used KDP first to produce a children's picturebook- which was very easy to use after downloading their creator tool, but Createspace I used after to try a paperback version- I laid out the book using indesign and then used their tools to upload it- it was a bit of a hassle getting artwork to fit correctly, but received the first copies last week and it looks pretty much how i wanted. The only problem was the quality of the print on some, but that was using their UK printer? Anyone else had that issue?
I used CreateSpace but am in the process of switching to Ingram Spark after a major bookstore refused to order a copy of one of my books for a customer and told them to get it off Amazon despite the fact that it was advertised on the bookstore's website. You books will face anti-Amazon prejudice in the stores. Note that I used CreateSpace as a printer, it is under my publisher's ISBN. Once I do my first Ingram Spark book I will submit my CreateSpace novel to Ingram Spark as well.
Use Creatspace and KDP for Amazon. Use Lulu for everywhere else. Lulu will get you in Barnes & Noble and Apple iBooks. Just a tip.
Ed wrote: "Use Creatspace and KDP for Amazon. Use Lulu for everywhere else. Lulu will get you in Barnes & Noble and Apple iBooks. Just a tip."Good tip, thanks for sharing that.
I am planning on using Createspace as soon as my Kindle book is published next month. I like their prices and how easy they make they process.
I've used Create Space for two books and was impressed with the simplicity of the process and the support they give you - although my books do not contain illustrations. Next time though I will put my book up on Create Space first as they lead you through Kindle publishing without a hassle.
Thanks everyone... I noticed CS offers editing services for around $.016/ word. Did any of you guys use them? Was it worth it? I've thought about using a freelancer, but if CS has vetted ones for hire, that might be a good option.
I've used create space and love the ease flexibility of it. The fact that you instantly get on Amazon both print and kindle and B&N is huge! There is an option to pay a small fee to get better royalties, and, if you go kindle select, better sales and control, but you do sign over your rights to only publish your ebook on kindle and no where else.
CS also puts books on B&N, if you choose the Extended Catalog. That used to cost extra but now is free.
Smashwords gets my EBook on everything; for that you have to format very carefully, as they will not distribute books that won't show well on every kind of reader.
Rebecca wrote: "CS also puts books on B&N, if you choose the Extended Catalog. That used to cost extra but now is free."Is there any way to tell if your book actually sells through Barnes & Noble when published through Amazon?
Also, is Smashwords more difficult to format than for Kindle?
C. wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "CS also puts books on B&N, if you choose the Extended Catalog. That used to cost extra but now is free."Is there any way to tell if your book actually sells through Barnes & Noble..."
Not generally - B&N makes no real effort to sell print via any but traditional vendors. However, if someone wants the print version they can order it through B&N.
Also, is Smashwords more difficult to format than for Kindle? Generally, yes. I actually hire someone to format too Smashwords for me, to improve my chances of succeeding with the meatgrinder. The good thing is that Smashwords no longer expects you to add 'Smashwords Version' to the copyright disclaimer.
Smashwords also offers a print version, or did, but it's more expensive and harder to format than CreateSpace. Generally, I format for Createspace myself - set indents (don't use tabs) at .3, set margins at .5, with a .3 gutter. Use section breaks rather than page breaks, page numbering in the footer, title and author in the header.
Valerie wrote: "Smashwords also offers a print version, or did, but it's more expensive and harder to format than CreateSpace. Generally, I format for Createspace myself - set indents (don't use tabs) at .3, set m..."Watch the gutter setting, it has limitations and varies based on the number of pages in your book. One other thing I do is set the line spacing at 1.5
Thanks.