If you were going to self-publish...

[impressive]

What would you really want to know?

This is research for a panel I've been asked to join at an upcoming convention. My focus is epublishing, but I will touch on print.

I'll be sharing my lessons learned, but I also want to provide kind of a "how to" guide.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

If I ePublish a book or story, how do I maintain copyright or royalties, when all digital media can be transferred as easily as MP3 and video files?

Will Digital Right Management apply to published writings? and how so?

What are the benefits to ePublishing (for eReaders) as opposed to internet publishing for an established audience (LIT is a great example of that) ?

Will publishing for digital readers carry parental warnings as music does now? (though I think I already know the answer to that)

how are my rights as a self-publisher affected if I publish the same work across different mediums? (publishing on LIT and on Kindle, as well as in print)

those are just off the top of my head.

 

[impressive]

If I ePublish a book or story, how do I maintain copyright or royalties, when all digital media can be transferred as easily as MP3 and video files?

Will Digital Right Management apply to published writings? and how so?

What are the benefits to ePublishing (for eReaders) as opposed to internet publishing for an established audience (LIT is a great example of that) ?

Will publishing for digital readers carry parental warnings as music does now? (though I think I already know the answer to that)

how are my rights as a self-publisher affected if I publish the same work across different mediums? (publishing on LIT and on Kindle, as well as in print)

those are just off the top of my head.

Thank you! This is exactly the type of thing I need.

 

[Guest]

Well, no problem, because this is exactly the kinda stuff I am wondering. Any chance that we can get your papers published here after your panel is concluded?

 

[impressive]

Well, no problem, because this is exactly the kinda stuff I am wondering. Any chance that we can get your papers published here after your panel is concluded?

Actually, I plan to self-publish it.

 

[Boota]

I'd touch on the limits of promotion and the acceptance of self-published material. Publishers spend a fortune to promote, self-publishers in general don't have a fortune to spend.

 

[impressive]

I'd touch on the limits of promotion and the acceptance of self-published material. Publishers spend a fortune to promote, self-publishers in general don't have a fortune to spend.

Thanks, Boota.

 

[Liar]

I think, as a complete novice, I'd be interrested in logistics. How does the market work in terms of distribution networks, what does it take to get an e-book listed in major bookstore catalogs? What control do I have and have not over this?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Books about self-publishing already exist. Get them at Amazon.com.

 

[PoppingTom]

Books about self-publishing already exist. Get them at Amazon.com.

Why pay, if you can get this information for free ?

 

[laurafairlie]

Why pay, if you can get this information for free ?

The problem is that you can get the information for free, but the information is still not what is going to sell your ebooks. It's a lot more complex that that. The main problem is distribution channels. With self-published ebooks, you're pretty limited in distribution, and the only way to expand your distribution is to pay somebody to do it for you.

 

[R. Richard]

Unless you are very rich and cost is no object, the first question must be, "Is what I'm going to publish salable?" You need to have someone knowlegable review your work. preferably several someones.

The next question is, "How am I going to publicize my book?" You can use Internet forums, but you will find a lot of other people also trying to publicize their writing.

Then, even if your book is well written and interesting, the question is interesting to whom? Is there going to be enough interest in the subject you're writing about to afford you the audience you need to sell your book?

 

[Katyusha]

What are some of the established distribution channels? What are some possible ways of distributing my work that are NOT through established distribution channels? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? How do I know what's right for me?

 

[TxRad]

Books about self-publishing already exist. Get them at Amazon.com.

Most of the book on Amazon are either badly out of date or have bad, limited, or lacking information on today's e-book and self publishing venues.

 

[sr71plt]

Most of the book on Amazon are either badly out of date or have bad, limited, or lacking information on today's e-book and self publishing venues.

Quite a bit is available on self-publishing. Most of that is hype, though, and the hype is what the wishful thinkers have gravitated too.

There isn't much available that's current on e-publishing, though. It also was hyped in the early years and then there was a backlash--and now it is has started to come into its own. There isn't much balanced discussion in the "how to publish" publications on recent trends and opportunities.

 

[laurafairlie]

Most of the book on Amazon are either badly out of date or have bad, limited, or lacking information on today's e-book and self publishing venues.

Very true. And even if you mozy over to Smashwords and read some of the free guides on marketing ebooks for the self-published, you will still come away with a good deal less than what is needed.

 

[TxRad]

Quite a bit is available on self-publishing. Most of that is hype, though, and the hype is what the wishful thinkers have gravitated too.

There isn't much available that's current on e-publishing, though. It also was hyped in the early years and then there was a backlash--and now it is has started to come into its own. There isn't much balanced discussion in the "how to publish" publications on recent trends and opportunities.

Very true. And even if you mozy over to Smashwords and read some of the free guides on marketing ebooks for the self-published, you will still come away with a good deal less than what is needed.

That is exactly what I found out when I started my Bedside Books. It took a lot of digging and then I ended up just doing it my way. It's worked out well but probably could have been more profitable if I had known a few things in advance.

Live and learn.

I hope Imp can come up with some up to date information for the folks around here.

 

[_Lynn_]

There isn't much available that's current on e-publishing, though. It also was hyped in the early years and then there was a backlash--and now it is has started to come into its own. There isn't much balanced discussion in the "how to publish" publications on recent trends and opportunities.

And what's my research paper topic, of all things? ughhh

 

[impressive]

This little ebook is now published. To those of you who provided assistance (above) are thanked in the back matter, I'll happily provide you a copy of the PDF if you PM me.

Thanks!

 

[AllardChardon]

What a timely thread for me. Thank you, Imp.

My first novel is complete, my website is built, two more sites with me as Madam Gigi up and running, and I have reached the crossroads.

Do I send to Kensington and wait to be rejected? Hopefully not, but I always was a dreamer!

Do I self-publish thru createspace for about $500.00? Add another $100 and you can include 10 B & W illustrations (my sons are artists and are doing illustrations for my book). This site will place your book on Amazon.

I will keep investigating and will read your little book with great interest, Imp.