Self Publishing with Createspace and Smashwords



Self Publishing with Createspace and SmashwordsBringing your written work to market for sale and distribution has never been easier. Learn how to select a platform that fits your project. Discuss formatting and publication options. Share ideas about marketing to reach readers.Notes from program discussionJune 13, 2017, ?Topeka and Shawnee County Public LibraryLissa Staley and Miranda Ericsson writers@ResourcesCreatespace Style Guide Key Book Publishing Paths: 2017 by Jane Friedman from the questions and experiences of others in our writing community is often more beneficial than hearing a step by step instruction on how to accomplish a task from one person’s perspective. Lissa asks, participants answer--Why are you here tonight??I want to learn everything!I want to see what has changedI have a manuscript and want to find ?out what to do with itI want to pick up some tips on publishingI published some work, but I know things have changedI have frustrations with Createspace and want to learn more about the gaps that they assume you should knowI want to be able to publish without having my hand held?Lissa asks, participants answer--After you write...What do you need to do to your manuscript after writing and before publishing?Get books on editing and read themEditSpell checkSomeone besides you edits/copyedits?Content and continuity edit--organization of informationLine edit, spelling, punctuation/spacesPut it away for a monthPrint and read on paper or change font--see it in a new wayFind an editor and offer to trade or payBeta readers to read your work and give you feedbackRepeat the feedback process at least once more through!MarketingSynopsisElevator pitch--how do you tell people what your book is like?Survey the market--what is this book like?Start looking for keywords for marketingReverse librarian--ask us to find you some books like yours for comparisonChoosing a platform for print copies--What to Consider?What type of book are you publishing? Children, fiction, nonfiction, certain genreCan the printing platform make your book look the way that readers in your genre expect books to look?Is it user friendly?How high is the learning curve?Where do you currently rank in self-publishing--beginner to expert?Consider marketing--what marketing connects you to your readersConsider your possible investment--how much time and money do you have? What end result will you achieve?Print edition and ebook edition – should you use the same company or consider different ones? ?Distribution—will your book be available to sellers through their traditional ordering systems?Comparing and discussing experiences with particular platforms?Ingramspark?With IngramSpark you need to buy your ISBN, it may be cheaper per ISBN to buy 10 or 100 than only 1 (if you will publish more than 1 book.)Bigger learning curve for first-time users$49 cost for book set up$25 change fee if you change your book’s print-ready filesSome discounted sales are available for the service several times a year.IngramSpark offers more format options than CreatespaceOne strategy some self-publishing authors use is to purchase their print books at cost and offer signed copies for sale through resellers like amazon Used-Like New. The author may have a bigger profit margin by selling signed copies and shipping to consumers.?CreatespaceCreatespace is free to setup your book.The cover artwork must be pdf to submit to Createspace—so you need access to software (using the Make It Lab at TSCPL, for example) or to hire a graphic designer who can create what is needed.Createspace is an Amazon company. Some booksellers have a bias toward Amazon as an industry disrupte. The free Createspace ISBN identifies the book as self-published by you and printed by Createspace.The TSCPL Community Novel Project prints using Createspace. A demonstration of the digital proofer, examples of some obstacles encountered in formatting, how to allow yourself extra time in the publishing process to correct errors.Always order a physical copy to look over for errors--(this is like going to the other room, seeing from a different perspective)You won't know how much it will cost to print a copy of the book until they accept it for printing (the last step)Shipping prices are lower per book when you order a larger quantity, and rush shipping is very expensiveEbooks publishing and distribution options?KDP (Kindle) KDP Select makes your book exclusive for a specified time--you won’t be able to sell through any other outlets during this time. ?SmashwordsLots of Frequently Asked Questions documentation available??Considerations When Formatting Your EbookYou want your ebook readers to have a satisfying experience, so test out the ebook on various devices to make sure it flows well from one screen to the next, doesn’t have page numbers in the corners, etc. Like print books, you want your ebook to be similar for readers as the other ebooks they are already readingYou want to tell them what action to take next--review it? Buy the next? Visit website? You can add this to the final pages of the ebook, and should take the opportunity to do so.??Overall Takeaways?You want paper copies to sell/sign for author fairs and events, but you will sell more ebooks and can make a better profit per sale on ebooks.The whole publishing model has changed. Print on demand allows you to make your book available in print without buying large quantities. The printer ships them to buyers as they make their purchase. You may still want to buy copies for author fairs and events. Ebooks are a necessity if you want to make sales in some genres.Remember that every platform has its ups and downs, and research is required to find out which is the best fit for your particular project.Your library and your writing community offer ways to track down reviews and resources to help you make an informed decision.Search for customer reviews that aren’t necessarily on the vendor website to get a more rounded perspective of a service.??How do I market my services if I want to provide support services to other writers? Discussion: Provide examples of your work, reach people using Craigslist, social media, offer to do work at a reduced rate to build resume, research the services offered through smashwords and createspace to see those providers are selected for hire.Learn more about the Community Novel Project at TSCPL and find handouts from previous writing and publishing skills/techniques workshops at ? ................
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