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This is a place to ask all your self-publishing questions. We may have an article to answer your question, or someone in the group may have an answer. I encourage you to ask and answer each other's questions in this folder.

Hi everyone. I am relatively new to ebook publishing. Although I published with Amazon Kindle several weeks ago, I see lots of authors are also with Smashwords. I would be interested to know what people think about the two companies and whether one is better for book sales than the other. I have locked both my books in with Amazon for ninety days but, apart from having had a couple of hundred free downloads on one of them, I have sold nothing.

At Smashwords, your file is automatically converted to be read on several apps, and if your ebook passes inspection you can opt-in to have it sold through distributors across the web. They had also been in the process of shipping ebooks to be sold on Amazon also (anyway).

I have my ebooks on both Smashwords and Amazon, and have found they comparatively sell much better from Smashwords. Also, it's been easier for me to directly arrange coupons for free giveaways, etc.

For me what sets them apart from a writer's perspective is the support and encouragement given by Smashwords owner and staff to its users. You really get the sense they personally want you to succeed and they're helping to do everything possible for you and others.

Red wrote: "At Smashwords, your file is automatically converted to be read on several apps, and if your ebook passes inspection you can opt-in to have it sold through distributors across the web. They had also..."

Thanks for a full and helpful response. I now feel much more inclined to give Smashwords a go after my Kindle 90 days is up.

I agree and have only positive things to say about Smashwords. And after you clean up your doc with their process, you can use it everywhere else. Not the actual Smashwords doc, but the cleaned up word doc. They make that very clear. Best for me is having them put me in B&N catalog which has been a goldmine for me for some reason. I've gotten admitted to their premium distribution catalog in a matter of hours.

Lawman
Sacred Sin

Virginia wrote: "I agree and have only positive things to say about Smashwords. And after you clean up your doc with their process, you can use it everywhere else. Not the actual Smashwords doc, but the cleaned u..."

This is interesting, Virginia. Thanks for the additional info.. I wish I'd gone to Smashwords earlier.

Miz wrote: "Hi Everyone !

How do you become self-published under a pseudonym ?In addition, how does that affect the legal consequences of payment etc

Also, if you are not from the US, does that affect the ..."

I think a lot of those questions are addressed on the kindle publication pages where you upload your work and payment details. Click on the links and the 'what's this'. If not, the kindle pages have a 'contact us' link that proves helpful about half the time.

I have used Smashwords for my non-fiction work and once I got the manuscript edited it was painless. It took awhile for it to go out to Amazon and B$N to show up on their sites, but it was available in all formats quickly.

About the pen name and Amazon, I was looking into the same thing and read on the Kindle publishing information that you have a main account, to which you can add publications that have a pen name. So you get paid on your main account (real name) but the books will have your pen name.

That I don't know. Since Amazon is handling the payment, it probably has it's name with the book that was bought on the receipt. I haven't actually gotten that far in the process. But in my research, I learned that you have one account but within that account you can have pen names. I would think your real name would be protected, otherwise why bother having a pen name. But again, I can't say for sure if readers wouldn't be able to figure out who you are.

Hi Anthony!
I have also got both my books locked into Kindle but will not sign up for KDP with anything else. I was very disappointed to learn that the thousand or so downloads would not result in any cash, even though my free days results were listed under "sold" They now have both "sold" and "free downloads" columns on the month to date report. I have sold 6 or 7 copies to date and am wondering is there an easier way of doing this without going into debt? LOL! I think promotion is the problem. :)

Promotion is the key word. Expensive advertising would seem to be a big gamble. If your dad's a millionaire - no problem!

Hey all!

I'm about to self-publish with Lulu using my own ISBN. I've been scouring Lulu forums & stuff but can't seem to find anything on how to get my book on the Amazon marketplace. I was told once that as long as I have my own unique ISBN that I can (and should) sell on Amazon too. Its a print book (paperback). Any advice, links, suggestions? Thanks so much, I'm enjoying these threads. There's so much to learn!

- Jenn

Virginia wrote: "Best for me is having them put me in B&N catalog which has been a goldmine for me for some reason."

When I click on the Lawman link in your post, then on the B&N link, it comes up empty. Lawman can be found by searching author name on B&N. Just thought you should know.

Jenn wrote: "Hey all!

I'm about to self-publish with Lulu using my own ISBN. I've been scouring Lulu forums & stuff but can't seem to find anything on how to get my book on the Amazon marketplace. I was to..."

Lulu is having trouble with Amazon. The 500# gorilla is being unkind. However, I just got a notice today that Lulu is now selling through Amazon in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and so on. As far as I know Amazon kicked them off the US site.

Createspace is the best to get on Amazon.

Lulu is the best for printing quality.

Do them Both.

The only problem I have with Smashwords is that that use Word files with extremely limited formatting options, plus SW has a 5MB max file size.

I like kindle too. But don't lock into the select program otherwise they have exclusive rights to your electronic format for three months. You can't even have a PDF version on your own site. After that you can opt out. And as far as I know (I'll check again tomorrow)I haven't had one borrow from the lending library for either of my titles.

David wrote: "Createspace is the best to get on Amazon.

Lulu is the best for printing quality.

Do them Both."

I considered tha. My main concern is that CS doesn't seem to let you proof prior to actually buying the proof copy. If it lines up & looks right in Lulu I suppose it should be ok on CS as well...but that's an awful big if. Lulu indicates they will 'get your work on the Amazon marketplace'.

Oh my, SW would never do. My book is 322 pages & full bleed front/back covers, way bigger than 5MB.

Thanks for responding, the info is really helpful!

doesn't CS have the choice of downloading a PDF proof instead of buying? I got one for Doctor's Choice. But the proof copy for Samurai's Lady was sent free of charge and came within 2 weeks.

Gaynor wrote: "doesn't CS have the choice of downloading a PDF proof instead of buying?"

Didn't see that as an option, which I why I backed out & went with Lulu who did have that option. Maybe I set up the account incorrectly or something? I will look into it again though, you kind of have to be on Amazon these days unless you know a billiondy people to market to...which I don't.

That's the main thing with Amazon and Createspace. You don't have to like it. You simply need to decide if you want to sell or not. However, a PDF proof is just a rough guide because we all have to learn to proof on a screen I've been working at it for a couple decades now, and it's still not as good as proofing the real thing.

Have any of you publishing through a POD wanted to get advance review copies to send out to bloggers? How have you handled it? I've been told my options are either: 1) order proof copies (can only order 5 and they say proof on them), 2) create a dummy project with a fake ISBN which seems like a magnet for trouble or 3) approve the proofs, disable sales channels and order copies. Except this then means that the POD is sending out info that you are published, even if the book is not showing up on any sales channels and I don't know the ramifications of that.

Thoughts?

Tellulah wrote: "Have any of you publishing through a POD wanted to get advance review copies to send out to bloggers? How have you handled it? I've been told my options are either: 1) order proof copies (can only ..."

Tellulah, many of my clients printing with POD suppliers use a different printer for their Advance Reader copies and Advance Review copies. I've used 48hrbooks.com for many of these orders, and they are a great company to work with. Also, your book will not have to have an ISBN or bar code on it to print there, which may be handy. Hope that helps.

I have published a few books on Smashwords already, and I am happy with the results for the most part.
First, Your work is immediately available on Smashwords, and provided your work passes the review it goes up on quite a few other sites within a short period of time. Review for me has taken on average about a week.
Second, you can update your file at any time.
Third, you have a dashboard with all data at your fingertips, and the ability to create coupons for discounts up to 100% off. This is great for promoting.
The one drawback I have found so far id the distribution to Amazon. All the other premium distributors happen automatically, but due to disputes between SW and Amazon, they only send titles from authors that have sold over a thousand dollars worth of books to Amazon.

I am a newbie when it comes to creating ebooks. I am thinking to publish my ebook on Amazon. My question is what should be the resolution of images in my ebook. What's the maximum height and width in pixels. Thanks.

My business is all about self publishing and I offer two cautions about Smashwords:
1. The meat grinder software that you put your book through to get onto the site is buggy. It's improving, but if it snags on something in your manuscript, it can take months to get the site to accept your book in the premium list, which is how you get distribution beyond their website.
2. Browse their website catalog and you will find a significant number of very, very graphically covered and titled highly adult books. They are in every category and really tough to avoid. I don't list my clients' books there for that reason.
Lastly, if you want a fairly straightforward way to construct and format your books, indeed, to write them from the first word on, have a look at Pressbooks.com

Saqib wrote: "My question is what should be the resolution of images in my ebook. What's the maximum height and width in pixels."

The best thing you can do is, if you don't already own a Kindle, download and install the and then get Amazon's free book: Building Your Book for Kindle (available in Mac or PC versions). It has their recommended guidelines about image size. And is also by far the best style guide to preparing a Kindle ebook. And it won't cost you a penny!

Hello everyone
not for sure if this the right place. but out of free self publishing which ones are accepted in wal-mart, target and others. i am rewriting my book and republishing and not happy after paying almost 800 dollars with the company i was with . they messed it up and rushed me. so i am not able to pay for publishing now. and would like to get it in a few book stores. or should i go ebooks and books not in book stores for a while. please give me some ideal of what to do thanks. :)

I know I paid a little extra...something like twenty bucks...for "extended distribution" with Amazon. That makes it available with, say, Barnes and Noble.

I don't think regular retail is going to just carry your books out of hand, but they can at least order them if someone wants them. B&N lists my book on their site, even though I'm dead certain you won't see it sitting on a shelf in there.

So, let me see if I understand: I have a book pubbed with Amazon using CreateSpace and Kindle. I already have an isbn on them. Can I also publish that same book with SmashWords? I am not involved with KDP Select. I'd like to do that to make it easier to do promotions and giveaways and whatnot. Is there anything I should know about that?

Try digital to digital. Use the Smashwords Style Guide for consistency.

I have an issue with one of the channels, Kobo. I asked that one of my backlist be removed from Kobo so I can reinstate my KDP Select. Its going on two weeks and no action from Kobo.

Thanks for the tip!

Tellulah wrote: "Have any of you publishing through a POD wanted to get advance review copies to send out to bloggers? How have you handled it? I've been told my options are either: 1) order proof copies (can only ..."

You can use a separate printer for your Advance Reader Copy, which I did the first time. But I later found that if you confer carefully with your rep at LightningSource they will do it the way you want and withhold its information from publication channels. Then you can re-do your cover and bookblock (if you've made changes) and release it for publication.

They are very responsive. I also think the production quality is a bit higher than CreateSpace.

I am new to the idea of self publishing. I have written my first book in like 5 years and would like to give ePublishing a try. Any tips and suggestions would be great

Anthony wrote: "Hi everyone. I am relatively new to ebook publishing. Although I published with Amazon Kindle several weeks ago, I see lots of authors are also with Smashwords. I would be interested to know what p..."

Kindle Select is a great tool for promotion but it is really not something (in my opinion) that is useful long term. I currently have my books as KDP select for 3-6 months then I put them on Smashwords.
There are really pros and cons of each.

Ken wrote: "Miz wrote: "Hi Everyone !

How do you become self-published under a pseudonym ?In addition, how does that affect the legal consequences of payment etc

Also, if you are not from the US, does that..."

Hello. I actually publish under multiple names using createspace, KDP, ACX, and Smashwords. You generally have one account with whatever name you choose (on Smashwords you can either have multiple accounts or you can upgrade to an agent/publisher account but the books are all linked and smart readers can figure out if it is all just your stuff). You put your legal name on the payment and tax info forms but each individual book is assigned an author (and the buyers will not have any indication it is all you). ACX you work with narrators to make audiobooks so the narrators will know you by your user name. I use Jane B Night as my primary brand (user names on sites etc).
Hope that helps.

Jenn wrote: "Hey all!

I'm about to self-publish with Lulu using my own ISBN. I've been scouring Lulu forums & stuff but can't seem to find anything on how to get my book on the Amazon marketplace. I was told..."

Amazon has print on demand publishing through Createspace.
I would suggest publishing there as well as lulu or even instead of Lulu. Overall, my experience with Createspace has been better. Among other things copies you order are MUCH cheaper on createspace.

Precious wrote: "I am new to the idea of self publishing. I have written my first book in like 5 years and would like to give ePublishing a try. Any tips and suggestions would be great"

ePublishing is an amazing venture to undertake. I have self published 15 ebooks so far (many of them are fairly small which is common with Kindle).
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I would love to try to help.

Precious wrote: "I am new to the idea of self publishing. I have written my first book in like 5 years and would like to give ePublishing a try. Any tips and suggestions would be great"

First things first, you want to find an editor. Everybody needs a second set of experienced eyes to help you get ready for the publishing stage.

There are several places you can find them online. I’m a remote editor myself working with a few goodreads authors. I’d be happy to take a look at your book for you if you’re interested.

We can do the first chapter together, and if you’re happy with it, we can continue on with the rest of it.

[email protected]

Best of luck!
Natalie

Editors are super important! You would be amazed at all the mistakes you might make.
One issue you may find in the future is that many editors are very costly. When I looked into hiring a professional one it was going to cost me about $1000.
I am sure that would give you the most amazing and flawless manuscript (and no idea what going rate is or if the sites I was visiting were overcharging etc). But, if your manuscript is pretty good and you just want a basic edit there are lots of editors on fiverr and other freelance sites who will do a basic edit for you. Your book may not be a perfect gem, but it will be affordable. With self publishing I feel like it is really risky to spend more than about $100 in producing your first book (again, unless you can really afford it and as a single mom I couldn't) because there is so much risk. And, you don't make a profit until you make back all your costs.
Also, if you plan to produce many books through self publishing that is something cost will also be more important than with just one project. I put out about a book per month at the moment.
So, just make sure that whatever you pay an editor is reasonable within your overall plan.

Cross Beta reading- are there any threads for authors to swap beta reading. ie to swap drafts with another self publisher within their field of interest, to gain a fresh set of eyes? I am sure this could be of mutual benefit. Any one know of a discussion group that does this? If not, would one work within this forum...

Okay, so I think I'm more confused now after reading through this entire discussion thread :-)

I'm preparing to self publish for the first time (the first book in a trilogy - all three books are written) and I was thinking of using Smashwords for epub because they seem to have a wide distribution and Createspace for POD. Should I also use KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) so that I can get on kindle right away rather than wait for Smashwords to do it?

I was thinking of using Smashwords for epub because they seem to have a wide distribution and Createspace for POD. Should I also use KDP

I think this would be a smart approach Lisa. If you do this, just omit Amazon from the Smashwords distribution channels.

Note that if you use Smashwords and KDP, you would not be able to put your Kindle book into the KDP Select program because that requires you sell the ebook exclusively on KDP.