Publishing the eBook:
The FAQs

Jules Older

On October 13, I got an email from a ski buddy. Was he embarrassed! He’d just spent an extremely uncomfortable night in the drunk-tank in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia. By the time he got to this:

   The invitation for my night’s accommodation came from a uniformed young man; I’m guessing 22. He wasn’t comfortable until he had my hands cuffed behind my back. And I felt shame sitting alone in the backseat of his Ford sedan. It was like being in a hockey penalty box on wheels. A friend of mine at Whistler who watched this encounter told me later that the young man was  “the kind of guy everyone picked on in high school, and now it was payback time.”

I was cursing the fact that the ski magazine I’d edited for lo those many years was no more. I was dying to publish this wonderfully written confession.

As I was when reading another article by a woman skiing legend. Hers was on skiing like a man.  It contained (if that’s the right word, and it isn’t), this riff:

   I remember I used to be told, “You’re the best woman skier I’ve ever seen!” and I always thought, “%$#@ you!” I want to ski like a man. We all do. I want to frequency male power; be like a giant, veiny phallus thrusting down the mountain. Like a hairy, naked savage running out of the cave. Like an F-16 blasting through Jell-O.

And then it happened. I knew how to publish both these stories and more. I’d publish an eBook and call it SKIING THE EDGE: Humor, Humiliation, Holiness and Heart. Exactly one month later, I had 21 chapters by 20 leading ski and snowboard writers ready to roll.

My first go as publisher. My first eBook. How sweet it is. And how scary. And what extraordinary writing.

If you’re thinking about publishing an eBook of your own, here’s what I’ve learned so far about publishing, promoting and avoiding future fights.

I understand there’s a fortune to be made in eBooks. Please confirm.

Yes, and the eStreets are paved with eGold.

No, I read this article about a housewife from—

I read it too. Made her fortune just by selling her novel — her many-times rejected novel — as an eBook.

Exactly. So, how do I do it?

Wish I knew. It hasn’t yet happened to me. Or anybody else I know.

OK, then, here’s a worry. I’m no nerd, and I’m not digital savvy. Can I really publish an eBook?

Yes. You’ve just described me, and I have.

I’ve heard that when you publish online, people can steal your stuff.

I’ve heard the same thing. Don’t let that stop you from doing it.

If I’m working with other writers, do they have to sign a contract with me?

Yes. That’s one thing everybody agrees on.

Is it enough to offer the eBook for sale on Amazon’s Kindle?

No. That’s the biggest player, but don’t neglect Apple, Sony and Barnes & Noble. Or home computers.

How do I reach them?

Through either SmashWords or BookBaby. Both companies reformat your Word document so it uploads to Kindle, iPad, Sony Reader and Nook.

SmashWords, BookBaby — which one is best?

They’re both good, both innovative, and since they both have clarifying websites, see which one works best for you. In my case, partly because I thought the process would go faster and I’d get the book out by the opening of the ski season, I went with BookBaby. I’m more than happy with the choice.

Why?

Very easy to work with. Very reasonable cost. Excellent job of formatting for the various platforms. Excellent helpline. Fast.

How fast?

I had the idea for the book on October 13. It was for sale on Amazon and iTunes December 1.

The next year?

The next month.

OK, how much should I charge for my eBook?

Oh, how I wish I knew. How I wish anybody knew. I went for $3.99, but only time will tell if that was smart or cripplingly wrong. We’re in the arena of mystery and magic. eBook prices range from free to every bit as expensive as old-fashioned dead-tree books.

What’s the quality of eBooks?

The full range, from utterly despicable to “I wish I’d written that.”

How bad is the e-competition?

It’s your worst nightmare. There are, by actual count, 38.5 gazillion eBooks already out there, all raising their hands and shouting, “Choose me! Choose me!” That’s your competition.

What can I do about it?

Write well. Edit well.  Use a strong and appealing cover. Publicize the bejeezus out of your book. Tell everyone you know about it — and get them to tell everyone they know.

Is there a best publicity tool?

A lot and different for everyone. In my case, as soon as SKIING THE EDGE went up on PitchEngine, interest in it grew. Not necessarily sales, but interest.

Are there other ways to publicize?

Definitely. Your local radio and TV stations. Hometown paper. Alumni magazine. Websites, Twitter, blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, the works. Use ‘em all.

How about publicity opportunities to avoid?

Rule of thumb: If it costs more than $20, it’s more than likely a scam. Unless you’re shelling out big bucks for a publicist you know and trust, stick to the free and nearly free stuff.

Speaking of free, what about giving books away free to get the buzz going?

The practice has many advocates, but I’m not one of them. Long before the Digital Age, publishers were saying, “I can’t give you any, you know, money, but the exposure will be great for your career.” Didn’t believe it then; still don’t.

Anything else?

A little luck is always a good thing. Skill and insane persistence are even better.

…

Jules Older hangs out at http://julesolder.com. He opines about San Francisco restaurants and New Zealand life on the apps, San Francisco Restaurants and Auckland Insider. SKIING THE EDGE is available on every electronic and mobile platform, including computers.

Julian DeFresne interviews Robert Staniford, author of The Star War Factor.

Julian DeFresne: I’ve read two collections of your poetry and I have to say I was challenged by the different layers you put into your work. I had your unique voice in mind when I started reading the novel, The Star War Factor. I made the mistake of expecting to see some of that same voice come through. I think it’s layered, as your poems are, but the point of view is very different. I was pleasantly surprised by this. Whish gives you greater satisfaction, the poetry or writing fiction?

Robert Staniford: I find both satisfying in different way. I get enjoyment from writing poetry and short stories but there’s definitely a far greater sense of achievement from completing a novel.

Julian DeFresne: Can you tell me what inspired this novel?

Robert Staniford: A number of things. I’d written a novel on the theme of a global nuclear catastrophe, resulting from weapons placements on space platforms, back in the seventies. That book contained a lot of the ideas for the Star War Factor. The outsider getting into the shelter with the elite was a central theme in that book. My surprise when I learned that I’d written about the things which Ronald Reagan came up with a few years later provided the basis for the plot of the new novel.

I also pulled in bits and pieces from two other novels, which I’d written and abandoned. The Star War Factor is really a collage of all three books. In addition to that, I’ve read several books which deal with the Biblical end times. They tend to be written by believers for believers. I wanted to introduce some of those themes in a way that would be more palatable to people who didn’t believe.

Julian DeFresne: So you want the book to carry a message?

Robert Staniford: I like all my work to carry some kind of message. I’d certainly be happy if people checked back some of the sources in the book and found some meaning through that. I think there are elements of the book which touch on the outrageous but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some real support for the outrageous. It also wanders into areas usually reserved for the conspiracy theorists. I believe that some of those theories have credence, particularly those which tie in with Biblical prophesy.

Julian DeFresne: The impression I got from reading the book is that when these themes come in, they’re written from the perspective of someone who is questioning the ideas rather than someone who is preaching them. Is that a fair assessment?

Robert Staniford: If that’s how you picked up on it then it’s achieved what I wanted.

Julian DeFresne: Getting back to what you said about your inspiration, is it fair to say that the novel has an autobiographical element to it?

Robert Staniford: Not at all. I’ve drawn on experience and observation, in the same way that many writers do, but only to add authenticity. Gilbert Morrison is a composite character; he contains characteristics of several people I’ve known. I’ve already been asked if he’s me and the answer is a definite “No”. Circumstances in his life are based on people I know.

Julian DeFresne: Well, if they were friends, are they still?

Robert Staniford: I don’t think they’d admit to recognising themselves in the character, or in any of the other characters in the book.

Julian DeFresne: The reviews I’ve read are all good and it seems the book has been very well received. Are you surprised by that?

Robert Staniford: Relieved is a better word. If I tried to be blasé about it then it would be arrogant. I’m glad that people like it and find it readable.

Julian DeFresne: I get the impression that you give credence to some of the conspiracy theory ideas but maintain a healthy scepticism, is that a fair assessment?

Robert Staniford: Definitely.

Julian DeFresne: The title page says “Book One”. What are we to expect from book two?

Robert Staniford: I’m tempted to just say, “Buy it when it comes out”. Book two brings establishments like H.A.A.R.P. into the equation. I don’t want to say too much about that because it would give too much away. It also focuses on the character of the new order, established in the wake of the catastrophe which the first book deals with. I’ve drawn on an interpretation of prophesy in the Book of Revelation as it was projected in Hal Lindsey’s book, The Late Great Planet Earth. That’s really where I get my protagonist from.

Julian DeFresne: You tend to take a wry view of Christianity in your book, where it’s mentioned.

Robert Staniford: Perhaps that’s true. I think when that subject arises in the book it’s approached through the eyes of those who question what they believe. I am a believer but I don’t desire to use the book to preach. As I said earlier, if I raise a question in someone’s mind then I’m pleased about that.

When it comes to Christianity, I don’t like those whose faith is mindless. The Christians who have impressed me are people who have had discernment and full control of their faculties. The book hints a couple of times at the Christian idea of the Rapture; the Church being taken up by God when His wrath is poured out on the Earth; what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation. From that perspective, it has to be kept in mind that any characters in the book who have Christian inclinations are those who realised too late to be a part of that.

Julian DeFresne: To wind this interview up, I’d like to say that I found The Star War Factor a very entertaining read. It was also quite thought provoking in places so I really believe you’ve achieved you aim. I wish you success with it and look forward to getting my hands on a copy of the second book.

Robert Staniford: Thank you.