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.
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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.