Alternative Routes to Publication: The Case for E-Books
BECOMING A WRITER SERIOUSLY is accumulating a list of recommended books about Self-Publishing, which is available under the Books tab at the top of the screen. We’ve already posted blurbs about The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine, which explores in great detail the current hot topic of Print-On-Demand publishing, and Aiming at Amazon by Aaron Shepard, who recommends setting up one’s own POD publishing company. Today I’m adding a downloadable E-Book which, no surprise, extolls the virtues of that route to publication.
Together, this trio of books provides very detailed, in-depth coverage about the full range of self-publishing. Interestingly, all argue against printing your book yourself through a traditional printer and filling your garage with a large inventory. I’ll continue my search for the best book I can find that endorses that route to publication. I strongly recommend these books for writers seeking to understand the contemporary publishing scene.
Tid-Bits for Making Money with E-Books: How To Earn $10,000 A Year Writing Non-Fiction E-books in Your Spare Time, by Alyice Edrich. First edition, 2004, second edition, 2005. Available for download at Alyice’s website.
Alyice is publisher/editor of an online publication for busy parents. Her personal website was chosen among the 10 Best Writers Websites of 2006 by Writer’s Digest. Working from home for over 10 years, she started selling e-books in 1999 and in 2004 developed a method that earned her over $11,000 that year.
E-books are not necessarily appropriate for all types of books. In fact, Alyice and the five other authorities she interviewed, consider e-books to be most appropriate for:
*** time-senstive, non-fictional, informational books that become quickly dated or which need continual updates
*** books that contain lots of links to websites, or which benefit from non-linear navigation
*** authors that seek instant gratification, have a built-in audience or are seeking to establish a reputation in some particular field.
“Unlike print books, e-books are interactive,†Edrich writes, referring to the ability to link to outside sources and to provide non-linear reading of material, allowing the reader to jump around as he or she wishes.
While acknowledging the appeal of having one’s book accepted by a major publisher, Edrich covers the many downsides of traditional publishing.
She also analyzes self-publishing your book with a traditional printer or via a Print-On-Demand company. It is interesting to compare her analysis of POD books with those offered by Levine and Shepard. All have their points of view and rationale. Comparing them provides you with a real education about the business.
She even looks at publishing your books at Kinko’s, with comb and wire bindings, as well as traditional binding.
Any book in printed form requires a distributor, otherwise they will simply sit in the garage or warehouse. Edrich looks at this process, and also explains the “returned books†trap.
Edrich goes on to explain the difference between electronic book publishers and electronic book distributors. She shys away from the publishers, but finds the distributors useful until you decide to handle all of your sales yourself. She also details the “innards†of contracts with publishers/distributors, a section worth careful reading.
Ultimately, Edrich encourages writers to consider self-publishing and sales under your own entity. Hmmm, sounds like Shepard’s recommendation for the print-on-demand option route.
THE HEART OF HER MESSAGE:
“Starting your own electronic publishing house and self-publishing your books through your own website is the best option for retailing your books because you get to keep 100 percent of the retail cost, less 10 to 30 percent for normal business operating expenses.â€
The rest of her E-Book spells in great detail how to proceed down this route to publication.
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