Resources

Free tools, tips and links from SPR on writing and selling your book

A Bloody eBook Conversion Project

Recently I had the pleasure to work on a project with author, biographer Garry M. Graves of Character Happens!

Our goal was to format and render his book, Bloody Omaha, to the Kindle eBook format. The major challenge was the rendering of 39 pictures and illustrations.I would like to share our trials and adventures. This outline should help authors that are thinking about converting their own books to a digital format.

Garry M. Graves, Character Happens!

http://characterhappens.com/

http://characterhappens.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003R0LNZQ?ie=UTF8&tag=hbspubcom09-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003R0LNZQ

Rendering Concept

This is a concept that should be embraced by all eBook authors. It’s simple. It’s easy to implement. […]

2011-01-25T21:34:29+02:00January 25th, 2011|Categories: Resources|

Make an entrance with a great cover.

As an independent author who also publishes his own work, one part of the process to bring books to market is the creation of appropriate covers. From what I have read on message boards, this seems to be one of the most daunting tasks for many writers. In addition, it is also one of the areas where many writers truly fail, in my opinion.

The importance of a quality cover cannot be overstated, and I am sure you are well aware of that. After all, it is the first point of contact between you and a potential reader. Whether the […]

2020-02-21T03:41:49+02:00January 23rd, 2011|Categories: Resources|Tags: |

Indie Ebook Publishing: Pros and Cons

Is e-publishing right for you? Do you have what it takes to be an indie ebook author? Or would you be better off staying on the road to traditional publication?

I know a lot of authors are asking these questions today, especially with all the hype created by some indie ebook authors doing very well for themselves. I’ll do my best to present the pros and cons of the business.

I’m a relative newcomer myself (published my first two fantasy novels last month and have only sold about 150 ebooks so far), but I’m cautiously optimistic about the possibilities. That […]

2011-01-23T09:52:24+02:00January 23rd, 2011|Categories: Lead Story, Resources|

eBook Author: Rendering your eBooks

Rendered eBooks
The eBook Author has the opportunity to add to the reading experience. The eBook conversion process must be much more than converting a paper book to a digital format. It must take advantage of the power of the electronic reader.

The eBook author is defined as an author who is writing directly to the eBook platform. You can read more about this concept in my blog: eBook Author: New Breed of Author.

As an author, you must think about the reader and what he can do with the added features the eBook allows him to use. You […]

2011-10-08T16:34:59+02:00January 7th, 2011|Categories: Resources|Tags: , |

The Author Interview

If you are going to become an established author, you’re going to be interviewed.

While print interviews are the easiest (writer-posted questions, giving you time to think of your answers), readers want to see and hear an author they have read, or may want to read. It’s best, then, to practice your interview skills so you are prepared for a variety of questions. And before your local television or radio station calls you, the best thing you can do is film your own video as part of your media-marketing package.

Here’s what has worked for me:

1. Write out a […]

2011-10-08T16:38:00+02:00January 7th, 2011|Categories: Resources|

Sell Your Book – Get a Book Widget

Now that your book is published, you want to use every means to promote and sell it. A book widget is a compact and convenient visual to add to your web site/blog and e-mail signature line that attracts viewers to explore and buy your book.

Amazon (carousel widget)

BookLoverQuotes

GoodReads

Google Books (Embeddable)

GuruLib

HarperCollins Browse Inside

JacketFlap

LibraryThing

New York Times Book Review Widget

Random House Book Widgets

•ShareBookBox

Shelfari

* This post has now been updated to remove outdated links* – Editor, Oct 2014[…]

2020-02-21T03:58:19+02:00December 6th, 2010|Categories: Resources|Tags: |

Getting a Book Published – How to Self-Publish Using Print-on-Demand (POD)

As a writing coach at AuthorAssist, often I am asked about the final stages of getting a manuscript published. What are the steps and how long does it take to self-publish a book using print on demand (POD)? The short answer: There are five basic tasks involved and if you push it, you can complete the process in 5-6 weeks. Here are the minimum steps for getting your material transformed from a manuscript to a finished book using print on demand (POD), once you have your final draft.

Proofreading (2-4 weeks) It’s assumed that you have your final draft. Your […]

2011-10-08T17:15:58+02:00October 26th, 2010|Categories: Resources|

SEO Book Marketing: Directory Submissions

In a recent interview on Smashwords Books Reviewed, I said this:

I actually spent $70 on an SEO link-building service recently – submitting my site to directories with different keyword phrases.  It actually worked, because now my novel comes up in the top results for “UFO fiction,” “World War III fiction” and others.  That SEO has way more value than paying for an ad on some website.

It’s true, and I thought I’d fill in the details about how this was done, and how SEO is important for book marketing.

If you take a look at the keyphrases, I’m […]

2011-10-08T17:16:40+02:00October 25th, 2010|Categories: Resources|
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