doubled in 2012, meaning that the UK e-book market grew to £250m, putting the overall book market back in the black after a transitional 12 months for the trade. Digital Bookseller Jan 2013 ✤ PWC global entertainment and media outlook: http://paidcontent.org/2012/06/12/what-will-the-global-e-book- market-look-like-by-2016/ ✤ 2016, PwC expects, “e-books will account for half of total spending on consumer books” in the U.S. and the total U.S. consumer book market (print + digital) will be worth $21 billion, up from $19.5 billion in 2011. ✤ PwC projects that “the consumer and educational book publishing market in EMEA will decrease during the next two years and then rise to $44.8 billion by 2016, returning to its 2011 level.” ✤ South Korea has Asia Pacific’s second-largest consumer e-book market after Japan, PwC says, and consumer e-book sales there “constituted 24.2 percent of South Korea’s total consumer book sales — the highest share of any country in the world.” ✤ Australia is the only other country [in the region] where e-books will generate more than $100 million in sales. ✤ Amazon selling ebooks in over 100 countries including USA,UK, India, Brazil, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain. Monday, 28 January 13
layout, flowing, resizeable text ✤ high compatibility and most common approach ✤ Fixed-layout eBooks ✤ supports complex, multi-column layout ✤ content in each page is fixed, no re-flow ✤ designed for a specific device or platform Monday, 28 January 13
support for embedded fonts ✤ Limited support for floating images ✤ Limited support for audio and video ✤ No support for read-aloud Monday, 28 January 13
control of font, image position ✤ Ideal for complex layout and picture books with text overlaying images ✤ Greater possibilities for interaction Monday, 28 January 13
in standard and fixed-layout formats. ✤ No Kindle devices support audio or video in eBooks. Some support in Kindle apps. ✤ iPad supports audio and video in both standard and fixed-layout ePUB. ✤ Apple and Kobo support read-aloud (hi-light narration) in fixed- layout ePUB. Monday, 28 January 13
interaction, font display, mathematic symbols and accessibility features ✤ Offers both standard and fixed-layout options ✤ Touted since 2011 as an opportunity to consolidate ✤ Ignored by Amazon ✤ Slowly becoming supported by other platforms, such as Apple and Kobo. Monday, 28 January 13
and fixed-layout ✤ Two key standard formats: Mobi and ePUB ✤ Fixed-layout an option for complex layout and picture book ✤ Limited support for audio and video ✤ ePUB 3 could consolidate non-Amazon formats Monday, 28 January 13
you start with: ✤ Printed Books / PDF / InDesign file / Word doc (or similar) ✤ What you want to produce: ✤ Standard ePUB and Mobi ✤ Fixed-layout files ✤ How much time you have and how confident you are with editing code… Monday, 28 January 13
Forum’s validation tool for checking the coding quality of an ePUB file ✤ Available online (http://validator.idpf.org/) or as a downloadable programme ✤ Having an ePUB file that passes validation should greatly reduce the possibilities of issues for readers and will increase your distribution opportunities ✤ Apple and Waterstones will instantly reject files that do not pass validation Monday, 28 January 13
is the file that is converted to an eBook ✤ For standard formats this will usually (and ideally) be a Word document ✤ For fixed-layout files the input file will normally be hi-res PDF or InDesign Monday, 28 January 13
must be digitally scanned ✤ Content is extracted from scans (OCR) to produce a Word doc ✤ Proofreading and editing required before ready for conversion ✤ High potential for problems! Monday, 28 January 13
can differ greatly ✤ Can convert directly from PDF using online tool such as 2epub.com or software, e.g. Calibre ✤ Results will depend on PDF quality and set-up ✤ Recommendation: ✤ Try free tool/software first ✤ If that fails - get professional help... Monday, 28 January 13
simple: font choice, use bold or italic for emphasis, avoid right margin - NO TEXT BOXES ✤ Consistent formatting: headings, sub-headings, list styles, body fonts ✤ Error free content: checked, edited, checked, checked, checked... Monday, 28 January 13
Footers ✤ Borders, background colours or background images ✤ Fancy drop-caps at the start of each chapter ✤ Different colour text ✤ Multi-column layouts – just use a single column ✤ Text Boxes – do not use text boxes to position text ✤ References to specific eBook retailers such as Amazon or Apple ✤ Advertising – although you can of course, mention other titles or your website or Facebook page. Monday, 28 January 13
use multiple blank lines to separate content ✤ Do not use tabs or spaces to indent content ✤ Separate Section/Chapters with a page break ✤ Use a glyph to indicate scene changes/sub-chapter breaks, e.g. * * * (http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/06/book-design-8- solutions-to-the-text-break-dilemma/) Monday, 28 January 13
RGB, JPG, at least 72dpi, 600px wide for inside book file, 1400px wide for retailer listings ✤ Separate file - no need to include within your input doc for most conversion methods Monday, 28 January 13
Its Verso • Title Page • Copyright Page • Dedication • Epigraph • Table of Contents • List of Illustrations • List of Tables • Foreword • Preface • Acknowledgments • Introduction • Other Front Matter Considerations • 10% free preview from most retailers • Does it ALL need separate pages? • Does it ALL need to be at the front? • Use eBook specific Copyright page • Add blurb? Monday, 28 January 13
book which is hidden in the ePUB code ✤ Used by some retailers to classify and index your eBook for search results ✤ Key fields: ✤ Title, Author, Publisher, Publication date, key phrases, description Monday, 28 January 13
eBook formats by retailers and eReader devices ✤ An ePUB file is container that holds a number of separate smaller files - similar to a zip file ✤ The more complex your content the more likely you are to have problems with free tools ✤ There are many, many methods of converting your Word input file to ePUB… Monday, 28 January 13
✤ In Word export your input doc as HTML “Save as Web Page, Filtered” ✤ Add HTML file to Calibre ✤ Add meta data and cover ✤ Convert to chosen format Monday, 28 January 13
do not validate ✤ Spaces in filenames (avoid by removing spaces from filename of your Word doc e.g. “my-story.doc” rather than “my story.doc” ✤ Word formatting tags creating issues, e.g. “vlink”, “span”, missing “alt” tags, random “language” references ✤ These are difficult to fix after conversion, without direct code editing Monday, 28 January 13
– In Word export your input doc as HTML “Save as Web Page, Filtered” – Add HTML file to Sigil – Add meta data and cover – Convert to ePUB Monday, 28 January 13
and a conversion tool ✤ http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4168 ✤ http://www.macworld.co.uk/ mac-creative/masterclass/? articleid=3321106 Monday, 28 January 13
options, tools and support ✤ ePUBs often need tidying with another programme ✤ ePUB Straight to the Point by Liz Castro ✤ Lynda.com Monday, 28 January 13
£30 ✤ http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php ✤ Can import from Word ✤ Popular tool for editing and exporting as eBook formats Monday, 28 January 13
accepts Word docs that are formatted to exact specifications - Style Guide is 25,000 words long!! ✤ Meatgrinder conversion system produces numerous formats of the book – rough and ready Monday, 28 January 13
You can upload a Word doc or ePUB to Amazon, and it will be converted to AZW (Mobi + DRM) ✤ But, the best AZW files are created by uploading a Mobi file ✤ Plus you can see what your file looks like before people buy it Monday, 28 January 13
(saved as HTML) to Mobi (Recommended) ✤ InDesign will convert to Mobi ✤ Scrivener will export to Mobi ✤ Amazon provide two free tools: KindleGen and Kindle Previewer (Recommended) Monday, 28 January 13
and to convert from ePUB to Mobi ✤ Download from Amazon: http:// amzn.to/WQNAHg ✤ Once downloaded (159mb) install ✤ Start > Programs > Kindle Previewer ✤ File > Open - then select a Mobi file to view or an ePUB file to convert Monday, 28 January 13
test a file on different Kindle platforms ✤ Test different font sizes and font faces ✤ Check the Table of Contents ✤ There is no official validation, but Amazon will perform random quality control checks and also respond to any buyer complaints Monday, 28 January 13
easy way ✤ Fixed Layout EPUBs for iPad and iPhone book by Liz Castro is very good ✤ You will need HTML coding and image manipulation skills Monday, 28 January 13
proprietary format (not ePUB) for iPad only ✤ Files can only be sold through Apple ✤ http://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/#hero-video Monday, 28 January 13
HTML ✤ Work directly with HTML files for clean, fast code and complete style control through CSS ✤ Hand code ePUB files and fixed-layout ✤ Use KindleGen or Previewer to generate Mobi file from ePUB ✤ Occasionally use Calibre to convert from ePUB to Mobi Monday, 28 January 13
✤ Most suitable will depend upon your time, skills, patience and budget ✤ The more complex your content, the more likely you are to need professional help ✤ DIY fixed-layout only for the bravest Monday, 28 January 13
sales by US retailers (Amazon, Apple, B&N, Smashwords) if you do not have a valid US Tax ID ✤ Individual can apply for an ITIN number from IRS ✤ Employers can apply for EIN number by phone ✤ http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/02/24/non-us-self- publisher-tax-issues-dont-need-to-be-taxing/ Monday, 28 January 13
RRP of your eBook (£1.53-£8.04 for 70%) and where the sale was made ✤ Download fee: 10p MB for 70% eBooks, none for 35% eBooks ✤ 3% VAT on EU sales ✤ Will price match cheaper competitors ✤ Straightforward process and lots of online support ✤ New eBooks approved and listed within 48 hours Monday, 28 January 13
CA, UK, US, BR ✤ eBook Market share: 10% US, 5% UK ✤ Format sold: ePUB and iBooks ✤ Need iTunes Connect account – need US Tax ID (https:// itunesconnect.apple.com/WebObjects/iTunesConnect.woa/wa/ apply) Monday, 28 January 13
http://uk.nook.com/ launched in UK late 2012 ✤ eBook Market share: 20% US, 2% UK ✤ Format sold: ePUB and PagePerfect (PDF-based) ✤ No self-pub option for UK yet. PubIt! Available in US. Monday, 28 January 13
rate: 50% (higher through PubIt!) ✤ No VAT ✤ May discount independently ✤ May price-match competitors ✤ Microsoft investment in 2012 Monday, 28 January 13
1% UK ✤ Format sold: ePUB ✤ Self-pub through Google Book Partner Program: https:// books.google.com/ ✤ Recommended upload format: ePUB ✤ Cumbersome, slow and unfriendly eBook uploading Monday, 28 January 13
Tesco, Hive, Textr, Kalahari, Blio ✤ Access to libraries through Baker & Taylor ✤ Format sold: ePUB ✤ No self-pub ✤ Royalty rate: 50-60% depending on contract ✤ 20% VAT ✤ Likely to discount (Tesco and other retailers) Monday, 28 January 13
60 retailers including eBookMall, FishPond, BOL.com ✤ Format sold: ePUB ✤ No self-pub ✤ Royalty rate: 55-65% depending on contract ✤ May discount Monday, 28 January 13
– no Waterstones, Google or Ingram ✤ No commission ✤ $99 set-up, $19 per year ✤ $50 min charge for file updates or listing changes Monday, 28 January 13
little or no budget ✤ Provide free, basic conversion from Word doc ✤ Distribute to Apple, B&N, Kobo, Sony and a few smaller retailers ✤ Do not reach Amazon, Waterstones, Gardners, Ingram ✤ Charge up to 15% commission on top of retailer commission ✤ No DRM option Monday, 28 January 13
of royalties ✤ You get customer details ✤ Disadvantages: ✤ No DRM ✤ Technical support for customers ✤ Need e-commerce facility ✤ Gumroad - http://vimeo.com/39302830 ✤ Payhip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr203ZZme6Q Monday, 28 January 13
sales and royalty reports ✤ Generally takes 2 to 3 months for retailers to pay royalties ✤ Payments can be paid by bank transfer, cheque, PayPal ✤ Aggregators will provide consolidated sales and royalty reporting systems Monday, 28 January 13
other options ✤ Beware withholding tax ✤ Aggregators can make life easier and reach retailers that are unavailable to self-pub ✤ Your website offers great opportunities to avoid commission and meet your readers Monday, 28 January 13
Howard ✤ Readers (books or eBooks) overwhelmed with choice ✤ It takes a chunk of precious time to read a book ✤ Hard work to convince readers (buyers) to commit that time, particularly new/unknown authors ✤ Think about what may influence you to purchase ✤ Put yourself in potential buyers shoes ✤ Think about reasons contributing to non purchase ✤ What irritates you about book promotion? ✤ Don’t be impatient ✤ Do be consistent Before we begin Monday, 28 January 13
2012 at Amazon.co.uk are KDP titles published by independent authors ✤ 61 KDP authors sold over 50,000 copies of their books; 12 sold in excess of 100,000 copies ✤ 50 authors earned over £50,000 from sales in the Kindle Store; 11 earned more than £100,000 Monday, 28 January 13
competitors for time: ✤ Life! ✤ Visual media ✤ Reading Time ✤ Paperbacks, hardbacks ✤ Websites ✤ Magazines ✤ Tweets ✤ Facebook updates ✤ Some of these can be useful platforms for you to promote – in the right way Competition Monday, 28 January 13
Set up Twitter, Facebook, Website (inc Blog) ✤ Network with authors, identify possible press contacts and find out how to reach them ✤ Contribute to the conversation. ✤ Be generous. Share blog posts, tweets, advice, recommendations. ✤ Research SEO ✤ Refine and perfect Descriptions, Author Bio, Blurb ✤ Set (official) release date, marshall the troops, prepare emails. Short, Medium, Long Term Planning Monday, 28 January 13
Ensure all social media completely up to date ✤ Avoid fanfare. Prepare friends, family, tweetmates, FB friends, press or media contacts ✤ Find reviewers ✤ Post Launch ✤ Assess results of activity. Log. Analyse. Refine. ✤ Google search yourself, your book ✤ Analyse web traffic, monitor comments. Short, Medium, Long Term Planning Monday, 28 January 13
organise their websites? ✤ Which special interest categories may your book into? ✤ Independent Author sections? ✤ BIC SUBJECT CATEGORIES AND QUALIFIERS ✤ BISAC Know your bookshops Monday, 28 January 13
rules ✤ Compare ✤ Principles ✤ Royalty rate considerations ✤ Starting price can be amended (discounted) ✤ Different prices for different countries? Rationale. ✤ Decide price on market not your perception of it’s worth, or time taken to write ✤ Waiting audience? Fans, contacts, media. ✤ Access to database of contacts ✤ PR opportunities? Pricing Monday, 28 January 13
make this a key representation opportunity on Amazon ✤ Read Amazon advice for authors ✤ Don’t forget to Tag. ✤ A tag is a keyword or term people assign to a book that helps them to find the book again within the Amazon community by browsing or searching. People also use tags to associate books they believe are related. ✤ Customers can search for products with a given tag from any product detail page or from any tag page. Because people's tags are visible to others by default, a great effect of tagging is that customers can navigate among items through other people's tags. ✤ To start making tags, go to your title's Product Detail Page and scroll down to "Tag this product." You may want to review the Guidelines on the Help pages of Amazon.com. You can assign up to 15 tags per product. Note: Tags are not search terms. Author Central & Tagging Monday, 28 January 13
someone who knows what they are doing ✤ Be clear about the brief ✤ Check similar work, projects ✤ Costs ✤ Design ✤ Hosting ✤ Updates ✤ SEO Website Monday, 28 January 13
Embrace! Use for research, and interaction first, ‘selling’ secondary activity ✤ Lurk ✤ See what works, what does not ✤ Identify popular sites, investigate success factors ✤ Emulate, share, contribute ✤ Tumblr ✤ Facebook (Authors) ✤ Twitter for Authors ✤ Tumblr for Authors ✤ Image guide social media sites Blogs,Facebook,Twitter Monday, 28 January 13
books, interact with authors ✤ Advertising Opportunities ✤ Related books, steering readers ✤ Can add book info and cover ✤ Sophisticated tool for authors if used wisely. ✤ Don’t abuse the opportunity by ‘shouting’ or ‘bombarding’ ✤ www.goodreads.com ✤ Elizabeth Buchan Goodreads Monday, 28 January 13
sales pitches ✤ Ensure that your signature, profile is up to date and allows people to find out more about you ✤ LinkedIn ✤ Google+ ✤ Quora Forums/Blogs/Websites Monday, 28 January 13
read an eBook. EBook consumers are likely to be book enthusiasts who read across digital and print formats. Most eBook consumers are women, are younger than forty-five, have college degrees or have had some college education, and have upscale incomes. EBook consumers are over 20 percent more likely to have household incomes over $100,000 per year than non-eBook consumers. Preferred genres include mystery/suspense/detective fiction, general fiction, and romance. ✤ EBook consumers stand out in a number of ways from non-eBook consumers. EBook consumers are 2.5 times more likely to own a tablet than non-eBook consumers. They also tend to be more accessible than non-eBook consumers across online touch points, and more sensitive to word-of-mouth recommendations. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, Internet-savvy owners of eReading devices, when compared to the general population, are more likely to get recommendations from online bookstores or other websites (56 percent versus 34 percent for the general reading population). ✤ When compared to all Americans ages sixteen and up, they tend to rely more heavily on word-of-mouth (81 percent versus 64 percent for all Americans ages 16+) and bookstore staff (31 percent versus 23 percent for Americans ages 16+) for book recommendations Understanding the Market Monday, 28 January 13
Book Giveaway Online ✤ Free sites to promote your eBook ✤ Joe Konrath Promo What Works ✤ Rachel Abbott ✤ Catherine Ryan Howard Useful features and Author websites Monday, 28 January 13
✤ Royalty calculator US ✤ Many more resources here ✤ SELF PRINTED The Book ✤ The Book Designer Cover design competition ✤ Jane Friedman Writing Reading and Publishing ✤ Porter Anderson Industry insight Resources Monday, 28 January 13
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