Want to Self-Publish?
If you don't write romance, there's many other great places to find information. WG2E and Author E.M.S.
For the first three months, I was learning everything I could...reading blogs and soaking in all the information I possibly could. I suggest you do the same. Use your instincts when making a decision about when or where to advertise. If five people tell you not to go FREE, you should try it before you decide if it works for you. There is no one-step process to self-publishing. Every writer will have their own journey. There are very successful Indie authors who never spend money on advertising.
You have nothing to lose! Maybe you won't sell hundreds of books right away, but you need to be patient. If you're really passionate about writing, write another book while you let readers discover your first book. Nobody is going to believe in your stories more than YOU. Becoming an independent author has been life-changing for me. I now get to write every day. For the first time in 20 years, I am making money doing what I love best. If you want to succeed, you must work hard. Never stop learning and growing. Good luck!
Here are the steps you need to take:
1. Write a great book.
3. Find a cover artist. LFD Designs for Authors has done all of my covers. She offers premade covers from $20 to $60 and custom covers now start at $75.
4. Hire a formatter. For $40 you can hire Lucinda Campbell at LK-E-Book Formatting Services to format your manuscript for Amazon (KDP), Barnes & Noble (Pubit), Smashwords, and Kobo (Writing Life). Go to Lucinda's website and email her to get a quote and get started. In a matter of weeks, depending on her schedule, she can have your manuscript ready for download.
5. Register at AMAZON (KDP) by going to KDP.AMAZON.COM and download the prc file that your formatter sends you.
6. Register at BARNES & NOBLE (PUBIT) by going to PUBIT.BARNESANDNOBLE.COM and download the epub file that your formatter sends you.
9. You can also buy ISBN'S FROM BOWKER if you want.
Go HERE to learn about International ISBN’s.
I did buy the $10 Smashword ISBN for Smashwords. And I let B&N and Amazon assign an ISIN #. When I used CreateSpace for my print on demand books, I used their FREE ISBN. The reason I spent $10 for the ISBN at Smashwords is because I wanted my name to show up as the publisher…not smashwords.
Go HERE to learn about International ISBN’s.
I did buy the $10 Smashword ISBN for Smashwords. And I let B&N and Amazon assign an ISIN #. When I used CreateSpace for my print on demand books, I used their FREE ISBN. The reason I spent $10 for the ISBN at Smashwords is because I wanted my name to show up as the publisher…not smashwords.
10. If you want a print book, it's easy and free if you do it yourself (don't ask for CreateSpace to help unless you want to spend $$). Register at CreateSpace.com.
Use CreateSpace to help you with book covers, formatting, and editing for a hefty fee, or you can go to the site, register for free, download a FREE template and then copy and paste your manuscript into the template one chapter at a time. CreateSpace will provide you with a FREE ISBN number. If you need help, Bob Sanchez walks you through the process HERE. Ignore the part about the Pro Plan, since that is no longer available.
11. Start a Twitter Account
12. Start a Facebook Account
13. Make a FREE website using Blogger or WordPress
11. Start a Twitter Account
12. Start a Facebook Account
13. Make a FREE website using Blogger or WordPress
14. Once I began to make money, I used Pixel of Ink (no longer available for authors to buy sponsorships), The Romance Reviews, Cents-ible eReads, The Frugal eReaders, Digital Book Today, and EYE ON ROMANCE to advertise.
MISCELLANEOUS
ISBN FAQ
Copyright your work ISBNs at Bowker
Joan Reeves talks about copyright, ISBN's and more
Quick guide to HTML for Kindle
Bob Sanchez walks you through making a print book using STEP BY STEP SELF-PUBLISHINGCopyright your work ISBNs at Bowker
Joan Reeves talks about copyright, ISBN's and more
Quick guide to HTML for Kindle
IndieRomanceInk - Cate Rowan and Carly Carson started a group for independent and self-published authors to share information. Kimberly Killion - Writer Resources
iStock Photos - pictures and music for covers and/or making book trailers
Brenda Hiatt - Show Me the Money
The Book Deal - An inside view on publishing - lots of great articles
Tools For Writers - Pam Roller
Joe Konrath's A Newbie's Guide to Publishing
Jennifer on Writing - print vs. Epub Article Review sites: tips, resources, What's new in e-publishing
The Writer's Guide to Epublishing
EDITORSiStock Photos - pictures and music for covers and/or making book trailers
Brenda Hiatt - Show Me the Money
The Book Deal - An inside view on publishing - lots of great articles
Tools For Writers - Pam Roller
Joe Konrath's A Newbie's Guide to Publishing
Jennifer on Writing - print vs. Epub Article Review sites: tips, resources, What's new in e-publishing
The Writer's Guide to Epublishing
Proofreader, Faith Williams @ The Atwater Group
Freelance Editor, Pat Thomas
Freelance Editor - Glen Krisch
Victory Editing
FORMATTING
Lucinda Campbell
Brett Battles
Formatting - Rik Hall
Guido Henkel talks about formatting for kindle on your own
Take Pride in Formatting your Ebook by Guido Henkel
Author EMS - Writer's Resource for EVERYTHING. Helping Authors Reduce Stress and Save Time
REVIEW SITES
Tracy Riva Reviews
Journey of a Bookseller
We Write Romance
Everybody Needs a Little Romance
Alisha Robinson
Caroline Clemmons
BOOKS ON SELF-PUBLISHING
Dollar & Sense
The Ebook Revolution
Publishing and Marketing Realities
Becoming an Indie Author
John Locke’s book on How I Sold a Million Books
