- Self-publishing for the Kindle is fast & easy - S.M. Scarborough
The publishing business is changing. With publishing costs going up and sales going down, fewer books than ever are produced. When publishers do buy, they hedge their bets with probable best-sellers. With fewer slots open on a publisher’s list, even mid-list authors with book sales already under their belts are having a hard time. For new writers, the picture is even bleaker.
With the current publishing model at a turning point, a lot of writers are taking their careers into their own hands and turning to self-publishing. 2008 was the first year alternative forms of publishing outpaced traditional publishing 285,394 titles to 275,232 titles according to R. R. Bowker, a publishing tracking company. These alternative titles included print-on-demand (POD), short runs and self-published titles.
Self-publishing, once looked down upon as just another vanity-press scam, is becoming a viable choice for many authors, new and previously published. Moreover, scores of writers are finding opportunity with Amazon’s Kindle. The digital e-reader has been quickly gaining market share in the e-book category according to Publishers Weekly.
Advantages to Self-Publishing for the Kindle e-Reader
Amazon is understandably closed-mouthed about the sale of Kindles, but estimates are this e-reader is here to stay. What Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, also says is Kindle owners are voracious book buyers. That’s sweet music to a writer’s ears. In addition, with Kindle applications available for iPhones and for PC’s, more readers will likely take advantage of the Kindle experience.
Kindle readers expect good content, but they seem to be open to try out new writers, especially if the price of the book looks to be a bargain. Many Kindle authors attract new readers and success by pricing their books cheap, sometimes selling as low as $1.99 or even $.99, the lowest rate Amazon allows writers to charge. That may seem a self-defeating strategy, but at Amazon's 35% royalty, it’s as good as an author of a traditionally published book receiving a 10% royalty on a $6.99 book.
The writer takes on the role of publisher, as well, and can set and change the price of the book. Another plus is costs to publish are small, if any. There are no charges from Amazon to upload the book to the Kindle store. However, many writers find a professionally created book cover to be important since the book share the same space as traditionally published books.
Of course, there’s a downside to this new publishing model. The author/publisher will have to market his or her own books. This doesn’t mean spending a ton to advertise, but it is important to get the word out with blogs and participation on forums like the Kindle boards or any other where potential readers are found.
Publishing to the Kindle Store is as Easy D-T-P
Publishing for the Kindle couldn’t be easier. Amazon’s self-publishing tool, the Digital Text Platform (DTP), makes uploading a book fast. There are four simple steps to follow:
- Enter Product Details
- Confirm Content Rights
- Upload and Preview Book
- Enter Suggested Retail Price
Even formatting the manuscript for upload is straightforward. Nearly everyone finds using a simple HTLM format to be the least trouble free formating option. Once uploaded, it takes Amazon 24 to 72 hours before the book is available on the Kindle Store. Writers can check their sales and royalties anytime by using the DTP dashboard and payments are made monthly.
The publishing world is changing. Digital books, mobile readers and e-Readers like the Kindle are just part of the change. For writers who believe their books are ready and want to get them out to readers, self-publishing for the Kindle may be the first and easiest opportunity.
More Self-Publishing and Freelance Writing articles from K.D. Kuch: How to turn One Internet Article into Six, Are Publishers Turning to Self-Publishing and Five Reasons for Writers to Self-Publish
