Another bit of useful info for self-publishers
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
December 31, 2011 3:49am CST
Alright, so I'm obsessed with the self-pub process at the moment because I've been focussing on it for SOOOOOOO long to (finally!) get my book published. I learned another really useful bit of info this week for people who've decided to go the CreateSpace route (Amazon's print-on-demand service).
If you remember, the last time I posted something about this I was rather disappointed because they said it'd take six weeks to get the proof copy to me. Well, teh good news is that it arrived on Wednesday (the first day of normal post after Christmas), so in fact took only a couple of weeks! I must admit it was very strange to hold a REAL book in my hands and recognise everything in it as something I wrote. Very, very odd feeling!
Anyway, the thing I found out once I'd given the go-ahead to publish is this:
Kindle editions of self-published books have to be re-formatted and published through a separate service.
Yes, that's right: I just spent another three days re-formatting the entire book (again...) on Amazon's KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) site so that I could release it for e-readers. 
On the up-side, the entire process is online/virtual so it's quicker (no waiting for books to arrive by post). On the downside their guidelines are a bit vague and there are SO many different ways to prepare the text that I got a bit lost for a while. It's actually fairly simple - it just looks complicated because there are so many different tools you can choose!!
So, if you're publishing on CreateSpace, bear in mind that you should ALSO prepare your KDP release at the same time (while the proof's in the post, for example) to make sure you can release them together!
(And if anyone wants pointers on the KDP preparation method I used, feel free to ask, of course!)
Has anyone else here tried a Kindle release? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
On the up-side, the entire process is online/virtual so it's quicker (no waiting for books to arrive by post). On the downside their guidelines are a bit vague and there are SO many different ways to prepare the text that I got a bit lost for a while. It's actually fairly simple - it just looks complicated because there are so many different tools you can choose!!
So, if you're publishing on CreateSpace, bear in mind that you should ALSO prepare your KDP release at the same time (while the proof's in the post, for example) to make sure you can release them together!
(And if anyone wants pointers on the KDP preparation method I used, feel free to ask, of course!)
Has anyone else here tried a Kindle release? I'd love to hear your thoughts.6 responses
@jaihobalodiji1 (949)
• India
1 Jan 12
hey, thanks that imformation you have shared is very useful to me. i am also wanted to get publish my book but could not fin the place to do so, and then you have mentioned here in mylot. that you thats direct publishing ,method is really going to help me in present and future as well.
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
1 Jan 12
You should also check out the competition. CreateSpace (Amazon) isn't the only option: Lulu, Smashwords and many others also offer free self-publishing that might be easier or more appropriate for your needs.
CreateSpace is POD (paper printing), which is why I chose it. If you JUST want ebook publishing, you don't need them.
@jaihobalodiji1 (949)
• India
1 Jan 12
thank you spike, these imformation are worlking out for me. its really helpfull.
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@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
31 Dec 11
Lots of questions! 
(And you're welcome to say whatever you want, Bluedoll... that's what myLot's about, hehe!)
Right... what's it all about? It's about freelance writing (part-time) without doing all the marketing work that most people say is absolutely necessary to earn properly. I've been doing fine for about three years without marketing, so I figured I'd put everything into a book.
How long? It took about 3 months to write it. Virtually ALL the content came from my blog, though, so there's about 3 years of content condensed into it.
The resources? They came from the Internet for some basics (back when I first started) and mostly my own experience in learning to freelance - I made the mistakes, I got scammed, I was a noob!
I hope it'll inspire other people. I hope it'll make a nice change from books that are a lot of motivational stuff and no REAL content. I hope it'll help a lot of new freelancers earn proper money for what they do.
(And you're welcome to say whatever you want, Bluedoll... that's what myLot's about, hehe!)
Right... what's it all about? It's about freelance writing (part-time) without doing all the marketing work that most people say is absolutely necessary to earn properly. I've been doing fine for about three years without marketing, so I figured I'd put everything into a book.
How long? It took about 3 months to write it. Virtually ALL the content came from my blog, though, so there's about 3 years of content condensed into it.
The resources? They came from the Internet for some basics (back when I first started) and mostly my own experience in learning to freelance - I made the mistakes, I got scammed, I was a noob!
I hope it'll inspire other people. I hope it'll make a nice change from books that are a lot of motivational stuff and no REAL content. I hope it'll help a lot of new freelancers earn proper money for what they do. @SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
1 Jan 12
It's absolutely free to self-publish, though you have to do all your promotion yourself (that's why getting a deal with a "real" publisher is such a cool thing: they do the selling for you!).
There are optional costs, though. Personally, I spent what many people would consider a LOT on editing and cover design because I wanted it to be the best possible product.
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
1 Jan 12
I have not used it yet, but plan on publishing at least 1 ebook this year through Kindle. I've read a couple of pretty bad self published kindle books, so if they can make sales, surely I can too. lol
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@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
1 Jan 12
Hehehehe, that's exactly what I thought! Some of them are HORRIBLE, aren't they? Either the author didn't read about formatting, didn't care or paid someone really awful to do it for them.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
31 Dec 11
Hi Spike 
Congratulations for the Publication and also the Kindle version.
The only time I was published was when I was a kid (or in early teens) - and I had written a children story for a children monthly magazine that I used to read. It was in Hindi. I still remember that feeling and as such I could relate when you said - I must admit it was very strange to hold a REAL book in my hands
Since then, I have never written anything that got published. Though I am currently pursuing a course from writers bureau of uk. I always want to write ever since I have been at home as I find I have that desire since years - just couldnt pursue as I did not find time during the days when I used to work at office. Now that I have time, I think it is right to start. I dont know how it all will fare and how I get started off. Too early for me I guess.
I Wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2012 and a healthy one too.
Congratulations for the Publication and also the Kindle version.
The only time I was published was when I was a kid (or in early teens) - and I had written a children story for a children monthly magazine that I used to read. It was in Hindi. I still remember that feeling and as such I could relate when you said - I must admit it was very strange to hold a REAL book in my hands
Since then, I have never written anything that got published. Though I am currently pursuing a course from writers bureau of uk. I always want to write ever since I have been at home as I find I have that desire since years - just couldnt pursue as I did not find time during the days when I used to work at office. Now that I have time, I think it is right to start. I dont know how it all will fare and how I get started off. Too early for me I guess.
I Wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2012 and a healthy one too.1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
31 Dec 11
Thanks for the congratulations. It sounds like you're making a new year's resolution to get back into writing - that would be excellent! Good luck with it.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
1 Jan 12
Well, not a kind of resolution but I would love to go through their course. They have mentioned that the course will not help much but will show me the areas and scope of writing. Then it is upto my capacities which area I focus on and grow.
I had seen their advert a few years ago, but I was ill and then didnt have any money to pay their fee - I am in India and their prices those days were quite high. This Dec, I received an email from them which mentioned some slashed pricing. Luckily I had some funds and have got registered with them on an installment basis. Thanks for your wishes. I plan to start blogging again on a new domain - my earlier blog still exists on Blogspot - but that was all technical stuff, now I want to get into some humor and satire - I believe this is a dark territory but I want to get into it as my resolution of life is to make people smile.
I would love to get some pointers when that new blog is ready with some of my work from all I can approach.
but I want to get into it as my resolution of life is to make people smile.
I would love to get some pointers when that new blog is ready with some of my work from all I can approach.1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
3 Jan 12
Sounds like you have a plan, at least!
There are TONS of people here on myLot who know about blogging. Unfortunately, it looks like Scarface2010 has gone: he ran an entire network of blogs as his online endeavour, so his thoughts would have been ace.
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
31 Dec 11
First off thanks for this encouraging information Spike. Your information is always so good and the ideas you have even more encouraging. It is nice to see someone doing this kind of thing and you present it in a manner that says anyone can. This is excellent.
I have a question about your amazon description. I get it! This is a really wonderful approach and it is true... why should people spend so much time in self promotion.
Product Description
Going the Half Hog turns accepted business thinking on its head to reveal the secrets of building a successful part-time freelance writing career ("half-hogging") without wasting your time and energy on self-promotion.
With this unique, straightforward book you’ll learn everything you need to get started as a freelance writer, including content creation, ways to earn online, where to find freelance work that suits your skills and schedule, how to sort through the rubbish jobs and find the gems, how to avoid the cheats and scammers, a "natural marketing" alternative that requires almost no time or effort and lots more to build a solid foundation that you can scale up whenever you want.
This book condenses years of accumulated freelancing knowledge into a single volume: with all the research, achievements, mistakes, stumbling blocks, tips and little-known tricks in one place, it’s an outstanding resource for beginners and experts alike.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006RJTZNQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=themanacledlobst&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006RJTZNQ
I was wondering if it would be good to add a small (very small) blurb of one only tip, ways to earn, where to find work, avoiding stumbling blocks (though the title itself is tip of what to do) say from “the three earning categories” or “freelance writing toolkit” or “picking the right offers” to provide an additional hook in the description?
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
31 Dec 11
The description is actually pretty much a copy of the text on the back cover, as is normal for the descriptions on Amazon (don't you just LOVE the marketing-speak on a book about NOT marketing? ).
One of my favourite parts of the book is definitely the "Picking the right offers" bit: while everything is, of course, as straightforward as possible, that part's more about spotting good stuff and bad stuff in real offers job descriptions - a lot more fun and involving!
Right now I'm trying to bash the new site into order, which is where there will be a lot more info. I'll have a think about the description, though - you raise an interesting point, as always!!
).
One of my favourite parts of the book is definitely the "Picking the right offers" bit: while everything is, of course, as straightforward as possible, that part's more about spotting good stuff and bad stuff in real offers job descriptions - a lot more fun and involving!
Right now I'm trying to bash the new site into order, which is where there will be a lot more info. I'll have a think about the description, though - you raise an interesting point, as always!!
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
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3 Jan 12
Hah! I'm not that strong-spirited, really: the main motivator (and inspiration) I have is my lady, who believes in me. It's really hard NOT to go ahead and publish once you've said "I'd like to publish a book about freelancing" when you've got someone positive egging you on!!
The best tip I have is probably "don't believe the hype" or "start small".
First tip: It sounds really cool when someone like me says "I finally published my book!" but if you look at the days, weeks and MONTHS of work getting it right, it's not so thrilling. It's like reading "I spent three months researching..." in a book: to you it's one sentence; to them it's three MONTHS! Sure, it's a wonderful feeling but sometimes the process can make you want to beat your head against a wall.
Second tip: It's an awful lot of work, which is why starting with short ebooks is probably the best idea and most people stay at that level. Short ebooks are great: they don't take too long to write, they can be REALLY focussed and you can sell them dirt cheap because you can produce a lot of them. Or just give them away as freebies so people will like you more (that's what I do).
@fsuma86 (364)
• Philippines
3 Jan 12
I sure have a lot of things to do. I really like writing but somehow writing doesn't love me. I was an EIC to our school magazine way back in HS and College and I think I was not good enough during that time.
When I graduated in College, I never had a writing job because I worked in a call center. It was almost 6 years but I was just in the phones for just 6 months then I was promoted to Trainer, Supervisor and a QA.
I had a career for ebooks before but I didn't write. I was the voice over talent!
Thank you so much for the tip. I sure keep on reading them. Hapy New Year!
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