Welcome Evelyn David.
The (Digital) Writing on the Wall
Evelyn David
If somebody hasn't already said it, we will: e-books are the 21st century answer to mass market paperbacks. In fact, we think that in the next five years, mass market paperbacks will go the way of the VHS tape. In many ways we're sorry to see the end of an era, we love print books as much as most of you do. But we believe the (digital) writing is on the wall.
So what does that mean for authors? With the opening of virtual bookstore to all writers, including the self-published, you now have the opportunity to see your work in (digital) print, whether or not you've got the imprimatur of a New York publisher. In fact, if you're willing to put the time in to learn how to format your books for the digital market, you can sell them in places like Amazon and bn.com, and with each download, pocket more money on the sale of a $2.99 e-book than on 10 mass market paperbacks.
We're not saying it's easy. Authors are being asked to assume even more responsibility besides the paramount one of writing good books. If you go the self-publishing route, you need to learn how to be, or will have to hire, an editor, cover designer, formatter, and publicist. At least, however, you won't have to package and mail any of your self-published e-books. They're just a download away for the buyer, and unlike traditional publishers with the twice a year royalty payments, markets like Amazon, bn.com, and Smashwords pay for sales on a monthly basis. You will be limited only by the quality of your work and your willingness to promote it.
All of which explains why Evelyn David has jumped feet first into the self-publishing, e-book pool.
While our paperback publisher had released Kindle and Nook versions of our first two mysteries, Murder Off the Books and Murder Takes the Cake, starting in October, we became our own e-book publishers for a new series, The Brianna Sullivan Mysteries. We researched the process and taught ourselves how to do it. While there are lots of guides and blogs out there for authors on how to format e-books, we never found one that gave us the amount of detail we needed. The best information we found was at Smashwords, an e-book publishing and distribution platform. You upload your manuscript there and Smashwords converts your book into multiple e-book formats, including Kindle, Nook (e-pub), PDF, Apple i-Pad, etc. Smashwords has a "free" guidebook for getting your manuscript ready for uploading to Smashwords' "meat-grinder." Read it carefully, more than once (like maybe a dozen times), before following the instructions. It's complicated but do-able.
We're not saying it's easy. Revolutions rarely are. But we're enjoying our new role of controlling our own publishing destiny. You can too. Good Luck!
Thank you!
Marian and Rhonda, being in charge of your own publishing destiny sounds both exciting and scary! But it’s pretty clear you’ve done your research to prepare yourselves. Thanks for telling us your experience and pounding out a path for the rest of us.
Undying Love in Lottawatah
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Remember yesterday when I said I’d tell you a secret about Marian and Rhonda (aka Evelyn David)? Well…despite all the books they’ve written together and all the promoting at conventions, Marian and Rhonda have never met in person!
Feel free to ask them a question or tell us your own experience with going digital.
I agree with Evelyn about e-books replacing mass market books soon. This is as big a revolution as Guttenbergs press! As I'm currently researching self-publishing this was a timeous and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing holding me back is that niggle of doubt - I've had numerous complimentary comments from agents and publishers, all followed with "...but we'll pass because of xyz...". My question is: how do I really *know* my novel is of a high enough standard to be self-published? Is it hust a case of self-belief and being willing to take the risk?
Judy (South Africa)
If their series is really successful, will the ladies continue with their publisher?
ReplyDeleteI don't know...
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm a closet ludite, but I really hope that traditional books remain for as long as I live.
It might sound odd, but nothing beats the smell of a new book.
:-)
One thing that "scares" me, Judy, is the marketing. Once you go solo, you're solo. You only have yourself to turn to for getting your book into the hands of the readers. I know millions are going indie, but it's still a scary thought.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you there, Misha. I love holding a new book.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with them that the era of ebooks is here. I think what amazes me is the fact that they've never met!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the era of ebooks is upon us. I'm not worried about that so much as a reader - I just don't want to be caught on the edge of the transition as a writer - trying to get an agent or a publisher when I should be picking up skills as my own promoter - oh I know -whatever path I choose I'll have to self-promote but there is a difference in the approach. Oh, well - interesting times, ne?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Helen for hosting us.
ReplyDeleteRhonda and I, the collective
Evelyn David, also adore old-fashioned (dare I say that) print books. There is something about holding a book in your hands, turning the pages, using your bookmark to remember a special passage. Yes, we are staying with our traditional publisher for The Sullivan Investigation Series.
But we'd be foolish to ignore the opportunities that self-publishing e-books affords. Yes, it's definitely scary being in charge of everything from editing to promotion, but it's also empowering too. While we have not, one possible solution is to hire a professional editor to make sure your book is ready for publication; you can also hire someone to format and upload the book to Smashwordsm, if you are worried about the technical aspects. As for promotion, that's always been pretty much the responsibility of the author, unless your J.K Rowling -- and she probably used to complain about how much promotion she needed to do too :-)
Thanks again for hosting us. We'll be happy to answer any questions. Good Luck to All!
Marian and Rhonda, the collective Evelyn David
Why is it I can't feel the same about a book I've downloaded vs. one I've held in my hands? I suppose more and more new business opportunities will develop for those with the skills to assist a writer who is reluctant to self-publish without help. My worry is that many who need the help won't seek it and will be published anyway. How will a reader know they are getting a quality product?
ReplyDeleteHow did you two discover you could write and work so well together since you’ve never met?
ReplyDeleteI know ebooks are the wave of the future, but I’m going to cling to the old fashioned books as long as I can.
I was surprised by that, to, Laura.
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting times, Jan. One thing that intimidates be about self-pubbing is learning how to.
Marian and Rhonda, you're trail blazers in this new publishing world.
Liza, I suspect it's buyer-beware. But that means the author has one chance to make a good impression.
Jane, I think I'm at the point where I'd like an eReader.
I'm concernd too about choosing the right venue. All this is exciting, but scary - and finding time to promote and write overwhelms me sometimes!
ReplyDeleteDL Larson
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMarian and I "met" on-line at a writers group. We were both posting short stories and liked each other's sense of humor. We wrote a short story together and the feedback for our joint effort was very positive. We decided to try to write a full length mystery together via the internet. About the time we finished our first draft, we sold a short story to Woman's World. That sale kept us going until we found an agent and a publisher for Murder Off the Books. The whole process took a couple of years. Today, it's different. It's a brave new ebook world out there. Authors can publish an ebook on their schedule, not a publisher's. Yes, there are dangers of publishing something that isn't ready for prime time - you have to be honest with yourself about your writing. But the final truth comes from readers - if they like your ebooks and come back for more, then you're doing something right.
Rhonda and Marian
aka Evelyn David
Good advice! I recently uploaded my first Kindle edition of one of my out-of-print books and it wasn't easy. But nothing is now in the publishing industry. We have to wear many hats if we want to succeed.
ReplyDeleteIt took us at least a month to figure out the formatting and feel comfortable with uploading our books to Kindle, B&N, and Smashwords. Each process is slightly different. I suspect that both Amazon and B&N will develop easier ways to upload the books and the formatting will become more automated. This is just the beginning.
ReplyDeleteRhonda and Marian
aka Evelyn David
Thank you for this post, and for the e-pub tips and link - it'll come in handy to a lot of authors thinking of e-publishing but not sure how to begin. It's a scary thought, having exhausted yourself writing the book, then finding you're only halfway up the hill, but encouraging posts like this will really help. Much appreciated! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'll be terribly sad if print books really do dwindle in the golden age of the Internet and e-publishing. There's (still) nothing quite like cracking open a brand new paperback and smelling those pages.
I hope the e-formatting will become standardized over all the different platforms. I doubt it. But I'm still hoping.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Smashwords is a great place to start and are very informative on how to set up a manuscript for e-publishing. I also sent my books to Kindle but found Barnes & Noble's site very confusing for the Nook. They don't seem to allow PDF or Word formats. I gave up on that one.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Sounds complicated Ann.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wonder how agents will adapt. I’d like to see it so writers can continue just to write.
ReplyDeleteRevolutions are very interesting, but can be risky. You never know which direction things will turn afterwards. Just look at Egypt these days ...
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Hi
ReplyDeleteFor Cozy in Texas - we uploaded to Nook using a Word file (2003 Word program version) without any problems. We formated it using the Smashwords guidebook, but then used the clean Word file for upload. You might want to try again.
Holly, I'd love to just be able to write, but even with a major publisher, you have to do promotion. I never realized before I had a book published just how much other "stuff" writers are expected to do. Of course if you can afford to pay others to do some of the work, life would be easier. Still you have to do personal appearances. My co-author gave a library talk today. She spoke about our print and digital books. Some of the questions she received concerned how ebooks will fit into library collections. We have no clue at this point, but we'll have to do the research to find out how we can provide copies to libraries. At the end of the day, it's all worth it. There is nothing like creating characters and stories and bringing them to life. :-)
At some point I heard of a library lending ebooks. Somehow the plan was to have them become unreadable after 10 days or something along that line.
ReplyDeleteMy publisher did away with most of their mass-market over the last year. I think you're exactly right about it. I expect to try smashwords within the next year. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen for hosting us today! We've had fun. We invite all your readers to visit our website -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.evelyndavid.com
Rhonda and Marian
aka Evelyn David
Lots of good advice - thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rhonda and Marian. It's great to hear from authors who have already taken the path that many others want to follow.
ReplyDeleteGood article Evelyn. Well thought out.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that e-books will be the wave of the future although I don't think they will totally replace mass market quite so quickly as you suggest.
I also believe that there will be those who wish for a book in hand or on their personal library shelf. I'm noticing ebooks from various publishers available in trade paperback (which is an easier copy for Print on Demand) as well as in e-format.
I absolutely agree that to be your own publisher and actually compete in the market today(that is to make money and a name), you need to have the services of a good editor not only to proof for typos and missused works, but one savvy enough to make sure the book is properly edited for readibility for the genre an author writes. Cover designer is a must, imo. Not screams self published quicker than a photoshopped cover that doesn't match those on the shelf in same genre. That's true even in ebook format.
Thank you Helen and Evelyn writing team for some good information. :-)
Great interview; thanks for all the tips. I'm also amazed you haven't met! (But I'd be afraid of jinxing things...)
ReplyDeleteOur library here in Aus lends out e-books, and, yes, they do become inactive after a certain period unless you renew. Exactly like a print book.
I'm beginning to think I should ask for an e-reader for my birthday...
Elsa Neal
HearWriteNow & Blood-Red Pencil
It seems like a really smart move to publish ebook, it's just amazing how ebooks are taking off. What I like about the whole picture is that it makes room "on the shelf" for more writers. Having different options instead of being limited to one route is liberating, in a way.
ReplyDeleteSia, since you mentioned the cover art, I'll let y'all know that next week I have a cover artist stopping by.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Elsa.
It is a bit liberating, I agree, Joanne. Also puts the burden of being a gate keeper on the reader, which is why authors have to make sure they're putting out the best product from the very first book.
Helen I gave you a shout out today. Thanks for the Mary Kennedy book giveaway.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I enjoyed your post. I just subscribed to your newsletter. I look books and hope they stay with us forever. I love the look and feel of them, even though I know ebooks are getting more and more popular.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Holly. It will be interesting to see how agents adjust to this massive shift in publishing.
ReplyDeleteI do think e-books will grow in sales, but the paperback and hardback will not be disappearing in the very near future.
Can't say that I like it, but sigh, I must admit I'm now agreeing - ebooks ARE destined to soon replace mass market paperbacks. So - go with the flow to surive, and thanks for this valuable information.
ReplyDeleteNever met in person? Wow - another testament to the power of e-communication and the electronic/internet age we live in, hmm?
Marvin D Wilson
I've always said that e-publishing is definitely the future...but that only means major publishers and authors will just move over to e-publishing and take it over. Which is exactly what's happening.
ReplyDeleteI'd switch to exclusively reading e-books if they were cheaper than paperback. (As they should be, since there's no printing charge.) I read a lot of books and I just can't afford to pay $12 a book when I can get it on paperback for a few bucks.
Yay Ann! I assume that means you won. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteJanet,they are becoming more popular. In my family, we're split. I'm print and my husband is digital. So glad you signed up for the newsletter. I'm always open to new ideas for it.
Maryann, I'm hearing that trade paperbacks may lose out.
Stephanie, perhaps if readers opt to buy the cheaper books, it'll drive down the prices of ebooks. I have an author visiting next week who went "e" and is keeping her prices low and is making the best-selling e-book list.
I think it's amazing that they've never met in person, Marvin.