"Thank you for sending me the ebook files. But, if I can't open the #$%@ things, how do you expect me to approve them?" Lots of writers mutter this under their breath when their formatter sends them their ebook files and asks for their approval. I've said it myself. Lots of writers would cross their … Continue reading How to Preview Your Epub File Before Uploading to KDP/Amazon
Tag: Joan Leacott
Why Does Non-fiction Cost More to Format?
"The non-fiction price is so much more than the fiction price. Isn't a book just a book?" Yes and no. Don't you hate answers like that? Similarities All professionally-formatted print books have some things in common: praise for the author section title page copyright page acknowledgment dedication content broken into chapters about the author section, … Continue reading Why Does Non-fiction Cost More to Format?
Go with the Flowable
"The word prestidigitation is hyphenated so that prest- is at the bottom of one page and idigitation is all by itself at the top of the next page. It looks awful. Can you make it not hyphenate?" Your Friendly Formatter replies that she can't see the problem in the file previewer on her computer and assures you that … Continue reading Go with the Flowable
Print Book Parameters
"I'm loading my print book to KDP and IngramSpark. Uh... what does all this stuff mean?" The first time you load your print book files to a printer's website can be daunting; all that publishing jargon. Here's a guide to what the terms mean and the standard choices for self-published works. Trade vs Mass Market … Continue reading Print Book Parameters
Pricing Your Print Book
"My cover designer wants to know my list price for the bar code. Where the heck do I get that price from?" The Cast Before we begin, there's a cast of characters for you to meet. Author/Publisher: that's you. Printer/Distributor: companies like KDP Print, IngramSpark and many others. Retailer: bookstore and libraries. Reader: the end … Continue reading Pricing Your Print Book
My #2 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Websites
For pointing out gaping plot holes, sagging middles and uneven character development, nothing beats the eagle eyes of a good editor. I wouldn’t publish without one. But for spell checking, grammar checking and copy editing, I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript. My top fave is Word proofing options which I discussed … Continue reading My #2 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Websites
My #1 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Word Proofing Options
For pointing out gaping plot holes, sagging middles and uneven character development, nothing beats the eagle eyes of a good editor. I wouldn't publish without one. But for spell checking, grammar checking and copy editing, I rely on three electronic tools to help me polish my manuscript. This post takes a closer look at what Word has … Continue reading My #1 Favourite DIY Editing Tool: Word Proofing Options
Where the Duck Did My File Go?
Yeah, you've been there. You're typing like a crazy person, the scenes are running like a video in your head, you can't type fast enough. Then... POOF! BLAM! ZAP! ARRRRGH! The file is gone, just ducking gone. Your first step is to go to your desktop, but it's so crowded with teeny tiny folder images … Continue reading Where the Duck Did My File Go?
Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
Want to get into the library distribution systems with your self-published works? IngramSpark is the place for you. Already locked into the Expanded Distribution on Kindle Direct Publishing with your own ISBN? Expect an error message from IngramSpark to the effect that your ISBN is already in use (because KDP has registered your ISBN with Ingram). … Continue reading Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
Five Giveaways to Amateur Self-Publishing
How can you tell, at a glance, if the print book in your hands has been expertly formatted? Turn to the first page of the first chapter and look at five things: 1) Page Headers On the first page of each chapter, page headers are correct in their absence. That's right, there aren't any; no author or book … Continue reading Five Giveaways to Amateur Self-Publishing
Woven Red Author Services 