As promised, here’s my easy peasy step-by-step guide to self-publishing.
(note: Do not buy an expensive ISBN or set of ISBNs before starting.)
Before you start, make sure you have a finished, professionally edited manuscript and a professionally designed cover. These two things will make or break your career.
For editing perspective, please see my post Who Should See Your Book Before You Self-Publish?
Also invest in a professionally designed cover. Not only will it look great, most designers will deliver final content in fortmats needed for Smashwords, PubIt, Amazon Kindle Direct, and your preferred Print on Demand (usually Create Space or Lightning Source). Find some indie covers you like and ask the authors who did their cover.
On to Self-Publishing DIY
I found the digital formatting process pretty detailed, but simple. But there are some great, reasonable services that will deliver finished, ready to upload formats, like Formatting 4 U.
SMASHWORDS:
· Download Smashwords Formatting Guide
o Follow the guide step-by-step (all 68 pages)
o Don’t do nuclear formatting method unless you have a ton of rogue html code or unfixable formatting issues.
o Save as MANUSCRIPT_SmashwordsEdition.doc
· Make Smashwords account
o Upload MANUSCRIPT_SmashwordsEdition.doc to Smashwords & wait for confirmation of success.
o Smashwords will generate in multiple forms including Epub (Nook compatible) mobi (Kindle compatible)
o Download MANUSCRIPT.mobi (Kindle) and check formatting
o Download MANUSCRIPT.Epub (NOOK) and check formatting
· If you find formatting errors, fix and re-upload to Smashwords
· Go To Smashwords Dashboard > Distribution Channel Manager
· Go To Smashwords Dashboard > Distribution Channel Manager
o Opt out of Amazon and B&N distribution
o Yes, really – Opt out of Amazon and B&N distribution!!!
AMAZON KINDLE:
(Make sure you follow the final SW "opt out" step above.)
(Make sure you follow the final SW "opt out" step above.)
· Download MobiPocket Creator
o Open MANUSCRIPT_SmashwordsEdition.doc
o Delete “Smashwords” from copyright page (2 or 3 places – covered in SW formatting guide)
o Replace “Smashwords” with "Kindle" & "Amazon"
o Save as MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.doc
o For copyright page example download THE HALO CHRONICLES: THE GUARDIAN free excerpt.
o Open Mobipocket Creator
o Upload Cover (do not add as first page of MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.doc or it will show up twice on Kindle) 600x800 min. pixels for mobi discussion thread here
*Amazon recommends a 1.6 width/height ratio, and their recommended height is 2,500 pixels.
Upload MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.doc – Mobipocket Creator will create a .mobi file
Upload MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.doc – Mobipocket Creator will create a .mobi file
o Save as MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.mobi
· Make Kindle Account
o Upload your Manuscript cover
o Upload MANUSCRIPT_KindleEdition.mobi
BARNES & NOBLE NOOK:
(the easiest one)
· Make B&N Pubit Account
o Upload Manuscript Cover
o Upload MANUSCRIPT.Epub (downloaded from Smashwords earlier – I didn’t worry about uploading a version w/o “Smashwords” on coverpage since distribution is typically much smaller at B&N.)
· Stop and pat yourself on the back
FOLLOWUP:
· Continue to check Smashwords Dashboard to confirm MANUSCRIPT is approved for premium status (2—3 weeks)
o Once approved – get Smashwords ISBN # (Follow SW ISBN Manager on Dashboard) – Must have ISBN to be eligible for Sony (eReader) and iBookstore (iPad/iPhone/iTouch) catalog distribution.
· Add purchase links to your email signature: Buy THE HALO CHRONICLES: THE GUARDIAN (a 2010 RWA Golden Heart® finalist for young adult fiction) at Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords coming soon to iBookstore Turn your computer into a free eReader: Kindle for PC NOOK for PC
· Use Smashwords Dashboard to generate discount and free coupons. Free codes can be used for giveaways, ARCs, and review copies. SW allows recipient to choose whichever form is compatible with their eReader or PC software.
NEXT THURSDAY: Print copies – Are all Print on Demand Providers Created Equal?
Don’t forget the Kindle Indie-pendence Contest ends on July 4th. Win you kid a Kindle loaded with hot YA and MG titles.
YOUR TURN: What tips or questions do you have about digital publishing?
