tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7445780950621760097..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: A Few Tips for Formatting Books and E-BooksJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58279965991068742412013-08-09T11:21:08.303-04:002013-08-09T11:21:08.303-04:00You got it -- glad to help!You got it -- glad to help!Vincent H. O'Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712074690139274480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18265021222327790942013-06-27T23:33:09.827-04:002013-06-27T23:33:09.827-04:00I can rely on these tips. They are complete and ea...I can rely on these tips. They are complete and easy to do. Thanks!Rutchhttp://www.thefastfingers.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6254470420497169642013-06-26T12:04:50.665-04:002013-06-26T12:04:50.665-04:00Thanks for the clarification, Mary! My experience ...Thanks for the clarification, Mary! My experience is limited to Createspace, Kinlde, and Nook, so information about other providers is much appreciated. Vincent O'Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654883057984384599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29435510128492593452013-06-26T10:35:56.735-04:002013-06-26T10:35:56.735-04:00Rhonda, just be aware that if you sell through the...Rhonda, just be aware that if you sell through the iBookstore, you have to either use a service like Smashwords or upload from a Mac. Apple is funny that way.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18908067519365720552013-06-25T20:56:11.273-04:002013-06-25T20:56:11.273-04:00Fascinating! Thanks for this good information, Ro ...Fascinating! Thanks for this good information, Ro and Vinnie.<br /><br />I suspect the future of publishing for many authors will be a mix of some traditional publishing with some self-publishing, as well. Saving to my self-publishing file.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53661086132691247672013-06-25T16:43:42.735-04:002013-06-25T16:43:42.735-04:00Tell us, Ro! Tell us!
Okay, I guess I have to wai...Tell us, Ro! Tell us!<br /><br />Okay, I guess I have to wait . . .Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70331591475204681082013-06-25T16:40:03.198-04:002013-06-25T16:40:03.198-04:00I'm going to address cover art later in the we...I'm going to address cover art later in the week. I've found a FABULOUS, FABULOUS resource that I can't wait to tell everyone about.Rosemary Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08033747422699443024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91847333572952168112013-06-25T16:30:44.216-04:002013-06-25T16:30:44.216-04:00Thank you, Mary! I hadn't been looking forward...Thank you, Mary! I hadn't been looking forward to doing a separate itunes format, too. Glad to see I don't have to. Thanks again!Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55483949153798342412013-06-25T15:44:37.321-04:002013-06-25T15:44:37.321-04:00Rhonda, I have an iPhone. Free apps are available ...Rhonda, I have an iPhone. Free apps are available for Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. The only thing is the purchase can no longer be done "in app." So when I want to buy a Kindle book, I go to the Amazon web site, purchase, and it gets zipped to my phone.<br /><br />Purchases can be made from the iBookstore directly from the iGizmo and books are downloaded immediately to be read in iBooks. However, there isn't an Android version of iBooks, although I heard that Apple was going to roll out a Mac-based version.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15849964931042284792013-06-25T15:21:02.169-04:002013-06-25T15:21:02.169-04:00Thanks, Vinny, that helps. When I started blogging...Thanks, Vinny, that helps. When I started blogging and using RSS feeds, I signed up for both the email and reader RSS feeds just to see what the subscribers were seeing on their end. It can be different. Stands to reason that procedure would come in handy for ebooks, too. :)<br /><br />I read Nook and Kindle on my Android smartphone. I like using the phone as a reader because it's so compact, but I'm also turning pages every couple of seconds or so. :) Plus, the ebook apps tend to chow down on the batteries, but I also just changed from an older phone. My new mileage may vary. :)<br /><br />Anyway, I probably have plenty of friends with iPhones to find out if they buy their books through itunes or what. Thanks again!Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47874761047594453462013-06-25T14:58:00.631-04:002013-06-25T14:58:00.631-04:00Hi Rhonda,
That tourism book sounds very exciting...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />That tourism book sounds very exciting! I've used the apps that allow me to purchase and view both Kindle and Nook books on my PC, but haven't used them on a smart phone yet. According to the "Apps" box on my books' Kindle pages there are apps for most phones and tablets, but as for specific devices I can only suggest downloading the app and seeing how it works for an existing ebook. I personally haven't had any experience viewing ebooks on smart phones, but I can say that I've test-viewed my books on Kindle and Nook by purchasing a copy (not just reviewing it in the Preview function that is part of the loading process) and would recommend doing that if you believe your book will be viewed using a smart phone more often than other devices. I hope that helps.Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54516082597365126082013-06-25T14:47:39.843-04:002013-06-25T14:47:39.843-04:00I didn't mention cover art in the blog because...I didn't mention cover art in the blog because the different indie publishing providers have come a long way with the cover creators they offer. You can build your own using various templates, color schemes, fonts, and free imagery or you can have someone do it for you. I strongly believe that a good cover is important, especially for an ebook's sale page, so if you have someone who can create the cover for you that is always an option. With that said, I've created three strong covers (DEATH TROUPE, GLORY MAIN, and INTERLANDS) using the cover templates and free imagery from Createspace. I also created the cover for CONTEST OF WILLS by adding a photo of a dear friend (with permission) to a cover template that worked out quite well.Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31417116680970308192013-06-25T14:39:32.984-04:002013-06-25T14:39:32.984-04:00Thank you for this information, Vinny and JRW. My ...Thank you for this information, Vinny and JRW. My plan is to epub/ self-pub a short tourist guide I've been working up from one of my more popular blog posts. I was thinking, because it is a tourist guide, people might be consulting it on their smartphones. The ebook platforms Nook and Kindle have phone apps, but I also know that lots of folks with PC-everything-else use iphones and ipads. Do Nook and Kindle have apps for the iGizmos? (I suspect itunes sells the books for the iGizmos. I don't know - my phone's a Droid.) Also, is there a separate formatting guide for ebooks that might be accessed over the phone or itunes? Apologies if I asked too many questions - or, worse - asked the same question, like, three times. :)Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3071482128539457872013-06-25T14:34:58.695-04:002013-06-25T14:34:58.695-04:00Ro, good for you!!!!!!!!!
Since you're alread...Ro, good for you!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Since you're already a traditionally published author, I don't see you running into some of the problems those of us who are only self-published have come up against. There's still a surprisingly large contingency of those who think if you're self-published your book is going to be much too pedestrian for them to waste their time reading. And - the most hurtful thing that happened to me was being turned down by a blog when I asked if I could promote Whimsey there. Sadder still is the fact that I had had almost every one of those writers at my Meanderings and Muses.<br /><br />Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36486892930628613302013-06-25T14:03:10.586-04:002013-06-25T14:03:10.586-04:00Definitely a keeper post! Going to print it out an...Definitely a keeper post! Going to print it out and file it away. Have to say, though, I'm the kind of person who'd want to hire someone to do this for me. :-)Lisa Alberhttp://www.lisaalber.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38944875202726730142013-06-25T13:34:49.975-04:002013-06-25T13:34:49.975-04:00Ah! Wonderful timing, because my to-do list has a...Ah! Wonderful timing, because my to-do list has an upcoming task called "format novel," both for POD and e-books. This was great information. I have only done this for Smashwords (a total waste of time, by the way) and it took three nerve-wracking tries to get to the "prestige" formatting, and a gold star. Thanks to Vinnie. Ro, keep me posted on your progress. I loved all your gardening mysteries. I hope to have copies of Festival Madness ready by mid-August. This is one of the novels with the hopelessly compromised amateur sleuth. Thanks again, Ro and Vinnie, for the timely information. Judy Copekhttp://www.judycopek.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54148987856036977872013-06-25T13:09:36.969-04:002013-06-25T13:09:36.969-04:00This one's definitely a keeper! Thanks for pas...This one's definitely a keeper! Thanks for passing on these tidbits - that I'm saving to my self pub file for when I embark on this myself. THANK YOU!Terri Herman-Poncehttp://terriponce.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-6721719778706291652013-06-25T12:51:49.931-04:002013-06-25T12:51:49.931-04:00Very interesting, Ro and Vinnie!
I just did The S...Very interesting, Ro and Vinnie!<br /><br />I just did The Sound of Broken Glass in the UK, but my agent did the formatting, so I didn't have a clue.<br /><br />And Ro, so glad you're doing this. Can't wait to read the book!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68526522157324431852013-06-25T12:51:42.389-04:002013-06-25T12:51:42.389-04:00If you do the formatting and loading yourself, man...If you do the formatting and loading yourself, many print-on-demand and ebook sites cost you nothing up front. There are various services available (some of which are quite expensive)but they might be a good choice depending on the author. As for the profit margin in print-on-demand paperbacks, the margins are tough. I set my prices as low as possible, so I don't make a lot off of a paperback sale. With that said, Kindle and Nook royalties can be either 70% (for ebooks priced above a certain level) or 30-40% for ebooks with low prices. The 70% royalty on a $2.99 ebook is roughly $2.00 which is pretty good. I can't speak for all of traditional publishing, so your individual deal would vary. As far as how many books you need to sell, if you are with a traditional publisher and get an advance it is considered important to sell enough books to earn back the advance. I've been away from traditional publishing for some time, so if there are wiser heads in the conversation I invite you to join in. Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78222816285172530452013-06-25T12:28:22.373-04:002013-06-25T12:28:22.373-04:00Can you tell us something of the profit margin and...Can you tell us something of the profit margin and cost difference between traditional and e-publishing? What does it cost? How many books do I need to sell?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62224102204111601812013-06-25T11:26:22.363-04:002013-06-25T11:26:22.363-04:00Well this is very encouraging -- I'm so please...Well this is very encouraging -- I'm so pleased that people are finding this useful. Whenever you have a question about whether or not to include a blank page, page breaks, or page numbers, my rule of thumb is to look at a couple of professionally prepared books and see how they did it. I think it really improves the product to add in the little things such as the blank page at the front of a print-on-demand book and removing the page numbers of pages such as the title page and the dedication page.Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77102464800312085822013-06-25T09:47:25.933-04:002013-06-25T09:47:25.933-04:00Thanks for the tips. My local SinC chapter is doin...Thanks for the tips. My local SinC chapter is doing a short-story anthology later this year. Due to budget concerns we'd really like to do the formatting ourselves, so I'm definitely passing this on to the committee!Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10289510708093982982013-06-25T09:47:16.960-04:002013-06-25T09:47:16.960-04:00Thanks, Vinny - SO useful! I'm bookmarking thi...Thanks, Vinny - SO useful! I'm bookmarking this page. <br /><br />Rosemary: Please, tell us more!! What? When?? Where can we get it???<br />Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-38148079126095008262013-06-25T07:53:05.801-04:002013-06-25T07:53:05.801-04:00Hey gang!
So glad you're finding the advice h...Hey gang!<br /><br />So glad you're finding the advice helpful. I was thrilled when Ro asked me to guest blog here at Jungle Red, and of course I support any opportunity to post that photo from the Crimebake banquet.<br /><br />As for deciding to self-publish, I always give the same advice: If you've got a traditional publisher interested in a work, go with the traditional publisher. But the indie publishing does provide a home for works that just couldn't get the right attention, so I like that.<br /><br />In the meantime, even going with a traditional publisher you might end up producing ebook or print-on-demand versions of those works later on. When St. Martin's gave me back the rights to the first three Frank Cole books I was able to give them a second life because of indie publishing, and that's a very good feeling.<br /><br />I'll be checking in through the day to answer other questions -- Happy Tuesday, everyone!Vinny O'Neilhttp://www.vincenthoneil.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79971669503243749492013-06-25T07:47:16.544-04:002013-06-25T07:47:16.544-04:00Hi Vinny! WHole new worlds...so happy to have suc...Hi Vinny! WHole new worlds...so happy to have such a wonderful guide.<br /><br />RO! SO exciting...cannot wait. Tell us MORE!<br /><br />xooxHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.com