What's Ebook Publishing Really Like? Is It Worth Our While? Yes, Self-Publishing Works But Be Prepared To Promote Your Ebook Yourself!NewsFlash - Valentine His N Hers Website Buy One Get One Free Offer Ending Midnight February 14th My first foray into the world of ebook publishing was with Lulu.com. I had researched all the other self-publishing options - some involved upfront payments or significant cost as in the case of Amazon Create Space, some like Cafe Press produced other products and some offered a print-on-demand option. I wanted to be sure Lulu publishing was not a scam. The print-on-demand self publishing choice seemed like an eminently sensible option as it incurred no risk either for the author or for the ebook publishing software company. Lulu offered this choice and so I ended up going with them.
The first copy was an experiment - I was testing Lulu out and wanted to see a) how fast they were, b) how reliable and c) what the quality was like. In essence, it was a 'proof copy.' I was also trying out the idea of ebook publishing in general. What was the quality of my Lulu proof book really like? As an experimental first copy, proof copy or chapbook it was fine. I had, after all chosen all the cheapest Lulu options! This had consequences of course. Firstly, it didn't look like a real book - I was disappointed to see it arrive like an A4 brochure size but to be fair, they do say that "what you see is what you get" and I did rush it through without getting my ruler out to measure! Self publishing confers much responsiblity on the ebook author for the final appearance of the work. Ordering and delivery were simplicity itself. With ebook publishing, customers can order a hard copy or an instant download from anywhere in the world in minutes. Mine arrived in two weeks. However, there have been one or two reports from other users whose suppliers were not of the same standard - their pages were wrongly arranged. When I eventually get round to it, I will order the hardback copy, and I am investigating the idea of images. I now need to convert the files to Pocket Book size, as to me this has a more traditional 'feel' in terms of poets' works.Secondly, this copy was very thin! - not Lulu's fault, seeing the proof copy made me reaise that I have not yet amassed (or uploaded) enough material to fill a "proper" book yet so I will keep writing moreshort stories and poetry. Thirdly, Lulu customers books only get exposure to fellow Lulu authors on the basic "free" package - in order to get real public listing like Amazon, you need to upgrade and to buy an ISBN, which to be fair is quite reasonably priced. To avoid the expense of this however it is possible to promote your books heavily yourself either on the internet or offline. Internet promotion can work really well, but you need a website driven by a really powerful website hosting company such as the one I use here.(See Footer To Page.) Offline promotion is not new - Robert Burns reportedly peddled his poems on the top of tavern bar counters! Bookshops,market stall and boot fairs are other options. Ordering a proof copy does make you realistic about whether your book is really ready yet. It is also great to have something to hand when people are curious about your poetry or other pieces. Seasonal gifts are good opportunities to pass your work around too. Fourthly, I wondered whether some of the authors on the Lulu Publishing Bestsellers List were already successful enough to buy their own books in bulk, but if that success was down to Lulu and authors' own promotion efforts, it can't really be criticised. Collaboration is also possible on Lulu as there are lots of forums and groups. All in all, for me at least, Lulu ebook publishing has been a positive experience - albeit a 'fragment' or 'unfinished work in progress!' My Ebook Publishing Product From Lulu.com - Dead Nun's Shoes- Not So Short Scary Short Stories |
