[stylist] Sarah...About self publishing on Amazon!

[tickpub at juno.com]

Sarah:
This might help you!
Hello and all the best to you. I have ventured into this self-publishing
ocean for the last 5 years now. It boils down to this for me: I first
went Kindle but finally decided to go with Create Space. Create Space is
also an Amazon sub-company but they made it rather nice for me. They
actually have live people who you can call and talk with. What Create
Space does is give you various templets to use. You create your book or
get it ready in one of their templets and submit it. They check it out
and get back with you. You can then get a proof copy of your book in
hand. They are more than fair in their costs, the least expensive so far.

 
I like Create Space because of the POD factor. That is Print On Demand.
When someone orders a book, they just print it up as needed. Or you can
order just the number of books you want for yourself. The shipping is
really fair. You also have your book up for sale in digital form. They
also have a service to put your book out there in every book outlet.
 
The templets help you do it right. The exact size of your book, margins
and all that good stuff. Pictures are something else and this is a
different cost. 
 
Now once you get your book uploaded you can have them submit it to Amazon
or to their worldwide digital library. I do not use Amazon directly; the
royalties there are ridiculously nothing. 
 
If you just want to go, digital you can use Smashwords. They are simple,
easy to use and they are one of the more well-known self-publishing
sites. They go worldwide and you get a nice royalty for your efforts.
Each of these sites offers more in the way of promoting but for myself,
with the lack of vision, I use Create Space. I like the idea of a real
hard copy book in hand and it allows me to give them away to family and
friends without bankrupting me. I also advertise my books and site on the
back cover of each of my books.
 
There is some hassle with getting it right until you jump the hoops but
if you need to, there is a list of editors that you can work with.
 
If you are pretty savvy and have a little sight, you can do most of this
yourself.
 
Now Create Space has a service you can use. You pay $199. In addition,
you use one of their high end templates and it forms your book for you.
They go over it and once accepted, you got a book. It is sold through
them and you can use the Amazon sales, or several of their other sales
outlets.
 
They also have a personal service and you use one of their editors and
they will really do a good job for you but you will have to pay the bill.
It depends on what you want out of your book. If I were only going to
publish one book then I would go full out with their service.
 
There might be others that do well, but so far the Create Space and the
Smashwords site have proven to be cost efficient and they do a nice job.
I have so far published about four books with Create Space and at least
five major story/novelettes with Smashwords. My goal is to publish at
least 20 books with CS and then I will begin my major promotional
efforts.
 
There is a learning curve for sure. But they have a ton of guide books
and tutoring for those who want to  publish with them.
 
The real problem for me is my uploads and making sure all looks good and
fits their requirements. This is due to having no sight. I need help in
the final uploads and in reading my proof copy. This is where friends and
family come in. 
 
I made some major mistakes to begin with but am slowly learning the game.
I have no formal training in English or with grammar, sentence structure
and all those good things that really make you into a writer and author.
But went ahead, and published a few stories, and I must go back and
replace them. I am learning as I go. Hey, you got to take that first
step!
 
Also, I had to start a web site. Again, I found that this Go Daddy web
service has the best prices and you can get a one year site for $1.00 per
month. Your site comes with a Word Press add on for comments and all that
other stuff. If you have some sight, you can build your own or they have
service as well.
 
* I recommend that you go to their web sites and read what they have to
say. If you do find anything better or less expensive, please let me
know.
In addition, I am looking for an editor to edit my manuscripts, as they
are finished. Is there anyone out there that might want to make a few
extra bucks.  
 
Old blind Mike
 
 
 
 
TickPub Thanks You,
All The Best And More,
Regards And Respect From Michael!
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