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New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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BJMorgan
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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PS: Know what you mean about badly edited books getting out there using self-publish. Hopefully I've not fallen into that trap - was very thoroughly proof read !!
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Lon Dee
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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I'm just joining this conversation. I recently re-published a previously published (on paper) novel, and two new novels. I spent a lot of time getting an agent and she worked very hard to get my books published traditionally but was unsuccessful. Part of it was the economy, part was the length of one book (too long), part was the fact that I'm an unknown author, and I'm sure other reasons as well. I eventually decided to self-publish. I chose Kindle and Lulu for the e-books, and CreateSpace for the paperbacks. As the books have been out less than a month, I've yet to find out if I'll be successful or not, but I've already met my first month's sales goal.

Compared to the first time I published traditionally, I can say this process has been more work up front for me. It's not that easy to get everything converted to the proper formats; you need to create compelling covers; you need a background in document formats; and many other things. But in the end, the work is yours, not an editor's or a publisher's – you did the work and you get the rewards.

I would definitely suggest two things: 1) if you're a new author, then hire a professional editor. Not your mom, not your friend who took some English classes. A real editor with experience in your field. It will be very worth the few hundred dollars you'll spend. 2) if you don't have a strong background in graphic design, then hire a cover artist. Deviant Art is a good place to find one. Again, you'll spend a few hundred dollars, but it will be very worth it.
Lon Dee
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sherwood56
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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I am trying both. I published a short Christian ebook in June on Smashwords and Kindle book store, and in print at createspace. So far, no sales with Createspace, but over 100 downloads on Smashwords when I promoted it as a giveaway (just changed Smashword price to 99 cents, so we will see how that goes). I only sold 7 copies at 99 cents as a kindle. The next book which I just submitted to Kindle will be a KDP Select book. It is on saving money, which is a popular topic, and I hope it will also boost sales of my first book. Time will tell.
Emily Sherwood, Writer and Educator http://www.emilysherwood.com
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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Why I like using paper books, You might call me old fashioned or "Low tech" but I like those "Old" paper books because they don't cause that much eye strain. I cant really enjoy a book unless it is a paperbook. In a paperbook, there aren't that many interferences. For example the computer I use is a family computer. It is shared so I am almost always interfered. I also like reading in a quite place so that I don't get distracted. Usually, When I am reading an E-Book, I will start chatting on messenger. I guess I am old fashioned maybe in the future humans might be forced to modernize and it wouldn't be our choice to choose between E-Book or a Paper book. Why am I saying that we might not have a choice is because it takes paper to make a book and a paper book isn't as eco friendly compared to an E Book.
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jro8051
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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I think what has stopped me from doing an e-book for my book is hearing about how often e-books are pirated and put all over the internet without the author's permission. E-books are great and are a good option for authors and consumers but I am concerned about this problem.
Jill R. Seely, MS
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rdenning
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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I have been self publishing for 2 or 3 years.
I feel that you need to have both e-books and paperbacks.

I go to book fairs and do visits to schools and at those locations it is physical books which sell. Moreover the physical book is the selling tool. Often folk look at a book, grab a book mark and then order e-books later (so it seems from sales patterns) BUT the physical book is what gets them looking.

Overall my sales are 50//50 ebook and paperbacks BUT online my sales are 90% e-books. So you must have both.

Things are changing but there are still reviewers who will ONLY look at e-books or ONLY at paperbacks.
Any way that's my 1 pennies worth.
rdenning
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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jro8051 wrote:I think what has stopped me from doing an e-book for my book is hearing about how often e-books are pirated and put all over the internet without the author's permission. E-books are great and are a good option for authors and consumers but I am concerned about this problem.
I suppose you have to ask yourself what is worse - the book being pirated or not reaching an audience.
If the first book in a series was pirated and copied and led to sales of other books that would not bother me much.

It does happen but not that widely./
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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on pirating books, here's Neil Gaiman.

I tend to agree with him.

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/02/1 ... ing-books/
In the absence of God, I found Man.
-Guillermo Del Torro

Are you pushing your own short comings on us and safely hating them from a distance?

Is this the virtue of faith? To never change your mind: especially when you should?

Young Earth Creationists take offense at the idea that we have a common heritage with other animals. Why is being the descendant of a mud golem any better?
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Denio Press
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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Here is an article my friend, who is a publsiher, sent me. Its titled "Death of Printed Books May Have Been Exaggerated". http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/13/01/ ... =popbyskid Its an interesting article about how ebooks and paper "compliment" eachother.
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evelon
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Re: New publishing. Ebook vs Paper

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Speaking as a reader, I prefer ebooks. They're easier to get hold of - lots of free classics - are usually cheaper and, providing you check out the samples first, you can usually avoid the badly written ones. I love my Kindle and iPad - they are so much easier to take on holiday or to stick in a handbag for a crafty read while no-one's looking!
I still like my traditional books and I couldn't get rid of my favourites no matter what, but most of my buys now are ebooks.
Speaking as a self published writer, ebooks are the easiest and cheapest to publish, but what a faff promoting them is! If you don't mind telling the world how good you are, it's ok. But I prefer to blend into the background, so it's been a bit of a trial to get into this self promotion thing.
It's been a good experience though and I'll keep going.
I went with Smashwords - they'll provide the ISBN free of charge.
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