The eBook version of The Jefferson Bible for the 21st Century is now available on Smashwords in 10 different download formats!
There are minor formatting differences between this version and the eBook version on lulu.com – mostly related to the verse numbering system. It is also available on Scribd for a free preview read. Just click the Scribd icon in the left side.
So now, when my allergies clear, I'll be starting the audio book side of this venture back up again.
eBook is published!
June 27, 2009
Books, Marketing, Publishing Leave a comment
When writing isn’t easy
June 26, 2009
I find my muse in the closet, behind the spot where the cat hides in storms, behind heavy coats, in the darkest safest place. She looks up at me above tear-streaked cheeks, with more moisture rolling down rosy tender curves.
I'm not working at that office today. I can spend some time with you. Are you doing okay?
A blank stare.
I need to do some writing, can you please come out for a bit?
Nothing.
I need you to not be afraid. There are no protests in Iran today. Can you come out?
A reluctant pout.
Is it Michael?
Nod.
Is it Farrah? Is it Ed? Is it David Carradine?
Nod. Nod. Nod.
Or is it Neda?
Sobs.
Hiding here in my closet won't make it feel any better. Would you like some chocolate?
Shrug.
Do you need more time?
Nod.
I understand. I really do. I'll just have to see what I can write without you.
Lessons learned
June 10, 2009
Books, Marketing, Publishing, Web/Tech Leave a comment
I've finally put the text editing of the eBook to rest, and the final first edition will be hitting the interwebs shortly, followed by the audio book as quickly as I can turn it around. I still chuckle at myself because I thought this would be a fairly quick and painless audiobook to make, just as soon as… well I was wrong, mkay?
I've learned that there are many unexpected differences among the three branches of 'book' publishing methods.
eBooks: If you're going for formats other than PDF, stick with all text all the time.
* The more simple and streamlined text you can manage, the better the result will be.
* Stick with one font that is completely universal, and don't get fancy.
* Anything like a picture or photo book won't work in several eBook reader formats. Stick with text or PDF versions.
* Do your homework! I've blogged here previously about the many differences in eBook vendors and distribution methods. Find the one that is completely right for you, not the first one that looks like it might fit.
audiobooks: There is nothing standardized. Some audio books have everything edited into one huge MP3 file that is therefore hard to navigate and requires bookmarks (or not, if you're using eztolistento.com). Other publishers have everything discreetly in separate chapter files, but with the same nauseating introduction material, copyright notices, and whatever legal disclaimers all munged together on EVERY freaking chapter. This is what happens when you're doing marketing with lawyers.
There are some well intentioned audiobooks out there that use music and sound effects, but if the music doesn't match the story (fusion jazz in a medieval setting) and the sound effects are canned, you've lost me as a listener. I'd rather have just a well trained reader telling me the story without the distracting theatrics, thanks. This is why I think indie audiobook narrators can potentially do just as well as the major houses.
The problems for freelance audiobook narrators are:
* Finding content to read that isn't already covered by twelve audiobooks. That's why I'm going for the older public domain materials.
* It's difficult to monetize audiobooks when there are many outlets giving them away, even though done by inexperienced or volunteer audiobook readers. It is always hard to compete with "free".
* I'm still exploring the idea of podcasting, so I can't comment on it just yet.
Paper publishing: This seems to be a dying breed, but I'm not expecting books to go away any time soon, and I would be sad if they did. This is the world of hidden legalities and piled-on fees. Free publishing may not be worth the price, and the package you need to buy to get stuff done may be cheaper elsewhere.
Something as innocent as an ISBN number can skew how you can handle your own work, or move it to another publisher. This is why I am insisting on my own ISBN number. If a publisher gives you a free ISBN number, you are NOT the publisher, and you are tied to that publisher and distribution system (perhaps exclusively) unless you do a major revision and take your marbles to play elsewhere.
The bright spots:
Smashwords.com. Those guys are trying very hard, and their automated system is trying to make the best document conversions possible from your source document into many online formats. Thanks to Mark and Bill! It's a unique solution that would cost a fortune to be done by hand by some other trained professional.
@TheCreativePenn. If you are getting started (or are established) as a writer, author, publisher, or just a fan of books you need her tweets on Twitter. She must have an army of elves (or maybe it's gnomes, I don't know) helping her find the links she forwards. Every one is a gem, and they just.keep.coming! Plus she podcasts and does very informative interviews. I think she may have secretly cloned herself.
One last word – don't hold your breath for the Google eBook format. Move forward and establish yourself now, if that's what you're doing. There is a healthy dose of concern about what Google's eBook project is going to mean to the rest of the publishing world. I'm not concerned at all. For any gloom and doom scenario, there will be an equal and opposite opportunity for more eBooks. Things are changing quickly (eBook sales are up over 200% May 08 to May 09), so just stay alert and stay informed!
Wrestling with eBook formats
June 4, 2009
Books, Publishing, Web/Tech Leave a comment
Last week, I knew I would need to find more outlets for my eBook. I knew this would mean reformatting to meet the various requirements of the proprietary eBook vendors (Kindle, Sony, PDF, and etc.).
When I found Smashwords it seemed like a quick fix for all of that. I've hit some snags, but they are not the fault of Smashwords. In fact, I'm working with the CEO and CTO, who have been more than willing to help me figure out my technical issues, and I give them big kudos for that!
For one thing, my eBook (The Jefferson Bible for the 21st Century) has the unfortunate dilemma of smaller, superscripted numbers every few words to show verses (to stay in keeping with Jefferson's original verse numbering system). This is something that does not translate well in eBook formats.
Part of this is also due to my choice of software tools. I did the original source document in Mac's iWork Pages, which does not offer an HTML output. Thanks for nothing, Apple. I'm really shocked that Apple didn't consider this, and I was sure it would be an option when I purchased the software.
So I exported as a .doc, and opened it in OpenOffice, which displays differently. Even if I fix the display in OpenOffice, it does not export correctly. Thanks for trying, OpenOffice folks, but I really need it to work better.
So very reluctantly I've returned to Microsoft Windows so that I can open my document from Office, and export the HTML, and then proceed to tweak that result to taste. I would almost rather gnaw off my leg to get out of this trap, but that's not an option. The Microsoft Office spam that goes into an HTML export is mind numbing. I have seen files where more than half the file size is unnecessary code. So today I'm straightening this stuff out. I have a tool for the Mac side of the house that should help – PageSpinner.
I'm really surprised that Apple does not offer an inexpensive HTML editor to compete with Adobe on some level. It does not help that their built-in text/edit application defaults to RTF. Ya, really. But this is the first hiccup I've found with Apple, and while significant it isn't a show stopper.
So I'm blogging. It's a form of procrastination. I really dislike heavy reformatting, but here I go. With a little luck I'll be back into the audio book side of the project soon, and the Jefferson Bible for the 21st Century will be available on Smashwords for all your eBook formats. (It is available on Scribd for the low download price of $1.00 – or you can read it online for free). The paper version is coming soon to Lulu.com, as soon as I finish proofing the first copy, which should arrive one day very soon.
Publish books with CafePress.com?
June 1, 2009
Books, Marketing, Publishing 1 Comment
As a response to a question on my previous blog entry, I decided to look into CafePress. For mugs, T-shirts, and all of the assorted oddball things they hold over there, it may just be the cat's pajamas. For book publishing, not so much.
Let's assume we're trying to publish the same 6"x9", 250 pages, black and white text and color cover book as my previous post.
Problem 1: There is no option for that same size. 5×8 is as close as they come, which is a bit smaller than the trade standard 5.5" x8.5". But we'll go with it anyway.
Problem 2: There is a flat rate charged as a binding fee per book purchased – $7 for perfect binding in this case. There is also a $0.03 per page charge. Ooops. This means for our 250-page sample book we're up to $14.50 in printing and publishing charges. Then we need to add a profit (presumably) for the author.
If I try to market my book for $16 (gives the author a significant $1.50 per sale) plus a shipping charge, and the readers compare that with a similar sized book that costs maybe $6.99 at checkout at the grocery store, I'm not going to expect many sales. Actually, CafePress makes out like a bandit in this scenario, few books will be sold due to the unattractive price (my opinion based on what I'm finding in the market), and the author gets very little.
Compared to the costs in my previous post with other publishers, and compared to expected earnings, I think there's no comparison. If you're on CafePress, stick with T-shirts and mugs or something.
