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Georgina Bomer is here to talk to us about self-publishing. She worked in the publishing industry (magazines and books) in the UK. Print-on-demand was introduced in 2004. She has self-published 12 paperbacks and many more eBooks.
Reasons to Self-Publish
- Authority in your niche
- Extra income
- Re-purposing old blog content
- Ready-made audience
- Complete editorial control
- It feels GOOD!
Why People Will Buy Your Books
- Already a reader
- Convenience
- No ads
- Great for gifts
- Loyalty
eBooks
- Use existing blog content
- Create cohesive eBook format in Word, Publisher, InDesign
- Convert it to a PDF, add to your blog store (WooCommerce, eStore, etc.) and sell like any printable
- 100% profit on sales
- Can run an affiliate scheme via Gumroad, Ejunkie, or similar site
- Create eBook bundles at a discount because people love great deals
eBook Formatting
- No watermarks on photos
- No Amazon affiliate links
- Simple designs suitable for home printers
- Make it user friendly by adding hyperlinks to contents, references, and resources
Kindle Books
- Easy publishing at zero cost on Amazon
- Submit via KDP
- Word document required
- Cover file required
- Check formatting online before publishing
- Live on Amazon within a few hours
- KDP Select – do NOT enroll if you are also selling eBook format on your website
Kindle Book Formatting
- No watermarks on photos
- No Amazon affiliate links
- No design features
- Add page breaks
- No big white spaces
- Make it user-friendly by adding hyperlinks, etc.
- Minimal photos
Paperbacks
- Can use the same software as your eBook
- Print-ready PDF and cover
- Submit via CreateSpace
- Proof book online and order physical proof copies
- CreateSpace will provide minimum selling cost
Paperback Formatting
- No watermarks on photos
- No links
- Trim page size
- Cover: matte or glossy?
- Page number must be divisible by 4 (fill up blank space!)
- Consider left hand and right hand pages
- Do you need an index?
- Create a template for the next book!
Self-publishing is a cost-effective way of increasing income that is available to everyone. It shows your readers and other bloggers that you are serious about your writing.
Holding a paperback with your name on it is seriously on awesome. Same thing with searching for yourself on Amazon.
Psst… Look in my sidebar for my book on Kindle. —>
That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.
