Kyle Timmermeyer's Blog
October 30, 2025
Legend of the Elementals
Legend of the Elementals
April 8, 2018
Book Price Drops
Legend of the Elementals: The Complete Series and The Adventures of Bucket-Man and His Ostensible Enemies are now each only $0.99 (or the equivalent price in your region) on Amazon and Smashwords. Enjoy!
November 15, 2014
How to Publish a Book with All the Big Electronic Distributors (For Free)
Today I published Legend of the Elementals: The Complete Series on both Kobo directly and with Smashwords for wider distribution. During the process, I noticed a problem with the map not displaying (on the Amazon version). So in the process of fixing the problem, I am writing here to detail the nitty-gritty of how I've approached publishing this time around. This is for all my fellow writers out there. All of the resources linked here are free of charge.
1) Write your book. Really, the program you use to write your stuff shouldn't matter, not until the next step. If you happen to be writing just for Smashwords (which includes distribution for Kobo and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other smaller distributors) then starting from a clean .doc file format may be all you need.
2) Format. This should only be a serious, immediate focus when you're very close to publishing. I use LibreOffice because I got tired of paying for MS Office. Open Office is another fine alternative. If you plan, for example, to use a "clickable table of contents" (with imbedded hyperlinks), then the formatting stage is the time to get this done. Smashwords has a somewhat strict formatting guide that it applies rigorously. While this may sound daunting, it's best to start honing your formatting skills early, rather than wait and be too intimidated by an increasingly sharp spiral of conversion craziness that may inspire you to quit.
3) Convert to HTML. While it is possible to write in HTML directly (or CSS or whatever, I suppose), that represents a huge, unnecessary learning curve for the average writer. Especially if your text is not graphic-intensive, once you're happy with absolutely every word, space, punctuation mark, and the placement of each (wait no, that's impossible) you're ready to get your writing out there, use your Office software to "Save As..." an HTML file. Be sure to close and reload the HTML file in your Office software to check for inconsistencies, unexpected changes. (This will be a big theme going forward.) Notice potential problems and look for patterns, but don't agonize over them just yet. You will likely have to cruise specific internet help sections to make headway at least once during the process. Try not to panic. It happens to everyone.
4) Convert to epub. While it is possible to convert directly from HTML to Amazon Kindle's .mobi format, for example, that tends to be very messy. I prefer to upload and convert my HTML to an epub file using Calibre. While just as a .doc might be enough for Smashwords alone, maybe an epub will be all you need, depending on how widely you want to distribute. If there is any fresh strangeness cropping up in your formatting at this stage, try to correct and compensate for it now.
5) Convert to .mobi. Having a nice .mobi file is a challenge all its own, while every conversion offers its own unique opportunity for weird formatting and broken links to creep in. I had been using Calibre before for my .mobis in addition to my epubs, but just today discovered that Kindle Previewer will convert with more fidelity. This is very important for the big platform that is Amazon. Happily enough, just open your epub file with Previewer, and it will export a .mobi automatically. Of course, the main feature of Previewer is that it allows you to view the resulting ebook the way it should appear to a user on most any Kindle device. (You can try to open/convert an HTML or other file with Previewer, but the formatting is more likely to be wonky.)
6) Upload the appropriate file format to your distributor(s) of choice. This involves first signing up for free accounts on Smashwords, Kindle Direct Publishing (for Amazon), or Kobo Writing Life, for starters. If you have a normal (reader/consumer) account with these distributors, the account can do double duty (and your password/login can be the same). It should also be noted that while Smashwords will distribute to Kobo, for example, (and possibly save you some headaches), you get better royalties by having an account directly with the distributor.
7) Fill out the information required for a new book, including title, description, price point, DRM usage, and promotion/distribution options. All the little details that you see laid out for the most famous books will be needed for your book, too. I am constantly impressed by the veneer (at least) of egalitarianism. I won't go into the minutiae of promotion and distribution options because it can be really overwhelming, and I'm not very good at it, anyway. Just be careful and do a lot of reading, not only of terms and conditions, but also getting advice from other more successful writers. I highly recommend Edward W. Robertson's blog and Barry Eisler's blog.
8) Before publishing, check your ebook by downloading it from the distributor directly. Usually there will be some additional distributor-level conversion involved, which serves as the final pre-publishing opportunity for formatting and other inconsistencies to pop up. You can make corrections after you've formally published, but the later you decide to make corrections, the more steps you have to repeat. There's really no way around the time it takes to pick those nits.
9) Make final corrections, re-convert, re-upload, and then hit that publish button. Congratulations. Your book will show up for the world to see in a matter of days. ...What are you going to write next?
I hope this very brief introduction to free e-publishing has been helpful. Should I go into more detail? Leave me your feedback below.
1) Write your book. Really, the program you use to write your stuff shouldn't matter, not until the next step. If you happen to be writing just for Smashwords (which includes distribution for Kobo and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other smaller distributors) then starting from a clean .doc file format may be all you need.
2) Format. This should only be a serious, immediate focus when you're very close to publishing. I use LibreOffice because I got tired of paying for MS Office. Open Office is another fine alternative. If you plan, for example, to use a "clickable table of contents" (with imbedded hyperlinks), then the formatting stage is the time to get this done. Smashwords has a somewhat strict formatting guide that it applies rigorously. While this may sound daunting, it's best to start honing your formatting skills early, rather than wait and be too intimidated by an increasingly sharp spiral of conversion craziness that may inspire you to quit.
3) Convert to HTML. While it is possible to write in HTML directly (or CSS or whatever, I suppose), that represents a huge, unnecessary learning curve for the average writer. Especially if your text is not graphic-intensive, once you're happy with absolutely every word, space, punctuation mark, and the placement of each (wait no, that's impossible) you're ready to get your writing out there, use your Office software to "Save As..." an HTML file. Be sure to close and reload the HTML file in your Office software to check for inconsistencies, unexpected changes. (This will be a big theme going forward.) Notice potential problems and look for patterns, but don't agonize over them just yet. You will likely have to cruise specific internet help sections to make headway at least once during the process. Try not to panic. It happens to everyone.
4) Convert to epub. While it is possible to convert directly from HTML to Amazon Kindle's .mobi format, for example, that tends to be very messy. I prefer to upload and convert my HTML to an epub file using Calibre. While just as a .doc might be enough for Smashwords alone, maybe an epub will be all you need, depending on how widely you want to distribute. If there is any fresh strangeness cropping up in your formatting at this stage, try to correct and compensate for it now.
5) Convert to .mobi. Having a nice .mobi file is a challenge all its own, while every conversion offers its own unique opportunity for weird formatting and broken links to creep in. I had been using Calibre before for my .mobis in addition to my epubs, but just today discovered that Kindle Previewer will convert with more fidelity. This is very important for the big platform that is Amazon. Happily enough, just open your epub file with Previewer, and it will export a .mobi automatically. Of course, the main feature of Previewer is that it allows you to view the resulting ebook the way it should appear to a user on most any Kindle device. (You can try to open/convert an HTML or other file with Previewer, but the formatting is more likely to be wonky.)
6) Upload the appropriate file format to your distributor(s) of choice. This involves first signing up for free accounts on Smashwords, Kindle Direct Publishing (for Amazon), or Kobo Writing Life, for starters. If you have a normal (reader/consumer) account with these distributors, the account can do double duty (and your password/login can be the same). It should also be noted that while Smashwords will distribute to Kobo, for example, (and possibly save you some headaches), you get better royalties by having an account directly with the distributor.
7) Fill out the information required for a new book, including title, description, price point, DRM usage, and promotion/distribution options. All the little details that you see laid out for the most famous books will be needed for your book, too. I am constantly impressed by the veneer (at least) of egalitarianism. I won't go into the minutiae of promotion and distribution options because it can be really overwhelming, and I'm not very good at it, anyway. Just be careful and do a lot of reading, not only of terms and conditions, but also getting advice from other more successful writers. I highly recommend Edward W. Robertson's blog and Barry Eisler's blog.
8) Before publishing, check your ebook by downloading it from the distributor directly. Usually there will be some additional distributor-level conversion involved, which serves as the final pre-publishing opportunity for formatting and other inconsistencies to pop up. You can make corrections after you've formally published, but the later you decide to make corrections, the more steps you have to repeat. There's really no way around the time it takes to pick those nits.
9) Make final corrections, re-convert, re-upload, and then hit that publish button. Congratulations. Your book will show up for the world to see in a matter of days. ...What are you going to write next?
I hope this very brief introduction to free e-publishing has been helpful. Should I go into more detail? Leave me your feedback below.
October 30, 2014
The Complete Series
It's been a long, strange trip, as it should have been. The Complete Series is finally available on Amazon, and the edits have been reflected in updates to the individual books that should appear on editions distributed soon through Kobo, Smashwords, B&N, etc.
I'm now looking for feedback concerning distribution of physical books.... probably hardcover, probably as all the books in a single volume (or set). And so if you would like a physical copy of Legend of the Elementals: The Complete Series, please send me an e-mail.
I'm now looking for feedback concerning distribution of physical books.... probably hardcover, probably as all the books in a single volume (or set). And so if you would like a physical copy of Legend of the Elementals: The Complete Series, please send me an e-mail.
June 23, 2014
The End Starts Now
Legend of the Elementals, Book 7: Revolution. Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7OF33W
June 15, 2014
Book 7 News
Can you handle this? It's time to tell you that Book 7: Revolution is the FINAL book in the series. I'm shooting for a June 24/25th release, just waiting on some beta reader feedback. As is typical for many books at the conclusion of a series, this one is about double the size of an average book, but for reasons that are destined to surprise...
You are very much encouraged to snap up this book quickly because I'm leaning toward a fresh sales strategy here at the end of the series. 1) Publish Book 7: Revolution as a stand-alone novel, as usual (priced at $0.99 US). 2) After 3 4 months (Septermber October 2014 after a delay due to starting a new job), publish the final compilation, including all 7 previously published books as a single volume (priced at approximately $6.99 US). 3) As the final compilation is published, I'm considering discontinuing all previous individual novels EXCEPT Book 1: Reintroduction, which will continue to be free. What do you think? Yay or nay? If you think it's a bad idea, what would you suggest instead?
The final step (after September the October 2014 publication of the full compendium) will be getting the best, most reasonably priced hardback (and possibly paperback?) version(s) of the series published. I've heard good things about CreateSpace, which is Amazon-owned print-on-demand. I know there are plenty of readers who prefer physical books, and I appreciate your patience on that front. Due to the expense and "permanence" of a physical book, I have been waiting until the end of the series to take this big, important step. In fact, it is out of respect for the vaunted tradition of final hard copies that I have waited so long. As an indie author, I wanted to take as much time as I could to get it just right. It won't be perfect, of course--nothing ever is in this world--but once I'm ready for physical publication of the full series, well, then the books will be well and truly done, won't they?
It's really an open question that I'd like to turn over to you, dear readers. What kind of ULTIMATE Legend of the Elementals reading experience do you want? Please keep in mind that the fancier the experience, the more expensive it can get. That's not a problem if you're willing to "fork over the cash" and/or "show me the money," but I'm sure realistic expectations will prevail. Although... if there are any movie/TV producers and/or animators and/or video game designers among you, please do, you know, speak up. Speaking of which, massive thanks as always to Victor Edison for the fantastic cover art. Check out his super-accurate, daily-updated series Life in Japan at http://www.victoredison.net/
You are very much encouraged to snap up this book quickly because I'm leaning toward a fresh sales strategy here at the end of the series. 1) Publish Book 7: Revolution as a stand-alone novel, as usual (priced at $0.99 US). 2) After 3 4 months (Septermber October 2014 after a delay due to starting a new job), publish the final compilation, including all 7 previously published books as a single volume (priced at approximately $6.99 US). 3) As the final compilation is published, I'm considering discontinuing all previous individual novels EXCEPT Book 1: Reintroduction, which will continue to be free. What do you think? Yay or nay? If you think it's a bad idea, what would you suggest instead?
The final step (after September the October 2014 publication of the full compendium) will be getting the best, most reasonably priced hardback (and possibly paperback?) version(s) of the series published. I've heard good things about CreateSpace, which is Amazon-owned print-on-demand. I know there are plenty of readers who prefer physical books, and I appreciate your patience on that front. Due to the expense and "permanence" of a physical book, I have been waiting until the end of the series to take this big, important step. In fact, it is out of respect for the vaunted tradition of final hard copies that I have waited so long. As an indie author, I wanted to take as much time as I could to get it just right. It won't be perfect, of course--nothing ever is in this world--but once I'm ready for physical publication of the full series, well, then the books will be well and truly done, won't they?
It's really an open question that I'd like to turn over to you, dear readers. What kind of ULTIMATE Legend of the Elementals reading experience do you want? Please keep in mind that the fancier the experience, the more expensive it can get. That's not a problem if you're willing to "fork over the cash" and/or "show me the money," but I'm sure realistic expectations will prevail. Although... if there are any movie/TV producers and/or animators and/or video game designers among you, please do, you know, speak up. Speaking of which, massive thanks as always to Victor Edison for the fantastic cover art. Check out his super-accurate, daily-updated series Life in Japan at http://www.victoredison.net/
April 7, 2014
Books 1-6!
It's now 2 in the morning and I've spent the night finishing the new edits on Books 1-6 and uploading them. The fresh tweaks are free for everyone who's paid, whether you've done so on Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo, B&N or otherwise... but you have to opt in to get the updates. Not sure how? Please ask. Once I know the details of your specific situation, I'd love to help. If you want the brand new short story detailing the origin of one of Book 6's new characters (in addition to the official map and all the other bonus material), please don't hate me for asking you to shell out the less-than-$5 for the brand-spanking-new compendium as a set. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JIVQLN2/ It's been exhausting, but I want you to know that I love the series more than I ever have after giving it this last round of polish. Ryan, Erin, Kris, and Jason and company still manage to surprise me. I hope you're enjoying the ride. It's far from over.
January 30, 2014
October 1, 2013
B&N Epiphany
It's been a while since my most recent disappointment with Nook Press, and it occurred to me that although the Barnes and Noble direct self-publishing platform is offering me something far less than ideal, it's not exactly grounds to exclude B&N entirely if other options are available. And once I started going down that track of thought, I finally remembered that, duh, I can publish to B&N indirectly through Smashwords, and with minimal effort. In checking my Smashwords settings to set up the B&N republishing, I realized that Book 3 is already available on B&N. I apparently neglected to initially opt out of that particular publishing opportunity, so that's a pleasant surprise, given my current rethink. You can expect Legend of the Elementals: Books 1 and 2 to join Book 3 on B&N in the near future.
August 31, 2013
Book 3 Going Big
Amazon haters, rejoice! With 5 books now, my options for promotions have opened up. As a result, I've decided that now is the right time to make Book 3 more widely available. After Amazon, Kobo seems to have served me the best, and, especially after finally making a direct publishing account with them, I'm really warming up to their service. (They have a simple, intuitive, elegant interface.) In other words, Book 3 should be available soon on Kobo as well as with (other) Smashwords affiliates, including Apple iBooks, and Sony Reader in formats including .epub, .pdf, .doc, and even plain text. In essence, Book 3 will be as widely available as Book 2 (and Book 1, if you don't count the fact that I've worked to make Book 1 free everywhere). If your (first?) next Elementals book isn't available in your favorite format from your preferred bookseller, please contact me, and I'll do my best to make it happen as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
