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.
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