E-book – Page 2 – Jean's Writing

Something you need to know on your road to self-publishing

Published on January 26, 2016January 25, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Should you use both CreateSpace and IngramSpark?

Maybe. That’s the short answer.

However, it does depend on what you hope to accomplish with your book.

Will it be an ebook only? Like Kindle?
Do you want to see your book in print?
Do you want it available in libraries and bookstores?

Me? I think printing with both distributors is the way to go.

But please for the love of God, I hope you can avoid some of my mistakes. Although, I didn’t crash and burn, I did bang up my poor little book a bit along the road to self-publishing. This was not a happy trip.

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Sheesh, I’m a slow learner sometimes. Hopefully, you will benefit from my mistakes.

First, let’s start with what the two distributors do or don’t offer.

CreateSpace

Easy to use.

CreateSpace provides an easy to use MS Word template for you to set up your book.

Free.

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CreateSpace provides a free ISBN number for both your print and Kindle versions. But, and this is a big but, they not you own the ISBN.

Expanded Distribution.

Expanded distribution is available, however, not all libraries and bookstores use Amazon. Some consider Amazon the block bully and competition.

IngramSpark

Not so easy.

I made a lot of rookie mistakes my first go. But the customer service is very helpful. I found using the same PDF document I uploaded to CreateSpace worked for the interior file. The template at Ingram is not as user friendly but doable.

Not free.

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But not outrageous and I did receive a discount to upload my first title, after establishing an account. An additional cost is the purchase an ISBN number.

Distribution

Your book will automatically go into catalogs to bookstores and libraries for orders. It will be available at Barnes And Noble.com as well as other bookstore websites.

If you decide to publish through both outlets here are a few tips that might help you.

Prepare, prepare and prepare before you hit that key to go live.

Double ISBN numbers, does not double your fun.

Multiple ISBN numbers for the same title is a nightmare. Trust me, I know. You can choose to use the same ISBN number purchased for IngramSpark with CreateSpace book. Wish I’d figured this out earlier. This is one knot I’m still working on untangling. But as the saying goes, better late than never.

Using the same ISBN number does a couple of things:

1 – You avoid multiple ISBN numbers for the same title floating around, and as such mass confusion.

2 – Your book will have the same ISBN regardless of the retailer. Again, avoiding mass confusion.

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Be careful! If you want to do this so that all your ISBN numbers match, do not publish with a free one from Createspace first and then try to double back and fix it. Won’t work! Once an ISBN number has been used and books sold, it is out there forever.

How to avoid distribution confusion.

Simple, just do not select the Expanded Distribution on CreateSpace. IngramSpark will take care of that for you much more efficiently.

Results – Happy Ending!

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You have only one ISBN number for your print book so everyone knows what to order. Amazon is happy you used their company CreateSpace. And most of all you’re happy because your baby has the powerhouse of IngramSpark behind it and the opportunity to appear on a bookstore shelf.

For a really good in depth article, and information packed comments, click and read:

How to Use Createspace and Ingram Spark Together by Karen Myers

Happy travels down the self-publishing highway.

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Okay folks, you know the drill. Tell me what you think. Anyone used both distributors? What was your experience? Any more tips for us newbies? Talk to me baby.

Stop by and say hey on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com. Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Publishing mistakes I made this year

Published on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

First, let me say my mistakes were expensive.

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Now that I’ve got that off my chest I’ll try to share something constructive.

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I rushed the process.

Those who know me, stop snickering. I’ll admit patience is a problem for me sometimes. But after working on the same project over and over and over and over until I was sick of it and ready to put that baby to bed. I ended up submitting it three times due to errors found in the proof copy.

I didn’t understand the IngramSpark process before I started.

That turned out to be a very costly mistake. They use different templates than Createspace and well, everything is different. I’d read it was the easiest and cheapest self-publishing platform to use and it was.

So if you are looking for a step by step way to get a book self-published with little cost Createspace is the way to go.

I didn’t submit Tryouts for Ben to reviewers before publication.

This is something I didn’t realize. I know ignorance is no excuse, but it’s all I’ve got. Apparently many, not all but many reviewers want an advance copy of the book before it is released to the public. Go figure. In the link below Kristen Lamb explains how very important reviews are for writers, click and read. Review are our life blood.

When doing a book with illustrations or pictures use a heavier paper.

I’d read the suggestion somewhere by someone, don’t remember who or where but unfortunately didn’t. A mistake. The finished product, especially with the IngramSparks book would’ve looked much more polished.

I didn’t ask questions.

When in doubt, ask. That’s what the help line is for. The people at IngramSparks were very helpful. I should’ve called them sooner. Would’ve saved me $$$ and a lot of frustration.

Self-publishing a book without knowing anything about marketing.

And I still don’t have the vaguest idea how or where to start.

Did I learn anything? Yes.

I will probably make several mistakes but I do hope not the same ones.
Createspace is quicker, cheaper and easier than IngramSpark. However, I will continue to publish on both.
Ask questions!

How about y’all? Which platform do you use to self-publish? What has been your experience? I’d love to know.

The Ugly Truth of Publishing & How BEST to Support Writers by Kristen Lamb

Self-Publishing and Living the LLC Dream by Scott De Buitléir

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book? 4 Authors Share Their Numbers by Dana Sitar

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together we can learn the latest writing tips, and look for me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Have a safe and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Is all the advice confusing?

Published on November 9, 2015November 8, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Sometimes my head hurts from reading all the how-to blogs, books and emails on how to write.

This morning I scanned my emails and spotted one from my sister, mentor, critique partner, tense monitor and friend. Her emails take priority over the latest opportunity from a prince in Nigeria.

Okay, back to her email. Sheila wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed Chuck Wendig’s post about writing advice. We both love his blog. Chuck keeps it real. If you don’t get his posts, you’re missing out. Be sure and hop over to Sheila’s blog Cow Pasture Chronicles, you’ll be glad you did.

What is the matter with me today? I keep veering toward the ditch as wobbly as an old Chevy truck with bald tires.

Any who, after reading his post, I wondered if Chuck had tapped our phone lines. Sheila and I had just had this conversation. Cue the twilight zone music.

We talked about all the confusing, and sometimes nutty writing advice that floats around like party balloons. I don’t know about y’all, but my Kindle has more books on writing than any other subject. The worst ones are the books that insist their way is the only way to write. I agree with Chuck, bullshit!

If you write, you are a writer. Good, bad or mediocre, but non the less a writer.

Me, my name hasn’t shown up on the NYT Bestsellers list, (but hope blooms eternal) nor am I an expert on anything other than making mistakes. Although, I’m quickly becoming an expert on rejects but that’s for another post.

Here on this blog, I do my best to post Writing Tips that I find interesting and helpful. I hope my readers feel the same. But as Chuck points out, all advice, tips or opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. Pick what works for you and throw out the rest.

Just keep writing.

That’s why I’ve only read a few pages of many of those books that clutter my Kindle and bookshelves. Some just aren’t for me.

Head over to Terrible Minds and read Chuck’s post, Writing, Advice is Bullshit, for yourself.

What do you think? Is most writing advice a waste of time? Does it confuse you more than help? What is your favorite how-to book on writing?

Let me know what you think in the comments section and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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PS:

The labor pains have been exhausting for this little guy, but he’s almost here.