subject: Step-by-Step guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon [print this page] Step-by-Step guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon
Please see my original post on: http://thepaulohana.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/finishedyoubooknowwhatselfpublish/
Ever wanted to write something people outside your social network might read one day? Are you like me in the sense that you enjoy writing but aren't sure if other people will enjoy your writing?A great way to put your work out there is Amazon's digital text platform. You can even earn up to70% royalties off of your completed manuscript. People will be able to access your work from their kindles, iphones, ipads, blackberry phones, android phones, and/or home PC or Mac. Amazon makes ittoo easy. Allowing you to self-publish books in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian and evenselect pricing optionsin US dollars and Pounds Sterling.
However, the downside to fast, easy and hassle-free self-publishing is that there is a lot of mediocre work that cluttersthe virtual bookshelves out there. If you've ever experienced downloading (and paying to read) work that isn't fit to wipe your butt withwhenlooking for something to read on your personalkindle then you know exactly what I am talking about; please be respectful of your potential audience. Especially because I am one of them. Theirtime, money and digital memory is valuable.
My Mom always told me, "It never hurts to try." Best advice anyone could ever give you, in my opinion. Give it your best shot.If you just want to put your feelers on to see if you can captivate your readers try self publishing an article, short story or a side project first. Leave your "baby" to fend for itself ingood old fashionquery letters. Better yet start ablog of your own (which you can now self-publish on amazon.com also).
Step-by-Step Guideto publish via amazon.com's DTP (digital text platform)
1. Complete your manuscript in a digital format like word, html, text, PDF, etc.
2. Write a mini-synopsis; basically sum up your entire word count in an intriguing single paragraph.
3. Design a book cover; you can use your own art or hire a local starving artist. You can find a free online book cover generator here: http://www.oreillymaker.com/
4. Edit your work and then have friends and family edit your work.If you have the extra cashsplurge for a freelance editor (http://www.seo-writer.com/freelance/copy-editor.html); it's your name you're putting out thereso remember the old sayingabout first impressions.
5. Go to https://dtp.amazon.com/mn/signin; if you already have an account with Amazon you can start publishing. If not then sign-up.
6. Read theQuick Startguide. Then read and accept the terms and service agreement(s).
7. Click "add a new title" andinput your information.
8. Click "save & continue" when finished.
9. Proceed to "Upload and Preview." Find your file.
10. Once the conversion is completed, please proofread.You have to download, edit, and uploadyour file again if you need to make changes.Save your work.
11. Next you head towards rights and pricing; I suggest you offer it free at first or at a very low cost like $0.99.
12. Start self promoting; give away copies, start a blog about your book, tweet, post references to your work in forums,have everyone you know read and review yourwork on Amazon, etc.
13.If your work gets higher and higher in the ranks and your reviews are good, that is a green light to raise the price just a little.
14. Find your right price; remember well known authors often get blasted for raising their prices over $9.99; my favorite author sellstheir older works between $4.99-$7.99 (andthey have a whole team full of middle-men topay).
15. Good luck! I really hope that I helped get you closer to your dream.
