Could Ebooks Save the Independent Bookstore?

I know the idea of ebooks saving independent bookstores sounds crazy at first. Indy bookstores are (were) small, brick-and-mortar shops with a loyal following of readers who love to hang out, visit with each other, and get recommendations from a staff. These wonderful enclaves have been an endangered species, made all but extinct by the big box, mega bookstores. What readers have lost as the indies died out is the bookseller, that flesh and blood person who’s a passionate reading, knows the stock, and knows the costumers’ taste. Booksellers used to hand sell books and they stocked inventory that catered to their specific customers.

Big Box Stores Limit Selection and Hand Selling

For the most part, the big box bookstores have left readers to wander up and down the aisle to find books on their own. The readers’ selection has become limited to new releases or the backlist titles of top bestsellers. What makes it on the shelves is controlled at the national level, so that readers in the suburban Midwest are picking from the same inventory as readers in New York or LA. This has hurt the mid-list authors who write to niche markets, like Western romance novels. It also frustrates the readers of those niche markets when they can’t find what they want to read.

Ebooks Increase Selection and Extend the Shelf Life of Novels in Three Ways

1) Out of Print Backlists Books: For years, diehard fans of genre fiction have grappled with the frustration of having a fellow reader recommend a book, only to learn the book is out of print. They either had to find it in a used bookstore, go to a library, or borrow from a friend. The author, of course, makes no royalty from used books or borrowed books. Ebooks are eliminating that problem as authors regain rights to their out of print books and re-release them as ebooks.

2) New Books by Established Authors: Many established authors who had loyal fans and thriving careers for years now can’t get a contract because of the upheaval in the print publishing industry. Those authors can now release whole new works straight to Kindle.

3) New Talent: There are also many talented new writers who would have been snapped up by publishers a few years ago, but who now may never get a print contract because the industry is facing so many challenges. Those authors can now hire a free-lance editor and release a well-written, professionally edited ebook that may gain a massive audience.

So, happy day for authors and their fans alike. Except for one major problem…

Ebooks Make Finding Books to Buy Even More Difficult

One of the big challenges with ebooks is that the selection of books available to readers is becoming so huge, finding the well-written ebooks among the amateurish offerings can be somewhat daunting.  With no physical aisle to wander down, how do publishers or authors bring attention to their books among so much noise on the Internet?

Enter the Bookseller (Or Should I Say Reenter?)

Now more than ever, readers need someone to guide them with recommendations. This is a perfect chance for those booksellers who had brick-and-mortar stores (or still have them) to have an online extension of that friendly enclave we lost. I predict we’ll see online bookstores pop up and develop communities of readers with similar tastes. The ebookstore owners will earn money from associate accounts with places like Amazon.com, BN.com, and Borders.com, or they can actually sell the books right off of their site. These online, indy bookstores can offer a lot of the things that the physical stores provided: guest appearances by authors, book club discussions, and a sense of community. Ebooks will have a longer shelf life, and readers and authors of niche markets can thrive with this sort of business model.

I have no idea if this will actually come to be, but it’s exciting to think about. What about you? Do you like the idea of a virtual bookstore where you can hang out with other readers and get recommendations from a bookseller?

Ebooks: What’s the Right Price?

How many of you think the major print publishers are princing ebooks too dang high? I was firmly in the camp that believed they were until I attended the Romance Writers of America conference in Orlando where I heard some good defense for the publishers’ pricing. I haven’t been swayed completely, but I am willing to reconsider the matter.

Before you read on, the purpose of this post is to stimulate conversation, not for me to impose my thoughts. I’m still open to both arguments.

In Defense of Lower Pricing

Lower Costs Should Equal Lower Price

Many people argue that ebooks cost so much less to produce and distribute, there’s no justification for pricing them as high as a paperback novel. Yes, the editorial cost is the same — and considerable! — but there’s no printing, storing, or shipping. Ebooks also eliminate the massive returns that have plagued the publishing industry for decades. That’s a significant cost saver.

Lower Price Generates Higher Sales

Evidence supports the theory that pricing ebooks really low spurs sales. Many authors who are re-releasing their out-of-print backlist as ebooks, or self publishing new works have had great success pricing those ebooks around $1.99. Then Amazon came out with their new rule that ebooks have to be at least $2.99 for the author to earn the 70% royalty. (The old royalty with Amazon was 35%.) The price is certainly popular with readers.

So, why do print publishers price ebooks so high?

In Defense of Higher Pricing

Preserving the Value of the Work and the Authors’ Income

I’ve heard some hot debate that if publishers price the ebook significantly lower than the paperback, it will devalue the author’s work. Others say it will cut into the author’s income. I’m not sold on the first point. As for the second, since the author makes a higher royalty on ebooks and a lower price increases volume, wouldn’t lowering the price increase the author’s income?

Preserving the Existence of Print Books

Some people speculate that if ebooks are priced significantly lower than printed books, that mass market paperbacks will cease to exist. Other people say that’s inevitable, that mass market paperbacks will go the way of the dinosaur no matter what happens with pricing. Pretty, glossy, hardcover books will still exist, as will children’s books, but not paperback novels.

I’m not sure. I’ve seen too many die-hard booklovers posting here and on other boards swearing they’ll never give up their beloved paperbacks. I do think ebooks may significantly reduce the number of print books, but eliminate them? What say you?

Since I’m not convinced about any of the arguments above, what swayed me to reconsider that the higher prices is justified?

Ebooks Have a Hidden Soft Cost

The biggest challenge in the ebook revolution is the vast chasm between the authors and the readers that I mentioned in my last post. Brick-and-mortar bookstores used to be the bridge between the two sides. A reader can walk into a store, peruse the shelves, and make a selection. This meant very little expense for a publisher to bring a reader’s attention to their new releases. Ebooks, however, are a whole new ball game!

How do you bring attention to ebooks so that readers even know what’s available?

For big publishing houses, it’s going to take money. For individual authors, it takes time. So much time, that many authors are having to hire virtual assistants. Other authors are banning together and starting group Web sites to promote specific sub-genres (like romance) to their target audience. Good Web designers aren’t cheap! If this trend continues, authors may have to raise the price of their self-published backlist to help cover the cost.

What’s the Right Price for an Ebook?

I think it’s somewhere between the $7.99 publishers are asking for some ebooks, and the $2.99 price authors are using for their self-published ebooks. We’ll probably see a lot of experimenting until the industry as a whole finds that sweet spot that will be best for everyone.

What do you think is the right price for ebook novels? If the print book and the ebook are the same price, does that influence which you buy? And where do you hear about ebooks (especially romance novels) so you even know what you want to buy? If you’re a published author with an ebook, what’s the title and price? Links allowed and welcome.

Personal Note: My ebook re-release of Falling for You is available for Kindle at Amazon, or for all ereaders at Smashwords!

RWA Recap 2010: The Future of Publishing is Ebooks

Finally, a conference with an upbeat tone about the future of publishing! After years of hearing gloom and doom predictions, I had, quite possibly, the most positive experience ever at a writers convention during this year’s Romance Writers of America conference in Orlando, Florida. Okay, so it was at Walt Disney World, “the happiest place on Earth,” but that wasn’t what made me so jubilant. What brought a smile to my face was hearing so many industry professionals confirm my belief that the future is indeed bright for novelists. The reason? Ebooks!

Many industry pros predict ebooks will have a positive effect on author incomes, they’ll give new life to out of print titles, and they’ll allow novels with a smaller audience — that would be rejected by print publishers — to find their niche market. All of this means more variety for authors and readers.

The Buzz about Ebooks

Ten years ago, the word “ebook” was an annoying buzz most print-published authors tried to tune out. Now — everyone seems to be tuning in. With this conference, the buzz started with the opening, two hour PAN (Published Author Network) session with Lou Aronica, a former publisher with both Avon and Berkley who recently launched a new publishing house, The Story Plant, with agent Peter Miller.

Lou quoted some amazing statistics about the boom in sales for e-reading devices. The price war between Kindle and Nook last May, which dropped the price of both devices to below $200, generated a big boost in sales. Then, last week, Amazon announced a new, smaller Kindle priced even lower, at just $139, which will no doubt cause another rush in sales. After speaking to the B&N sales staff, who were selling the Nook right there at the conference, I predict ereaders will the “it” gift for Christmas this year.

What does that mean for authors? Expect a big spike in demand for ebooks right after Christmas! The more people who own e-readers, the greater the market for ebooks. Basically, folks, we aren’t just approaching the “tipping point” of ebooks being a major player: We’re past it!

The Challenges Ahead

So what’s the downside? Oh, trust me, plenty of the challenges were discussed as well. It’s not all “Zippidy doo da…my, oh my, what a wonderful day.” Basically, you have authors on one end and readers on the other and a big chasm in between. Both sides desperately want to hook up with the other, but so far, we don’t have a way to do that efficiently.

Bridging the chasm between authors and readers will be the focus of future blogs as I and other authors brainstorm the issue. So be sure you subscribe to the RSS Feed, or sign up for my quarterly newsletter.

First though, let’s start with a quick poll:

How many of you have an ereader? If no, are you seriously thinking about getting one? Since you can’t wander the aisle at a brick and mortar store looking for your next good read, how do you learn about which books to buy?

RWA, Walt Disney World, and the Ebook Revolution

I am more excited about this Romance Writers of America conference than I have been about a conference in a long time. And not just because it’s at Walt Disney World. Although, how fun is that! But no, the real reason I’m excited about this conference is because it’s the first big writers conference for me since the ebook revolution began.

This year, in addition to all the great workshops about the industry in general, I’m eager to meet face-to-face with other authors who are actively re-releasing their backlist as ebooks so we can do some serious brainstorming.

The missing pieces of the ebook puzzle

The future of ebooks is a very promising picture that’s developing before our eyes on a daily basis. But there’s a whole chunk of puzzle pieces missing right in the middle. Basically, we have an increasing number of ebook readers on one end, and an increasing number of authors willing to provide those ebooks on the other. The question is, how can those two sides find each other?

The frustration for ebook readers and authors

Traditional print publishers are pricing their ebook nearly as high as a print book. The good news is, a lot of very talented, establish authors are self-publishing their backlist and even new books as ebooks and pricing them much lower ($2.99 verses $6.49). That’s a big yea for everyone. Readers get more affordable books and authors make more money per book on the lower priced, self-published ebook than they make on the higher priced ebooks done by print publishers.

The problem is, ebooks are so easy to publish, it opens the flood gates to anyone out there who thinks they can write. How do readers find professionally written and edited ebooks among all that dreck? And how can author who actually have the talent and professionalism to produce good ebooks stand out in the crowd?

That’s the problem we need to solve to really make the future bright for both ebook authors and readers. I hope to come home with some ideas for how to do that.

So, are you going to RWA? Do you want to meet for a brainstorming session? Let me know in the comments below! If there is interest, I’ll post a time and place for us to meet here and over on my Facebook Page. Share this post to get the word out!

How to Kindle Your Novel, Smashwords vs Amazon

If you want to sell your ebook to Kindle readers, is it better to go through Smashwords, or directly through Amazon? The answer: Both!

I found Smashwords very easy for converting my out-of-print romance novel, Falling for You, into all the various formats needed for different ereaders. They also have a distribution system for getting your ebooks onto major online bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, iBookstore, etc.  Once you upload your book at Smashwords, it has to be reviewed. When it’s approved, it will go into the Premium Catalog, and will eventually show up on the major sites. (It took three weeks for my book to show up at BN.com.)

But what about Amazon? Should you have Smashwords handle getting your ebook on that site? No. In order to qualify for the 70% royalty with Amazon, you need to upload your file directly to them through their Digital Text Platform. Not only will this get you the higher royalty rate, it will get your book up for sale on Amazon much faster

Step by Step Instructions

  • Go through the whole Smashwords process. (Previous post on this topic.)
  • When Smashwords asks if you want a Kindle version, keep that box checked. Yes, you want a Kindle version available to Kindle readers on your Smashwords page. You do not, however, want Smashwords to distribute the Kindle version to Amazon. Again, because Amazon wants you to use their publishing platform, so you have to use it in order to qualify for the higher royalty.
  • Once your ebook is on Smashwords waiting for distribution, click on “Dashboard” on your Smashwords page, then “Distribution Channel Manager” (in the left sidebar), and “Opt out” of the Amazon distribution.
  • Go to the Amazon Digital Text Platform and upload your file directly to Amazon.

Copyright Text Debate

There has been some debate among authors about how to handle the copyright page. When uploading a file to Smashwords, you definitely need to have the word Smashwords somewhere in the opening text. Either “Smashwords Edition” or “Published by Annie Author at Smashwords.” But, some authors choose to remove all mention of Smashwords before they upload the file to Amazon. I left mine the same and had no trouble. (You can see how I did my copyright page by downloading a free sample HERE.)

So that’s it for today, my intrepid friends. Please let me know how your journey is going. Have you already re-released one of your Out-of-Print novels as an ebook? If so, post a link in the comments. I’m serious. I wanna see. And keep your comments and question coming. What is the one thing you are most dying to learn about this whole print-book-to-ebook journey?

How to Get an ISBN for Your Ebook

Are you confused over whether you need an ISBN for your ebook and how to get one? I know I was before I went through the process of uploading my first ebook. So, here they are:

The FAQs about ISBNs

1) Can I use the same ISBN that was assigned to the print edition?

No. That I know for sure. My understanding is, even if you were reissuing the book as a print book, if anything changes, like the cover or even how the text was typeset, you’d need a new ISBN that is specific to that edition.

2) Do I need a different ISBN for every format of the ebook since it’s going to be formatted for Kindle, Nook, iPad, Sony, etc?

No, thank goodness. As long as you’re uploading the same file with the same cover, you just need one ISBN. And you don’t even need to use the ISBN for every format. You need one to get your ebook listed on BN.com for Nook, and on the iBookstore for iPad, but you don’t need one to be listed on Amazon for Kindle.

3) How do I get an ISBN?

I did my ebook through Smashwords, so it was easy. After you uploaded your file, there is a waiting period before your book is accepted into the Premium Catalog. Once it’s accepted, they will walk you through getting an ISBN. If you choose the free one, your book must say “Smashwords Edition” in the copyright area at the very beginning of the book. I chose to buy an ISBN for $9.99, so I put “Published by Julie Ortolon at Smashwords” in the copyright area. I didn’t even have to cough up the 10 bucks. They will take it out of my first sales.

(Want to see how to word your copyright text? CLICK HERE and download a FREE sample.)

4) Why buy an ISBN if I can get a free one?

I read somewhere that Amazon doesn’t like you to put Smashwords Edition in the front. I’m not sure if that’s true, but for $9.99 why risk it.

5) How do I get an ISBN if I don’t go through Smashwords?

Ah-ha! Now that’s a good question and one I don’t have the answer to yet. If you know, please post the info in the comments!

If you have questions or corrections about any of this information, please post that in the comments as well. The purpose of this blog is to share information and learn together, so let’s share.

How to Publish on Smashwords

Publishing your first ebook is a lot like sex. You can read about it all day long, even ask your friends, “what was it like,” but until you’ve actually done it, it remains a big mystery. So here it is, my friends, the nitty-gritty of my first Smashwords experience.

Step One: Getting the File

If you’re re-releasing a print book as an ebook, first, you have to get an MS Word file that matches the print book. For that, you can send a physical copy of the book to SB Services (listed on my Author Resource page). Or, you can find a pirated copy online like I did. Either way, you have to read through the whole thing carefully to be sure it’s clean. Cleaning up a pirated copy was so time consuming that I recommend hiring SB Services, since I’ve heard several authors praise the cleanness of the scan. Whichever route you take, read this blog post for my tip on making your read-through easier.

Step Two: Preparing the File

You have two options. You can read the Smashwords Style Guide and prepare the file yourself, or you can hire someone like Rob Sider at 52Novels.com to do it for you. I really wanted to do it all myself so I could share my great knowledge here, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. I got nearly there on my own, but then I read something on Amazon about needing a searchable table of content.

That was also when Life reared its ugly head and things got so crazy, I couldn’t handle learning one more thing. So, I cried uncle and hired Rob. Since my file was already so close to being ready, he charged me very little to finish it. Money WELL spent! Thank you Rob Sider! You saved my sanity!

Step Three: Uploading the File

Here’s the nitty-gritty. The actual deed. The part that remained a mystery until I did it.

I went to Smashwords, opened an account, and created my profile on Smashwords. Then I hit the “Publish” tab and started filling in all the little boxes. I’m embarrassed to say the first attempt flopped. I think the file failed to upload because I was so nervous about doing everything right that I took too long.

The first hitch was I didn’t write a synopsis ahead of time. So when I got to that box, I had to stop and write one. You’re allowed 400 characters, including spaces. Mine is EXACTLY 400, to the last period. Ha! (read it here.)

Next, you upload the MS Word file and the cover. Covers should be 72 dpi, 600 pixels by 900 pixels. You can deviate from the pixel size a bit, but from doing several covers (see My Cover Designs) this size really is best.

Step Four: Try Again — Troubleshooting

I did all the above, then hit “Publish.” And . . . nothing happened. What?! After all these months of prep and I failed??? If you succeed, you’ll see a spinning wheel as each format uploads. For me, nothing happened the first time.

I went through the process a second time, and the file uploaded fine (Woo-hoo!), BUT I got an error message saying I hadn’t done my copyright area right. So I had to fix that and re-upload the corrected file.

The Mistakes I Made

1) I really do think I took too long uploading the file once I started the process. So, have everything ready to go, your synopsis written, and don’t obsess — you can make changes later if you need to.

2) I deleted the words “Smashwords Edition” that Rob Sider at 52Novels.com had inserted to my copyright area. My logic was, I’m planning to buy my own ISBN number, so I didn’t think I needed it. I did. If you’re using Smashwords, you need the word Smashwords somewhere in that opening area. On the recommendation of Mark Coker at Smashwords, I replace “Smashwords Edition” with “Published by Julie Ortolon at Smashwords.”

HOW TO MAKE CHANGES

If you need to make changes to your Word file after you’ve uploaded it, click on “Edit this book” on your dashboard. One of the first choices on the page is “upload new document.” So really, don’t stress about getting it exactly right the first time. You’re uploading a file, not setting it in stone.

GETTING YOUR SMASHWORDS EDITION LISTED ON B&N, BORDERS, AND THE IBOOKSTORE

Once you hit Publish and the file goes through, does your book instantly appear at all the online bookstores? Uh…no. You have to qualify for the Premium Catalog, which takes time. As in a few days or even weeks. Ugh. I did not know that. So that’s where I am, waiting to get word that I’ve been anointed as worthy.

In the meantime, help me celebrate! My first ebook, Falling for You, is available in all ereader formats at Smashwords.

If you find this blog useful and want to say thanks for all the information I share, I’ll be real subtle here and say, “Buy my book from Amazon, BN.com, or Smashwords!” You can also download a free sample, but hey, the while book is only $2.99. Hallmark “Tank You” cards cost more than that!

How was that for subtle? *G*

I have lots more information coming so stay tuned. And happy cyber surfing!

Related blog posts.

Have a question or comment? Post away!

My First eBook Just Went Live!

After weeks – months! – of traveling this rocky road, I finally have my first ebook up for sale! Woo-hoo! I promise to share what I learned these last few days, but for now…Pop the champagne! Falling for You is available at Smashwords.com. Click Here to check it out and download the first third FREE. It won’t be available anywhere else for days, if not weeks (part of that info I will share) BUT you can buy it right now directly from Smashwords for every kind of ereader, including Kindle.

Falling for You is book one of the popular Pearl Island trilogy in which the free-spirited St. Claire siblings buy an island mansion haunted by their colorful ancestors and turn it into a thriving bed and breakfast. “A thoroughly delightful, fast-paced romance about what happens when opposites attract. And the setting is so vividly drawn, you feel part of the surroundings. A lovely story!” — Old Barn Gazette

You can learn more about the trilogy at JulieOrtolon.com.

Help me celebrate in the comments below. Ask questions. Share your own ebook experience. Mostly, though, it’s time to party.

Ebook Overload, Dealing with the Details

Republishing my first out-of-print novel as an ebook feels like running a marathon where the finish line is so close, I can almost feel the tape breaking against my chest — but, no matter how hard I run, I can’t quite reach it. A big hold up has been the ambitious project I mentioned in my last post. (I’m creating a password-protected world online for readers who buy any of the ebooks in the Pearl Island trilogy.) That’s going well, and I think it’s going to be great, but it is time consuming.

So, I’m finally, finally to the point where I have a cleaned-up digital Word file, and my cover, of course, and I’m ready to do it. I’m itching to hop on Smashwords and hit “Upload.” But I still have some dangling details holding me back.

Questions About Smashwords, Kindle, and ISBNs

1) You can use Smashwords for everything but Kindle, right? If you follow their guidelines to qualify for the Premium Catalog, your book will be listed at B&N, Borders, iBookstore, and others. But I’ve seen some conflicting information on how to make this happen. Do you have to do a different format for each one? Or have they streamlined the process, so that one format now works on all ereaders except the Kindle?

2) Kindle royalty rate. There’s all this buzz about how the royalty rate for Kindle books is changing at the end of this month (June), but you have to meet certain requirements. One of those is pricing. I understand that the price has to be between $2.99 and $9.99, but does the Kindle price also have to be lower than what you ask for the same ebook at B&N, Borders, and iBookstore?

3) Do you have to go through Amazon to publish a Kindle version? Can someone please give me a link?

4) One more Kindle Question: Is there any reason to wait until after the royalty rate changes to publish the Kindle version? Or can I go ahead and upload it now and still qualify for the higher royalty rate later?

5) ISBN, I understand you need a new ISBN for the e-version of the OOP novel you’re republishing if you want to be listed at the major outlets. This looks easy to do with Smashwords. But what about Kindle? Do you use the same ISBN?

A Cry for Help

If you have answers to any of these questions, or questions of your own, let’s start some discussion in the comments below! Invite anyone you know who can either help or benefit by hitting the share buttons or sending them an email. Let’s get these final details nailed down so we can get to uploading.

My Big Ebook Experiment

Last week, I had a wild idea. We’ve already discussed adding extra content, like a bonus chapter, when re-releasing an out-of-print novel as an ebook, but I’m about to take that idea a big step further.

My original plan was to launch the ebook edition of Falling for You last week. It’s all spiffed up and ready to go. But then, right before I launched it, I had a brainstorming session with Jane Dueease, the Internet marketing specialist who’s been helping me improve my online presence. We came up with an idea that could take the ebook platform to a whole new level.

As part of the “extra content” at the end of the book, I wanted to include a “writing of” feature, similar to the “making of the movie” features you get on DVDs. Since the Pearl Island trilogy is set on Galveston Island, I wanted to include photos I took during my trips there, and links to the B&B where I stayed, restaurants where I ate, and some of the local shops. Well, that’s fine for iPad readers, because they have a color display and access to the Internet. But it doesn’t work for Kindle or Nook readers.

So, Jane suggested doing all of that in a password protected area of my Website. Doing that opens up a whole host of intriguing possibilities. Once readers register, they have access to a page that’s constantly growing, and I can notify them each time something new is added. The page will offer all kinds of perks (which I’m calling PIPs, Pearl Island Perks) that will include discounts to online shopping.I’ve already started contacting business owners, and they love the idea.

Right now, this is all one big experiment to see if something like this will generate enough traffic to make it worthwhile. And if offering these perks will encourage people to buy my ebooks. Of course, it’s taking time to put it together, which is delaying the launch of Falling for You. But, if all goes well, it will be worth the wait.

So, what are your thoughts on adding extra content to ebooks?  What innovations do you foresee in the future to enrich the reading experience?

PS: If you’re an author looking to improve your Website and your whole online presence, I highly recommend Jane at MarketMyBizOnline.com. She’s amazingly savvy about online marketing.

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