Purchasing a block of ISBNs is costly.  A block of 10 can run you close to $300 at R.R. Bowker’s website  – the authorized seller of ISBNs.  The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique.  This means that hard copy, soft copy, different size hard or soft copy, ebook, etc. ALL have a different ISBN.  So, your first book can easily suck up 10 ISBNs quickly.

You really don’t need to buy the block until you are finished with your manuscript.  However, you must know the trim size of the book and  in the process of having the cover designed since the ISBN will identify the size and will be printed on the back cover.  Most book cover design software automatically provides the bar code.  When uploading your cover to KDP Direct, it also will insert the bar code based on your ISBN # and price, so you don’t need to spend extra dollars buying bar codes.

There are  certain ebook platforms that don’t require an ISBN and Kindle is one of them.  I recommend that you use one anyway.  However, Smashwords requires an ISBN.  Something that is most important for you to understand is this:  who ever owns the ISBN is the publisher of the book.  I personally am uncomfortable when an author purchases an ISBN from Amazon (KDP Direct) for $10 because it’s cheap and they just want their book published.  However, your product description on your Amazon sale page will show that  KDP is the publisher or for some books published prior to 2018 CreateSpace (now KDP Direct).   This makes bookstores unwilling to order your books, even though there is a distribution contract that bookstores can order your book through Ingram (and then Ingram orders the book from Amazon).  If you are ever wanting to do (or lucky enough to have) a book signing at Barnes and Noble, Barnes will not order quantities for your signing.  This becomes a sticking point for authors and their marketing efforts.

However, realize that 80% or more of the books in the U.S. are bought online and mostly at Amazon.  Barnes and Noble has become a fabulous gift shop and really doesn’t carry the quantity of books they use to even 5-10 years ago.  Their management has changed recently, and their book signing practices changed more than a decade ago.

If you speak or do workshops, back of the room sales will be ideal for you.  Or also consider email list building and  driving website traffic to your book on your author website.

So from a marketing standpoint you need an ISBN for your book – it’s an identifier and when readers want to find you, the ISBN is the identifier to make sure it’s the right version.  Originally back in 1995 I bought a block of 10 ISBNs and thought I would never use up 10 numbers.  Then I bought a block of 100 in 2014 and have been happily using them as needed – for my books and some of my clients.

So, if you really don’t want to spring for an ISBN, please make sure that you receive your full book royalties from your publisher.  Some Hybrid publishers will take a percentage watering down your royalty.  When I agree to publish someone’s book through Blue Spruce Publishing, there is a contract that is signed that clearly states that although we provided services including cover design, book layout and ISBN, we do not take or accept royalties for the book.  Our fee is for the upfront services provided.

As an indie author and soon to be publisher, do your homework.  All the platforms offer ISBNs for you to purchase.  Think twice, since once you write one book and publish it, you know you will write and publish many more – even if you think you never will.  Set the money aside in your book budget and you wont be sorry owning your own.  One additional note on owning your own – when you buy the ISBNs, put it in your publishing company name and not your name as the author.

. . .

Think about What Are Your Writing Challenges as a Writer?  What are my Writing Challenges? Well, it Is more a Drawback.  I’ll write long hand and decide to use it and have to type if up.  My initial view is it will take too much time to transcribe.  I’ve resolved that concern because in reality it takes a few minutes to type it, save it, print it, etc.

The idea is to write, and it doesn’t have to start at the keyboard.  Keeping a journal and writing in it every day is the best kept secret among writers.  It helps to start first thing in the morning, 10-15 minutes of free writing in a journal or notebook to spark those creative juices for later.

A Few Basics For Your Writer’s Tool Kit to be used with your journal:

A Pen – your choice of the kind of pen, however, a pen where the ink flows freely while you are writing… Gel pens offer this.  Consider different colored inks too… Red, purple, blue, green, etc.  Always use a favorite pen or pick a color for the day.

Notebook – I personally prefer the composition notebook… Why? It lies flat and is easy to store.  If you decide you want to tear out a page, use a ruler along the edge to tear easily leaving about a half inch of the page left in the notebook.  Always date the page.  On the cover of the notebook, also list the dates covered inside.  Once filled, you can jot down the contents and paste to the front of the notebook – as a table of contents so to speak.

Colored highlighters – yellow, green, blue, pink, etc.  You may find you want to highlight something on the page for when you reference back.   Highlighters make the info standout.

Small colorful sticky notes – for those moments you don’t have your notebook with you.  Jot a word, phrase etc., for follow up  later.

MS Word on your computer… for when you want to transcribe, take your handwritten words and move to an electronic page, begin a  chapter, formalize into a book, etc.

Carry a notebook (even a small one) or sticky notes and a pen with you at all times – for those moments when a thought, idea, or creative moment strikes, as you need to jot it down… if not, it will be very difficult to recall that thought, idea or moment later on.

Additional Thoughts for your Writer’s Tool Kit

There are many times we are stuck, deal with writer’s block or just not motivated… Here are some things to think about and journal on that you may find will assist you in writing more regularly:

Think about when are you most creative? When is that?

When or where are you most inspired to write?

What if you don’t feel like writing?  Or when writing find you can’t stay on task?   Find yourself wandering off to unrelated tasks?  Write about why you feel this happens.

Not motivated to write today?  Well, what are you motivated to do  otherwise?  Write about that.

Find you only write when you feel like it????  What stimulates that emotion of “I think I’ll write today” … look for and write about those triggers.

Purpose of Journaling Regularly

Using prompts, visual observation, sound, awareness of surroundings, found items, everyday items you use, etc. may prompt thoughts and ideas.

There is proof of many benefits of journaling including health, emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, motivation, etc.

All your inner thoughts, fears, concerns, joys, happiness, etc., can all be noted in your journal.

Too many notebooks and journals?  Can’t find something you wrote months ago? Go through your journals and create a topic index and paste to the front cover.  Do this for past journals and add to your current journal before moving on to a new one.

How Journaling can improve your writing:

Before you begin… Take A Few Deep Breaths

Breathe IN Creativity … Breathe OUT the world’s chaos

Breathe IN Inspiration… Breathe OUT negativity

Breathe IN your writing muse … Breathe OUT any judgment around your writing

 Start with stretching your muse, using a few timed prompts… start a timer for 3 minutes, next time set it for 5 minutes.  Using a timer, consider 10 minutes for each prompt.  Eventually, you wont need to use a timer.

As you begin with a prompt, it’s whatever inspires you to write… and keeps you writing. Be willing to get your words down on paper regardless of what you are saying.  No editing, no erasing. Allow stream of consciousness to flow through you onto the paper.

A few sample prompts for you to use…

ž Visualize Quiet … what does it sound like?

ž You are Invisible… where would you go? What would you be able to see that you can’t see when you are visible?  Play out such a scene and write about it in detail.

ž A Travel Challenge: You have a chance to take an all-expense paid trip to anywhere in the world. The catch … you have to spend the next 6 months there.  Where do you go and why?  Write about it.

Need more prompts?  Consider my book 365 Days of Creative Writing  filled with 365 prompts – one for every day of the year.

Take a Walk… surprisingly a 15-20 minute walk sparks creativity.

Need help with motivation?  Remember, you’re the writer, so get as wild or as simple as you desire.  I’m always available to inspire you to write too.

Happy Writing Today and Every Day!

Rosemary Augustine – Author, Publisher and Journal Aficionado

. . .

Well, the long awaited and much anticipated CreateSpace move to Kindle Direct Publishing (also known as KDP) has begun.  If you have any eBooks on Amazon, you already have a KDP account (kdp.amazon.com) –  and you log in using your Amazon credentials.  If you have a paper book on CreateSpace, take note.  The move is pretty easy, since I moved my 10 books from CreateSpace to KDP in a matter of minutes.

If you subscribe to my email list for regular publishing info and updates, you may have received my email of September 20, 2018 regarding the email notice from CreateSpace that they are beginning to move your books OFF CreateSpace and onto KDP – Kindle Direct Publishing.  If you have any books on CreateSpace please read on.  If I’ve already worked with you and moved your books for you, you may want to pass this on to someone you know who also has book(s) on CreateSpace.

If you have books on CreateSpace, the process is pretty simple.  Some things to consider doing when making this move:

1. Print a Screen Shot of your CreateSpace page, since it is confusing initially when you have the same book as a Kindle version on KDP, until you’re finished with the move and see more clearly how easily the books are displayed.

2. Print your Royalty Report in CreateSpace from Jan 1, 2018 to present… so you have for taxes and can match up once you receive a 1099 in Jan/Feb 2019.

3. Follow the instructions on your CreateSpace Home Page to make the move. If you have no KDP account (no Kindle eBooks), the system will create an account for you.  You will need your log in credentials that you use for Amazon.com.  If you have never bought anything on Amazon, you’ll now have an account and your KDP account will be linked.

4. If you have a Kindle account already set up, print a screen shot of that Screen as well, so you can see how the books match up once the move is completed.

5. And that’s it. It does take a few minutes to convert everything over, and then you may want to check especially if you have more than one book involved in the CreateSpace move.

Supposedly, what the customer sees is seamless and transparent.  Once you complete the move, you will go to KDP from this point forward to upload new books whether print or eBook; add a new print book or ebook; order copies of your print books; make changes to existing books; see royalty info, etc.  You will no longer need to log into CreateSpace once this move is completed.  Eventually, your CreateSpace account will not be accessible.

We knew this move was coming for over a year now.  Surprisingly it was simple.  I do plan on ordering a book or two of mine to see the difference – if there really is any.

If you need any help in doing this, or have questions about this move, don’t hesitate to call or email me, I’m more than happy to assist you with moving your books.

Best Publishing Regards,

Rosemary Augustine – Author and Publisher

. . .

When’s the last time you bought a book? Where did you buy it? What kinds of products do you buy online? And have you ever bought anything on Amazon?  Though this last question I’m sure you answered “yes” or at least I hope so (or maybe you’re living under a rock).

Like all good things, life changes, takes different directions and opens new doors.  As authors and publishers, we peak, we pause, and we re-evaluate.  What was valuable yesterday has a new spin, new direction or may already be obsolete.  The world of publishing is constantly changing and like I said in my first book (self published in 1995) “life is changing … change with it or be left behind.” (pg 20 Facing Changes in Employment published 1995 Blue Spruce Publishing.)

Publishing is a perfect example of “Change or Get Left Behind” Syndrome.  Books inside us screaming to be written can easily be satisfied with a daily writing practice.  Simple and easy, just carve out the time.  Whether you hand write or keyboard your words, carve and spend a minimum of 1-2 hours/day.  Your word count will grow and your book will easily get written.  But it’s all the work afterwards that brings on frustration.  The painful hours spent deciding on layout, trim size, title, cover design, whether to purchase an ISBN and how many, who to hire as an editor and oh, don’t forget – who is going to produce the book – print on demand or ordering a minimum of 100, 1,000 or 10,000 books to store in your garage. Yes, people still do this.  And, then there’s marketing your book once it’s published.

Whether you self publish, use an indie publisher, hire a hybrid publisher or go with a traditional publisher the bottom line is this:  you still have to market your book AND, all of these publishing options WILL get you on Amazon. However, it’s all the work you have to do to market the book.  Do your homework, research what’s best for you and your desired outcome, and know how much money you want to spend in the process… because it will cost you money, and in some instances, lots of it.

I prefer ease and simplicity when publishing, since it’s not rocket science though some publishing houses will make you think it is.  I have published 10 books of my own on Amazon’s CreateSpace.com because of the simplicity.  And, I might add, for next to nothing in cost.  I love the fact that I can call them and ask a live person a question – even at midnight.

There is IngramSpark.com to consider too … however, if you’ve kept up with this blog, you are aware of my thoughts and feelings about Ingram Spark.  A necessary evil none the less – well… depending on your marketing plan.  Ingram Spark, in my mind, makes the process more complicated than it really is.  They weed out, discriminate, and charge you on top of it.  However, it’s all worth it if your reader buys books only in bookstores, or goes to the library to check out newly released best sellers.  Or, you think you may do a book tour at various bookstores (and have a following to show up at each store when you do present, and guarantee they’ll buy your book).  Please consider Ingram Spark if any of these options are part of your plan.

Then there is Freisen Press, one of hundreds if not thousands of hybrid publishers. If you have thousands of dollars to spend on your book, consider a hybrid publisher (majority of books on CreateSpace cost nothing to produce when you use all their free options).  Again, I can’t emphasize “Research” enough when looking at publishers.  Have a budget in mind, and don’t get caught up in the whirlwind of being told you’re not professional looking if you publish on CreateSpace.  That’s just pure hogwash!

If your reader is one of the 85% of the U. S. book buyers who buy books on Amazon, or are the 80% of eBook readers in the U.S. market that read eBooks on a Kindle, then consider this:

• Publish on CreateSpace with your own ISBN (not theirs); And, select Expanded Distribution (it’s free) since that’s the option for bookstores to purchase your book for customers. Remember, for quantity sales via bookstores (especially when doing book tours), there is no return policy when using CreateSpace. This is where Ingram Spark comes in handy if you can tolerate their process… personally I can’t.

• Publish your eBook on Amazon Kindle.  Know that there is a print option as well, but if you publish your book on CreateSpace you cannot also publish a print version of your same book on Kindle Print.  Use Kindle for your eBook version.

Know the answer to “where does your reader buys books?”  Once you know that answer, that’s the platform you should focus on.  Those platforms for publishing include:

Amazon’s CreateSpace – print on demand for readers; one book or quantity orders for authors; easy and simple to use and minimal cost for most DIYers; offers interior and cover templates which are easy to use. With some creativity, your cover can look pretty professional – especially when you own the photograph.  Use your own ISBN, not theirs, otherwise, CreateSpace is listed as the publisher.

Amazon’s Kindle – use for eBook.    No ISBN needed for eBooks on Kindle.  Process is very easy.  If you have a print version on CreateSpace consider the “Match” program.  Limit your use of photographs, charts and text boxes when creating an eBook.

Smashwords – eBooks only and great for fiction books and some non-fiction. ISBN required, and fairly easy to use.  Your book on Smashwords is made available on every type of eReader out there as part of the Smashwords process.

B&N and The Nook – offers eBook and Print through their customer market only. If you’ve been in Barnes & Noble lately (I was last Saturday and prior to that over six months ago), it’s pretty obvious their business model has changed.  They have become a wonderful gift store that also offers books and magazines.  It’s a nice place to buy a coffee and read a magazine.

Ingram Spark – Print on demand, soft and hard covers; extensive guidelines to meet their manuscript requirements prior to upload, and fees to upload – initially and with every change.  Last I checked there was also an annual fee for your book on the Ingram Spark platform.  Their customer service needs to improve and their process needs to simplify.

Hybrid Publishers – they do most of the work for book production – well they can do it all except write your book; fees will vary widely and some cost thousands just to produce a few books initially.  Read their fine print, ask lots of questions and know before you commit.  Shop around as there are a ton of these Hybrid Publishers – know what you are getting and get it in writing.

Traditional Publishers – well, let’s just say if you really want to work with a traditional publisher, Good Luck!  Check back with me in a couple of years and let me know if you’re published yet.

Know that the publishing world has changed and continues to do so with breakneck speed.  As an author, it boils down to this:

• Who is your audience
• Write to your audience
• Market where your audience buys your type of book

The rest will be easy.  Like it or not, Amazon is here to stay. It has changed our lives and will continue to do so.  Embrace the change or get left behind.  I’m sure you are embracing more change than you’d like.  I sure am!

Wishing you Writing and Publishing Success,

Rosemary Augustine – Author & Publisher

P.S. … if you’re wondering about the monthly group meetings, well, attendance has dwindled to zero.  Know that I’m available to answer any question or if you want to inquire and/or engage my publishing/consulting services we can discuss how you envision me helping you bring your book to fruition.  Don’t hesitate to call me if you have any publishing questions or just want to say hello!  Thanks!

. . .

Recently I participated in the annual Non-fiction Writers Conference.  I attended last year and thought I would never make the grueling teleconference calls from noon to 6:00 pm for 3 solid days.  I managed quite nicely.  This group has it organized where you dial in at the top of the hour, listen in, ask questions, take notes, etc., and when 45-50 minutes are up… you hang up… take a break and dial back in at the top of the hour for the next call/speaker.  And the topics and speakers were excellent.  This year, there was a mystery keynote speaker that was a surprise until we were on the call.  It was Seth Godin!  What a wonderful surprise.  The 3 days went by quickly, and the material, handouts, and knowledge shared with us was extremely valuable.

As an author, if you are not a member already, please consider joining this group – Non-Fiction Authors Association.  They sponsor the annual conference and provide valuable information in between.  You should also consider joining your local author or publishing association.  Here in Florida, I belong to Florida Authors and Publishers Association.  In addition, I belong to the national group Independent Book Publishers Association.  Such organizations offer a wealth of information for the soon to be and/or seasoned author.  Navigating the business of publishing can be tricky with all the constant changes, not to mention overwhelming.

Talk about constant changes?  I learned recently that Create Space (which is the Print on Demand arm of Amazon for DIY authors and Indie Publishers) will be merging into Kindle… why you ask?  Well, the way it was presented at the Non-Fiction Writers Conference, it had to do with brand recognition.  More than 80% of ebooks purchased in the United States are purchased on a Kindle reader.  I take it that Kindle is more streamlined than Create Space probably in all aspects of publishing.  Having books on both Create Space and Kindle, I find both are very competent when I have a question.  However, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a live conversation with anyone at Kindle (except for my 1099 royalty inquiries at tax time).  I find Create Space customer service easy to reach, talk to and glean information to assist me, and often at midnight.  I only hope that continues with the merger.  I don’t know any more than that, and will keep you apprised as this change over takes place.

The other update that was shared at the Non-fiction Writers Conference was this: publish your book on both Create Space AND Ingram Spark.  Well, you know my feeling about Ingram Spark (and if not, read the posts prior to this one).  I just may have to revisit them and attempt again for the umpteenth time.  The coverage that both platforms offer becomes extremely valuable from a distribution standpoint – worldwide.  OK! You know with that comment, I’ll have to try it again – just to help all of you reading this.

Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to consider my monthly group that I facilitate – The Self Publishing Group.  I am looking to change the name at some point, since really the world has moved on from the term “self publishing” since so many well known authors are using the platform, thereby moving away from the very few New York publishers that are left.  Higher royalties, and editorial control are often the biggest reasons authors consider the independent publishing route.  Join us the first Saturday of each month – check the schedule for those months with holidays – and get your questions answered, plus learn the ins and outs that will dispel the myths of publishing independently.  Learn more at: The Self Publishing Group.

Wishing you great topics to write about and plenty of ISBNs!

Happy Publishing,

Rosemary Augustine, Author and Publisher

~ ~ ~

This is a continuation of my prior blog post detailing my experience with Ingram Spark.  As you can see, I have completed the hard cover of Secrets I Learned From Ordinary House Cats.  However, I must admit, the book overall is not to my satisfaction.  Read on…

When I left off with my last post about Ingram Spark failing my test, I walked away for a couple of months, until I got an email that offered no initial upload charge through the end of 2016.  It was only a $25 savings, but it was more about “let’s give them one more chance on their dime.”  I worked out the bugs on embedding the font and struggled with the cover requirements.  After several calls for tech support, I was always directed back to their website to read “the tools section.”  Not once did either person I spoke to walk me through what I had to do.  They would only direct me to “READ OUR INSTRUCTIONS IN THE TOOLS SECTION.”   After 10 published books, if I need my hand held for their “clear as mud” instructions, then how does a new author handle this kind of need for technical support?  After a few weeks and many phone calls to them to clarify the additional “mud,” I was ready to submit my book for their review and approval.  Within a few days, I was notified that my book was approved and ready for print.  Great!  I wanted to order a proof copy to view before I would authorize it to be available for sale.

My book was priced at $19.95 (same book with a the soft cover at Amazon is $12.95).  The reason it was so much higher was my expected royalty. If I priced the hard cover at $12.95, my royalty would be a negative 23 cents (which means I would have to pay them 23 cents for every one sold).  My royalty on a $19.95 book at Ingram Spark is $3.97 if the 40% bookstore discount is honored.  I was expecting this hard cover book to go into specialty stores, to compete with two other hard cover cat books (of which will remain nameless).  So my analyzing skills were put to the test. My specs included:

8” x 8”  size;

black/white interior;

Matte finish on cover;

hard cover case laminate;

104 pages;

40% store discount (standard discount).

My cost to purchase a proof copy was between $14 and $21.  This was broken out as follows:

$8.00 printing charge

$1.65 handling charge (excuse me?  Shouldn’t this be part of the printing charge?)

$0.63 sales tax (Remember, you also get charged sales tax on the printing and handling. Mine is 6-1/2%.

$3.80 shipping slow boat – basic and not trackable nor insurable;

$11.98 for residential ground (it’s $8.56 for commercial ground – now that’s discrimination)

$59.37 if I want next day… (FYI, Amazon’s Create Space offers next day at $15.98 for your proof copy)

So I paid $18.25 for my first proof copy (the amounts are never the same every time you want to order a copy, and I’m not sure why).  I ordered it the 25th of September and within 3 weeks it still had not arrived.  I called once again to inquire and was told I had to approve my proof copy in order to receive a hard copy.  My response was “I don’t want to approve a proof copy, since I need to see an actual hard copy before I approve it.”  Well this time they did walk me through the page where if you are not careful, you easily approve it ready for customers to buy (tiny check boxes and fine print even on the computer).  Because I was out of town and had requested the book to be sent to the address where I was staying and it never arrived – well it was never going to arrive, because I didn’t “approve” the book.  I asked the lady, if I had to approve it in order to get a proof copy, then WHY did you allow me to order a copy and take my money?  Shouldn’t a pop up notify me I couldn’t proceed?  Well she couldn’t answer that but said she would cancel the order and refund my money, and I could reorder once I “approved” the book.  She assured me I would have my refund in 3-5 business days.  That was October 17th.

I ordered another book, this time my cost was $16.00.  I found it odd that it was less and no cents (originally it was $18.25).  Almost 3 weeks later here comes the book.  I was excited when I opened the package and was in awe of the cover.  The hard cover in a matte finish was exquisite.  But, when I opened the book… I was in shock to see that the photos were almost black and the weight of the paper so thin, you could see the print on the back side of the page – interfering in reading the page you were on. How could this be?  The same manuscript with the same photos is uploaded at CreateSpace.com and the black and white photos are clear and recognizable on the CreateSpace book copy.  Ingram Spark required all photos to be “gray scale” something that is not on the original manuscript that was uploaded to CreateSpace.  Also, because I had so many pictures in the book, Ingram Spark charges a premium for printing the photos, even though they are part of the PDF file and no extra effort on their part.  And, no, that’s not what the $1.65 handling fee covers.

Totally unacceptable to “approve” for customers to purchase, I had to wait a few days for me to “cool down” so I could call them and cancel everything out, delete the file, lose out on one ISBN; a calmly tell them it’s not to my satisfaction.  Why you must be asking “why would you want to cancel the whole project, just correct the photos and upload a new file.”  Ha!  To do this would be an additional $25 upload fee, not to mention another $16 or $18 or whatever to view a proof copy again.  Keep in mind I had received a free upload initially… if I hadn’t, that would be $25, plus the additional $25 to upload another file AND, the printing and shipping charges now approaching $32 if I went with another proof copy.  This whole experiment was to prove a point, “is Ingram Spark worth it?”  I felt like I was being “nickel’d and dime’d” to death with $50 – 80 adding up and no help to adjust the issue, but keep paying for proof copies and corrected uploads.  It’s already Thanksgiving by now and I’ve lost my window to be available in stores for the holidays.

Oh… and by the way, I had to call the middle of November about my refund that I never got… because the girl “assured” me, but never sent it to accounting (according to Anne in accounting she never got the request).  I finally got my $18.25 five days after I spoke with Ann in accounting.

So, personally, I have completed my experiment with Ingram Spark.  Much to my disappointment, the only good thing that came out of this whole darn crazy mess was this:  I decided to use another ISBN and take the 8”x 8” manuscript and  matte cover to CreateSpace.com (their size is 8.25”x8.25”) and print it as a soft cover, keep the price of $12.95 and continue to receive my $5.62 royalty for each book of which my cost is still $2.15 and minimal shipping. Sadly, CreateSpace.com no longer offers hard cover books.  So I’ll stick with the soft cover.

So there you have it.  Ingram Spark is not for me… However, that doesn’t mean it’s not for you.  I’m sure you’ll have better luck than me, or at least I hope so.

Keep on Writing…

Rosemary Augustine – Author and Publisher

Comparison Chart

~ ~ ~

How Ingram Spark Failed My Test!

Time is valuable to me. And when something takes far more time than it should, I question the value that I’m getting for the time I am spending. Although I want to expand my distribution of Secrets I Learned From Ordinary House Cats, I made the decision NOT to place it on the Ingram Spark platform. Why? Because Ingram Spark Failed My Test!  I’m not here to slam Ingram Spark, just to give you my experience in setting up a book with them.

Secrets I Learned From Ordinary House Cats has been such a good seller on Amazon and Kindle, that for 2016 I decided I wanted to expand the contents slightly (add some graphics, photos, and bio’s for Ziggy and Zack); and create a new cover that would have the title on the spine. This meant I had to pump up from 88 pages to 102.

I use Book Cover Pro to create my covers now that I no longer use the Create Space Cover Templates. Secrets I Learned originally had a cover template from Create Space. In order to upload the book to Ingram Spark, I needed a new cover – or one that I designed myself so that I owned the cover.

With my crazy schedule of work, book marketing, creating art and just life overall, I took about a month to make the changes to the interior; and about another month to create the cover from scratch to look as close to the original cover as possible. This time also included turn around time with Create Space to view a printed copy of the book’s interior and the cover. I had to go back to the drawing board several times to get it just right. During this time I was having trouble with loosing the cover file, since I would save it to my Dropbox and my cover software then couldn’t recognize it so I had to create the cover over again. This user error happened a few times until I got wise to the user problem. Probably could have been avoided if I wasn’t doing this late at night.

So now I come to setting up the account at Ingram Spark. Not a great experience, too many screens, too many questions, and terminology that is a little different than we’re use to. Book royalty on one platform is called publisher compensation on Ingram Spark. I had to call on that one, to confirm royalty info. Seems simple enough right? Your 1099 that you receive for royalty income each January is just that: Royalty! And is stated so on your tax return. I didn’t even bother to ask Ingram Spark if publisher’s compensation is considered 1099 Royalty Income or something else.

Last week I logged onto my Ingram Spark account, now that all the publishing info was set up (that had taken me more than an hour to set up the account. Probably 2+ hours if you include the call I made to them for tech support). I’m ready with my documents… are you ready to see how many documents I needed:

Print Book Version:
*Word document (formatted and sized to meet the size of 5.06 x 7.81 – my choice of size back in 2013 when I first published the book).
*Converted Word document into PDF
*Cover document in Book Cover Pro so I can edit and re-generate if necessary.
*PDF of cover (this is the “generated” copy from Book Cover Pro (Note: with a new ISBN for this book at Ingram – couldn’t use the one from Create Space even though I own the ISBN and it’s for the same exact book).

EBook Version
*Same cover just front only and another ISBN
*Word Document (reformatted to adjust for ebook version which includes no extra spacing; no extra returns; no headers; no footers; no page numbers; etc., etc., etc.
*Word Document now converted to PDF.

Went to upload all this and learned that the ebook PDF has to be ePub 3.0 not PDF. Four hours have passed and I’m now saying, OK… lets resume tomorrow.

Next night I go in search of ePUB software that will convert my ebook and will meet the validation requirements according to IngramSpark or they will reject it. Ingram does not give any recommendations or direction on how to do this. A Google search resulted in 2up.ch/app, a foreign company and will convert my file for 65 Euros. ePubconversion.com email reply to me was:  To convert the book file to Kindle (Mobi) OR ePUB file format, it will cost you $99. If you want the file in Kindle and ePUB (Same file for Barnes & Noble eBook Reader, Apple iPad ) it will cost $153 (value $198). Above price includes one free ISBN number (value $125) for ePUB file format along with the ePUB conversion. Kindle does not need ISBN number. Cost remains same if you don’t want ISBN.

Then I found ePubconverter.com and was able to load a file for 30 days and try it to see if I like it. When I finally had a file that worked (it failed 4 times), I then ran it through validator.idpf.org per Ingram Spark only to receive 9 pages of errors. Nine Pages!!!!!!! ‘Error while parsing file “value of attribute “id” is invalid; must be an XML name without colons’. God Bless you if you understand that error message. By the way, there are NO colons in the document – anywhere. FYI, this software is $36.99 just in case you want to buy it after the 30 days. It did convert my file but not to ePub 3.0, the validator said it was ePub 2.0.

Now I return to Ingram Spark today and decide, “OK, no ebook just print with them.” So I proceed with the process of print only and now Ingram Spark will need to validate my Print version. Poof! Only 3 Errors… but one is fatal for me. “Font’s not embedded in the PDF. LSI requires that all fonts be embedded. Submit a new file with all fonts embedded.”

HTF do you embed a font? I’m pretty technical, but not on 9 pages of error messages and embedding fonts. This is coding that goes way beyond me. What happened to “life needs to be simple” or “simpler” and computers were suppose to make us paperless. My desk is covered in papers because of the notes, files and formats that I’ll need to remember tomorrow or next week when I have time again to work on this.

So… The straw that broke my camel’s back was the 9 pages of errors messages and the embedded font requirement. I’ve taken this experiment as far as I’m going to go. I give Ingram Spark an “F” – “FAILED at My Test.” If you have better luck than me I applaud you a thousand times over. But I’ve reached the end of the road on Ingram Spark and any possible recommendations of them to consider.

My last piece with them was a phone call to delete all files so I could use the 2 ISBNs that I assigned to Ingram Spark. Now that was the easy part!

Sincerely,

Rosemary Augustine, Author and Publisher

~ ~ ~

This was posted back in the fall of 2014… felt it was worth re-posting for the new year.   Participate in my Self Publishing Group for Authors and Publishers …  subscribe to the mailing list for future updates, upcoming teleconferences and webinars and more.  Or, Learn more at the tab: Self Publishing Group on this website.

Easy Steps to Getting Your Work on Amazon and Beyond

1. Write your book – the preferable software is MS Word. Write, don’t format at this time. Do your own edits initially, meaning your version of rough drafts.

2. Plan your book (preferably while you’re writing) and budget the upfront costs. Prices are approximate for illustration of this discussion:
* Cover concept / design – $200 – $500
* Interior layout – see editor fees
* Editor – approximately $250-$500 (maybe more if they also do the layout)
* Set up a publishing company name to be used with your ISBNs – $100.
* ISBN – the only official seller of ISBNs is R R Bowker (they re-direct you to MyIdentifiers.com to buy (prices currently $125/1; $295/10; $500/100).  Note they often have sales so keep your eyes peeled to take advantage of their discounts.
* You will need an ISBN for each version of your book – print at CreateSpace; eBook at Smashwords; etc. Currently Kindle and NookPress do not require an ISBN to list your book with them.

3. Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s CreateSpace and Kindle websites.
https://www.createspace.com is a DIY for free, or use their services for a fee
https://kdp.amazon.com – for eBooks using Kindle only

 Terms and Agreements
 Cover and Interior Template options
 Their services for a fee and what you can do for free
 Their eViewer (Online look/see before they review your book and before it’s published
 Royalties information
 Extended Distribution
 Proof Copies – online or print
 Your cost to buy once published
 Publish Button that takes you LIVE for customers to BUY

Using other “Vendors” like Lightning Source; Infinity Publishing; LuLu; BookBaby; iUniverse; or other print houses such as Thomson Shore, Morris Publishing etc. to publish your book?… Most will list your book on Amazon and of course it is built into their fee. I’ve found working with Amazon directly offers the best deal.

Other places to consider putting your book after the 90 day exclusive with Amazon and Kindle expires is: www.Smashwords.com. Also consider http://www.NookPress which is the Barnes and Noble’s eReader – The Nook. There are many other places for your readers to buy, but these 4 sites (Amazon/Kindle/Smashwords/NookPress) cover probably 90% of the market.

Remember to set up your Author Profile in Amazon along with asking your readers for reviews. Get involved in social media – Facebook Author Page; Twitter; LinkedIn; Pinterest; and others. Experiment with each one to see where you get the most followers. Boosting your Facebook page and/or posts (for a fee) to generate followers. Collect email addresses with a subscribe button and send out monthly emails about your book or what you are doing. You can use MailChimp.com or ConstantContact.com for these list building/email services.

Consider a website – preferably “yourname.com” as the domain. That was the best advice given to me in 2000. Buy your domain (networksolutions.com) and have it hosted (hostgator.com). Easiest place to set up a website is WordPress, you can have them host it or pay for a hosting company. Need help? Go to www.fiverr.com and work with someone there to set up a WordPress shell. I worked with several people on Fiverr.com who set up WordPress website shells (and I maintain the content) for under $250.  Some individuals may be less, some will be more.

Familiarize yourself with the term Independently Published. Self Publishing no longer carries the stigma it did 20 years ago – or even 5 years ago. The term “Self Published” is now being widely recognized as Indie Publishers or Independently Published. The 5 remaining New York Publishing Houses no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. Literary Agents want to see your marketing efforts as an Indie before taking you on. Thousands of copies need to be sold before presenting you to a NY Publisher. The rules have changed and the players have switched roles. Authors are in control of their work when they independently publish. Readers don’t care who published the book, they care about the book’s content. Enjoy the journey, as you get to decide where to publish your book so your readers can enjoy your work.

Other places to help with online marketing:
 Author Publicity Pack by Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart
 9 Strategies to Build and Grow your Author Platform by Shelley Hitz
 Publishing eBooks for Dummies

Best Wishes for Author Success!

. . .

Death of a Great Publishing Icon

I was deeply saddened  when I learned that Dan Poynter passed away last month.  My memories of meeting him rushed through my mind as tears streamed down my face.

I first learned about Dan in 1991 when I bought a copy of his book Self Publishing Manual.  I read it cover to cover and cemented my commitment to book publishing.  I applied his principals to the book I was writing including forming my own publishing company and buying my first block of ISBNs.  I followed his words to the letter.

When I joined Colorado Independent Publisher’s Association and attended their annual 2-day conferences (CIPA College), Dan was a speaker.  I first met him in person in 1995.  I went up to him and asked some questions not sure what they were now, but he was more than generous with his answers.  He was encouraging, supportive and never tired of the same questions.  Dan spoke at CIPA College many more times before I relocated from Denver to Philadelphia in 2001.  After that I continued to follow him, buy his books and reports and looked to him as my publishing mentor.  I never lost track of Dan since I knew I could always go to his website when I needed an answer.  Once I relocated, I couldn’t find any self publishing groups anywhere along the New York to Washington corridor.  I kept writing, however, and never forgot Dan’s material each time I wanted to publish.

In 2009, I attended a 2 day publishing conference in the Philadelphia area and Dan was the key speaker.  I was thrilled to see him once again in person.  Of course I went up to him and gave him a quick synopsis of how he has been my publishing mentor all these years, and how thrilled I was to see him speak again.  He asked me to sit next to him at the conference dinner and we had wonderful conversations and lots of laughs.  And a table mate took our picture.  It’s one photograph I’ll treasure for a lifetime.  Little did I know it would be the last time I would see him.

So when I got an email from Smashwords with the subject line “5 things for authors to know” I scrolled down and saw #3 “Dan Poynter Remembered” I knew, “oh no he died.” I took the next hour reading various notices, obituaries and wikepedia / about.com to learn what happened and when.  But the why he was taken from us so young will never be answered.  I just have to trust that God felt his work was done.  His work with us author/publishers will never be done, he will live on in our hearts and minds. His words of support, encouragement and knowledge will remain in our thoughts. When I saw him in 2009, I marveled at how he embraced technology within the book publishing industry, and encouraged us to never waver from paper books even with the ebook craze.

I’m sad for the loss of such a knowledgeable man who was the godfather of self publishing and who paved the way for us to be successful as indie publishers. I will treasure my photograph of us together at that 2009 dinner. Most importantly I will continue to do my best to make Dan proud as an author and publisher following what he taught me and embracing the ongoing changes in the publishing world.

RIP Dan, I will miss you … we will all miss you.

Rosemary Augustine – Author & Publisher

~~~

It’s been brought to my attention that many of you would like for me to start hosting a book publishing group again.  For three years I ran Self Publishing for Writers in the Philadelphia area via Meetup.  I handed the group off to another author when I moved to Florida this past spring, but there seems to be a desire for me to run another group – this time either via Skype or a monthly Conference Call. I keep getting the calls, the emails, the instant messages, so I can’t ignore these requests.  

Here on this Blog, I would love your feedback regarding this. I’ve included a few questions and would love for you to give me your thoughts, responses and any other ideas that may be crossing your mind regarding such a group.  Technology is so advanced these days, that we can all be sitting in our living room participating on a conference call or webinar while I sit in Florida and others are in Philly, Denver, or Los Angeles.  

If you would like to participate, please reply by December 20th.  Here are a few questions I have for you:

1. Would you participate in a book publishing “meeting” on a monthly basis for approximately 1-2 hours?

2. Best time for you to participate on a monthly basis? Saturday morning time frame? Or other timeframe?

3. Would you prefer to participate via Skype? Webinar? Group Conference Call? (toll charge may apply).

4. Describe where you are currently in your book publishing process? Are you… Writing? Finished manuscript but not sure what to do now? Already published? Struggling with publishing? Need help with book marketing? Need to understand Social Media? Other Help? (Please describe).

5. Describe your level of computer knowledge navigating Create Space; Kindle; Smashwords; NookPress, MS Word, internet searches, google analytics, wordpress, meta tags, etc.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated and strongly needed for your book publishing success. I welcome the opportunity to provide my expertise on a Saturday morning each month, however, your response along with other authors reading this will determine if this monthly meeting group becomes a reality.

Please participate and reply by the deadline of Dec 20, 2015.  Send your comments and replies to me via email.

 Email: Rosemary Augustine

Thank You!

Rosemary Augustine – Author/Publisher
Former Self Publishing for Writers Meet Up Organizer
Former President of Colorado Independent Publishers Association