I haven't updated the blog site for such a long time, have I? This is largely due to the exhaustion I felt on completing 'Max' and having a rest over Christmas. I really needed that break more than I realised. The three intensive months of completing Max rather took it out of me, and I still feel quite depleted with energy.
I am spending my time now taking the publicity of Max at a steady pace, sewing gardening and spending some time on relaxation. I am also perfecting Novel Four - Who Was Angela Zendalic
Do check back in a couple of weeks when I have 'recharged my batteries'.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Thursday, 24 November 2011
E-Book Diary (7)
Well, I think the e-book process is, at last, coming together, and I am beginning to understand what its all about.
The formatted version of Max was sent to me by e-mail. However, I couldn't open it up and have a look as my computer 'doesn't recognise' its format. Quite normal, I'm told.
The correctly sized cover was sent to me, 600x800 pixels, as directed by Amazon and I'm very pleased with it.
I discovered an independant firm in Oxford who specialise in producing e-books and setting them up on Amazon, and they agreed to come to my house and do the necessary. This was done on Wednesday.
Firstly there was some technical tinkering to get the formatted version converted to Adobe, and something else, for Amazon. Wisely I kept out of this part as I couldn't have grasped it. Once you have opened a KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account, and filling in your bank details (I did this all on my own so it really is easy) you are ready to complete the loading up form.
We firstly had to choose royalties - 70% or 35% - and there are some guidelines on this. I have gone for 70%, and a purchase price of £2.95, (but VAT has to added to this initially). The price has to be put up in dollars as well, but there is a conversion chart to follow.
There is also a para to put up to advertise your book - the same sort of blurb that you would put on the back cover of a paperback. I slapped something up rather quickly and it really needed much more thought and preparation. It needed to be changed, so more of that later, when it's been done successfully.
Anyway, the e-book winged its way off into space and I was told that it wouldn't show up for 24 hours. Currently the US version only is showing up, but as I made some changes to my 'blurb' this is likely what's causing the delay.
There are still some things to do - like working around a form to exempt you for US tax (alot more on that to come). Also, we didn't get round to doing an 'author page', so that too, will be for later.
Anyway, that's all folks, for now, and I will be back soon with news of the completed process.
Well, I think the e-book process is, at last, coming together, and I am beginning to understand what its all about.
The formatted version of Max was sent to me by e-mail. However, I couldn't open it up and have a look as my computer 'doesn't recognise' its format. Quite normal, I'm told.
The correctly sized cover was sent to me, 600x800 pixels, as directed by Amazon and I'm very pleased with it.
I discovered an independant firm in Oxford who specialise in producing e-books and setting them up on Amazon, and they agreed to come to my house and do the necessary. This was done on Wednesday.
Firstly there was some technical tinkering to get the formatted version converted to Adobe, and something else, for Amazon. Wisely I kept out of this part as I couldn't have grasped it. Once you have opened a KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) account, and filling in your bank details (I did this all on my own so it really is easy) you are ready to complete the loading up form.
We firstly had to choose royalties - 70% or 35% - and there are some guidelines on this. I have gone for 70%, and a purchase price of £2.95, (but VAT has to added to this initially). The price has to be put up in dollars as well, but there is a conversion chart to follow.
There is also a para to put up to advertise your book - the same sort of blurb that you would put on the back cover of a paperback. I slapped something up rather quickly and it really needed much more thought and preparation. It needed to be changed, so more of that later, when it's been done successfully.
Anyway, the e-book winged its way off into space and I was told that it wouldn't show up for 24 hours. Currently the US version only is showing up, but as I made some changes to my 'blurb' this is likely what's causing the delay.
There are still some things to do - like working around a form to exempt you for US tax (alot more on that to come). Also, we didn't get round to doing an 'author page', so that too, will be for later.
Anyway, that's all folks, for now, and I will be back soon with news of the completed process.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Saturday, 19 November 2011
New Blog
You will all see that I have a re-vamped blog. This has been done to co-ordinate with my new website, www.marycavanagh.co.uk that will be fully operational very shortly.
Current position of the e-book. The formatted text and cover are completed. However, having read the excellent guidelines from Amazon (several times) as to how to put the book up for download, I still don't have the confidence to do it myself. Thus I am trying to find an expert who will come to my house and sit with me while we do it together. This is the only way I'll have the confidence that it will work.
I hope its not too long, as I am now very anxious to get the job finished.
New Blog
You will all see that I have a re-vamped blog. This has been done to co-ordinate with my new website, www.marycavanagh.co.uk that will be fully operational very shortly.
Current position of the e-book. The formatted text and cover are completed. However, having read the excellent guidelines from Amazon (several times) as to how to put the book up for download, I still don't have the confidence to do it myself. Thus I am trying to find an expert who will come to my house and sit with me while we do it together. This is the only way I'll have the confidence that it will work.
I hope its not too long, as I am now very anxious to get the job finished.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
E-book diary (7)
My biggest hassle, currently, is working my way around the ISBN registration with Nielsens. My story is this. I bought ten ISBN numbers with the idea that the Oxford Writers Group (OxPens) could use the numbers for all their various productions, including our very successful anthologies. It then came to light that as I was, technically, 'the publisher' all distribution etc had to come via me, which I couldn't cope with. Thus the group used WritersPrintshop and used one of their ISBN's. The blurb said Published by OxPens in conjuction with WritersPrintshop. Simple and straighforward, but now I am 'solo' and using my own numbers 'Max' has to be registered on-line through WebPub, Nielsens on-line data storage service. This involves User names and Passwords. Fine I can log on but a) I can't work out how to get them to accept my book details and b) they have asked for my BicCode. . . What on earth is that? Sigh. When I've worked out what to do I will post my findings
Friday, 21 October 2011
E-Diary (6)
I have mentioned editing in the past and it's come up again. In addition to the e-book I have decided to commission 200 paperbacks as an alternative option, and hopefully for libraries. (More of that later) However, on writing the back cover blurb I suddenly decided that I needed to change the name of a character. Not difficult on spellchecker but I had to ask Justin to change the 'master copy'. I also discovered that I had made three mistakes in using the plural version of the family name. I could have let it go, but I couldn't so I had to approach Justin again. So annoyed at myself.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
E-Book diary (5)
Justin has told me that the e-book formatting formula will only allow one font to be used. I don't know what it is as I haven't asked, but I will. This is appropriate to me because I always write the main story story in the present with Verdana, and use Times New Roman for the 'in the past' sections. However, as the 'past' sections are clearly labelled with the date (i.e 1990)there will not be a problem. Italicized sections and size changes of the font are fine.
E-book diary (4)
The completed manuscript of Max has gone off to Justin, who will be formatting it for ebook status. I emailed him an ordinary Word Document and he is able to work with this.
It's worth mentioning here that I sent it to him with every spacing between chapters and 'new' sections scrutinised for uniformity. Ditto for intalicised sections and font sizes. It is amazing how many errors I found and it took me all day to get it right. Having said that it will be so annoying if I find any errors in the text that I've missed - but even with professional editing this can happen - one seriously bad editor changed my 'chaise longue' to chaise lounger!!
It's worth mentioning here that I sent it to him with every spacing between chapters and 'new' sections scrutinised for uniformity. Ditto for intalicised sections and font sizes. It is amazing how many errors I found and it took me all day to get it right. Having said that it will be so annoying if I find any errors in the text that I've missed - but even with professional editing this can happen - one seriously bad editor changed my 'chaise longue' to chaise lounger!!
Sunday, 16 October 2011
E-book diary (3a)
I meant to say that if you don't have your own ISBN numbers, and you want to publish an e-book, Smashwords is the place to go to
E-Book diary (3)
I am not ashamed to admit I am terrified of computer technology. Sometimes you are trying to do something and it all mucks up, only to be given gobble-de-gook instructions as to what to do with your software. Two latest tricks have been 'update Microsoft Window 7 to Windows 9'. If anyone has done this they will find that their lovely familiar set-up is completely ruined, and in my case I had to call in technical help to restore 7 (which I love).
This week I have been fighting my way through registering 'Max MacCauley' with one of my own ISBN number with Nielsen's. I am aware that this isn't essential for Amazon/Kindle, but it is for me. I am publishing it as an Oxpens Publishing book, which is the name first used by the Oxford Writers Group (OWG)with their hugely succesful Oxford anthologies. The numbers were purchased by myself, with the idea that we could use them for the group, and any other member who wished to bring out a publication. The stumbling block was that I would have become 'The Publisher' and thus incur a huge amount of distribution work.
When you are publishing an e-book, it seems you have to register with WebPub, part of Nielsen's that allows you to put up your own details, and lots more info about your work. I think I have sussed what it's all about, with superb personal help from 'the man at Nielsen's' but it's a minor minefield that you have to negotiate.
Secondly I bought a non-royalty book cover picture from an American firm called www.bigstock.com. I love it - very colourful and eye-catching, and reminds me of the very memorable 'One Day' cover. The vector size, needed by Nathan, my wonderful graphic designer, was only £9.99. Brilliant I thought. But then it seems I have to buy it again for the 'e-mail publicity brochure' and yet again for the 'paper brochure'. Actally not too painful as another cover pic I wanted from elsewhere was £150. However, I have discovered that if I ever want to use it for a POD paperback I would have to pay a fee for every copy . . . impossible. Therefore, if I want to produce paper backs I have to go for the print-run method.
Otherwise, all going well. Mx is completed and sent off for formatting.
This week I have been fighting my way through registering 'Max MacCauley' with one of my own ISBN number with Nielsen's. I am aware that this isn't essential for Amazon/Kindle, but it is for me. I am publishing it as an Oxpens Publishing book, which is the name first used by the Oxford Writers Group (OWG)with their hugely succesful Oxford anthologies. The numbers were purchased by myself, with the idea that we could use them for the group, and any other member who wished to bring out a publication. The stumbling block was that I would have become 'The Publisher' and thus incur a huge amount of distribution work.
When you are publishing an e-book, it seems you have to register with WebPub, part of Nielsen's that allows you to put up your own details, and lots more info about your work. I think I have sussed what it's all about, with superb personal help from 'the man at Nielsen's' but it's a minor minefield that you have to negotiate.
Secondly I bought a non-royalty book cover picture from an American firm called www.bigstock.com. I love it - very colourful and eye-catching, and reminds me of the very memorable 'One Day' cover. The vector size, needed by Nathan, my wonderful graphic designer, was only £9.99. Brilliant I thought. But then it seems I have to buy it again for the 'e-mail publicity brochure' and yet again for the 'paper brochure'. Actally not too painful as another cover pic I wanted from elsewhere was £150. However, I have discovered that if I ever want to use it for a POD paperback I would have to pay a fee for every copy . . . impossible. Therefore, if I want to produce paper backs I have to go for the print-run method.
Otherwise, all going well. Mx is completed and sent off for formatting.
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