A Writer's Guide To Online Book Publishing Services
If you are considering online book publishing as an option for the publication of your written work, you need to be aware of the fact that you have two options: Your first option is to utilize the services of a book publishing company to market (promote and sell) your book online -- that is, via the Internet. Authors who are self-publishing their own works should seriously consider using the services of a reputable online book publishing and marketing firm. Why? Because one of the major limitations of traditional efforts at self-publishing is the lack of exposure that these books receive. Most bookstores will not carry self-published books, and so the author needs an ally to help get those books sold -- enter the online book publishing company. The more reliable online book publishing firms can offer a writer a number of different services. Usually they are able to publish a book -- start to finish -- within several months. Some online book publishing companies are willing to pay authors a royalty on the sales of the books through various outlets. In addition many online book publishing companies -- a least a more reputable ones -- maintain their own online bookstore, and also try to market your books to wholesale distributors. Expert online book publishing firms will also help you with such things as the formatting and layout of your book, cover design, help in assigning an ISBN number, and even help with the creation of such things as e-books and books on CD-ROM. Your other option in online book publishing is to publish your book in a digital (electronic) format. For some writers this type of online book publishing might involve nothing more complicated than the creation of their book in PDF format, using Adobe Acrobat or similar applications. It is also possible to purchase specially designed software applications in formats other than PDF, for distribution via the Internet or on CD-ROM. Again, publishing books in digital format without the assistance of a publisher means that you will probably have to do your own marketing -- and perhaps even handle the sales of your book as well. For many authors, however, financial compensation is not a priority. For example, ministers or rabbis may simply desire to put a book on a religious subject into the hands of their members. If financial compensation is not important, online book publishing via copies in digital or e-book format can be a great choice, as the costs associated with developing and distributing books in this format are very low. |
