How to Choose an e-Publisher for a Nonfiction Book
Unlike the traditional route of getting a book into print, the digital publishing industry has not only expedited production times and substantially lowered costs but has also put more creative control and pricing options into the hands of authors. If you have written a nonfiction book and have a platform to promote it yourself, choosing an e-publisher that can deliver a product that meets your vision requires extensive comparison shopping in order to get the best value for your investment.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine whether you want your book to eventually -- or simultaneously -- be available in formats other than an electronic version. Some e-publishers strictly focus on digital downloads while others also produce paperback and hardcover editions in a variety of sizes as well as audio formats. Discounted rates for subsequent setup fees are often available if your manuscript has already been published by the same company as an e-book. If your book contains photos, maps, graphs or color images, a higher charge will apply than if it is text-only in black and white.
-
2
Evaluate what you can afford to spend in placing your nonfiction book in the virtual marketplace as well as your expectations of recouping those fees through sales. While some e-publishers don't charge authors anything when they accept new titles for publication, others charge several hundred dollars or much higher to include services such as copy editing, cover art design, ISBN numbers and marketing packages.
-
-
3
Examine the rights you are making available to an e-publisher. If, for example, you sign an agreement that allows the e-publisher to sell your title indefinitely, this may prove problematic if you ever sell the same book to a traditional publisher that wants to have those rights itself on an exclusive basis.
-
4
Compare the royalty structure of prospective e-publishers and whether you have any say-so on the pricing of your book. Unlike traditional publishers that take 80 to 90 percent of every sale that is made, e-publishers typically take between 20 and 30 percent. Another area to review is whether royalties are paid monthly, bimonthly or quarterly and whether statistics are provided for you to track sales.
-
5
Familiarize yourself with the industry code of ethics that legitimate e-publishers must adhere to. This information -- along with a sample publishing contract -- can be found at The Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition's website (see Resources). Research the history and reputation of the e-publishers that interest you and have published in your particular genre. Purchase some of their books to assess the quality, layout and cover design. Solicit advice and recommendations from fellow authors who have self-published. Find out how long it takes for your e-book to become available once it has been accepted.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't just read testimonials on the site you are looking at. Read more on the Internet. Ask other eBook writers about their experiences on forum and groups. You may even find a better epublisher.
Some are afraid to sell an eBook to other countries, fearing they will be pirated. However, this is a huge market that shouldn't be overlooked. See if your ePublisher sells to foreign countries.
There are countless stories of writers being taken advantage of, like on Publish America. Take your time in reading up the background of a publisher. Money isn't everything and if a site offers a high percentage but has some negative reviews, consider looking elsewhere.
References
- "Electronic Books and ePublishing: A Practical Guide for Authors"; Harold Henke; 2001
- "ePublishing for Dummies"; Victoria Rosenborg; 2000
- "The Fine Print of Self-Publishing, Fourth Edition -- Everything You Need to Know About the Costs, Contracts and Process of Self-Publishing"; Mark Levine; 2011
Resources
- Photo Credit Courtesy SXC.HU, Stock XCHNG
