On this page, you’ll find information about both ebook and print publishing. Keep in mind that regardless of where you go, your final product will only be as good as the quality of the work you submitted. Put in bad editing and shoddy, amateur covers, and that’s what you’ll get out.
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most widely used and easiest way to get your ebook online, if only at Amazon.com. And as long as you’re simply uploading a text-based book (not a picture book), you can even get away with uploading a properly formatted Word doc. (Note: Learn how to create an active table of contents.)
Amazon’s CreateSpace, meanwhile, despite what critics may say about it, is perhaps the best resource currently available to self-publishers seeking to place their books in paperback format. The one glaring omission with this service, in fact, is that they don’t have a hardcover option. There’s also the matter of their days being numbered as Amazon moves to consolidate its self-publishing platforms (more on that here). Until that time, however, of all the other options out there, CreateSpace is the easiest platform to use, and the quality (depending on your formatting abilities) is actually quite good.
NOTE: While ebooks only require a front cover, before you can make a usable print cover, which will include a front cover, spine, and back cover, you must first have your page count down. Make your interior file first, then move on to the book cover creation tools.
KINDLE BOOK PUBLISHING
CREATESPACE
- Interior Content Templates
(Despite what the instructions say on this page, you may also upload the Word doc template when submitting your file for your book.) - Book Cover Template Creation Tool
- Top Ten Reasons Files Are Rejected
- Understanding Royalties
Barnes and Noble came in a little late on the self-publishing movement a few years back and seemed overly cautious when it came to keeping up with the Joneses (aka Amazon.com), but they’ve been making some notable strides in recent years. To date, they’ve added both paperback and hardcover self-publishing options to their suite of tools. And best of all, they even have a channel to submit your book to be considered for placement in their stores. (Note: You really need to have a well-done final product in-hand for this option, complete with appropriate ISBN, etc.)
The same rules for formatting your book cover/spine/back apply here as they did for CreateSpace if your interested in paperbacks or hardcovers. And as with everything, do your research and homework before submitting in order to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls and delays.
Unlike CreateSpace and Barnes & Noble, IngramSpark (Lightening Source) charges a fee starting at $49.00 (waived if you order 50 or more books), and also charges $25.00 per revision that you upload thereafter. IngramSpark also offers paid marketing, which includes placement in their catalog and e-newsletters.
PURCHASING ISBNs and BARCODES
Bowker is the keeper at the gates for ISBNs and other book publishing essentials. A single barcode is pricey–currently $125.00. But they get much cheaper when you buy in bundles. (Currently $295.00 for a bundle of ten.) You also need barcodes if you’re making paperback or hardcover books. These are extra, and come in at $25 each. REMEMBER: yes, it’s true that you can get a free ISBN from CreateSpace if you publish there, but when people look up your ISBN, instead of your publishing company (or you, if individual), they’ll see CreateSpace as the publisher. So consider your end-goal when making this decision.
Purchase ISBNs and barcodes (require free site registration)
TP PAID RESOURCES
Timminy Press offers paid services for non-signed authors and independent publishers. To avoid any conflict of interest, books or manuscripts advanced by these services will not be considered for publication by Timminy Press, nor will any rejected books.
CONTACT TIMMINY PRESS TO INQUIRE ABOUT THESE SERVICES
DIGITAL BOOK COVER DESIGN
Digital cover (front only): $150.00
Includes three proof variations (select one for final product). Stock images $10 each (select at Shutterstock.com).
Paperback cover (front & back): $300.00
For Amazon’s CreateSpace service. Includes three proof variations (select one for final product). Stock images $10 each (select at Shutterstock.com). Page count of the book is required.
MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING
Standard formatting (see below): $80.00
This is not an editing service. Your manuscript is prepared for uploading for digital or for CreateSpace paperback. Includes:
- Chapter headings
- Live Table of Contents
- Pagination (starting page after front matter, etc.) *For paperback only.
- Placement into uploadable template.
Note: manuscripts should be fully edited, with no manual tab indents.
