Here’s the blurb and a link to Camosun – Publish Your Own E-book to register.

Thinking about publishing your writing but struck out with traditional publishers? Don’t fancy the headache of self-publishing in print? Then it’s time to join the latest publishing sensation.

You can publish your magnum opus (or cookbook, or romance, or…) in an electronic book format, sell it through major online booksellers and receive above average royalties as easy as a,b,c…well, almost.

This course will introduce you to all things e-book including set-up and formatting, online bookselling sites, e-reader choices, cover image basics and marketing possibilities.

And it’s only $75.00 (plus the dreaded HST). Always a full house; love to see you there!

Here’s the blurb and a link to Camosun – Publish Your Own E-book to register.

Thinking about publishing your writing but struck out with traditional publishers? Don’t fancy the headache of self-publishing in print? Then it’s time to join the latest publishing sensation.

You can publish your magnum opus (or cookbook, or romance, or…) in an electronic book format, sell it through major online booksellers and receive above average royalties as easy as a,b,c…well, almost.

This course will introduce you to all things e-book including set-up and formatting, online bookselling sites, e-reader choices, cover image basics and marketing possibilities.

And it’s only $75.00 (plus the dreaded HST). Always a full house; love to see you there!

Saving Grape-Jelly Cheeks is a fun adventure that will have kids and adults laughing and singing. While rescuing a little green budgie, touch, explore and discover surprises, like dancing bird seeds, chatty squirrels and a chorus of sassy sparrows. Oh and don’t forget the colouring page! Only $2.99 and ideal for ages 2-8, “Cheeks” is the initial story in our new children’s series, Musical Garden Tails.

Saving Grape-Jelly Cheeks

Experiencing “Cheeks” is easy: just follow the info at http://store.interactivetouchbooks.com/books/nicola+furlong+%2526+glynne+turner/saving+grape-jelly+cheeks%253A+a+musical+garden+tail

Don’t worry if you don’t have an iPad/iPhone/iPod touch; you can gift our book to your special little someone.

Love to hear what you think and please, don’t forget to rate “Cheeks” when finished.

Merry Christmas!

Dublin-born author, Mick Rooney, will take the epubbing con on Friday. He’s a multi-published author and consultant and editor at the Independent Publishing Magazine, with a interest in the changing world of publishing. He’s written a number of interesting novels and recently produced a great non-fiction book called To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish.

The Memory of Trees novel by Mick Rooney

It’s a fascinating article so come back on Friday to check it out!

Another epublishing student of mine has taken the self-publishing plunge.

Europa Rising

Here’s the blurb:

Commander Charles Kwetche is appointed to the elderly NASA frigate, Cabot; his mission, investigate the disappearance of the European cruiser Onbevreesd in the Jovian system. As he probes into the loss, Kwetche finds a deepening mystery involving the exobiological expedition of an industrial conglomerate; the alarming actions of a United Nations cruiser, and a mysterious signal aimed at Europa.

Sounds great! For more info, visit the Smashwords site Europa Rising.

Well done, Sean!

My ebooks will now be distributed to major app marketplaces…for free. How can you beat that?

Here’s a teaser from Smashwords:

Smashwords announced a distribution agreement with ScrollMotion today that will make Smashwords Premium Catalog ebooks available for sale as single-book apps in the major app marketplaces including Apple, Android, Windows Phone 7 and HP’s WebOS.

Full details may be found at Smashwords.com.

Thanks to the great folks at Smashwords, ebook sales just keep gettin’ stronger!

This is big news. Effective today, we’ve increased royalty rates for sales at Kobo, B&N and Sony, and these three retailers have also stopped discounting.

What this means to you:

A: For retailer sales from today forward, you now earn 60% of the list price
at Kobo, B&N and Sony, in addition to the 60% you’re already earning at Apple
and Diesel.

B: All Smashwords retailers have stopped discounting prices. This means you
control the price at retail.

Previously, you earned 42.5% of your retail price at B&N and Sony, and 46.75% at Kobo. Kobo actually completed the switch to fixed pricing about two weeks ago.

How’d we do this? We renegotiated our contracts with Kobo, B&N and Sony to move them to what’s commonly known as the “agency” model.

Learn more about this important news over at the Smashwords blog:

Way to go, Smashwords!

Smashwords logo

If you’re thinking of self-publishing an e-book, there’s no better place to start.

If you need any help, shoot me an email at epubbing (at) shaw (dot) ca.

Don’t fret, it’s time to join the latest publishing sensation. You can publish your magnum opus (or cookbook or romance or whatever) in an electronic book format, sell it through major online booksellers and receive above average royalties as easily as A, B, C…well, almost.

All you need is some information and a nudge of encouragement from an expert.

So, why not join me on Thursday, November 18th to find out how?

Sidney / North Saanich Library

I’ll be offering a free introductory lecture on electronic publishing from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at the Sidney / North Saanich branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, 10091 Resthaven Drive, Sidney, BC, V8L 3G3.

Phone to register at (250) 656-0944.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Today, I’m jazzed to introduce Leanne Dyck, another West Coast islander and a talented, determined and gutsy BC author.

Leanne made the difficult but ultimately positive decision to self-publish her novels. Today, in the first of two posts, she’ll begin explaining how and why.

Self-Publishing a Book

Mark Twain did. Why would you? Why did I self-publish?

My reasons were two-fold: to retain control and for educational purposes.

1999 was a tremulous year for me. The death of my mom sent me into a deep depression. Seeking a place to heal, my husband and I moved to Mayne Island. It was on this magical island that I began to rebuild my life. I longed to learn more about my new home and found Marie Elliot’s writing. Her article “The Japanese of Mayne Island” seeded my imagination and I began to write Maynely A Mystery.

As I wrote, my vision for this book grew clear. I knew who my target reader was and I felt I knew how to reach them.

I grew wary of involving someone else in my plans. Would they love this book as much as I do? Would I have to compromise my vision? Fearing the worse, I felt self-publishing was the only solution.

The longer I considered this route the more benefits I saw. I’d never written or published a book. Self-publishing would educate me on all aspects of the industry from designing the cover to marketing.

Maynely a Mystery

In June 2009, I self-published Maynely A Mystery. My target readers did find me.

Here’s a review:

“Rumours of gold, a secret lover, ghosts and other mysteries create a labyrinth of intrigue as Maynely A Mystery traces the lives of the story’s animated eccentric characters. Author Leanne Dyck knows her craft, her audience, and her setting. Her novel provides a voyeuristic glimpse into human character and island life.’” Terrill Welch (Leading Raspberry Jam Visions: Women’s Way)

Maynely A Mystery is sold in bookstores on Mayne Island, Salt Spring Island, and McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m thrilled at the success my cozy mystery has achieved.

Would I self-publish again? Yes, but…

It’s expensive. It costs approximately seven dollars to print each copy.

There is, of course, a solution to print: ebooks. Ebook publishers, such as Smashwords, take a percentage of sales.

The other problem I encountered in self-publishing was marketing. I didn’t hesitate to think outside the box. I organized a book launch/party. I contacted magazines, radio stations, ezines, and book reviewers. I visited bookstores. However, with my limited resources and sales skills I meet roadblock after roadblock.

Frustrated, I sought an alternative. Where did this search take me? Please read my next post, to be published soon.

The Sweater Curse

Leanne’s next book, The Sweater Curse, will be released by Decadent Publishing on November 12th.

It explores the birth, life, death and possible redemption of kick-ass knitwear designer Gwen Bjarnson.

Bet those knitting needles stitch some intriguing tangles! Drop that ball of wool and check out Leanne’s work.

EPIC, the Electronically Published Internet Coalition™ (www.epicauthors.com) is delighted to announce that your entry, Unnatural States, is a finalist in the Science Fiction Category of the 2011 EPIC eBook Awards Competition™.

2011 EPIC finalist

These awards, presented by the Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), honour the finest electronically published books of the year.

I’m delighted and excited; a wonderfully unnatural feeling.

UnnaturalStates

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!