Indie Publishers Lazy?

I've heard a lot of talk recently about Indie authors who publish their own work. Many legitimate criticisms can be leveled about quality of work sometimes for some writers. However, the same can be said for some small traditional publishers and even some bigger publishers at times. I know I just finished reading a book by a fairly well known author published by a major company which was badly formatted for Kindle with pages jumping in the middle of a sentence and frequent spell check errors (you know where spell check inserts the word it thinks is right, but obviously isn't). Additionally, the prose could have been tightened a lot.
However, no one mentions those things with traditionally published work, just self published materials.

Anyway, in both worlds there can be poor workmanship involved. However, one of the criticisms that is not valid is that of indie authors being "lazy." The indie author takes on multiple times the work a traditional author does with each book published.

Consider this, the indie author has to be writer, editor, cover artist, tech lackey, and marketing executive all rolled into one. Even if they outsource these jobs, they must supervise and make final decisions about each, not to mention hours spent researching those professionals and additional hours keeping them on task.

Let's just look at the jobs an indie writer must do:

Editor

As a traditionally published author, I edited my manuscripts carefully, but never as completely as I do as an indie author. If I missed something, well, there were the content editor and the line editor to catch what I missed. (And then they missed some as well). As an indie writer, even if I hire an editor, I need to send them a nearly pristine manuscript, or I'll be spending thousands of dollars in the hours they spend working on my writing. And, honestly, I can't afford editing for a shorter work, so all that falls on me and my beta readers.

Cover Artist

It may sound odd, but I consider this to be more important to sales than perfect editing. Why? Because people who are considering purchasing your book see the cover, but they don't see your editing until after making a purchase. This doesn't mean you skimp on editing. If your book is terribly edited, then you may lose repeat sales or get bad reviews, but they won't make the purchase in the first place if they don't click through to your book. They won't click through to your book unless you have a compelling or at least professional looking cover design.

Fortunately, there are plenty of tools that can help you create professional looking covers available for free. GIMP is an image manipulation program like Photoshop you can download for free. Pixlr has a Photoshop like photo editor online. However, a good cover illustration can cost some money. Personally, I use iStockphoto. Many times I can find a picture just by running a few keywords that describe my book. Sometimes the only modification I have to make is to size it, crop it and add my title and name.

Of course, I have some professional graphic arts experience and training, and other writers hire people to do their covers. This may sound easy, but usually it means researching who might actually be able to do a decent cover and then preparing instructions about what you want on that cover. You will probably spend as much time supervising as it would take to do it yourself.

Layout Specialist

If you are writing and publishing ebooks, you will need to format everything correctly or you will end up with a design that won't scale up or down with the different ereader configurations. Just taking a PDF that was made for a print design and converting it to .mobi (Kindle) or .epub (Nook) format isn't enough.

You need to reformat just about everything. Even bulleted lists, charts, graphs and tables, if not handled properly can end up looking like gibberish on some readers. You can't leave that technical stuff up to the publisher, because you are the publisher.

This isn't hard to learn. I can teach anyone to format a book for Kindle in an hour or two, but it is time consuming work.

And don't even get me started about the work involved in formatting a print on demand book. I've done it for clients, and it takes many hours more than an ebook. Again, it can be learned, but it is hard work.

Publicity Department

Admittedly, even as a traditional author, I had to handle a lot of the marketing for my books. However, now I have to handle it all from writing the copy for the Amazon sales page to contacting reviewers to working the social media. It's all my job. Fortunately, I spent a lot of my younger years as a marketing specialist and while the venues have changed, the basic principles have not.

Again, this type of marketing doesn't have to be complicated, but it takes time and effort. It isn't rocket science to email a blogger who reviews books like yours to ask them if they want to receive a copy of your book, but that's time consuming.

Indie authors are sometimes incompetent, sometimes inexperienced, sometimes sloppy, but one thing they are not, one thing they cannot be is lazy. Click here to tweet this.

Using Google Docs to Prepare your Manuscript for Kindle Part III

We have looked at creating paragraph, font and heading settings for your document now we come to what many worry the most about - Creating a clickable Table of Contents. However, this is probably one of the easiest things to do.

I'm going to assume you created a Title Page with the title of your book, your

name and copyright information. Right after this page, create a new page by placing your cursor after the last text on the title page and hitting Control-Enter (Command-Enter on the Mac). You now have a new page.

Before proceeding, make sure every chapter title has been formatted by highlighting it and clicking on Heading 1 in the titles menu. If there are subtitles you also want in the menu, be sure they have been formatted as Heading 2.

Now, comes the real tricky part. Place  your cursor at the top of the page where you want your table of contents to begin, click on insert, scroll to the bottom and click "Table of Contents." Like magic a clickable table of contents apprear.

That's it.

Check to make sure all of your chapters are listed. If one is missing, it is because you forget to set it as Heading 1. Go to that chapter and correct it. When you come back to the table of contents page there is a gray box with a circular arrow in it, click that and it will update the page including your new chapter.

Downloading a Compatible Document

Google docs creates it's own format by default. To get a .docx format you need to upload to Kindle click on File, then on download and select Microsoft Word. It saves as .docx, which works fine with the Kindle uploader.

Now, you have a file you can upload to Kindle. As with any Kindle upload, it is good that you view the document using their Kindle previewer after upload. Or you can download a copy of it and use the downloadable version of the previewer. 

That's pretty much all there is to building a manuscript for upload to Kindle using Google docs. Good luck with your own project. 

Using Google Docs to Prepare a Document for Kindle Part II

Earlier this week, we discussed setting up a document, setting the paragraph indentations and line spacings using Google docs. Now, let's talk about setting your font types, headings and creating a clickable table of contents.

Setting Font Styles

Setting a font style is not much different than doing so in MS-Word. You can simply highlight everything and click on the button that shows the current font. You do not have a lot of options to choose from, but that is actually good. Ereaders don't do well with fancy fonts. So just choose either Arial if you want San Serif or Times New Roman for serif.

Photo by Bglasgow

The technique of highlighting everything and setting the font works for the type of
font, but doesn't help a lot with size of fonts if you have several sizes. Also, it doesn't help if haven't begun typing yet. You can set all your font styles including those of headings and subheadings all at once using the style tool.

First, type three lines of text into your document. It doesn't matter what you type, but I like to type "Normal, Heading 1 and Heading 2."

Above the text box next to the current font style is a box that may read "normal" or "heading X" (X being a number). Highlight "Normal" and set the font style and size you want for the paragraph text of your book. For instance, Arial 12. Then click on the box and a dropdown menu appears. Hover your mouse over the right hand side of the menu next to the word "normal" and an arrow will appear. Click it. Then choose update normal text to match. Now, you have set the normal text to that style for the entire document. If you already have text in the document, even if it is not highlighted, all the normal paragraph text (anything that is not specifically styled as a heading) will change.

If you have a full paragraph of text, you can set up an automatic first line indent and line spacing as well. You can also add whether or not to add a space before or after each paragraph.

Now, do the same for Heading 1 and Heading 2. You can also add formatting such as boldfacing, underlining or italicizing.

One advantage of mastering the style tool is that it simplifies changes. If you get half way through writing or formatting your Kindle book and you decide you want the subheadings in each chapter to be italicized, but you don't want to go back and change the format on each one, you can change then all at once just by changing the styling on Heading 2 (or 3 if you formatted that far down). So you change the format on any subheading in the book, highlight it and click the style tool and change 20, 30 or 100 subheadings all at once.

Of course, the other important advantage of the style tool is in creating a clickable table of contents. We will talk about how to do that later this weekend.

Using Google Docs to Prepare a document for Kindle Upload Part 1

A couple of months ago, I bought a Samsung 11 inch Chromebook. I was a bit unsure how much use I would get out of it at the time. It has since become my primary computer. I discussed in a previous post about it's strengths and limitations for writers.

It has turned out to be one of my best $250 purchases. While I can't do heavy

duty photo editing or publication design work, with Google docs and access to WiFi, I can do just about everything else. 

One thing I was sure I couldn't do was to prepare my files for upload to Kindle. I generally used InDesign or MS-Word so I could meet the standards of Amazon for convertible files, and to be able to create a clickable table of contents. 

Turns out I can do all that using Google Docs. That's right, online, free software being able to do as good of a job as the full MS-Word program in creating a file for Kindle upload. 

Now, this is in no way Microsoft Bashing. Word is a great program and can do tons of things no online program can do including those at Office.com. And complicated print oriented documents you really do need something like Word or InDesign to create a wide variety of Headers and formatting styles. 

However, simplicity is the key to formatting an ebook. Fancy borders, page numbers, footers and headers are actually bad for ebook formatting and have to be removed. So, in this case, a simpler format is better. 

So, how can you use Google Docs to format your ebook? 

I'm going to assume you have no knowledge of ebook formatting throughout this article. So, if you are a pro, just bear with the step by step approach. 

Create the Workspace

Start by setting up your workspace on the screen. I like to create a document that will look similar to the format of an ereader.

To do this, I click on File and then on Page Settings. When I do I get a dialog box like this:

I start by setting the paper size to "Statement" size 5.5 x 8.5 inches. That is close to the dimensions of a 7 inch diagonal reader. I leave the default to portrait (that's a vertical layout) and then I set all the margins to zero.

Why do I zero out the margins? Each ereader has a setting where the reader can set their preferred margins, so any margins you set could be added to any that they set. It goes back to the basics of "less is more" when formatting an ebook.

Paragraph and Line Settings

Next you want to set your paragraph and line settings. The first thing to decide is if you want each paragraph to be indented, to mark off paragraphs with spaces between them or to do both. There are partisans for each approach. I'm stylistically neutral on that question. Whatever style you think will make your book easier to read is the one to choose. But here's what you need to know about Google docs.

Line Spacing 

To set line spacing, just click on Format and you get this dialog box.

Click on Line spacing. Choose either 1 or 1.15. Nothing larger than that. I find that 1.15 works a little better for me, but try both and see what looks best with your font.

You will also have the option to select to put a space after each paragraph. I generally don't do that for fiction, but I'm a bit more open with nonfiction. Again, try it both ways and see what you think.

Setting the Indentation

By default, Google Docs has an automatic first line indent of .5 inches. With a five and a half inch screen that is almost 1/10 of the line. You might want to reduce this. This is simple to do.

There is a ruler at the top of the screen. You will see a small square where the first indent tab is set.

Just click and drag that blue bar to whatever point you want. I keep mine at about .25 inches.  If you want that to be your default on Google Docs, just click on the Styles menu (that's a box that probably has the word "Normal" in it), scroll to the bottom and click options and then click "Save as my Default Styles." If you want no automatic indent, just push the tab all the way to the left end and set that as you default style.

BTW, you can easily set your default styles by simply setting up everything the way you want it to be and then click options and "Save as my Default Styles."

In our next post we will talk about setting fonts, styles, headings and creating a table of contents.

Are you one of those filthy Cyber Pirates?

A few days ago there was a big discussion on a couple of author email loops I belong to about a potential pirate site. Everyone was outraged when they saw their books on those sites. The moral outrage was everywhere. However, I had occasion to visit a couple of their blogs and websites and, guess what I found out? They were filthy cyber-pirates. And guess what else, I may have been as

Credit No Frills Excursions

well.

My mother used to say when you point a finger at anyone else, there are three pointing back at you. That was how I learned to use the open handed pointing technique. However, I don't think that's what she was trying to tell me.

In the digital age, it is very easy to violate copyright, but if we ever expect people to respect our intellectual property rights, we have to respect theirs. Here's an example.

Several months ago, a blogger (and author) was shocked to receive a bill from a photographer for a substantial amount of money because she had used one of their photographs in her blog. She was quite disturbed that someone would actually defend their own intellectual property rights to a photograph they took.

Of course, that is completely different from posting, say a book or short story of yours online. Right? WRONG!!!!!!!

Just because something can be downloaded and posted doesn't mean it should be. Other examples I have found where authors have violated other's copyrights include:

• Reprinting devotions that have been posted online
• Using popular music tracks as background for book trailers without obtaining permission.
• Copying and sharing materials received at conferences without permission of the authors. 
• Use of images of copyrighted/trademarked/licensed characters in their blogs. 

A lot of people will say, "Yeah, but putting that picture on my blog doesn't hurt anything. It's not like I charged for it, and I put in a credit line." So, by that logic, it doesn't matter if someone shares your book on a file sharing site as long as they don't charge for it and include your name when they do? 

The fact that I have seen people post a disclaimer reading something like: "I do not   claim to own the photos used on this site. They were taken by ____ and I give full credit to them."

Again, what if someone posted your book online with a disclaimer like that?

So, what can we do?

First, treat people like you would like to be treated. It's an old rule, but a good one. If you wouldn't like your stuff used without your permission, don't use theirs without permission.

Second, ask for permission. It's amazing how often, if you just ask, people will say yes. I've had a number of my daily devotions I used to put out posted without my permission on websites. If they had asked, I would have given permission, but I like to be asked.

Third, use creative commons licensed materials. If you are looking for photos or other media you can go to http://search.creativecommons.org . You can search for music, art, video or images that the producers have made available to be used just for a credit line. I use creative commons stuff all the time. I also license a number of things with them. For instance, this blog is under creative commons. You can use any of my articles on it for free as long as you don't modify them.

Fourth, pay for stuff. I know the words "pay" and "internet" are not the type of words that people like to see at the same time, but we all have to make a living. There are numerous stock photo and music sites that you can buy the rights to pictures and music. Obviously, that would not be economical for a single blog post, but for a web site or book trailer it would make sense.

So, the bottom line is cyber pirates aren't just "those people." Sometimes "They are Us." My acting honorably in regards to other people's copyrights may not staunch the flood of cyberpiracy by itself, but at least, if I do what's right, there is as C.S. Lewis said in another context, "one less rascal" in the world. 

Even YOU can Create a Meme

One of the products of social media has been the meme. While there isn't any simple definition that encompasses all examples sufficiently, I'd say a meme is a picture with a thought provoking statement.

We see these all the time on Facebook, Google Plus, Pinterest and Twitter. Some become viral and go around the world.

These meme's enhance your personal or professional Facebook pages and twitter updates. People tend to share them, comment on them and "like" them. These are all factors that increase your visibility in social media.

You can, of course, simply download and share memes you find on the web. The other way is to create your own. You can use Meme Generators or Build from scratch.

Meme Generators

You can find these by simply running a google search for "meme generators." They are all pretty much the same. They have many of the most common ones like the angry baby, the "Most Interesting Man in the World," and the thinking dinosaur. You can just add your text. You don't have much choice as to font, but it is quick. Here's one I did:

If you are just looking for some neutral backgrounds, you can try Quozio.com 

It has fewer character type backgrounds and has more scenic. Here's one I did with them for our church facebook page:

For inspirational or more serious memes, this service is a bit better than most meme generating sites. 

Working from Scratch

Of course, if you want something uniquely you, you can work from scratch. Find your own picture to match your words or a quote you found. It doesn't require massive skills with Photoshop, you can do all the essential editing online. Here are the steps:

Get an Idea

Obviously, you have to start with an idea. Now, the idea can start with either the words or the picture. Sometimes I'm inspired by a picture. For instance, I found this one on the NASA web site:

NASA is a great source for photos, and they are mostly free to use commercially because they are in the public domain. 

I was working on a "minidevotion" for our church Facebook page. I saw this and I was thinking about how short life is and how great the cosmos and how God had plans for me beyond this short life. So, my thought was "God's retirement plan - It's Out of this World." 

I went to an online photo editor. There are several of this but I used Pixlr.com . I just used Pixlr express. It's easy to use. I opened the picture then clicked on the Text button. I looked at a number of different text styles and finally picked one. 

I decided to go for a "punch line" approach. The top line near the top of the picture would be the set up "God's Retirement Plan" and the bottom line, "It's out of this world," would be the kicker near the bottom of the picture. 

This is the result of about 10 minutes "work."

Now, I have something I can save, download and post on our church Facebook page. 

You can also find photos you are free to use by running a search at http://search.creativecommons.org . Be sure to check that their pictures are still under creative commons license and follow any attribution instructions carefully.  

So, that's how you can make your own memes. Who knows? Maybe your's will be the next Angry Baby or Grumpy Cat. 

Making Cyber-Pirates Work for You

There is an old saying that goes, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I think that can apply to piracy as well. Now, don't get me wrong, I believe the theft of intellectual property is morally reprehensible. However, I doubt that sites

Photo Credit Laura604

selling or sharing illegal copies of novels are that harmful to authors.

Sometimes the comparison is made to the music industry. File sharing and piracy, according to this theory have destroyed it. Yet, I don't see iTunes or Amazon music closing their doors. And services like Rhapsody, Pandora and Spotify operating legally and paying royalties to artists/producers are doing quite well. Indie bands, who used to be limited to playing small clubs within a few miles of their homes, can now have a world wide following.

If anything, the music industry is experiencing a renaissance.  A few music producers can no longer dictate the tastes for the entire country because, there is always an outlet for an artist, songwriter or band that offers something different and find an audience. Of course, this has weakened the power and cut into the profits of the major corporations.

Yet, while the big music producers have pioneered technology and have been aggressive about prosecuting music pirates, many indie bands have embraced the unauthorized sharing of their music as a form of advertising.

Explaining why Smashwords does not offer Digital Rights Management software, Mark Coker said, "We believe that obscurity is a bigger threat to authors than piracy." Neil Gaiman points out in a video that most people do not discover a favorite author by finding a book by him or her in a bookstore. They were usually lent a book by that author by a friend or they got it from a library. We know this and in neither of those cases, did the author sell that original book or earn any royalties on it (aside from the original sale). If done with a digital book, it might be legally called piracy (and with good reason because the technology makes possibly mass distribution which is unlikely with a friend lending a book).

Let me ask a question. How much would you pay to get a full page advertisment listing all your books complete with ordering instructions into the hands of someone who is interested in your subject or the genre of fiction that you write? Would that be worth 50 cents? A Dollar? Two dollars? How about free?

That's right, free! Think about it, once you get past the moral outrage (which is legitimate), and think about it logically, book piracy probably is not costing you much, if anything.

"Hold on!" you say, "They didn't pay for my book. Therefore, I lost a royalty." But think for a moment. How many people using a file sharing site or getting a copy of your book from a friend would have bought your book anyway? If they wanted to buy your book, they would have gone to Amazon or Barnes Noble or wherever first. Unless you are a "name" author, they downloaded your book because it looked interesting and might be interested in other books you have as well, if this one lived up to its promise.

So, you lose no money (they would not have bought that book anyway) and you introduce someone who is interested in your genre of writing to your work. It's like a 200 page ad delivered into their hands without you paying out a single penny.

Of course, to make this work, you have to do a few things.

First, you need a brand and not just a single book. Too many people get all caught up in one book. They write it, then they spend months either trying to sell it to a publisher or publishing it themselves. Then they spend months promoting and marketing it. During that time they don't even think about any other books. If all you have is one book, yes, you will lose from the pirates (if they even care to steal your work.) However, you are going to lose in the long run anyway. You can't build a career from one book. So, you need a number of books either already published or in the works.

Second, use that digital file to lead them to your other books in legitimate venues. For instance, on the title page, have a link to your author page on Amazon or Facebook. Include your email address or link to your website. In the back of the book include a list of all your other books with direct live links to your sales page on Amazon or BN or other vendor. Inside the book, if you make a reference to something that you cover at length in another book, set a link to that book. Now, if someone does steal your book and shares it (or even sells it on a website), they are just advertising your whole line of books for you.

Third, pirate yourself. You can take the teeth out of the piracy, but adding links in your books to a web page which promises to provide free downloads of stories, novellas, or complete novels from your line. People who download a book for free are likely to be interested in other free stuff.

So, putting your pirates to work for you can turn something irritating into something profitable.