Taking a Closer Look at Ebook Publishing & Ebook Publishing Platforms

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

For quite a while, I held on to my obsession with hardcover and paperback books as a self-published author. Recently, although much later than most, I’ve stepped out into the deep and began positioning myself to compliment my publishing endeavors by eventually distributing all of my printed books electronically.

For me, this move is not solely about increasing sales but also about access.

Over the past year, I have noticed that nearly all of my friends, family and even mentors own a Kindle, iPad or Tablet. As a grad student, I found myself preferring the convenience of e-books to hardcover or paperback textbooks – especially when I am rushing, travelling and trying to avoid the rising costs of extra baggage on planes. I had to admit that I enjoyed searching my textbooks electronically, way more than I did by hand.

I also came to the realization that on those cold winter nights and rainy summer days, I could still grab my traditional hardcover or paperback book, curl up with a hot cup of tea and go back to those days when having a book in my hand and physically turning the pages was equivalent to drowning ones sorrows in their favorite comfort food – in my case, Scottish shortbread cookies.

With my hands on my hips, and my writing hand pointing forward I simply declared: “I can be a reader in both worlds – traditional and electronic!” I can no longer hold my traditional printed-ink-death-grip-of-defiance. Scribes? Yes, I’m talking to you! If you have not made the transition and have stood in a silent protest like I have over the past few years there is going to come a time when you will have to embrace ebook-reality.

That reality is saying loudly: Ebook publishing is nolonger optional.

This is good news! Especially since technological advancements are making it increasingly simple for self-motivated and self-published authors to navigate the world of ebook publishing. I figured that if I was going to take this route, I may as well teach myself how to produce ebooks and upload them to the most popular platforms. For those who know me, letting someone else do it is only an option if I do not have the time to do it myself. I am determined that publishing technologies will not leave me in the dark ages.

After a few short weeks, I managed to teach myself how to publish and ebook on Amazon.com. I want you to know that YOU can learn as well IF you are willing apply yourself. Are there downsides to this? Sure there are, but there are downsides to just about every publishing approach. But that old saying that “knowledge is power” has truth as it relates to these types of endeavors.

Many of the resources currently available for ebook publishing can be very well researched, and practiced until you master the skill. Some authors may be like I am right now: They want to continue to publish their own books, but aren’t interested in launching a full-blown publishing company to do it or to publish others. Other authors, however, may want to do just that – launch their own company. Either way, ebook publishing provides an avenue to emerge victoriously in both!

Although ebook sales dropped in 2012, Digital World Magazine reported that adult trade ebooks alone brought in $1.3 billion in revenue in 2013 in the US.[1] In the United Kingdom, self-published ebooks accounted for nearly 50 percent of all ebook sales.[2] According to Forbes Magazine, e-books now make up around 30 percent of all book sales in the US, and Amazon has a 65 percent share within that category, with Apple and Barnes & Noble accounting for most of the balance.[3]

This figure, at least in my estimation, convinces me of two key things: (1) Ebooks will continue to grow in popularity and demand by individual users; and (2) every serious self-published author must emerge from the cave and confront the impact of ebook publishing on their publishing initiatives.

If you are a serious author, I suggest that you begin your exploration process by either partnering with an ebook publisher and letting them do it for you; or taking a closer look at the Kindle Publishing Platform on Amazon.com, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP); as well as iBooks Author, from Apple  and NOOK Press through Barnes & Nobles.

If I can take the plunge after holding out an inordinately long time, surely you can as well. I know I am not the only one who has been holding my breath and DREAMING about the physical bookshelf! Truth is, that dusty bookshelf is fading away in the marketplace. In another 20 years, the only bookshelf that may be familiar to this budding generation is the one in grandma’s house. I’m standing on the sidelines today with pom-poms, bazookas and loud cheers motivating your way through!