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Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:46:00 +0800

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Bookerly Font: History, Where to Get It, and How It Compares

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Bookerly is Amazon’s custom serif typeface for digital reading, introduced to Kindle readers in 2015. It was created specifically for long-form reading on screens and remains available across Kindle reading experiences today. However, there is an important distinction for anyone searching for a Bookerly font download: Bookerly is not an openly licensed font like Literata, so finding a font file online does not automatically mean you have permission to use or redistribute it.

How to Password Protect PDF Files

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000

How to password protect a PDF file is one of the questions we hear most often, and for good reason. Whether you're emailing a signed contract, sharing financial records, or preparing a paid PDF eBook for sale, an unprotected file can end up in the wrong hands with zero effort. A lot has changed since Adobe Acrobat X was the standard tool for the job. This guide covers the two most reliable ways to lock down a PDF today, plus what to use instead if you're distributing content at scale.

eBook DRM for Schools and Universities: Protecting Digital Textbooks at Scale

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:41:01 +0000

Digital learning has fundamentally changed how students access course materials. Printed textbooks are sharing shelf space—if not being replaced entirely by digital alternatives that are easier to distribute, update, and access. But with that shift comes a challenge that every educational institution, publisher, and campus library eventually faces: how do you protect digital content that can be copied, forwarded, or shared in seconds?

How to Build an Online Presence Before Publishing Your Book

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:56:00 +0000

Building an online presence before your book is published gives readers a way to discover you, trust you, join your audience, and stay connected before launch day. It also gives you more control over how you promote your book instead of relying only on retailers, algorithms, or last-minute marketing. If you are self-publishing, this matters even more because you are not just the author. You are also part marketer, part publisher, and part business owner.

How To Market Your eCommerce Store On A Budget

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Running an ecommerce store on a small budget can feel limiting, but budget is not the only factor that determines whether your store grows. A large ad budget can help you reach more people, but it cannot fix unclear messaging, weak product positioning, poor follow-up, or content that does not answer what buyers actually need to know.

OTF vs TTF for eBooks: Which Font Format Should You Use?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:54:11 +0000

If you are publishing an eBook, choosing the right font format can sound more complicated than it really is. Many authors and publishers assume they need to pick a clear winner between OTF and TTF. In reality, both formats are supported in modern eBook workflows. The better question is which one makes more sense for your font, your book, and the reading experience you want to deliver.

eBook Format: Why Indie Authors Choose PDF or EPUB

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Choosing an eBook format is not just a technical decision. It affects readability, accessibility, distribution options, and even how you protect your work.

For most indie authors, the choice comes down to EPUB vs PDF. They are both widely used, but they are designed for different reading experiences. EPUB is built for flexible, device-friendly reading, while PDF is built for page fidelity.

As an Author, Do You Need Your Own Website?

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:23:00 +0000

The short answer is yes, you definitely need to have your own website.

If you write books and want readers to find you reliably, you need a website you control. Social platforms can help you get discovered, but they are not a stable home for your author brand, your book catalog, your email list, or your long term marketing.

Increase Your Reach with YouTube in 2026

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Why and How - Too Long to Read

YouTube is essential in 2026 because its 2.7 billion-strong monthly audience and powerful search engine give indie authors and small publishers unrivaled visibility and SEO reach. By posting Shorts for quick discovery, seven-to-fifteen-minute deep dives for sustained watch time, and live or Premiere events for real-time engagement, creators meet viewers where they already spend hours each day.

Social Media and the Indie Author in 2026: A Complete Guide

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Why Social Media Still Moves Books in 2026

Global social media users climbed to 5.41 billion in July 2026, equal to 65.7 percent of the world’s population. (DataReportal – Global Digital Insights)
Readers spend an average of 2 hours 24 minutes every day on their favorite networks. (Exploding To pics)
Your audience is already scrolling; the only question is whether they will discover your stories or someone else’s.

Ebook DRM: Why Digital Rights Management Matters in 2025

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Digital Rights Management (DRM) acts like a virtual lock on your eBooks, ensuring only authorized readers can access and use your content.

Introduction: The Ongoing DRM Debate

Digital Rights Management (DRM) for eBooks has sparked debate for years. Critics often claim that using DRM means you don’t trust your readers or that it unfairly limits people who legally purchased your eBook. In reality, modern DRM aims to be nearly invisible to paying customers while safeguarding authors’ rights. Far from being a punishment to loyal readers, DRM is a necessary protective measure--especially in 2025’s digital publishing landscape.

How to Self-Publish a Novel With Little Budget in 2025

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Self-publishing doesn’t have to be expensive. Yes, plenty of authors invest thousands in editing, design, and ads — but you can ship a professional-looking first novel with a lean plan, smart tools, and a focus on reader-facing quality. Below is a step-by-step path tailored to 2025 trends, with budget-savvy options at every stage.

The Best Fonts for E-Books - Ultimate Typography Guide

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:36:00 +0000

Too Long to Read...

The best font for eBooks in 2025 is Georgia, celebrated for its built‑in screen clarity across devices. For Kindle users specifically, Bookerly stands out—it’s optimized for speed and lower eye strain. (Kindle uses it as default.)

Creating a DRM‑Protected Ebook in 2025: The Complete EditionGuard Playbook

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:36:26 +0000

Why DRM is More Critical Than Ever

Publishing piracy jumped to 66.4 billion site visits in 2024, up 4.3 percent year‑on‑year. It is now the only content category still growing while film, music, and software piracy decline. 30 percent of all global piracy traffic is publishing content, a trend driven by digital self‑publishing and the rise of AI‑ready text scraping.

Top Digital Publishing Partnerships to Protect and Monetize Your Content

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 04:47:00 +0000

What You’ll Learn:

• Streamline publishing operations with best-in-class industry partners

• Safeguard digital assets while scaling distribution and audience reach

• Boost reader experience with secure access and seamless delivery

• Unlock new revenue streams through strategic technology collaboration

• Adapt quickly to industry shifts with expert-led solutions

Top 4 Ways to Protect Your eBook from Piracy

Thu, 29 May 2025 06:55:27 +0000

Creating and publishing an eBook involves significant time, effort, and creativity. Ensuring that your intellectual property remains secure from unauthorized copying or piracy is crucial. As digital threats evolve, it's essential to stay updated on the latest methods to protect your work. Here are the top four effective strategies to secure your eBook:

How Do I Know If My eBook is DRM Protected?

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:58:40 +0000

Digital piracy keeps getting smarter, and so do the protection schemes that fight it. Whether you’re an author, publisher, librarian, or power-reader, spotting Digital Rights Management (DRM) on an e-book is the first step to deciding how—and where—you can use the file. Below is a 2025-ready checklist that goes beyond the usual “try to copy the file” advice and covers the latest formats (KFX, LCP, social-DRM watermarks) plus a few quick detection tricks.

How to Edit Your E-book in 10 Steps: The Ultimate Checklist

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 12:14:00 +0000

“Good writing is bad writing well edited,” wrote author and innovator Kevin Ashton in his book “How to Fly a Horse.” Your first draft needs to go on a long journey through revision, editing, and proofreading before it’s ready to become an e-book. But working with a professional editor can be expensive.

How Educational Institutions Can Benefit from DRM Solutions

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:11:37 +0000

I’ve worked with educational institutions of all sizes—schools, universities, and online academies—and a recurring challenge I’ve noticed is securing digital course materials. Whenever we talk about Digital Rights Management (DRM) solutions, the very first question is: “How can DRM actually benefit us?” Let me give you the short answer right away:

Why EditionGuard is a Game-Changer for Selling PDFs Online

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:23:53 +0000

Let’s face it—without protection, your content is just one click away from being shared far and wide. One person shares it, and soon it’s out of your control, costing you potential sales with every copy spread.

Digital Rights Management Explained: A Comprehensive Guide in 2025

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:22:54 +0000

Nowadays, the rapid advancements in the tech world and the increase in digital activity, protecting intellectual property has never been more critical. Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a critical tool used by creators and businesses to control the use and distribution of digital content, often sparking ongoing debates.

PDF to EPUB: A Practical Guide for Readers and Sellers

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:41:14 +0000

Why Convert PDF to EPUB?

From rigid formatting to enhanced accessibility, the shift from PDF to EPUB brings immense benefits. Whether you’re a consumer seeking better readability or a seller wanting to meet market demands, understanding this process can elevate your eBook game. Let’s dive into why it matters for everyone involved and how to do it effectively.

Maximizing Revenue Through Secure and Effective eBook Sales Strategies

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 18:31:30 +0000

eBooks are more than just a convenient format; they represent a lucrative avenue for authors, publishers, and entrepreneurs to generate significant revenue. By leveraging effective strategies and secure practices, you can maximize your eBook sales while protecting your intellectual property. Here’s how to achieve that balance.

Choosing the Right DRM for Your eBook: Adobe, Readium, or Social DRM?

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 11:01:54 +0000

As digital publishing continues to advance, protecting your eBooks from unauthorized access and distribution is essential. Digital Rights Management (DRM) offers a variety of solutions, but selecting the one that best suits your needs can be challenging.

How to Set Up Your Author Website

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:04:58 +0000

Creating a professional author website is crucial for building your brand, connecting with readers, and showcasing your work. As the digital landscape evolves, having a well-designed and functional website becomes increasingly important. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up your author website, incorporating tools and integrations unique to EditionGuard to help you maximize your online presence.

How to Self-Publish and Sell Your eBook

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:24:00 +0000

You've penned your ebook, and now you're ready to share it with the world. Edition Guard simplifies the process of publishing your ebook by providing a user-friendly model that gives you the benefit of publishing your book securely.

Pros and Cons of eBook DRM

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 05:46:00 +0000

Authors, publishers, and readers each have their own perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of DRM for ebooks. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of ebook DRM to help you navigate the complexities of this aspect of digital publishing.

Benefits of DRM Encryption

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:42:36 +0000

Ebook DRM encryption stands as an essential shield against unauthorized copying and distribution of your content. In this article, we explore the benefits of DRM encryption for your ebooks and why Edition Guard is the ideal choice for authors venturing into the digital ebook publishing realm.

What is DRM on an eBook?

Mon, 22 May 2023 19:11:44 +0000

What is DRM on an eBook?

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. This is the process of securing copyrighted digital media, such as online books (eBooks), music, and videos. It can also be used for software programs, subscriptions to databases, and securing sensitive business data.

Social DRM: When Adobe and Readium Are Too Restrictive

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 14:06:35 +0000

For some authors, the level of digital rights management (DRM) offered by Adobe DRM and Readium LCP are overkill for their audiences. In these cases, social DRM is sufficient for their needs. Social DRM applies a minimum level of security that still allows readers more access to the ebooks they purchase.

Readium LCP: The Other DRM

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:48:40 +0000

Why is Readium LCP the other DRM most used by authors and publishers? If you are a self-published author, publishing professor, university press, or publishing company, digital rights management (DRM) is a necessary tool to protect your work and your profits. But for some, Adobe DRM is too restrictive, as it requires the reader to create an Adobe account to access their purchases. Readium LCP allows you to restrict content in a variety of ways but still allows users to read content anywhere they would normally read EPUB files (Google books, digital readers, tablets – all without having to jump through the hoops Adobe DRM requires.

Digital Rights Management: Best Use Cases for Adobe DRM

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 14:32:55 +0000

Adobe DRM is the most powerful digital rights management tool available to indie authors, indie publishing companies, and many others. It’s not the right DRM for every author or publisher, but there are cases in which Adobe DRM is the optimal solution for protecting your intellectual property. We will explore some of the best use cases for Adobe DRM.

Why Do I Need Digital Rights Management?

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 14:47:00 +0000

Most authors and publishers need digital rights management (DRM). DRM allows authors and publishers to customize and control access to their digitally published works.

But Why Do I Need Digital Rights Management?

Digital theft is a big problem. Theft costs authors and publishers more than $300 million a year in lost sales. Having the power to add DRM to your ebooks is essential.

Advantages of Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:29:49 +0000

Every so often, the argument about self-publishing vs traditional publishing rears its head. The truth is, the more technology improves, the more likely it is that the majority of authors can handle not only the publishing but all of the other components that go along with self-publishing.

The Indie Author Guide

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:47:44 +0000

In this indie author guide, you’ll learn about some of the factors that go into paving the way to your success as a self-published author. While traditional publishing can be a viable option for celebrities who are well-known and established authors, as you’ll learn in our indie author guide, traditional publishing can take an exhaustively long time and result in fewer profits than you might expect. At EditionGuard, we celebrate indie authors and publishers and provide sophisticated technology and tools to make self-publishing – and profiting – easier.

Direct Sales Skyrocket for Indie Authors

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 03:33:00 +0000

Indie authors are beginning to realize the benefits of selling their ebooks on their own websites. The number of direct sales for indie authors has continued to increase. Selling through a third party often means giving up 35% or more of the royalties. Savvy authors are using WordPress and ecommerce plugins to run their own direct to consumer (DTC) online ebook stores.

How to Sell More eBooks on Your Own Website

Mon, 02 May 2022 08:44:00 +0000

As a self-published author, you can make a living selling ebooks. However, it’s a lot more likely if you sell more ebooks on your own website. When you sell from your own website, you’re not sharing the profits with a third party fulfillment service. And because it’s your ebook, you can sell your ebooks on your own website and still list them with other fulfillment services to reach more readers. But let’s focus on what it takes to sell more ebooks on your own website.

10 Ways to Sell More eBooks

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:49:12 +0000

What does it take to sell more ebooks?

You wrote your ebook, had it edited, put a great cover on it, and launched it. And then you waited for the sales to roll in.

Writing Tools for Indie Authors

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 11:34:54 +0000

Whether you jot down the plot on a restaurant napkin or have 6 volumes of 3-ring binders that contain every note about your characters and plot, at some point, you'll want to self-publish your ebook, and that means getting your book in a digital format. Start there or end there, you’ll need a place to write your book. Consider these tools.

Why Indie Authors Should Consider EditionGuard Storefront

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 11:37:09 +0000

Why should indie authors consider EditionGuard Storefront? The main reason is because you worked hard to create your art and you should be the one to profit from it. Self-published indie authors have a lot of choices about where they can sell their ebooks. However, almost all of these choices require you to give up a piece of your profit with every sale. If you are a reasonably well established author selling an average of 30-40 copies of your various titles per month, consider EditionGuard Storefront as an ideal solution that will let you keep more of your profits.

Networking with Other Indie Authors

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:35:20 +0000

One of the most important ways to maintain your motivation, grow your visibility, and sell more ebooks is by networking with other indie authors. Your indie author network is made up of other writers who understand the challenges and joys of being an indie author. They are often the first people to help you reach new readers and are always happy to help you promote your new titles. These are the people who most understand the difficult role you have in being both author and marketer. ‘

Self-Publishing: Yes or No?

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:46:10 +0000

For almost every writer out there, self-publishing is the right answer. But self-publishing is not the "easy" way forward by any means. It's definitely a different way forward that offers most authors compelling reasons to do it.

Indie Marketing 101: Marketing Your eBook as an Indie Author

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:09:47 +0000

One of the biggest challenges of being an indie author who self-publishes is that the responsibility for getting the word out about your ebook falls to you. Marketing your ebook as an indie author, many authors would argue, is harder than writing the book itself. There are a variety of marketing strategies, services, and tools that can make it easier.

List Your eBook with the Indie and Major Platforms

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 13:39:44 +0000

Publishing an ebook is possibly one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Many indie authors compare the publication of their book to the birth of a child. You’ve certainly labored over it long enough to feel that way! Now, you need to get it out there everywhere readers go to buy ebooks. We recommend going wide – in other words, allowing your ebook to sell everywhere, rather than be exclusively on KDP. More and more indie authors are seeing the benefit of selling their ebooks on other sites as well as their own website to improve sales and visibility. It all starts with your own website.

Author Website and Secure eBook Fulfillment

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:09:03 +0000

Marketing your ebook is an essential step in your success as an indie author. The best way to market and sell your ebook is through your own author website with secure ebook fulfillment.

Formatting Your Book for Digital and Print

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:19:24 +0000

Congratulations! You’ve written a great book, invested in a good editor, developed a killer cover design, and now, you’re ready to self-publish. It’s time to format your book. In this section, we’ll talk about formatting your book for digital and print, why it might be best to format and publish digitally first, and whether or not you can do it yourself or should hire it out.

Boring Graphics Don’t Sell eBooks

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:35:43 +0000

Indie authors must take on many additional roles beyond writing. But before you begin designing your own graphic, you must understand: Boring graphics don’t sell ebooks. Whether you’re designing a book cover, presenting data throughout your ebook, or creating illustrations to accompany your story, they are as essential to your success as hiring an editor and writing exceptional content. Writing, editing, and design are the trifecta of a successful ebook – and in the design piece, it all begins with the cover.

Hire An Editor - Really, Do It

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:10:42 +0000

You cannot edit your own book. Hire an editor. Really. Do it. There may be no better advice to an independent author than the necessity of having an editor for your books.

Writing Exceptional and Original Content

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 15:08:19 +0000

Writing exceptional and original content should be a no-brainer for an indie author, but you’d be surprised how difficult it is. While there are some genres where it seems that everyone is writing the same book over and over again (erotica and romance, for example), the nuances within each story are what set them apart. The writing process is as crucial an element for publishing a successful book as any other factor. Success comes from writing exceptional and original content.

Groundwork for Writing a Successful Book

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:26:52 +0000

Writing a successful book takes more than just putting words to paper. In fact, writing a successful book requires you to not only be a writer but to be a researcher, a marketer, a graphic designer, and a publisher – and be willing to invest in the success of your book.

How Do I Sell eBooks on My Website?

Tue, 18 May 2021 20:50:03 +0000

Should you be selling ebooks on your own website? One of the most exciting moments in an indie author’s life is when you finally have a finished product available. Publishing a book is like having a baby – you have worked hard, protected it, sacrificed your time and energy to it, torn your hair out over it, and finally, your baby is here. But once you have that perfect digital file ready to go, how do you begin selling ebooks on your own website?

How Do I Produce Graphics and Format My Book Cover?

Tue, 04 May 2021 20:49:08 +0000

You might have heard the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but if you’re an author, how you produce graphics and format your book cover are crucial steps in the publishing process. In fact, the right book cover can make a significant difference in the sales. In this section of our definitive guide on self-publishing, we will focus exclusively on graphics, illustrations and book covers.

Where and How Do I List My eBook for Sale?

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 20:12:03 +0000

When it comes to determining where and how to list an ebook for sale, there are two schools of thought: you either lock yourself in with Kindle Unlimited, or you go wide with your distribution. More and more, authors are discovering the benefits of going wide with an ebook for sale outweigh being committed to Kindle Unlimited. Let’s take a look at the best ways to list your ebook for sale.

Do I Bring It to Print or Launch an eBook?

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 19:00:19 +0000

As self-publishing indie authors, one of the first big decisions you’ll be forced to make is whether or not to bring it to print or launch an ebook. It’s a tough decision that can, in large part, be based on who your audience is. However, the ebook industry is growing rapidly and is expected to continue growing through the next several years even as the print industry shrinks.

How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish an eBook?

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 18:38:23 +0000

Talk to most indie authors about how much it will cost to self-publish an ebook, and they’ll tell you not to quit your day job. Self-publishing is a long game, and while you can – and many do – eventually make enough money to write fulltime and quit that day job, it doesn’t usually happen overnight.

Which eBook Format Sells Best?

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 08:03:54 +0000

How do you know which ebook format sells best? When you are self-publishing your ebooks, you must make many decisions for yourself. The benefit, of course, is that you do get to make all of the decisions. You can therefore choose an ebook format that sells best for your intended audience.

How to Drive More Leads for your eBook

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 12:28:16 +0000

To drive more leads for your ebook, you will require a multipronged approach. As an independent author, you’re often responsible for your own marketing. Learning how to drive more leads for your ebook as efficiently as possible can help you achieve success. There are multiple angles from which you should attempt to drive leads. We’ll go over the most effective methods here.

Best eBook Formatting Software 2021

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 15:33:15 +0000

Once you have finished writing your ebook, before you can publish it you will need to format it properly for the file type you are using. While it is often better to hire an ebook formatting service, there are ebook formatting software options as well.

The Best eBook Formatting Services - 2021

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 13:28:28 +0000

There are so many factors that go into choosing the best ebook formatting services. As a writer, you may not also now how to format an ebook. The complexity of your content may demand a sophisticated ebook formatting service. However, no matter what ebook formatting service you choose, your ultimate goal is to provide the best reader experience possible.

eBook File Formats – EPUB vs MOBI

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 09:55:22 +0000

We are going to stack up the two most popular ebook file formats against one another: EPUB vs MOBI. For authors deciding which ebook format to use, this quick comparison can help.

The Three Best eBook Formats

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 15:10:44 +0000

As an author or publisher, you will need to decide the best ebook formats to use. Your ebook format will determine how readers are able to access the ebooks. While there are many formats to choose from, we’ll explore the benefits of the three best ebook formats.

How To Convert PDF to EPUB eBooks

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 10:00:03 +0000

Most ebook fulfillment services require your ebook to be uploaded in EPUB format. Yet most authors write in Word, Google docs, Novlr, or some other word processing tool. The output is most often .doc, .docx, or PDF. So in order to upload your ebook to these fulfilment services, you must convert to EPUB ebooks.

Best Services to Convert PDF to EPUB

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:58:45 +0000

No matter what format you use to write your ebook, you will eventually need to convert PDF to EPUB. Many ebook fulfillment services you use will require EPUB. While PDF (Portable Document Format) was the first ebook format to be available, it has limitations. It was originally created to allow print books to be scanned and digitized. The product of a PDF is static page, but it does offer robust security features. This makes PDF ideal for business documents and contracts. EPUB is more dynamic and flexible, fast becoming the more popular form for ebooks. Because of the flexibility and responsiveness it allows, it is the digital publishing standard.

How eBook Fulfillment Services Work for Customers

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:20:05 +0000

Readers of ebooks don’t want to think about how ebook fulfilment services work; they just want to buy a book and read it. There’s something wonderful about being able to carry an entire library with you on your phone or tablet. And spending a few hundred dollars on an e-reader is not necessary for obtaining and downloading ebooks.

How eBook Fulfillment Services Work: For Authors & Publishers

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 14:35:23 +0000

Choosing an eBook fulfillment service is a big decision for authors and publishers. The fulfillment service you choose will be the interface that your readers must interact with to purchase your ebooks. The more user-friendly the ebook fulfillment services are, the better. However, it also needs to have the functionality that you, as an author or publisher, need.

What’s the Hype Around Readium LCP All About?

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 11:12:33 +0000

What is all the hype around Readium LCP? We’ve been talking up Readium LCP for a while now, and there’s good reason for it. Readium offer a viable alternative to Adobe DRM. See our comparison here. It is also the only digital reading technology developed BY publishers FOR publishers. Readium is quite literally meant to meet the most essential need of indie authors and publishers everywhere.

Adobe DRM vs Readium LCP

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 13:37:15 +0000

Are you struggling with Adobe DRM vs Readium LCP? We’ve been talking a lot lately about Readium LCP. That’s because we are really excited to provide yet another alternative for our publishers and authors. While Adobe Content Service is the gold standard of DRM, and being their partner allows us to bring their world-class offering to you at a fraction of the cost, it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Readium LCP offers a solution that was developed by publishers for publishers. There is a depth of knowledge in the design that lends itself well to publishers, schools, libraries, and indie authors.

What Is Readium LCP?

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:42:58 +0000

EditionGuard now offers Readium LCP as a newly supported offering. EditionGuard has added it for all EditionGuard subscribers. But what is Readium LCP? And why did we decide to add this ebook DRM solution?

Controlling Your Content With eBook DRMs

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:00:26 +0000

For indie authors and publishers, digital rights management is a powerful tool. It prevents ebook content theft. Authors lose millions of dollars a year. So protecting your ebooks from theft is essential. eBook DRMs are also useful for organizations like libraries and universities. These organizations must prevent theft of licensed materials or need to create limited access use. EditionGuard’s app makes it easy for users to control the display, copy, and print controls.

How to Protect Your eBook From Sharing

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:38:05 +0000

Indie authors, don’t learn how to protect your ebook the hard way. It’s a painful lesson, one you can overcome. You must learn how to protect your ebook from sharing when you self-publish.

The 3 Best eBook Reader Apps for EditionGuard

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 10:25:15 +0000

The proliferation of ebook reader apps has made it even easier for indie authors and publishers to reach new readers and widen their audiences. No longer are people beholden to ebooks that work only on a Kindle or a Nook. In fact, more and more people are able to skip purchasing those devices, which can cost $80-280, by using apps on their existing tablets and smartphones.

Top 5 eBook Fulfillment Services for 2021

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:20:02 +0000

Ebook fulfillment services may not be the first thing on your mind when you start writing your ebook, but selecting an ebook fulfillment service is one of the most important steps you’ll take in your journey as an indie author or publisher. You’ve written, revised, polished, and edited your ebook. You’ve formatted it, designed the cover, and you’re ready to launch. The ebook industry is growing fast. For the best results, you need a top ebook fulfilment service to ensure your ebook gets to your readers.

EditionGuard now supports Readium LCP

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 19:59:46 +0000

Since 2012, we've been offering Adobe's e-book DRM solution as our core technology. And while that hasn't changed and we will continue being committed to deliver this solution to our customers, we've also seen that it is not always the best fit for every scenario. Therefore, we've launched support for Readium LCP as an alternative to Adobe DRM, which is available to all users of EditionGuard as of October 30th 2020.

The Four Best eBook DRM Solutions

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 10:32:11 +0000

As an ebook author or publisher, you must make many decisions. One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make about your ebook fulfillment options is about digital rights management (DRM). Which ebook DRM solutions are right for you?

All About eBook Social DRM Software

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:53:00 +0000

eBook authors and publishers must make a difficult choice in how secure to make their content. They must strike a digital rights management (DRM) balance: ease of use versus security.

Types of DRM

There are two types of DRM: active and passive.

Understanding Adobe Content Server

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 10:34:18 +0000

As an indie author or publisher, you’d have to have a New York Times bestseller to be able to justify investing in Adobe Content Server. Adobe comes with a license fee of $25,000 per year. Most indie authors can’t deliver the ROI necessary to make that a wise investment.

Magento DRM: eBook DRM Solutions

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:29:25 +0000

Magento is a powerful selling platform. It allows users to “create engaging, shoppable experiences.” Many authors and publishers choose Magento as their ecommerce platform. With this in mind, EditionGuard has developed an API so you can integrate Magento easily with EditionGuard ebook DRM solutions. In fact, integrating Magento with EditionGuard ebook DRM solutions creates a powerful seller platform. You then have the ability to showcase your ebooks while also instilling the best possible protection to prevent pirating.

Top eBook Fulfillment Services

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 14:57:43 +0000

For authors and publishers, choosing the ebook fulfillment service through which you will deliver your books is crucial. It is as important as who you hire to edit your books. Or who you'll choose to create compelling, clickable cover art. The fulfillment service needs to meet a number of needs for both you and the reader.

How Adobe Digital Editions Works with Adobe DRM

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:27:03 +0000

Adobe DRM is the non-Amazon version of ebook reading software. It’s available for thousands of non-kindle devices. Think of Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) as functioning similarly to iTunes – iTunes allows you to authorize a certain number of devices through which you can access your music, but you’re only allowed those specific devices and no more. This is to prevent you from sharing music without authorization or in ways that prevent the artist from being compensated. ADE provides much the same service for authors, allowing you to select a device to authorize for reading books.

eBook Fulfillment with Adobe DRM Technology

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:19:47 +0000

Once you’ve discovered the features and benefits of Adobe DRM technology, getting started with ebook fulfillment is easy. You can control access to all of your content and sell your ebooks without having to give up 30-70% of your profits. Not sure how to get started with ebook fulfilmme? It’s a simple process. If you ever have trouble, we are here to help.

Features and Benefits of Adobe DRM Technology

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:42:00 +0000

Is Adobe DRM technology right for you? The loss of more than $300 million a year to piracy makes a strong argument for digital rights management (DRM). Are you are an indie author looking to self-publish? A publishing house seeking a more cost-effective way to distribute books? A library or someone in the education industry? EditionGuard’s Adobe DRM solution is flexible and cost-effective, leaving you in control.

DRM and Your Organization: Protect Your IP

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:30:30 +0000

Schools that reopened in the past few weeks are already closing again. More companies agree that allowing their people to work from home - through 2021 or permanently - is not a bad idea. In the short-term, it will be barely perceptible, as your people are trained and experienced. But as you begin to hire new people, you'll need to be able to deliver training. And you'll need to be able to do it in a way that still protects your IP (intellectual property). The last thing you need right now is a angry employee walking away with your proprietary information.

Work from Home to Subsidize Your Writing Habit

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 17:42:08 +0000

If you're an indie author who wants to spend more time honing your craft and focusing on your projects, one of the best ways to do that is by finding a work from home job. Work from home jobs give you more flexibility to work on your book when inspiration hits, and you can even find work in a related field that helps you build your skills.

Use DRM to Transform Your Library

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 13:36:11 +0000

Whether you are part of a school or university or a public library, you can use DRM to transform your library and increase the number of people who rely on you for their reading material by being able to offer ebooks. The only way to be able to allow people to borrow ebooks from the library is by having the ability to remove the ebook at the end of the checkout period - and that's where DRM comes in.

Best Practices for Digital Publishing

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:20:24 +0000

Best practices for digital publishing: securing your content

There are two primary forces at play when securing your content: Encryption and Access Rights. Encryption significantly reduces likelihood of unauthorized access by encrypting the actual data of your ebook so it can only be read by authorized applications. Access Rights enable you to control the ways in which people can access your content so it’s always fair and reasonable.

Authors and Publishers, Protect Your Content with DRM

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:22:14 +0000

As an author, you spend a lot of time, energy, and money writing, publishing, and marketing your ebook. But do you protect your content? Discovering that someone has accessed the ebook and made it available as a free download can be devastating. How long was it there? How many people downloaded it for free before you discovered it? How many other websites are stealing your income? For a publisher representing many ebooks, not only does something like this result in lost revenue but it can also result in liability. Can the author sue you for lost revenue if the ebook you published for them is stolen and offered freely on the internet?

Online Courses and EditionGuard: A Perfect Partnership

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 13:38:25 +0000

One of the revelations the world has had from experiencing this pandemic is that almost anything you want to learn is available online. While we need to address inequities in access to WiFi and devices, especially for younger students, there has been some honest discussions about the necessity of on-campus college learning and in-person corporate trainings. To fill this growing demand for online education, many people are developing online courses.

Benefits of Online Instruction for University Professors

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:29:25 +0000

Are university professors headed back to campus? As we begin to face the reality of the way the pandemic is tracking through the United States, it’s likely that many university courses – even where students are allowed to return to campus – are going to be held online. It’s a big adjustment, and for many students and university professors who are disappointed and frustrated at this – but there are definitely some benefits of online instruction for university professors.

Benefits of Online Learning

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 13:18:03 +0000

More students at every level have now had experience with online learning. While some of the spring education was patchworked together at the last minute, most teachers did a remarkable job of transitioning from the classroom to the computer screen. Since online learning is likely to continue not only well into the next year through the pandemic but in some cases permanently, let’s look at the benefits of online learning.

Ultimate Indie Author Resource Guide Part 4: Publishing Your eBook

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:11:41 +0000

When publishing your ebook, you are not restricted to one platform. There are publishers that will try to convince you that theirs is the only platform worth being on, but you have multiple publishing choices for your ebook that can help you reach a wider audience.

Ultimate Indie Author Resource Guide, Part 3: Editing Your eBook

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:04:56 +0000

As an indie author, completing your ebook is a huge accomplishment, but the job is not over without editing your ebook. Often, indie authors are squeezing in their writing efforts around full-time jobs and other obligations. It’s not like they have a big publishing company paying them a big advance to write. So just finishing is cause for celebration. But it’s not the time to stop working. A finished ebook is only the first round. Before your book is ready to publish, it will need careful rounds of editing. Author Basics discusses why the editorial process – and investment – is so important.

Ultimate Indie Author Resource Guide, Part 2: Writing Your eBook

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 12:59:47 +0000

If you’re an indie author ready to take advantage of the shift to digital and the growth in ebook sales, this indie author resource guide is for you. If you are a small publishing house or new publisher, this guide can benefit your business as well. Be sure to read part 1, on marketing your ebook. In this next part, we will discuss writing your ebook and provide resources to help you write your ebook more effectively.

The Ultimate Indie Author Resource Guide Part 1: Marketing Your eBook

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 12:32:24 +0000

We’re all spending more time at home and getting out less, whether because our favorite stores are closed, or we simply are trying to flatten curves and reduce risk. All this extra time can be put to good use – if you have ever dreamed of writing an ebook, now is a great time to do so. To help you, we’ll be spending the next few weeks sharing our ultimate indie author resource guide, starting where every good indie author should start – with marketing.

Digital Publishing Is the Future

Wed, 27 May 2020 12:21:52 +0000

According to a recent report, the digital publishing market and it is poised to grow by USD 64.83 billion during 2020-2024. This is an enormous level of growth and one of the few industries that is actually booming during a growing economic and health crisis. Authors, publishers, and businesses all have the opportunity to position themselves for success in the next few years.

Launch Your Speaking Career with an eBook

Tue, 19 May 2020 09:54:06 +0000

We’ve been talking about the benefits of publishing ebooks for businesses and business professionals. Publishing an ebook can bring credibility to your brand, generate leads and higher revenue, and it can launch your speaking career.

Why Are Speaking Gigs So Important?

If you really want to stand out in your industry as a leading expert, you have to be the one giving people the knowledge, guidance, and inspiration they need to do their jobs better. Not only can speaking gigs put you in front of your colleagues, but it can make you visible to companies who might need your expertise and hire you. You can also make a great deal of money if you become a sought-after public speaker and build a speaking career.

The Power of the Business eBook

Tue, 12 May 2020 13:16:53 +0000

There are several benefits ebooks offer for businesses, including driving leads and improving sales, but the biggest power of the business ebook is in giving its author credibility and authority in the industry. Whether you're a customer experience expert like Shep Hyken or a startup expert like Matt Heinz, ebooks pave the way to bigger successes.

Benefits of eBooks for Business Lead Generation

Wed, 06 May 2020 18:11:06 +0000

Are you trying to drive more leads to your business? Do you need to establish yourself as a credible leader in your industry? Do you want to create an enticing offer to get more people to sign up for your marketing emails? There is one way you can do all of these things: write an ebook. We'll be exploring the various ways ebooks can help you grow your business.

Creating an Author Website Designed to Sell eBooks

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:56:28 +0000

Do you have an author website? As the world looks at ways to slowly reopen, there will still be another few months of more people spending more time at home. Big festivals for the summer have all been cancelled - even Oktoberfest in Germany has been cancelled this year. With all of that extra downtime, we anticipate ebook sales will continue to rise, so if you're an author or publisher, now is the time to make sure your ebook marketing is reaching as many people as possible. An author website is a crucial marketing piece that sometimes gets overlooked.

Make More Money Selling eBooks with Better Marketing

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:18:07 +0000

It can be difficult to reach your audience on social media unless you’re willing to pay for advertising. Boosting posts on Facebook can be an effective way to expand your reach, but if you have an email list, why pay Facebook when you can reach an entire audience with ebook email marketing? With effective ebook email marketing, you can make more money selling ebooks.

Marketing Templates for Publishers and Authors

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 21:47:07 +0000

While the impact of COVID-19 is being felt around the world and many businesses are struggling under the weight of closure, there have been some silver linings. First, the air quality has improved measurably around the globe.

50 Questions for Authors

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:04:15 +0000

Are you a blogger or journalist interviewing an author? A publisher promoting a new author? An author developing a website from which you can market yourself and your books? To truly engage with your audience, you need to get them interested in the writer of the book. These 50 questions for authors are designed to do just that:

Benefits of DRM for Universities

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 15:42:55 +0000

DRM for universities is a big topic of conversation in today's "online only" environment. Are you a university professor who uses your own materials for instruction or a university library trying to support students who have been sent home to finish their semesters? Whether it's the course textbook, an exam, or ongoing lecture materials, now that everyone has shifted to online learning, how do you control who has access to the material and how do you prevent it from being copied or used outside of your control? The answer is digital rights management, or DRM.

Tools for Online Learning

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:04:38 +0000

Across the globe, schools have cancelled in-person classes and have shifted to an online education environment. Whether or not the pandemic is controlled before the next school year begins, it is likely that many school districts will recognize the value and the cost-savings of providing some of their instruction online. We may see a shift toward digital learning in the future of education, so we've rounded up these resources to help schools be successful.

How EditionGuard Can Help You Deliver Online Education

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:12:13 +0000

No one could have predicted that nearly every student would be moving to online learning, and many teachers and school districts do not have the tools they need to cope with the rapid shift from in-class instruction to online platforms. There are a number of tools that can help you deliver quality instruction to your students, but what about textbooks and other materials used during instruction?

Selling Your eBook Takes Marketing Right

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 20:12:06 +0000

Writing and publishing your ebook is only part of the work you'll have to do to find success; to be able to sustain your publishing business or independence as an author, you'll also need to be able to find success selling your ebook. Marketing an ebook requires you to have an audience, a platform to market it, and a clear idea of the niche the ebook is in.

How Publishers Choose Authors: The Bottom Line

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 06:25:09 +0000

As an author, it may seem arbitrary when it comes to figuring out how publishers choose authors that they’ll represent, but there are ways to make yourself more attractive to publishers. There is more to it than sending your book into the digital fast lane and then crossing your fingers and waiting. Most publishers are looking for a specific combination of factors that tip the scales.

Get Your Fiction Book Published – Inside a Publisher’s Mind

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 12:25:06 +0000

Getting your fiction book published can be challenging. Publishers choose books based on whether they will make any money selling them, and they make that decision as a team. Getting passed initial submission stage is positive, but there is still a long way to go before getting a book deal. You’ll have a team – depending on the size of the publisher the team could be as small as two and as large as 20 – reviewing your book and crunching the numbers.

Protect eBooks from Piracy

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:16:11 +0000

Protecting ebooks from piracy is about more than just copyright infringement. As an indie author or publisher, you may already be very familiar with the frustration of book piracy. Not only does it have a financial impact with lost revenues, but there is an emotional cost for the author as well. When you pour your heart into your work and rely on book sales to keep fueling your passion, the last thing you want to have happen is for someone to steal the content and make it freely available to anyone who is unscrupulous enough to download the PDF.

Is Collaborative Publishing the Future?

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 14:07:10 +0000

Self-publishing turned the publishing industry on its head, but in the last decade we’ve learned that most self-published authors don’t make a lot of money, that the companies who charge them to publish their books keep a lot of the profits, and that even though the author may be able to lay claim to the status of having a book published that it’s definitely not letting them quit their day jobs.

How Do Publishers Select Authors?

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:22:03 +0000

Large or small, a publishing company is a business, and to stay in business, it must be profitable. Regardless of how well you write or how clever your story is, the one reason a manuscript is chosen by a publishing company: it’s marketability. So how can you, as an author, make sure your manuscript has the best possible chance of being selected?

Digital Publishing Industry Poised for Growth

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 15:40:16 +0000

The digital publishing industry continues to change even as most authors and publishers are still reeling from the changes of the last decade. But one thing is clear going forward: publishing a book takes as much tech experience these days as writing skills.

How to Become a Digital Book Publisher

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:31:04 +0000

Have you ever thought of becoming a book publisher? There is an opportunity to step into a potentially lucrative market while helping independent authors get published at the same time. When you think about how to become a book publisher, the first few steps are no different than they would be for any other business: form an LLC or corporation and put together a business plan.

How DRM Helps Book Publishers Remain Profitable

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:56:00 +0000

What kind of advantages, as a publisher, can you offer a promising author in today’s self-publishing world that they cannot get by publishing independently? How do you communicate the competitive advantage an author gains by working with your publishing house? And how do you, at the same time, manage your costs to remain profitable?

Benefits of DRM for Digital eBook Publishing

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:14:34 +0000

Think of DRM as a digital lock

Digital locks, or also known as digital rights management (DRM) technologies, are measures employed by copyright owners to protect their intellectual property and control how their data, software or hardware is used by others. In the publishing world, DRM is mainly used to prevent unauthorized access to or copying of digital files.

In the same fashion as a lock on the door protects your business from theft, DRM ensures that only customers who pay for a license will gain access to the digital content. In turn, the DRM license protocols ensure secure promotion, sale, and distribution of e-books and offer a myriad of business benefits, including reduced publishing costs, compliance with business processes, new revenues, and better control of IRP.

The 22 Best Writing Contests with Cash Prizes

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:19:55 +0000

All writers begin their journey for their own reasons. Some seek fame and fortune, while others simply have a story that is worth telling. At EditionGuard, we have worked with writers and authors from all walks of life, writing about a wide assortment of genres.

20 Writing Communities That Support Aspiring Writers

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:13:11 +0000

“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.” - E.I. Doctorow

At EditionGuard, we've worked with many talented authors and have seen firsthand, the level of passion and drive they have. Each individual writer brings something new to the table, which is why we wanted to focus on the incredible community surrounding aspiring writers.

Regardless if a writer is creating their first e-book or their seventh novel, they all have one crucial thing in common — the drive and motivation to continuously learn.

How to Develop, Market, and Protect an Online Course

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 11:24:36 +0000

When you first create and market your latest online course, the threat of piracy should always be in the back of your mind. As the open-source culture on the Internet continues to grow, true content ownership is difficult to maintain. That is why we developed a reliable anti-piracy solution to protect those who create and distribute unique digital content.

How To Protect Intellectual Property Online

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 15:37:55 +0000

Online Piracy Is Rampant, but There Are Legal Protections for Content Creators

The Internet is an incredibly powerful tool for sharing ideas and selling content. Unfortunately, it’s also a superhighway for selling or sharing pirated intellectual property. A quick Google search will uncover pirated films, music, and e-books that are often free for download. In addition, searching for pirated versions of your own content can be difficult because more advanced groups hide behind closed forums. There are legal mechanisms to compel website hosts to take down pirated content, but in practice, these remedies take time and money to resolve. This article will examine how to search for pirated content and what to do once you find it online.

(Source: Adobe)

How to Self-Publish a Book in 2018

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 17:31:30 +0000

Publishing a book used to be like a lottery, except that you had to work hard even to have a chance to get your work noticed by one of the big publishers. Even after that, it was pot luck whether you got through all the hurdles. Unless you had the right connections, it was often a thankless, near-impossible task to get your book published.

Adobe DRM - What Is It and Why is it the Industry Standard?

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 19:33:08 +0000

Intellectual property is critical to any company’s success. However, protecting that IP can be challenging, especially in an increasingly digital age. It’s easier than ever to copy and transmit content before copyright holders can respond. Digital Rights Management (DRM) software is specifically designed to solve that problem and can protect digital works such as novels, textbooks, and other content. This post examines how EditionGuard keeps your IP secure so you can focus on creating great content.

Trade Secrets and How To Protect Them

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 11:59:29 +0000

Trade secrets and other intellectual property (IP) are critical to a company’s success. Protecting IP can be challenging, especially in an increasingly digital age. While there are numerous legal mechanisms and regulations to protect IP, digital piracy remains a pressing issue. Digital Rights Management (DRM) software is a very effective tool to protect digital media such as novels, textbooks, and other works. This post examines ways to protect digital IP and how DRM solutions can aid those efforts.

What Is Copyright Protection - The Beginner's Guide

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:38:48 +0000

Copyright protection was first brought into law as far back as 1710 when it was enacted in England. It was the first time where a state recognized the author of an original work owned its copyright. However, it still required the owner to deposit their work to copyright libraries at completion.

Encouraging Digital Literacy Through E-Books

Tue, 29 May 2018 20:23:24 +0000

With electronic book sales steadily increasing in the United States, there’s little doubt that people enjoy the freedom of reading digitally. E-books can be purchased anytime and anywhere (say, while lounging in bed) plus they can be synced and accessed across multiple devices. Convenience isn’t the only reason to reach for an e-book, though: this method of reading also promotes digital literacy. Let’s talk about what that means…

Digital Rights Management Services for E-Books: The Ultimate Guide

Mon, 21 May 2018 18:03:02 +0000

Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is a crucial part of e-book publishing today. Here is the ultimate guide to understanding DRM services and learning which solution is right for your needs.

How to Secure Your Library Against Piracy

Sat, 19 May 2018 20:10:04 +0000

Traditionally, libraries maintain a vast selection of books that members can borrow for free. Despite this freedom of access, book piracy threatens the continued well-being of the library model. Both online and offline libraries are at risk, especially for content that’s in high demand.

(Source: Adobe)

Watermarks for Your Digital Content: The “How To”

Mon, 14 May 2018 14:20:44 +0000

Many authors and publishers are hesitant to invest in digital rights management (DRM) solutions. In failing to do so, they’re putting themselves at risk of e-book piracy. According to a UK study, up to 76% of popular textbooks were available online in pirated form. And it’s far from just frugal students who download pirated content. So, how can authors across the globe help protect their property? One option is digital watermarking.

Copyright Protection for Academic Journals: What You Need to Know

Tue, 08 May 2018 11:10:57 +0000

Although digital rights management (DRM) protection is standard in the commercial e-books that line digital shelves, academic journals often contain no such protections. Even when academic journals require credentials, such as being a member of a university library, or they institute a paywall to protect their copyrighted materials, that doesn’t prevent redistribution once a user is given access.

E-Book DRM Protection: All Questions Answered

Tue, 01 May 2018 05:38:48 +0000

A rise in both self-published and professionally published e-books has recently expanded readers’ access to quality content in convenient forms. But with the rise in e-books comes a rise in piracy and security concerns. Fortunately, there are steps authors and publishers can take to reduce the chances of pirates illicitly copying their material. Here we’ll discuss E-book DRM protection- what it is, how it works, and who it can help.

Best Software for Publishing High-Volume Digital Content

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:47:29 +0000

Publishing high-volume content is one of the most effective ways to build your authority and reputation.

Whether you are an author creating an e-book or a business looking to publish a special report, evidence proves that readers want long-form content:

Enterprise Document Protection and Security: The "How To"

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 20:05:13 +0000

Unfortunately, you can never take the security of your business for granted. No matter how big or small it is.

There’s always a risk of one of your competitors getting hold of important information or a large-scale cyber-attack.

The Ultimate Guide to Digital Rights Management for Publishers

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 06:00:25 +0000

The internet is a blessing and a curse for people who make a living from creating and publishing creative works.

On the one hand, it has lowered the barrier to entry for artists, giving them unprecedented access to a massive market of potential customers. It has also given them environments and tools they can use to promote themselves and their work without the involvement of third parties who siphon revenue and dictate timelines. It has also opened the door for smaller, independent publishers who could, in the legacy publishing landscape, not compete with those who held a monopoly on the industry.

How to Restrict Access to Digital Content

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 02:30:42 +0000

The piracy of digital content like music, movies, and books is a well-known source of concern for artists and publishers alike.

A file can be copied and redistributed with virtually no recourse for those affected by the theft. And one of the biggest concerns in this space is the fact that technology enabling the theft of digital files is constantly evolving to circumvent the technology that protects ownership.

The Ideal Roadmap to Character Development [Infographic]

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 03:46:41 +0000

Compelling characters provide the emotional core of a great novel. It’s impossible for a reader to invest in a story when they can’t relate to the people on the pages.

4 Character Development Exercises for Writers

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 03:05:19 +0000

An acquaintance of ours here at EditionGuard - a prodigious reader who edits travel books for a living - once said something that struck a chord with everyone involved in the discussion.

How To Sell an E-Book - Get Published in 7 Easy Steps

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 08:00:04 +0000

In the not-so-distant past, self-publishing carried a negative connotation. Printing a book was an act of vanity reserved for authors of sufficient funds and insufficient talent, unable to attract the attention of an established publisher. In the last ten years, all that has changed.

How Do I Promote My Self-Published Book?

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 06:56:05 +0000

Independent authors must navigate a fast-paced and competitive marketing landscape to promote their books.

Self-publishing as a practice continues to expand. The latest data available shows ISBN registrations for indie authors rising 21% between 2014 and 2015. With the growing success of easy-to-use self-publishing platforms like Lulu and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), many authors are also turning to bootstrapped, DIY methods to promote their books.

11 Tips for Aspiring Writers, From the Experts

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 09:51:50 +0000

The art of writing, as with all creative practice, requires inspiration, motivation, style, and innovation. As such, there is no shortcut to success. There are no standard operating procedures or instruction manuals to produce an incredible novel.

E-Book Piracy and What You Can Do About It

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 07:29:33 +0000

Writing and publishing an e-book can be beneficial in many ways. People view e-books as more reputable than articles and blog posts so it can help you establish yourself as an authority in your field.

How to Market a Self-Published Book Effectively: Digital Marketing for Authors

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 10:49:42 +0000

There is no secret to marketing a self-published book online.

The real secret is that there is no secret technique to get people to buy your book - because they won’t. If someone does not want to buy a surrealist children’s book with existential overtones, they probably won’t come across some promotional material and be persuaded to.

The 13 Best Books for Aspiring Writers

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 04:44:06 +0000

If you ask someone how to become a better writer, you will probably be told to read more. As with any creative discipline, you must be aware of the culture and history of your craft to become a conscious, progressive, and original artist.

What's the Best Novel Writing Software in 2018?

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:26:22 +0000

Starting a new novel is hard. Any tools that can make the writing process a little more manageable are blessings, enabling you to increase productivity and spend more time focusing on quality than just “getting words on the page.” Many apps and word-processors claim to make the development of your creative writing easier. But which are the best?

What Are the Top Selling E-Books of All Time?

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 10:51:09 +0000

U.S. e-book sales were set to overtake printed books in 2017, according to a study conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Though the results for the year’s e-book and print sales have yet to be released, e-book readership has been steadily growing since digital books were first introduced (as shown in the chart below).

From Inspiration to Publication: 13 Best Websites for Authors and Writers

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:07:08 +0000

Once upon a time... writers did the writing, editors did the editing, and publishers did the publishing. This is still the case with many fiction and non-fiction publications today.

10 Powerful Tips to Write and Sell Your First eBook

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 14:07:17 +0000

The following is a Guest Post by Sarah Smith of StartBloggingOnline

Book Title 101: How To Choose A Title That Will Sell

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:30:46 +0000

How do authors choose the titles for their books? Despite all of the information available online to help authors, book title advice is very limited. In fact there is a lot of bad advice, which include:

The Indie Author Business Plan: A Step-By-Step Outline

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:55:45 +0000

Successful indie authors have one thing in common: they realize that they are not only writers, they are also business owners, marketers, salespeople and much more.

The reality is that authors can no longer be solely writers. If you aren’t willing to wear the other hats mentioned above, you will struggle to find success. Sure, you could try to hire people to help, but that gets expensive quickly. For the sake of this post let’s assume that you are like most indie authors and money is tight. Hiring a full-team to run your author business is out of the question.

How We Use eBooks To Grow Our Email List and Make Money

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 14:09:35 +0000

At EditionGuard we use eBooks to not only educate our audience, but also to grow our email list and make money. We truly believe that every business should be creating eBooks and in this post you will see why.

How Authors Can Use Guest Blogging To Sell More Books

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 13:55:55 +0000

Have you ever felt envious of how many readers other blogs attract? If so, you aren’t alone. As an author it is normal to imagine how much easier it would be to gain exposure and sell more books if only we had a larger audience.

EditionLink vs EditionMark vs Adobe DRM: Choosing The Right eBook Fulfillment Option

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 10:58:11 +0000

When you use EditionGuard to protect and fulfill your eBooks, you will have three different fulfillment options: Adobe DRM, EditionMark and EditionLink. Deciding which fulfillment option is right for you and your customers can be difficult.

How To Write A Book: 12 Unbelievably Easy Steps

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:00:10 +0000

The hardest part about being an author used to be getting published. Traditional publishers only accepted a small percentage of all books and self-publishing options were limited.

The Ingredients Authors Need To Write A Great Book

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:30:37 +0000

Writing a book is much like cooking a great dish. When the right combination of ingredients come together, the end result leaves you wanting more.

Anyone who has cooked before knows that one wrong ingredient can ruin the entire dish. Try adding salt instead of sugar for example; simple mistake with horrific results.

Introducing EditionLink: The Simplest Way To Distribute Your eBooks

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:03:12 +0000

We are happy to announce EditionLink, the simplest way to distribute your eBooks using EditionGuard. Over the past few months we have spoken to dozens of self-published authors and have heard one common thought:

7 Reasons Why Self-Publishing Is The Right Choice For Authors

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:26:02 +0000

The self-publishing vs traditional publishing debate is something all authors have at some point in their career. After all, both options have benefits.

At EditionGuard, we support primarily self-published authors and have had the opportunity over the years to learn why authors decide to pursue the self-publishing route.

10 Authors Share The Book Marketing Mistakes Authors Should Avoid

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 10:43:42 +0000

At EditionGuard we are lucky enough to interact with authors nearly every day. Over the past few years we have seen plenty of mistakes derail the success of authors, but one area stands out more than any other.

Most authors do not know how to effectively market their book(s).

Whether you are a self-published author or have gone the traditional publishing route, marketing your book will ultimately be your responsibility.

In an effort to help authors avoid the book marketing mistakes that we have seen over the years, we reached out to several book marketing experts and successful authors to get their opinion on the following topic:

What is the biggest book marketing mistake authors make and what should they be doing instead?

Below are exact answers we received in response to the the question above. If you find these responses helpful, please share this post.

1. Forgetting That Social Media Is Social

“I think the biggest online book marketing mistake new authors make is forgetting that social media is social. They broadcast "buy my book" everywhere and fail to interact with people.

Authors need to remember social media is for making friends, not direct sales. The sales come later. Don't expect immediate results. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Plus, you're writers, not marketers, so write!

That's why I think blogging is an author's best marketing tool.”

Anne R. Allen is an author of eight comic mysteries and a collection of short stories and poems. She is also the co-author of a guidebook for writers, written with Amazon superstar Catherine Ryan Hyde. Before becoming an author, Anne was an actress, bookseller and the former artistic director of the Patio Playhouse in Escondido, CA.

2. Failing To Interact With Readers and Fellow Writers

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes authors make is failing to interact with readers and fellow writers as human beings. Too many marketing strategies come across as self-focused and/or robotic. Not only do pushy me-me pitches and mechanical sales-only approaches turn off readers, they are also wasted opportunities.

Approach your marketing with an attitude of genuineness, openness, and generosity. Put yourself in readers’ shoes. What messages would you appreciate from authors? What messages would annoy you?

Same goes for networking with fellow authors. Don’t pitch “trades” (for Facebook likes, book reviews, link promotions) that compromise your integrity, and don’t ask for favors you wouldn’t wholeheartedly grant yourself.

Ultimately, good marketing is about empathy. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and learn to think and feel the way they do.”

K.M. Weiland lives in make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives primarily on chocolate truffles and espresso. She is the IPPY, NIEA, and Lyra Award-winning and internationally published author of Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel, as well as Jane Eyre: The Writer’s Digest Annotated Classic. She writes historical and speculative fiction from her home in western Nebraska and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.

3. Not Starting To Market Their Book Early Enough

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes most authors make is: They don't start marketing their book early enough. Reviewers need lots of lead time, book tours should be organized months before the actual tour begins, your local book library and bookstore often arrange their scheduled author appearances six months before a book is actually published.

It's important to have a carefully thought out marketing plan, but the real trick is to put it to work long before your book is ready to launch.”

Betty Kelly Sargent is the founder of BookWorks.com, the Self-Publisher’s Association, an online community and resource for indie authors and professional service providers. Betty is the former Editor-in-Chief of William Morrow, Executive Editor of Harper Collins and Delacorte Press, Fiction and Books Editor of Cosmopolitan, and book reviewer for CNN.

4. Having Vague Goals and Not Having A Marketing Plan

“One of the biggest mistakes an author makes is having vague goals and not having a marketing plan in place. It’s essential to having a marketing plan around your book. Books don’t just sell themselves. This is probably where you’ll spend most of your time and a good chunk of your money.

As an indie or self-published author it’s really important to do your research before making any vendor, retail, or editorial services decisions. It’s a lot of work, but thinking through all the pieces will prevent you from wasting potentially thousands of dollars and hours of time.”

Miral Sattar is founder and CEO of BiblioCrunch, an award-winning author services marketplace that matches authors with quality, aware-winning professionals to get new books and apps to market. She has working in the media industry for 11 years, most recently at TIME where she launched several digital initiatives including an iPad and mobile site, mobile apps, a video and podcast channel, blogs and SEO. Her writing has been featured in TIME, CNN, NY Daily News, among other media publications.

5. Not Realizing That Being An Author Is A Business

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes is not realizing this is a business. Everything stems from that because if you treat writing, publishing and promoting your book like a business, you make decisions that are aligned with growing a business - as opposed to simply appeasing your ego.

I’m an author myself so I can say that’s a very real thing! If you treat being an author like running a business you will also start to realize that (like a business) things take time. It took me three years to make AME profitable – time and patience and hard work – are keenly important when running a successful business.

So don’t sit back and wait for success to find you just because your book is finally up on Amazon. There are over 4,500 books published every single day. An author’s work is not over when the book goes up for sale, in a lot of ways it’s just beginning. Most of us write because it comes easy, it’s the promotion and marketing that are foreign to a lot of people, it’s growing the business that trips people up.

A quick fix is to find trusted sources and commit to not only learning from them, but implementing their tips and recommendations. A step up from that would be finding a company to partner with, that can help take you to the next level. But don’t lose sight of the fact that even if you hire someone, this is still your business to run, so be the CEO your book deserves and do everything you can to aid in its success.”

Penny Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. (AME) and Adjunct Professor at NYU, is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most cutting-edge book marketing campaigns. Find out more at http://www.amarketingexpert.com.

6. Expecting Amazon To Generate Sales

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes I see authors make is not doing it at all. They put their eBook up on Amazon and expect sales to roll in magically, then they're disappointed with the results.

The fundamental thing about marketing a book is the same as marketing any other product; it's a multi-channel and continuous effort that yields results in the mid to long term. Starting this effort as early as possible, even before the launch of the book itself is of paramount importance.

Also, instead of focusing on just one or two channels like social media or forums, spreading the word out on as many channels as possible is more prudent, as it's difficult to tell which channels will return the best results and making more informed decisions will be easier with a variety of data at hand.”

Turgay Birand began his entrepreneurial career while still a student in college in 2001. Since then he's been building and operating many digital assets such as e-commerce stores and SaaS businesses. As the founder of EditionGuard he's currently focused on helping and shaping the eBook self-publishing sector by empowering smaller authors and publishers with the secure distribution tools they need.

7. Not Obtaining Endorsements Prior To Publishing

"One of the biggest book marketing mistakes many independently published authors make is to wait until their book is published to market it. Instead of waiting until the birth of a book, marketing should start with the conception.

One largely underutilized marketing technique that begins prior to publication of a book is obtaining endorsements. The majority of independently published authors neglect this very powerful and free marketing tool. Endorsements are secured prior to the publication of a book from influencers and other authors who speak to your target audience. They help you sell more books by expanding your audience and signaling readers that an influencer has deemed your book worthy of their time and money."

Sarah Bolme is the author of the award-winning Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace (www.marketingchristianbooks.com), now in its third edition. As the Director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net) she helps independent authors and small publishers market their books in the Christian marketplace.

8. Not Understanding Who Their Exact Audience Is

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes authors make is not understanding who their exact audience is and instead engaging in general "buy my book" promotion on social media.

Investing time to uncover what makes one's book special (a subject, interest, theme, or other element) will allow the author to search online to find people interested in this same element. The author can then put their energy toward building genuine relationships with this potential audience using their favorite social spaces. By interacting authentically (through discussion, sharing, and adding value) rather than promoting, the author builds trust and friendship, turning readers into fans and influencers."

Angela Ackerman is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, as well as four others. Her guides are available in six languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, an innovative online library built to help writers elevate their storytelling.

9. Focusing On The Launch Period To The Exclusion of the Pre-Lauch Period

“The biggest book marketing mistake authors make when marketing books is that they focus on the launch period to the exclusion of the pre-launch period.

Marketing for a book begins the moment you get the idea (or decide to become an author). Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, you need to build an author platform. That can take years! But it is the foundation for all book marketing. Without platform, you have no audience to which to market.

When you know you have a book to launch--and you know when it will launch, set up promotion for the month prior to that release. This builds up pre-sales, which help the book become a bestseller. When it trends on the Amazon Top 100 list in its category, it gets noticed by potential readers, which increases sales.

With a platform and pre-launch marketing plan in place, develop a launch strategy for the month or two after the book launches. Books are marketed over time. In fact, book marketing is ongoing...for the life of the book.”

Nina Amir is an author, with 14 books written to date, an Author Coach, Blog and Blog-to-Book Coach, nonfiction Book Coach and High Performance Coach. She is also a nonfiction book proposal consultant and editor.

10. Not Realizing That They Aren’t Just Authors — They Are Also In Sales

“One of the biggest book marketing mistakes authors make it not realizing that they aren’t just authors — they are also in sales.

Your book’s success will be based almost entirely on how much you actively market it.”

Ann Handley is a veteran of creating and managing digital content to build relationships for organizations and individuals. Ann is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content and the co-author of the best-selling book on content marketing, Content Rules: How To Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business. She is the Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs: a LinkedIn Influencer: a keynote speaker, mom and writer.

http://www.slideshare.net/EditionGuard/10-authors-share-the-book-marketing-mistakes-authors-should-avoid

Now it is your turn! What book marketing mistakes do you think authors should avoid? What strategies should authors use to increase book sales? Let us know in the comment section below.

7 Reasons Why Every Business Should Create eBooks

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:55:29 +0000

Attention all business owners. You should be producing eBooks regularly as part of your content marketing strategy. If you aren’t, you are missing out on a massive business opportunity. Let me explain.

Hey Authors, Social Media Doesn't Work

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 02:55:54 +0000

Social media doesn’t work for authors. At least not how most authors are using it.

Hearing that social media doesn’t work might be shocking to you, considering how popular social media is right now. Every author dreams of sending out a tweet and selling 10 books as a result.

17 Great Websites For Indie Authors: The Self-Publishing Advice Authors Need

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 01:05:30 +0000

Being an indie author is hard. Self-publishing a book requires much more than just writing skills. You must know how to price your book, how to market your book, which services you should invest in and much more.

How To Market Your Book With Slideshare

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 12:42:47 +0000

Well written books don’t always sell. Well marketed books almost always do. Whether you self-publish or go with a traditional publisher, your success will depend on your ability to market your book.

EditionGuard Social DRM vs Adobe DRM: Which Is Best For You?

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:00:46 +0000

Digital Right Management (DRM) protects eBooks from illegal piracy by using active and/or passive protection methods. If you are new to EditionGuard or are considering changing your eBook protection settings, you may be curious to know the differences between our Social DRM solution and Adobe’s DRM scheme.

Self-Publishing A Book: 16 Things Authors Need To Know

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 05:42:19 +0000

A lot has changed in the past 20 years in terms of publishing a book. The barriers to entry have disappeared, digital publishing is on the rise and more authors are turning to self-publishing. If you are a self-published author or are think about going the self-publishing route, there are a few things you should know.

Introducing EditionGuard Social DRM: A New Way To Protect and Sell eBooks

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:00:55 +0000

For the last couple of years EditionGuard has relied on Adobe Digital Rights Management to protect our customers eBooks. Though Adobe’s solution is ideal for some of our customers, that was not the case for all.

Self-Published Authors: How To Find The Perfect Price For Your Book

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:21:33 +0000

You can improve your book cover, spend more on book marketing or even do a complete rewrite, but usually the easiest way to boost your book sales is to play around with your pricing.

How to Sell Your Books Through Facebook Using Shopify

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:14:47 +0000

Many authors use Facebook to promote their current and upcoming books, connect with fans and grow their following. The use of social media in general is widely accepted amongst the author community and the benefits are understood.

Adobe Digital Editions Beginner's Guide

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:04:59 +0000

Getting Started With Adobe Digital Editions

Adobe Digital Editions is a free software that allows you to add eBooks from online stores and libraries that are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). Digital Rights Management prevents eBooks from being copied and/or redistributed. This ensures the protection of authors and publishers.

When you download a Digital Right Management protected eBook, you get a license in the form of an .acsm file with your eBook. You can then claim your eBook using Adobe Digital Editions and easily add it to your supported eReader device.

How Authors Can Gain Thousands of New Twitter Followers With Tweepi

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:59:58 +0000

Do you want to drastically increase your following on Twitter? What if I told you that you could gain 75-100 new Twitter followers everyday for free? Even better, these new followers would be highly targeted and active.

10 Essential Components of an Author Website

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 03:34:26 +0000

An author website is a crucial part of your overall business. Having an author website is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Ten years ago your author website could have been very simple; serving much like an online business card.

Why No One Will Read Your Next Book

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 05:45:15 +0000

Here is the harsh reality: no one will read your next book. Thats right, all of the hard work you put into completing the book will go to waste.

Writing Inspiration: How Authors Can Remain Inspired and Avoid Burnout

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:45:00 +0000

Being an author can be one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world. Being an author can also be one of the most stressful experiences in the world. All authors can relate to the daily highs and lows.

12 Ways Authors Can Get Noticed On Twitter

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:37:49 +0000

Social media is a massively powerful tool for authors. There are dozens of social media sites available, but Twitter may be the best social network for authors. Considered the easiest social network to engage with strangers on, Twitter gives authors the opportunity to connect directly with current and potential readers unlike any other social network.

Professional Services for Indie Authors: Are They Worth It?

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:37:27 +0000

Self-publishing a book costs money. Let’s be honest, this isn’t some big secret. As an author you should not attempt to edit your book, design your cover and much more by yourself in hopes to save money.

Tools Indie Authors Need To Run Their Business

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:37:05 +0000

Indie authors often forget that aside from writing books, they are also running a business. Even the best indie author will fail to make money if they don’t view themselves as a business owner too.

How To Promote Your eBook With Facebook Ads

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 01:37:20 +0000

Once you finish writing your eBook you will have to figure out how to promote it. There are many ways to promote your eBook, but none give you access to more potential buyers than Facebook Ads. Below are a few reasons you should use Facebook Ads to promote your next eBook:

20 Ways Authors Can Market Their Books

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 01:36:32 +0000

All writers have inevitably experienced this next situation. After countless hours of hard work we finally put the final stamp on our book. That’s right, we are finally done. Talk about an amazing feeling.

25 Books Every Author Should Read

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:29:49 +0000

Stephen King famously said:

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

Reading on a daily basis allows writers to learn new styles, words and find inspiration from some of the greatest writers of all time. If you aren’t finding time on a daily basis to read even a few pages, your writing will almost certainly suffer.

What Wordpress Theme Should Authors Use?

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 04:30:39 +0000

Did you know that nearly 25% of all websites are built using Wordpress? That means if you choose to create your author website with Wordpress, you are using the same technology relied on by big businesses around the world. The first step to creating a Wordpress website is choosing your theme. As an author you may have a few questions regarding this step, such as:

eBook Sales Tips Every Author Should Know

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Thanks to greater compatibility with devices and more distribution options, selling eBooks has become much easier in the last few years. Despite this, your eBook sales can hit a ceiling at some point. For some this could be the 50 eBooks sold mark. For others it could be 2,500 eBooks sold.

9 Mistakes All Authors Make

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 10:31:33 +0000

Writing a book is difficult, especially if you are a first time author. Trying to figure out what to write about, how to develop an intriguing storyline, how to distribute your book and much more can be overwhelming to say the least. In this post we will discuss nine mistakes all authors make. If you are working on a new book, keep these in mind so you can do your best to avoid them.

Blogger To Author: Why Bloggers Should Write eBooks

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 03:30:00 +0000

Blogger to author. Many bloggers have day dreamed about making the transition, but very few actually do. If you are currently blogging and are considering writing an eBook, we highly recommend it. Having a pre-existing blog audience will help you to promote your eBook once it is complete.

The Martian's Guide To Launching Your eBook (Warning: Contains Spoilers)

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:00:48 +0000

Launching your new eBook is an exciting time. When Andy Weir first launched The Martian as an eBook in 2011 there was no way he could have predicted just how successful it would end up being. If you are a self-publisher, chances are you are envious of Weir’s success and are wondering how to replicate what he did.

Adobe DRM: How EditionGuard Can Save You $15,000+

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 23:46:08 +0000

Adobe DRM is a widely adopted eBook rights management system that companies such as Google, Barnes & Noble and Sony have turned to instead of developing their own eBook DRM system.

Avoid these eBook Publishing Mistakes

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 05:00:43 +0000

Self-publishing eBooks has opened so many opportunities for writers, and being an indie author is an attainable goal for many. But do make an effort to avoid these eBook publishing mistakes to enjoy better success:

Build Credibility as an Author

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:00:51 +0000

Establishing credibility as an author is an important step in being able to quit your day job and write full time. To be willing to spend their hard-earned money on your eBooks, readers have to have trust in you. There are many ways you can establish that credibility:

The Future of Reading

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:00:10 +0000

The eBook revolutionized the way people read. While print is still popular, more and more readers turn towards their electronic devices for entertainment. However, the advancement of technology shows no signs of slowing down. Indie authors already have to be mindful of the several different platforms on which their eBooks can be read, forcing simple formatting and broad compatibility. The changing technology is bound to affect how consumers read, and indie authors have no choice but to keep up.

June eBook News Around the World

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 05:00:12 +0000

In our effort to support independent authors and self-publishers, we gather all the eBook news around the world that you need to know.

Prepping Images for Your eBook

There are two enormous differences between the image files you want to use in an ebook and ones you’re going to get printed on paper, but the most important factor is that it costs much less to have color images in your eBooks than in print. Read more.

Building Relationships: Graphic Designer

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:29:50 +0000

In our ongoing series that focuses on how to build essential relationships as an indie author, we’ve got the inner parts of your eBook covered. In previous blogs, we’ve discussed the importance of partnering with a reliable editor and proofreader, as these professionals are fantastic assets to your writing. But your eBook also requires the touch of an artist. A graphic designer - someone who can create an eye-catching cover that will attract readers - is crucial to making your eBook whole. The challenge for a graphic designer is to adequately interpret your words, using images that you would see in your mind’s eye, which is why this relationship is an important one.

Building Relationships: Ghostwriters

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 05:00:08 +0000

Do you have a great eBook idea but have little or no time to write? Do you have a book outline but need to keep bringing in an income until your eBook takes off? There is only so much time in your day, and sometimes, the best way to make sure your eBook actually gets written is to hire and build a relationship with a professional ghostwriter.

Building Relationships: Proofreaders

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 05:00:10 +0000

So why do you need to worry about proofreaders if you’ve already enlisted the help of an editor? While many editors offer proofreading services and vice versa, they are completely different functions. Whereas an editor reviews the text for content and overall quality, the proofreader’s task is to ensure that there are virtually no errors. Spelling, punctuation, typos, name spellings, and other small grammatical errors are what the proofreader is looking for, and having a good relationship with professional proofreaders is a necessity.

Building Relationships: eBook Editors

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 05:00:44 +0000

As you begin your journey as an indie author, you’ll quickly notice that there are other key players in the self-publishing industry that you need to have in your corner – people whose expertise you will rely on. From the careful and objective eye of eBook editors to the attention to detail of a skilled proofreader to the artistic eye of an eBook cover designer, you’ll need to build relationships with dedicated professionals you can count on to make what you write even better. Finding a reliable contractor takes time; a smart move for any indie author is building relationships with different professionals.

Take Advantage of a Second Edition

Thu, 26 May 2016 05:00:03 +0000

A second edition is a great way to repurpose your previously written eBook, providing you with the opportunity to create a fresh publication that attracts new readers while still garnering the attention of existing readers. And, as information is rapidly and constantly evolving, a second edition is essential for staying relevant in your field, especially if you’ve written a how-to or similar technical eBook.

Protect your eBook From Piracy

Tue, 24 May 2016 05:00:23 +0000

Piracy is a big concern for indie authors. While eBooks offer convenience for distribution, their ease of accessibility also makes them a target for intellectual property theft. Although you can’t eliminate all actions of piracy within the eBook world, there are steps you can take to protect your rights as an author.

What to Expect When You Self-Publish

Thu, 19 May 2016 05:00:43 +0000

The anticipation of a newly released eBook may be unlike anything else you’ve experienced. But do you know what to expect when you self-publish? As an indie author, everything you have been working so diligently toward accomplishing culminates with the self-publishing of your work. You’ve labored over words and phrases, trudged through who-knows-how-many revisions, and worked with your editor to achieve what you hope is perfection. So now what? As you venture into the next part of your journey as an indie author, you want to have a realistic idea of what to expect when you do self-publish.

Honest Advice for New Indie Authors

Tue, 17 May 2016 05:00:00 +0000

There are plenty of tips out there for writers, but what is often missing is the honest advice that new indie authors need to hear. The reality of writing is a harsh one, and during hard times, it is pure determination that will keep you going.

May eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 12 May 2016 05:00:18 +0000

EditionGuard brings you eBook news from around the world every month. EditionGuard is committed to supporting independent authors and publishers, leveling the playing field by providing you freedom with eBook selling tools that are easy to use and customize, built on top of an industry standard DRM system for security. Now you can sell eBooks the way that makes you happy, without having to give up on your profits. This month’s news is encouraging for the indie community.

ePublishing Trends for Indie Authors

Tue, 10 May 2016 05:00:15 +0000

ePublishing trends for indie authors change as the industry changes, and the writing world changes dramatically every year. Genres come in and out of popularity, more efficient ePublishing formats develop, and indie authors grow in numbers. In order to remain relevant, it’s important to take notice of the changing ePublishing trends if you are going to grow as an author.

When Designing your eBook, Focus on the User Experience

Thu, 05 May 2016 05:00:20 +0000

There’s a lot of excitement associated with designing your eBook, but designing an eBook requires different considerations than does designing a print book. And the first rule of eBook design is, quite simply, keep it simple. When designing your eBook, your primary goal is to make your book accessible on any device.

Anyone Can Be an Indie Author

Tue, 03 May 2016 05:00:55 +0000

You probably don’t realize it yet, but you may already be an indie author in the making - and writing an eBook as an indie author may be easier than you think. Things you do in everyday life are proof that you are more than capable of writing both fiction and non-fiction; you simply have to get it on paper. Whether you already have experience as a blogger, or you’re just getting started as a writer, there are some life lessons to remember as you journey through writing.

Market Your eBook: Beyond Basics

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 05:00:33 +0000

An indie author is part writer and part marketer, and the effort you make to market your eBook is always worthwhile. Marketing an eBook is different than marketing a print book. There’s no hard copy on the shelves at your local bookstore, and there is nothing tangible that you can sign at book fairs or festivals. Nonetheless, there are a number of ways that you can successfully market an eBook beyond the realm of social media.

Criticism as a Tool for Indie Authors

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 05:00:17 +0000

As an indie author, you are going to face criticism. This is true whether you’ve spoken with publishers and agents before making the decision to move forward as indie writer or have simply chosen to self-publish. While critics can provide some of your best feedback, there is some criticism that should have no bearing on your writing. If you don’t learn and understand the difference, critics can bring both you and your writing down.

Indie Author: Get Out of Your Head and Start Writing

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 05:00:46 +0000

Before you put your pen to paper (or your fingers to the keyboard), your eBook begins first and foremost in the minds of indie authors. While your ability to think critically is your most valuable tool, it can also be your worst enemy. It’s all too easy to over-analyze and second-guess your eBook ideas, hindering any real progress. Those are the moments when indie authors need to think less – get out of your head – and consider a few realities about writing.

Translate your eBook, Part 2: The Translation Process

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 05:00:10 +0000

When you decide to translate your eBook, you have to take certain steps to accomplish your goal. The first step is to choose a language in which you want to translate your eBook. You may already know what language your eBook should be translated into, but you may need to do some research or conduct reader surveys to determine which language would be most popular for your genre. As we mentioned in part one, a good translation requires more than an automated converter. The steps are simple, but they are necessary for a successful translation.

Translate your eBook, Part 1: Better Visibility

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 05:00:39 +0000

Publishing an eBook can be one of the most exciting moments in an indie author’s life. But having written and published an eBook doesn’t mean that your writing venture is necessarily complete; now you can translate your eBook into other languages. And translating your eBook provides a great opportunity for you to expand the reach of your writing.

April eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:48:55 +0000

EditionGuard is committed to supporting indie authors and publishing companies who have a desire to control their own eBooks and profit margins. We provide ongoing tips for indie authors and advanced technology to support self-publishers and small publishing companies so that they can have access to the same robust publishing and sales solutions available to bigger companies. From more library access to self-publishing for more profit, we bring you the eBook news you need to know.

Spring Cleaning for the Indie Author

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Spring is here, and with it, the need for spring cleaning. If you’ve collected clutter during the winter months, this is a great time to clean house - and it’s a great time to spruce up your writing, too. Rejuvenate your writing skills, ideas, and space, to ensure success in your writing endeavors.

Tricks that Make Editing Easier

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 05:00:41 +0000

Editing can be a tedious process, but it’s necessary for producing your best work. It may seem overwhelming at first when you find yourself staring at many pages, but if you break down your editing process into simple steps, you’ll find that editing is not as hard as it seems. While every author should complete an initial editing process on their eBook, no eBook is complete or ready to publish without being sent to a professional editor and proofreader for final polishing.

Avoiding Writer’s Block

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 05:00:09 +0000

Writer’s block is likely something that every writer dreads. It strikes at the most inconvenient times and is common for any level of writer. Fortunately, writer’s block doesn’t last forever. Like any obstacle, it can be overcome, and you can then be well on your way to finishing a winner of an eBook. Here are some ideas that may help you hurdle writer’s block when it gets in your way.

Is Your Content Worthy of an eBook?

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 05:34:07 +0000

How do you know if your content is worthy of an eBook? Perhaps all you have written right now is a blog post, but could your topic possibly be expanded into something more? What does it take to publish an eBook?

You Can Self-Publish

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:10:29 +0000

Many competent writers do not believe that they can self-publish; subsequently, they avoid delving into the world of eBooks. Yet the most important step in self-publishing an eBook is in recognizing the barriers that you create and in finding the confidence to give yourself a chance.

Fact-Checking your eBook

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 05:00:02 +0000

Fact-checking can enhance your eBook, add credibility to you as the author, and make your eBook more likely to sell. Thought-provoking research truly enhances a non-fiction eBook, changing what appear to be mere opinions in an eBook into fact-based and intriguing information. However, as a writer, you have to be cautious.

March eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:13:16 +0000

From eBook publishing to indie authors rocking the self-publishing world, we bring you all the March eBook news that you need to know.

Apple Fined $450 Million for eBook Price Fixing

Easy Ways to Advertise your eBook

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 21:13:42 +0000

When your eBook is finally written (or even before), then it’s time to begin marketing your eBook. Advertising and promoting your eBook is essential. However, it’s not all about blogging and launching a social media campaign. When you place your hard work on electronic shelves, the eBook should attract your prospective readers with a short glance. By utilizing a few smart and simple tricks, you can increase your eBook sales and build your audience.

The Importance of Research for Nonfiction eBooks

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 05:00:10 +0000

Even though you may be writing a nonfiction eBook and not necessarily an academic research paper, you don’t get the luxury of skipping one of the most important aspects of writing: the research necessary to lend your eBook authenticity. If you think you already know everything that there is to know about your particular topic, you’re already headed in the wrong direction. Taking time to research your eBook before embarking on the various writing stages is critical. This time allows you to expand on more than just what you know.

eBooks: Keep It Simple

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 08:00:42 +0000

With all the different devices available for reading digital media, your eBook could conceivably be read in several different font sizes and on a variety of tablets, laptops, and phones, and the format in which eBooks are displayed on the latest technology breaks down even further depending on the app being used. Improper eBook formatting for a given device could ruin the experience for the reader, so the best way to ensure every reader has a good experience is to keep it simple.

Writing Fiction, Part 4: Final Steps

Thu, 25 Feb 2016 05:00:22 +0000

When you’re writing fiction, it can often feel like the end is always just beyond your grasp, but you will eventually reach the final stages of your eBook. As with any piece of writing, however, the process is far from finished, even after you type “The End.” In fact, that may be where the real work begins, and it starts with you, as the indie author, taking a hard look at your own writing. Even more difficult than hearing from your editing team and beta readers, taking a critical look at your own work can be tough.

Writing Fiction, Part 3: Using the Right Words

Tue, 23 Feb 2016 05:00:21 +0000

Writing fiction requires finesse. You’re constructing an entire universe for your reader, whether your eBook is set in familiar surroundings or not. Your words must become the paint that create a picture of your world in the reader’s mind.

Writing Fiction, Part 2 – Construction of your Story

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 05:00:43 +0000

Once you’ve settled on an idea as you venture into writing fiction, the development of your story can be daunting. But as we suggested in the first part of our series, have confidence in yourself. Follow these basic guidelines for writing fiction to help corral your ideas and streamline your thoughts.

Writing Fiction – Getting Started

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 12:43:32 +0000

Writing fiction can be enormously challenging. While nonfiction eBooks tend to draw from personal experience and knowledge, fiction requires different skills, more creativity, and often more planning. Writing fiction eBooks creates new opportunities for indie authors to explore, offering the possibility to create something never before read. To get started writing fiction:

February eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:04:15 +0000

From EditionGuard’s new integration inspiration to self-publishing coming of age, we bring you all the February eBook news you need to know as an indie author and self-publisher.

EditionGuard Is Now on Zapier

EditionGuard Is Now on Zapier

Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:56:54 +0000

At EditionGuard, we’re always looking for ways to make it easier for you to sell more eBooks and help you work smarter, not harder, to market and sell the eBooks you write or represent. To that end, we have integrated EditionGuard with Zapier, an app that allows you to automate workflows by creating Zaps. Zaps are automations created using Triggers and Actions. You can use Zaps to connect any two Zapier-supported apps to each other.

Self-Publishing is Easier Than Ever

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 15:34:04 +0000

It wasn’t always easy to publish a book. It used to be that you had to find an agent who would shop your book to a publisher. And even if the publisher was interested, a cycle of edits, revisions, and concessions would ensue before your book ever saw the light of day. This was all before your book was even close to actually being on the market. Now you can successfully navigate most of the publishing process without having to rely on an agent. Self-publishing has become easier than ever. That being said, there are still some things to know about self-publishing.

Write For Fun, Not Profit

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 18:56:03 +0000

Your passion to communicate with the world may often be your motivation to write an eBook, and the personal satisfaction that you gain from a successful publishing is irreplaceable. At the same time, it’s likely that profits are also a goal, given the thought, time, and money you’ve put into your writing. However, if the entire point of your writing is for profit only, you’ll find yourself struggling to produce quality work.

Understanding Social Media

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:00:10 +0000

Being visible on social media is a great way for eBook authors to connect with readers, advertise new eBooks, and create an overall online presence. But with all the social media options available to you, it may be hard to determine where and how you should place your focus.

The Importance of Writing Goals

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 05:00:11 +0000

Writing goals are important for any writer, whether you are just beginning or have been writing for years. Not only do goals keep you on track with projects, but they allow you to have better clarity in your writing. Your personal writing goals can have a very positive impact on your eBook career. These tips can help you create powerful goals:

Writing Your eBook: Sources for Inspiration

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:02:52 +0000

When writing your eBook, where does your inspiration come from? Chances are, you may have turned to the internet for at least some of your source material. While it’s not necessarily bad to pull a few basic concepts from the internet, you have to keep in mind that your readers could do the same. It’s important to look beyond what the internet has to offer for your eBook content.

When to Market your eBook

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 05:00:25 +0000

As an indie author, the effort you make to market your eBook is essential, and it’s not something you want to wait for until the last minute. Marketing your eBook should start as soon as your pen hits the paper. It’s also a good tactic to help keep you motivated and writing consistently. By marketing before your eBook is even on the shelves, you have time to grow an audience and generate some excitement.

January eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:00:55 +0000

From falling author royalties to advice from successful authors, we bring you all the January eBook news you need to know.

Advice for eBook Authors to Keep Writing and Keep Innovating

Sales Strategies for Indie Authors

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 05:00:42 +0000

If you’ve published an eBook, there’s quite literally no time to rest before you begin implementing sales strategies. There is nothing worse than finally publishing your eBook only to have it collect virtual dust when no sales come through. As an indie author, you’re also responsible for eBook marketing. For new or unknown indie authors, it can be difficult for your eBook to gain traction. You want readers to take a chance on what you’ve written, but how do you filter through all of the other eBooks? There are several key sales strategies you can use that may help improve your eBook visibility. The goal at this beginning stage is more about becoming known and less about garnering profits.

Presentation is Everything

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:00:48 +0000

In today’s day and age, eBooks are still holding their own against print books. eBooks are easily available on any mobile device and laptop, and consumers love the ease with which they can be purchased and read. However, it’s not enough to convert your eBook into a PDF and place it on electronic shelves. You still have to capture the attention of your readers at first glance if you want your eBook to sell.

Don’t Wait for the Perfect eBook

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:06:42 +0000

Every author wants to create the perfect eBook, and when writing an eBook, you want to put forward something that is well-planned and polished. We absolutely agree that quality is crucial, and you should always make editing and proofreading – and even more editing and proofreading – a high priority. But you don’t want to get caught in a vicious cycle of perfectionism in which you second-guess every sentence and never actually publish anything. Do your best, but don’t expect the perfect eBook. If you do, your eBook will never hit the shelves.

Finishing your eBook

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Some people say that starting an eBook is the hardest part of writing, but that’s only until it comes to finishing an eBook. An unfinished eBook can’t sell, so it’s important to stay on top of your writing. The question you have to ask yourself is: Do you want to be an indie author or a professional procrastinator? A procrastinator can come up with a million reasons why his or her eBook is still incomplete, so don’t allow yourself to put off what could be a top seller.

From Blogging to eBook Writing

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:33:35 +0000

News about eBook writing is everywhere. Online eBooks are now selling more than hard copies, and authors no longer have to wait for a publisher to take interest. Self-publishing is the new norm for eBook writers, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to take advantage of this change of pace.

Avoid eBook Writing Pitfalls

Tue, 22 Dec 2015 05:00:41 +0000

There are plenty of “dos” and “don’ts” in the eBook world, and to be a successful eBook author, you have to focus on both so that you avoid eBook writing pitfalls. Much emphasis is placed on what you can and should be doing to write and market your eBook, but these common mistakes trip up too many writers.

Expand Your eBook Audience

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 05:51:40 +0000

It’s a great time of year for eBook sales, which means it’s also an opportune time for you to expand your eBook audience. You can build a loyal readership and get the word out about your current and future eBooks to a larger number of people. And by reaching out to more readers, your eBook sales can improve.

December eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 05:00:59 +0000

From a bigger shift of print to eBook, to the latest self-publishing news, we’ve gathered all of the eBook news from around the world you need to know this month.

'Tis the Season for eBook Publishing

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:32:58 +0000

‘Tis the season for eBook publishing! If you’re looking to get your eBook out there, now is a perfect time to do so. Holiday sales are popping up everywhere, and people are digging through online selections more often than usual. In the search of gifts for others, shoppers often come across something fascinating for themselves - so having your eBook available for them to discover can be perfect timing.

Writing While Traveling: Keep Your Writing Schedule

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:56:38 +0000

It can be difficult to keep writing while traveling, but if you want to see your eBook published, maintaining a writing schedule while traveling can be important. Whether your travel consists of a day out of town for business or a few weeks of much-deserved vacation, writing is something you can still fit in. You may be promoting your work or simply visiting family, but no matter what the circumstances, travel is prone to unpredictability. Regardless of missed flights or carefully planned itineraries gone awry, it’s essential to maintain your writing habits.

Finding Inspiration for Writing in Day-to-Day Life

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 08:00:37 +0000

A successful eBook can be derived from many different sources, but finding inspiration for writing one can be difficult. Writer’s block, which can strike at any moment, can be frustrating for an author who is striving to develop his or her work. Rather than continuing to beat your head against the wall, one of the best things to do is simply to relax and reflect on what’s happening around you.

EditionGuard for Libraries and Publishers

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:00:02 +0000

EditionGuard provides a cost-effective and easy-to-use eBook DRM solution that allows independent eBook publishers and libraries access to the same robust tools used by the big publishers. EditionGuard is a secure vault where you keep your eBooks (and your profits). Once you upload an eBook to our service, it is immediately encrypted using the latest in cryptographic algorithms. Your eBook is stored securely on our DRM server, and only you have the key to allowing users to decrypt and access the contents of the eBook. But did you know…

Top 10 Reasons to Write an eBook Now

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 08:00:33 +0000

Write an eBook now! Writing an eBook is easier and more profitable than ever. These are the top 10 reasons to write an eBook now:

eBooks are versatile. eBooks can be as long as War and Peace or as short as a few pages. They can be fiction, non-fiction, or memoir. They can even be white papers, reports, or other kinds of information you can use to grow your business.
eBooks are popular. eBook sales from indie authors continue to grow, and the next generation of readers is more likely to choose a digital book over a print one, so whether you're a new writer or an established one, now is the time to get on the digital book bandwagon.
No publisher necessary. Rather than submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers, desperately seeking approval to share your written work with the masses, you can write what you want, how you want it, and publish it yourself. Your creativity and vision aren't stymied by a corporate board's profit motive.
eBooks can be leveraged. Write an eBook, then turn it into a presentation, a slideshow, a YouTube video, or a blog series, to grow your audience.
eBooks are profitable. By cutting out agent and publisher fees, printing and shipping costs, and shared royalties, you can make a lot of money for very little investment.
eBooks keep making money. Your eBook, once published, will continue to generate sales, making you money for as long as you have it available. Consider eBooks as an additional income stream.
eBooks establish your credibility. Publishing an eBook helps to establish you as a thought leader in your field.
eBooks help you reach like-minded people. Whether you're trying to connect with other authors, romcom fans, or people in your industry, eBooks help you connect and establish your legitimacy within whatever group you're reaching out to.
Establish yourself as an expert. Establish yourself as an expert on the topic of your eBook and be invited to speak at conferences, appear on and moderate panels, and attend special events.
Grow globally. eBooks are much easier to ship to other countries than are print books, so you can quickly and easily grow an international audience and expand your reach.

What is your reason for writing an eBook?

Grow Your Business with an eBook

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:38:21 +0000

Are you an entrepreneur trying to grow your business, a consultant trying to attract new clients, or a business executive who wants to be considered as a thought leader in your industry? There is a way to make all of that more likely: write and publish an eBook.

Generating eBooks from Other Content

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:15:28 +0000

If you are a blogger or a journalist, you may have the opportunity to begin generating eBooks from other content you have already created. This can give you a jump start into entering the eBook marketplace. There are several types of content from which you can create an eBook:

November eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:00:18 +0000

From holiday sales to self-publishing success, we’ve gathered all the eBook news from around the world you need to know this month.

Best-Selling Author Glenn Cooper Self-Publishes in the U.S.

Holiday eBooks

Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:11:54 +0000

If you’re an indie author who wants to capitalize on the rush of sales that should occur throughout the holiday season, you may be putting the final touches on holiday eBooks that will help you reach a new or larger audience. If you haven’t started writing yet but want to cash in on holiday sales, it may not be too late.

eBook in a Month: NaNoWriMo

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:13:28 +0000

NaNoWriMo is a writer’s community that gathers every November to encourage each writer to get 50,000 words down. They don’t have to be perfect or pretty, but the point is to just get them written. The movement has gained popularity over the years, helping countless writers complete their books in a single month.

Finance Your eBook with Crowdfunding

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:04:13 +0000

A popular way of covering expenses while writing your eBook is to finance your eBook with crowdfunding. If you’ve ever wanted to leave your job and work full-time on your writing, you may now have a better chance of doing so thanks to crowdfunding.

Drop eBook Prices to Make More Money

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:35:51 +0000

It seems counterintuitive, but if you want to sell more eBooks, you may want to drop eBook prices. Lower eBook prices might actually be the quickest way to make more money, at least for indie authors. While publishers continue to raise prices and see significant drops in sales, indie authors who keep their prices lower are selling nearly twice as many eBooks.

4 Skills Every Successful eBook Author Has

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:35:40 +0000

We work with several authors, and there are four traits we believe every successful eBook author has. These are not necessarily traits that are inherent in the author, but rather skills that are learned, developed, and honed over time - often through trial by fire. If you are driven to succeed as an eBook author, building these skills will help.

Accept PayPal to Sell More eBooks

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:51:43 +0000

Once you have written, proofed, edited, and published your eBook, as well as added an excellent cover design, you need to sell your eBook, and accepting PayPal can greatly increase the chances of a purchase being completed. One company reported a 33.7-percent increase in sales by offering PayPal, while another survey reported that more than 50 percent of consumers will abandon the purchase if their preferred payment method is not offered.

October eBook News from Around the World

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:53:08 +0000

From the unnecessary pricing discomfiture at the expense of libraries to clarification of the true statistics on eBook sales, we bring you all the eBook news you need to know this month.

Indie Author Tools: Character Development Software

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:46:19 +0000

Creating compelling characters is the benchmark of great storytelling, but it can be incredibly difficult to do well. In fact, one of the biggest challenges for indie authors who are writing fiction is character development. To develop great characters, you have to do more than focus on the part of them that will appear in your story; you must develop their full personas:

Indie Author Tools: WriteMonkey

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:20:38 +0000

We’ve been exploring a variety of indie author tools that facilitate collaboration, creativity, and focus. Of all of those tools, WriteMonkey is possibly one of the best for writers who simply need to focus on writing without any distractions.

Indie Author Tools: Google Docs

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 00:32:39 +0000

When it comes to eBook collaboration for indie authors, nothing beats making the process easy and free - and that’s what you get with Google Docs. Not only can you collaborate with other authors, editors, and various contributors, Google Docs allows you to share and collaborate on multiple file types, including:

Indie Author Tools: Creative Writing Software

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:08:39 +0000

Fiction indie authors can sometimes hit stumbling blocks that may hinder creativity, but creative writing software is designed to help propel your writing forward. There are several different types of creative writing software, but the primary purpose of the software is to spur your imagination and your creativity while helping you remain organized during the writing process. This, in turn, can help you write more efficiently and deliver your eBooks to your readers more often.

Indie Author Tools: Ulysses III

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:00:31 +0000

Many of the indie author tools we recommend are ideal for any writer, but Ulysses III is specifically designed for the Mac/Apple/iPad writer, so if you are a Mac user and need an organizational tool to accelerate your fiction-writing efforts, the Ulysses III app may be the perfect solution.

Indie Author Tools: Scrivener

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:09:45 +0000

Writing an eBook is hard work, but indie author tools can definitely make it easier to stay organized, collaborate, and stay motivated. One of the most popular indie author tools available is Scrivener. Scrivener is available for both Microsoft and Mac.

Indie Author Tools: Evernote

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:27:40 +0000

In every job, professionals use tools of the trade, and authors are no different. In this series, we will explore the indie author tools that can help make you a better, more efficient writer.

September eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 16:42:14 +0000

From writing to publishing, we bring you all the eBook news you need to know.

7 Novelists Who Only Published One Novel

When it was announced earlier this year that Harper Lee was to release a new novel, Go Set A Watchman, in July 2015, her readers and fans were quite rightly astonished. For fifty-five years, since the publication of To Kill A Mockingbird in 1960, Lee had remained one of the most famous names on a noticeably select list of best-selling authors whose reputation and enduring popularity rested on a single novel. But with Go Set A Watchman now selling by the million - and dividing critics and readers alike, many of whom still question whether it should have been published at all - who does Lee leave behind her on a list of literary one-hit-wonders? Read more.

Writing Healthy for Better Writing

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:36:55 +0000

One of the biggest problems facing indie authors isn’t writer’s block or a lack of publishing deals; it’s writing healthy. There’s a ton of evidence to support the fact that sitting all day at your computer is bad for your health, but if you’re a prolific writer (or even want to be), sitting at your computer can consume long portions of your day.

eBook Trends: Inspirational Fiction

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 19:44:21 +0000

As we wrap up our eBook trends series, the last niche area we’d like to suggest for indie authors is inspirational fiction. Inspirational fiction can take a variety of forms, from stories with uplifting messages to nearly-non-fiction stories pulled from your own life experiences. Think Andy Andrews- or Mitch Albom-style stories that make you smile while you simultaneously reach for a tissue.

eBook Trends: Western Fiction

Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:26:18 +0000

As we explore the most popular eBook trends, Western fiction must be mentioned. While it doesn’t have the same popularity as some of the other categories, there is always a demand for great cowboy fiction, with heroes who are larger than life.

eBook Trends: Science Fiction

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 08:00:37 +0000

Science fiction is possibly one of the most flexible eBook trends in fiction. With sci-fi eBooks, you can quite literally create any kind of character and any kind of universe you want. Your imagination is your only barrier. Science fiction has been popular since the days of Isaac Asimov and beyond, but it has recently enjoyed a resurgence with the reboot of Star Trek, that we feel will grow even bigger with the next round of Star Wars films coming to theaters. Film genres do impact the popularity of book genres, so it’s worth noting the connection.

eBook Trends: Vampire Lit

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:26 +0000

Vampire lit has achieved fever pitch thanks to Stephanie Meyer, author of the Twilight series of books, and the extremely popular HBO television series, True Blood, based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of books by Charlaine Harris. Readers have a voracious appetite for vampire lit, from tweens and teens to their moms and dads.

eBook Trends: Mystery and Detective Fiction

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:02:59 +0000

As we continue to explore eBook trends in fiction, another very popular genre is mystery and detective fiction. Mystery and detective fiction may also be one of the most challenging to write well, because it can be incredibly tricky to write believable, well-plotted mysteries and whodunits.

eBook Trends: Fantasy Fiction

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 23:09:33 +0000

As we continue to explore the different eBook trends that are happening in fiction, we’d be completely remiss if we didn’t talk about fantasy fiction. Thanks to authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer, fantasy fiction has been given a considerable boost. What makes fantasy fiction even better is that you can write for nearly any age group, from children to teens, to YA, to adult.

eBook Trends: Crime Fiction

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:00:56 +0000

We’ve been exploring different eBook trends that allow indie authors and independent digital publishers to expand their offerings, and one area that is growing in popularity is crime fiction. If you’re looking for something slightly less gruesome than zombie lit but slightly less mushy than romantic fiction, crime fiction might be a good choice for your writing skills.

August eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:42:24 +0000

From social storytelling to eBooks on campus, we deliver all the eBook news from around the world you need to know.

Wattpad’s Writer’s Hub Demystifies the Art of Social Storytelling

eBook Trends: Romantic Fiction

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:00:56 +0000

While 50 Shades of Grey certainly accentuated the popularity of romantic fiction, the romance genre has been one of the most successful to transition from print to digital, and that presents a huge opportunity for indie authors and publishers. While it’s important to find an angle that differentiates you from other authors and works of romantic fiction out there, the wonderful thing about romantic fiction is that it is, for the most part, quite formulaic.

eBook Trends: Zombie Lit

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 20:36:45 +0000

Zombie lit lives! The undead have migrated from being part of fantasy fiction into their own genre, and it is on fire. (Fire is one way to try to rid yourself of a zombie problem.) If you’re an indie author or publisher looking for a fiction genre that will help you sell more eBooks, you can’t go wrong with zombie fiction. While zombie lit isn’t necessarily new - Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein would likely qualify - it’s popularity is surging. And while every up-and-comer owes a debt of gratitude to Night of the Living Dead creator George A. Romero, movies like World War Z and TV shows like The Walking Dead spur on the enthusiasm for the genre. The CW’s decision to make a zombified version of Little Women will continue to fuel the fire.

Braille for eBooks

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 19:44:08 +0000

One demographic that has been underserved during the shift toward eBooks is the blind community, but braille for eBooks is a technology that is not only in development, but is available on a newly designed smart watch. In the past, people with vision challenges have had to rely on audiobooks or Siri to translate text on smartphones and tablets, but now blind people are empowered to read braille from a smart device. We hope this is only the beginning of the development of this technology. Imagine how exciting it might be in the future for children who rely on braille to have access to a library of eBooks that can be read in braille.

eTextbooks: The New eBook Frontier

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 17:40:23 +0000

eTextbooks are the new eBook frontier. They’re inexpensive, easy to obtain, and much easier to haul around campus. If you’ve ever thought of writing a textbook, now may be the time to consider writing a digital version or updating a print textbook to digital. While still in its infancy, eBook textbooks are becoming more popular:

eBook Cover Art: Standing Out

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:00:03 +0000

As an eBook writer, you may be more focused on the words than the eBook cover art, but if you want to sell eBooks, that initial visual is what will attract readers. eBook cover art, then, is absolutely crucial to your overall presentation of your eBook, whether you sell it on your own website or anywhere else. You need to grab the reader’s attention. This is true even if it is a very short eBook being used for lead generation for your business. The fact is, visual presentaiton matters.

eBook Marketing Tips from the Pros

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 13:30:47 +0000

These eBook marketing tips can help you grow your eBook sales and visibility more quickly. eBooks are growing in popularity despite the groans from traditional publishers to the contrary. Fiction eBooks from indie authors are selling better than ever, and free eBooks are the number one leadgen performer for companies and entrepreneurs. As an independent author or publisher, marketing is a necessary part of your toolkit. We’ve gathered some great marketing tips to help you sell more and have more visibility with your eBook.

The First Line: Writing Well

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:23:21 +0000

When it comes to writing well, it’s worth paying attention to the first line. People are busy. Judgments are often instantaneous. So whether you’re writing a blog post, the first line of your eBook, or your author bio, a strong start is important. Writing well should continue beyond the first line, but if you don’t catch them quickly (readers), you won’t catch them at all. Extra emphasis should be placed on your title and leading paragraph.

July eBook News from Around the Web

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:00:10 +0000

From library eBook pricing to the latest digital publishing trends, we bring you all of the eBook news you need to know.

July eBook News from Around the Web:

Libraries Cry Foul Over Costs of eBooks

eBooks Are Good for Business

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:19:49 +0000

eBooks are good for business. Specifically, eBooks are good for businesses that need to increase their visibility, develop a comprehensive lead-generation strategy, and establish themselves as a dominating force in their industry.

Content Marketing for Indie Authors

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:55:05 +0000

Content marketing - creating content that serves the dual purpose of providing valuable information while at the same time making a company or individual more visible - is a tool many authors overlook. However, content marketing can be an author’s best friend, leading to better eBook sales and more opportunities for you as an author. The trick is remembering that for content marketing to work for you, it needs to truly be information of value.

Self-Publishing Is Easy. Self-Publishing Successfully Isn't.

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:18:18 +0000

Self-publishing is easy. Anyone can put words on a page, upload them, and push the publish button. But self-publishing with the goal of selling eBooks, becoming a successful author, and perhaps someday even being able to quit your day job and write full time isn’t quite as easy. In fact, writing the eBook may be the least of your worries in self-publishing. EditionGuard is here to help you overcome the challenges of being an indie author.

eBooks for Babies

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:31:08 +0000

eBooks for babies are predicted to become one of the fastest-growing market segments, which might seem confusing for parents who hear nothing but criticism when it comes to how much screen time they’re allowing their children. New research from Susan Rvachew, a speech-language pathologist and professor at McGill University, may dispute the screen-time claim, however. In fact, Dr. Rvachew discussed the benefits of using eBooks as a teaching tool with young children. In an interview with McGill Reporter, she said:

EditionGuard Makes eBook Sales Easier

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 16:19:35 +0000

EditionGuard provides indie authors and publishers with access to state-of-the-art digital publishing tools that were previously only available to large publishing houses. Our eBook selling tools are customizable, easy to install and use, and built using industry-leading DRM.

What Is a Beta Reader?

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:47:28 +0000

A beta reader is like a beta tester for software or apps - they get early access to your eBook to help you work out the kinks. Beta readers are incredibly valuable to indie authors. Not only do they offer fresh eyes to catch typos and formatting issues on a variety of different devices, but they also are often willing to provide input on things like character development and storyline. If your beta reader can’t connect point A to point B, you can be sure the broader reading audience will have difficulty.

4 eBook Mistakes to Avoid

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:09:43 +0000

When you’re writing your first eBook, mistakes are easy to make. Avoiding these four eBook mistakes, however, can help ensure that you’re ready to greet your readers with your head held high.

June eBook News from Around the Web

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:00:34 +0000

From thwarting eBook pirates to using eBooks to improve your business, here’s the eBook news from around the web that you need to know.

eBook news from around the web:

European commission to investigate Amazon's ebook dominance

The European commission has launched a competition inquiry into Amazon’s dominant market position in ebooks, as Brussels steps up its scrutiny of US tech groups. The EU’s executive branch is looking at clauses in contracts between Amazon and publishing houses that restrict publishers from offering better terms to the online retailer’s competitors. The clauses sometimes require publishers to disclose to Amazon the terms offered to rival retailers. Read more.

3 Ways Ebooks Could Help Improve Your Content Marketing Strategy

Ebooks are especially "fat", expected to grow from $2.31 billion in 2011 to $8.69 billion in 2018. With self-published ebooks comprising 32% of Amazon's daily ebook sales at the end of the quarter ending October 2, 2014, marketers should be taking advantage of this type of content marketing. Read more.

Publishers win landmark case against eBook pirates

British publishers have won their first ever blocking order against pirate ebook sites, as the battle over online copyright spreads beyond music and film. Read more.

Are eBooks the Ultimate Lead Generation Tool?

To generate leads from your eBook, you need to make it valuable. So valuable that visitors to your site won’t blink twice about exchanging their contact details for it. A valuable eBook is comprehensive and resonates with your buyer personas — ideally solving a problem that they have. Your eBook shouldn’t act as a marketing tool. In fact, you should probably only refer to your brand once or twice throughout the entire copy, if that. Read more.

Are People Listening? Turn Your eBooks into Audio Books

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 08:00:39 +0000

One of the best ways indie authors can gain exposure and additional fans is by creating audiobooks. There are a number of people, who, because of a lack of time, eyesight, or inclination, simply don’t read. That doesn’t mean, however, that they don’t enjoy books. They simply listen to them.

Freelancers Are the eBook Author’s Best Friends

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:33:16 +0000

eBook authors often operate on shoestring budgets, and that makes freelancers the eBook author’s best friends. Freelancers of all kinds offer their services, talents, and skills for far less than it would cost to employ staff to provide the services you need. The following freelancers may be useful to you as an eBook author:

Writing an eBook as an eBook Ghostwriter

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 08:00:46 +0000

The approach taken to write an eBook as an eBook ghostwriter is much different than the approach taken to write one’s own eBook. However, the ghostwriters who find the most success are the ones who have as much passion for their clients’ projects as they do their own.

4 eBook Format Tips You Can Use Now

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 08:00:47 +0000

The ability to self-publish has dramatically changed the landscape for indie authors, but eBook format challenges thwart most indie authors. The eBook may be easy to write, but getting the proper look across multiple devices and file types can be challenging. These four eBook format tips can help you deliver the highest quality content to your readers:

EditionGuard Delivers Hardened DRM to Indie Publishers

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:30:24 +0000

From hardened DRM to enhanced services, EditionGuard is heating things up for indie authors and publishers! Welcome to the new EditionGuard website! We hope you enjoy our newly-designed website, which was created to make it even easier for indie authors and digital publishers to have all of the information they need to succeed at their fingertips.

Tools for Indie Authors to Achieve Better Success

Wed, 20 May 2015 08:00:46 +0000

The big publishers and Amazon would like nothing more than to leave indie authors believing that there is no hope for them going forward. Even Smashwords has jumped on the “it’s only going to get harder for indie authors” bandwagon.

Your Local Library Wants You, Indie eBook Author!

Mon, 18 May 2015 08:00:03 +0000

Yes, it’s true. Your local library would like nothing more than to feature your eBook, especially if you are a familiar local who wouldn’t mind dropping in now and then for a reading or digital book signing. However, getting your eBook into your local library can be much more complicated than it should be right now. While we’re hoping solutions come along to make it easier on every indie author to be found in their public library, right now, OverDrive seems to rule the show. OverDrive is an eBook aggregator service that delivers indie author publications to libraries. You do not make any money on library lends, but think of the exposure! OverDrive has more than two million eBooks in libraries. OverDrive doesn’t only push eBooks to public libraries but also to corporate libraries.

May eBook News from Around the Web

Thu, 14 May 2015 08:00:07 +0000

From self-publishing kids to indie authors making hundreds of thousands of dollars self-publishing, here’s the eBook news from around the web that you need to know.

Direct Sales of eBooks in Canada Rises Dramatically

Great News for KidLit eBook Authors

Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:17 +0000

We’ve been watching the trends for kidlit eBook authors for a while, and this is one area of digital publishing that has seen nothing but explosive growth. Not only have there been several predictions that today’s child will grow up more comfortable with electronic literature than any generation before, but children’s eBooks are some of the most popular.

Tips for Indie Authors

Wed, 06 May 2015 08:00:47 +0000

Indie authors have enormous opportunity to create not only a legacy that lasts beyond their lifetime but also an income stream that does as well. What’s the biggest difference between an eBook that sells copy after copy and one that doesn’t ever move? We’ve identified three factors that can make or break your eBook:

Signs that the eBook Industry Is Growing Up

Mon, 04 May 2015 19:55:50 +0000

The eBook industry is growing up; the signs are evident that now more than ever it’s a great time to be an indie author or independent publisher focusing primarily on eBooks.

Consider the following industry stats from Author Earnings Report:

Yes, Put the Cart Before the Horse

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 08:00:36 +0000

When it comes to selling eBooks, you need to put the cart before the horse. In other words, you need to start marketing your eBook and positioning yourself as a writer from the minute you have the idea. Don’t wait to market your eBook until after it’s written. By then, it will be an uphill battle. Instead, adopt an eBook marketing state of mind from the start.

eBook Advice from the Experts

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 08:00:40 +0000

Looking for advice on selling, writing, marketing, and pricing your eBooks? We’ve gathered expert advice from around the web to help.

Derek Murphy: Format your eBook the right way.

Murphy offers great formatting tips for eBook authors, including this valuable advice: “The easiest way to make an ebook is to start by setting up your Word file the right way. Use line-indents, not tabs. Use the “heading1” style for all chapter titles, and check that a TOC is being made automatically. Set a new paragraph style for non-indents on the first chapter.”

The Rise of eBook Subscription Services

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 08:00:12 +0000

E-book subscription services function like Netflix for readers, providing a library of reading material for a set monthly fee. There are a number of eBook subscription services available, and understanding the benefits and costs of each may help you determine where to align your eBooks.

April eBook News from Around the Web

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:00:22 +0000

From mobile ubiquity to the latest eBook reader, here is all the eBook news you need from around the web.

Closing the Gaps in Readers’ Sales Journeys

Few publishers have marketing programs in place at every stage of a reader’s path toward making a book purchase, but that may change. Read more.

eBook Length: Does It Matter?

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 23:35:40 +0000

Achieving the correct eBook length can be challenging for the novice indie author, but it’s really not about the length. It really must be about the quality first. The Future of Ink offers these guidelines:

Gain More Readers with Contests and Giveaways

Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:14:08 +0000

It’s easy to gain more - and new - readers with contests and giveaways. Everybody likes free stuff and everybody likes winning. Social media makes it easy to both host your contents and giveaways and promote them. If you’ve read our series on social media for the indie author, you’ll already understand the importance of leveraging social media to increase your readership, and this is just another way to make the most of the tools you should already be using. You can also leverage your blog for contests and giveaways.

Connect with Readers, Part 2: Out in the World

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:00:16 +0000

It’s important for indie authors to connect with readers, both virtually and in person. Even if you’re only publishing electronically, you are not made of bits and bytes, and building a loyal readership that will buy your eBooks and recommend them to others begins with being accessible to your readers. While there are a number of ways you can stay connected with readers online, occasionally you’ll need to close down the laptop and venture out into the sunlight to meet and greet your readers in person. Try these five ideas for getting out in the world to connect with readers:

Connect with Readers, Part 1: Virtual Connections

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 13:43:09 +0000

As an indie author, one of the best ways to sell more eBooks is to connect with readers on a more personal level so that they will provide the valuable word-of-mouth advertising you need to reach more readers. Connecting with readers virtually is a great place to begin. Most of your readers will be accessible on a variety of social platforms, so there are valid reasons indie authors should use social media.

Repurpose, Recycle, Resell: Getting the Most Out of eBooks

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:00:19 +0000

Just as you can reuse, reduce, and recycle to protect the environment, you can repurpose, recycle, and resell your eBooks to continue expanding your readership and growing your visibility as an author. The life of an eBook is never over. In fact, once you’ve written a few eBooks, you have more options for how to use the material than you could possibly imagine.

Self-Publishing Is Not New

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:57:13 +0000

If you’ve always wanted to be an author but have been turned away by publishers or simply haven’t even submitted your manuscript for fear of rejection, self-publishing is an option now more than ever before. But self-publishing is not new. Not only did many famous authors from the past find success with self-publishing - people like Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, and Ezra Pound - but there are a number of very successful modern authors who self-published as well. Richard Paul Evans self-published The Christmas Box before selling it to Simon & Schuster for $4.25 million.

March eBook News from Around the Web

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 14:37:11 +0000

From high VAT taxes in Europe to an increase in the number of digital magazines, this is the eBook news from around the Web we’ve been reading this month.

EU courts rule that eBooks must be treated as a service. Electronic books cannot benefit from the same reduced rate of value-added tax as paper books, the top court of the European Union ruled on Thursday. But the European Commission signaled it may change the rules next year to allow for equal taxation of books in any form. Read more.

The Future of eBooks

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 07:22:46 +0000

The future of eBooks is often debated, and there will always be those who prefer print books. But no matter how popular the print book remains over time, technology, convenience and the draw of immediate gratification will continue to ensure a place for eBooks in the publishing industry.

eBook DRM: Cost-Effective Solutions for Publishers

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 08:00:49 +0000

There is a lot of confusion about eBook DRM. But the truth is, if you are an eBook publisher, one of the most important considerations you have in selling eBooks is digital rights management (DRM). The problem has been traditionally that to have effective, customizable DRM, you have to be able to afford a significant investment in DRM software. This has made it impossible in the past for smaller or independent digital publishers to compete with larger publishers.

Serial eBooks: Bringing Back a Popular Format

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:23:54 +0000

There's something wonderful about the anticipation of the continutation of a story from week to week, and serial eBooks are surging in popularity. Serial eBooks take advantage of an old approach to publishing that gained popularity with Charles Dickens, who published The Pickwick Papers and Hard Times as serials. The trend was continued in Germany and France by authors like Alexandre Dumas, who published both The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo as serials. In America, Harriet Beecher Stowe first published Uncle Tom's Cabin as a serial in the 1850s.

Non-Fiction eBooks: The Anthology eBook

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 08:00:47 +0000

As we wrap up our exploration of fiction eBook alternatives, one non-fiction eBook that can have you published in a relatively short period of time is the anthology eBook. Whether you obtain the rights to a collection of interviews that were conducted with your favorite musical artist, or collect a number of essays you previously wrote on related topics and tie them together, you can create and publish an anthology eBook rather quickly.

Non-Fiction eBooks: The Academic eBook

Tue, 24 Feb 2015 20:13:51 +0000

As we explore the variety of options available to indie eBook authors, one form of non-fiction eBook that is quickly becoming more popular is the academic eBook. The growth in online e-learning tools for “Generation Z” is exploding, and theirs will be the first generation to be more comfortable in a digital environment. Academic eBooks open an entire world up to the indie author, because there are virtually unlimited numbers of topics one can pursue.

Write a Non-Fiction eBook: The Travelogue

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:49:35 +0000

Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to interesting and exotic places, but if you are a global traveler, your experiences can be turned into a fascinating non-fiction eBook in the form of a travelogue. This image-intensive non-fiction eBook format can take a variety of forms, from sharing stories about your own adventures to providing guidance for those who wish to follow in your footsteps.

Getting Real: The Non-Fiction eBook Memoir

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:00:25 +0000

As we explore additional non-fiction eBook ideas that can help you get started as an indie author, one worth exploring is the memoir. Everyone has a story to tell, and the memoir lets you tell the one story you’re an expert at knowing: the story of you.

Quick and Easy: The Non-Fiction Recipe eBook

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 15:27:42 +0000

We’ve been talking about the types of non-fiction eBooks that might help a new indie author break into self-publishing. One area that has a lot of potential, a sort of sub-genre of the how-to eBook, is the non-fiction recipe eBook. Given the prediction that cookbooks will become extinct because of eBooks and apps, now may be the best time to publish your non-fiction recipe eBook.

Non-Fiction eBooks: The How-To eBook

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:07 +0000

We’ve been talking on the EditionGuard blog about the benefit of writing non-fiction eBooks for those indie authors who feel fiction is not their forte. One of the most popular forms of non-fiction eBooks – and one for which indie authors can find it very easy to get published – is the how-to eBook. The how-to eBook does exactly what it says: It teaches the reader how to do something. That “something” can be anything from “How to Dry Flowers” to “How to Build Your Own Greenhouse.”

Non-Fiction eBooks: The Writing Process

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 08:00:30 +0000

Before we begin exploring the specifics of each genre of non-fiction eBooks, there are some basics that apply to any non-fiction eBook project you undertake. The most important factor as a non-fiction indie author is voice. Instead of having characters to fill up scenes, your voice is going to be front and center and therefore critical to the process.

Alternatives to the Fiction eBook

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 08:00:45 +0000

You may have a desire to become an author and truly feel you have an eBook inside you, but maybe fiction isn’t your forte. If you’ve tried to make your way through characters and story arcs and simply aren’t getting anywhere, maybe you’re destined for the non-fiction world.

Anatomy of an Author Blog, Part Two

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 18:26:48 +0000

We’ve been discussing the importance of an author blog for indie authors. Last time, we talked about the tools you need behind the scene to make your blog function well. Today, we’ll discuss the anatomy of author blog content that will help your blog be more successful.

Anatomy of an Author Blog, Part One

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:23 +0000

As an indie author, your author blog is one of your best marketing tools for promoting your eBooks, engaging with your readers, and sharing insights into your personality. But to make your author blog work well for you, it helps to design it properly. In this post, we’ll discuss the tools you need behind the scene to make your author blog work. In the next post, we’ll discuss what you need to include in your content.

Is your eBook Available in the Library?

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:42:50 +0000

One of the biggest eBook trends predicted to experience even more explosive growth in 2015 is making the eBook available in the library. Libraries across the country are experiencing a surge in popularity through embracing technology and offering access to digital book titles. Two libraries in Washington had more than two million digital titles checked out.

The History of eBooks Is Longer Than You Think

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:06:50 +0000

While eBooks have proliferated in the last several years, digital reading has been around since the 1970s.

1949: First electronic book patent application

In 1949 a Spanish teacher named Angela Ruiz Robles invented the first electronic book, which was powered by compressed air. Her goal was to save the backs of her students.

Ignore the Doom: Make 2015 the Year to Self Publish

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 08:00:43 +0000

If you’re an indie author or have the desire to be one, 2015 is the year for you. Several news articles will lead you to believe that digital growth is slowing and that paper books are making a comeback. Everywhere, the news says that indie authors will have a tough road to hoe…but when you dig into these stories, they’re simply talked about slowed sales on Amazon. They don’t mention the explosion of eBook sales predicted in South Korea in 2015 or Seth Godin’s prediction that 2015 will be a breakout year indie authors who self publish.

Why Indie Authors Need Google+

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:20 +0000

While there are some who claim that Google failed with its social media experiment, the improvement in visibility that results from having Google+ makes it a worthy platform, even without Google authorship.

Why Do Indie Authors Need Google+?

Why do indie authors need Google+? Because Google search is critical, and Google+ quickly improves your Google search results. It’s as simple as that. If you want people to find you, a perhaps-relatively unknown indie author with a couple of eBooks for sale, then you need to have a Google+ profile and an author page, and you need to post there regularly.

Google+ also is a great place to connect with readers, reviewers, and other indie authors. Not only can you add them to circles and then target posts to specific audiences, you can host and participate in hangouts. Author interviews, Q&As, and other traditional in-person promotional activities that authors accomplish can now be done via Google Hangouts from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Indie Authors: Getting Visible on Pinterest

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:41 +0000

Pinterest is not only one of the fastest-growing social sharing sites but it is also one of the best referring sites. And what is a referring site? A referring site is a site that directs traffic back to your website, helping you improve your visibility and your rank. When used properly, Pinterest can often be more useful than Facebook or Google+.

Instagram for Indie Authors

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:00:50 +0000

Instagram is growing. And fast. The platform has more than 220 million users and generates more than 1.5 billion likes each day. There is marketing power in those numbers, and every indie author should be doing their best to leverage that power.

The Tumblr Indie Author Page

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 08:00:58 +0000

Tumblr is an often-overlooked social network that is ideal for connecting indie authors to readers and other authors.

What Is Tumblr?

Tumblr is another social sharing platform that is, in form, a microblog like Twitter, but with the ability to allow for well beyond 140 characters. In addition, you can share SoundCloud albums, animated gifs, photo albums, videos, and images galore. Think of it as a fusion between Twitter and Facebook, only better than both in many ways.

Twitter for Indie Authors

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:00:57 +0000

Twitter is a must-have for every author and one of the quickest platforms to launch and use to build a following. Unless you have a compelling reason to choose a username on Twitter that is specific to the book or series you have written, your Twitter account should be your name or pen name for long-term branding purposes. (Stephen King doesn’t have a Twitter account for every book; he has one Twitter account as a horror writer).

Why Every Indie Author Needs a Facebook Author Page

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:57:43 +0000

We’re continuing our series on social media for indie authors. Last time, we discussed the importance of GoodReads. Today, we’ll discuss the Facebook Author Page. The Facebook author page is critical for indie authors for a number of reasons:

Why Every Indie Author Needs Goodreads

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 08:00:17 +0000

We’re launching a new series to help indie authors get started on the social media platforms they need. Because your efforts on social media should not be merely about sales but also about networking and connecting with readers, Goodreads is crucial for all indie authors. Not only does this platform give you – for free – a place to build a profile, post blogs, and list all of your eBooks, there are also forums you can participate in, millions of readers you can connect with, and other authors you can learn from.

7 Social Media Platforms Indie Authors Must Embrace

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:22:30 +0000

Social media is more than just an outlet for announcing your eBooks and a means to improve sales, although a variety of social media platforms are useful for that. Social media is, however, that which connects indie authors to existing and potential readers, transforming them into dedicated and loyal fans – a street crew of sorts – that are willing to carry part of the burden of marketing your eBooks.

Use Fiverr to Sell More eBooks

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:00:02 +0000

Fiverr is a website that connects problems with solutions. There’s no simpler way to describe it. People who have special sets of skills offer their services for $5 per job. The service is a cost-effective way to get small jobs done. For example, if you have an issue with your WordPress website and you simply can’t figure out why something won’t work, you can pay someone on Fiverr to solve a single issue. Something that might take you hours may only take another person 10 minutes.

Using Reddit to Expand Your eBook Sales

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 14:05:26 +0000

Reddit, launched by two students from the University of Virginia, is a social networking and news site that allows members to submit content. In addition to sharing links, community members can also post to reddit. Registered users then vote the posts up or down by degree of importance or popularity, the idea being that each user will help the most popular content become viral.

Comprehensive eBook Planning: Follow-Up

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 08:00:53 +0000

The final step in comprehensive eBook planning: follow-up. Start by collecting links to press releases, interviews, and blog articles about you and your eBook, and create a media page on your website.

EditionGuard Comprehensive eBook Planning: Follow-Up

Measure how well your efforts have paid off. You’ll need the following information:

Sales, broken down by day or by week
Dates specific marketing efforts occurred, comparing those against generated sales
Google analytics, to measure traffic to your website

You can analyze book sales, to determine what types of marketing campaigns were most effective and where you should budget future marketing funds. You can also measure how much your digital reach is growing. Try searching for yourself on Google to see what kind of results come up. Do the same with your book title.

Continue to monitor your progress and growth over time. Some eBooks quickly gain popularity; others take time to reach their intended audience. If your eBook sales are slow or non-existent, you may need to hire a marketing specialist or publicist to help you. It will also help if you are working on additional titles (whether part of the same series or not).

Comprehensive eBook Planning: After You Publish

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:00:20 +0000

While you might think that publishing your eBook brings you to the end of your comprehensive eBook planning, it does not. In fact, after you publish your eBook, the hard work really begins, especially for those authors who want to eventually support themselves completely with the eBooks they write.

Comprehensive eBook Planning: When You Publish

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:00:58 +0000

To continue your comprehensive eBook planning, there are many factors to consider when you publish your eBook.

EditionGuard eBook Planning Guide: Stage Four - When You Publish Your eBook

The most important factor is pricing. Pricing your eBook can be challenging, but it is important to keep in mind that readers have an expectation (and rightfully so) that eBook prices will be lower than print book prices because of the lower overhead.

Once you know how soon the eBook will be published, you can begin to take preorders for it.

Comprehensive eBook Planning: After You Write

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 08:00:35 +0000

After you write your eBook, there are several steps you need to take before you publish it. The comprehensive eBook planning never stops.

In-depth editing of your eBook
Line-by-line proofreading of your eBook
eBook formatting
Finishing your cover design
Converting your eBook to the digital publishing file types you need (EPUB, PDF, etc)
Continued marketing of your eBook

EditionGuard's eBook Planning Guide: Stage Three - After You Write Your eBook

After you write your eBook, you have a unique opportunity to market your eBook and help build interest in your book even before you publish it. From conducting author interviews with various bloggers to creating an author profile on author sites like World Literary Cafe, you can begin to promote your author identity and generate excitement about your upcoming eBook.

You should also request reviews from established bloggers and book reviewers, many of whom will allow you to use portions of their review on your website as long as you link back to them.

Comprehensive eBook Planning: While You Write

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:00:24 +0000

Comprehensive eBook planning continues as you write your eBook. While your primary focus should be on writing, you will also need to begin working on marketing your eBook. If you have not hired an eBook marketing partner to help you, the time to do so is when you are in the process of writing.

Comprehensive eBook Planning: Before You Write

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:16:02 +0000

eBook planning begins long before you actually write your eBook. If you have already started writing, it’s important to accomplish these steps as quickly as possible. Many of the things you need to do before you begin writing your eBook prepare you to effectively market your eBook.

Creating Enhanced eBooks

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:00:29 +0000

Enhanced eBooks are eBooks that provide more engagement for the reader. Adding interactivity to your eBooks can make them more enticing to readers and provide a richer experience overall; recently To Kill a Mockingbird was released as an enhanced eBook, and the preorders were record-breaking.

It’s NanoWriMo Time Again, eBook Authors!

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:22 +0000

It’s NaNoWriMo time! Have you written your eBook yet?

If you’re like many aspiring authors, procrastination can keep you from reaching your writing goals. It’s easy to let other life demands – work, kids, appointments – get in the way of you getting your story out. November is the month to change all that. November 1 was National Authors Day, and that kicks off a month dedicated to the ambition of helping authors get their eBooks written.

6 Steps to Self-Publishing

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:00:37 +0000

Even as recently as a few years ago, most authors were focused on print publishing. The shift toward digital self-publishing has been gradual but dramatic. Now, rather than wait and hope an agent or publisher will work magic, the indie author is in control.

Sell eBooks on WordPress with the EditionGuard PlugIn

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 08:00:31 +0000

Our goal at EditionGuard is to empower indie authors and level the playing field so that anyone who has the passion to write eBooks can sell eBooks. Digital publishing has allowed many authors to avoid the frustration and time-consuming, costly hoop-jumping that comes with obtaining an agent and waiting for a publisher to approve of your writing.

DRM Protects eBooks from Unauthorized Copying

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 08:00:06 +0000

It can be the most frustrating experience: you write an eBook, you make it available for sale, and as you Google yourself to see how you’re rising in rank, you discover someone has uploaded your eBook for free to anyone who comes to their site.

The Anatomy of an eBook Launch Press Release

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:00:06 +0000

One of the most powerful marketing tools at the disposal of any eBook author is a press release. A press release is a formal news announcement; it is different than social media posts, blog posts, and other content because of its structure and its ability to get picked up by other major news sources.

12 Factors to Consider for Your eBook Cover

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 08:00:59 +0000

We’ve been discussing the importance of having a good eBook cover design for your eBook. Use this checklist to make sure you are considering all of the factors you need to include to have the best possible eBook cover.

Your eBook Cover Design Matters - A Lot

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:16:51 +0000

You would not go to a job interview dressed in your pajamas, and if you’re trying to sell eBooks, you won’t try to sell them without a professional, eye-catching eBook cover design. If you’ve written an eBook and want to make sales, the eBook cover design may be one of the most important factors that help you rise above the noise of the competition.

Why Audiobooks Can Help You Stand Apart

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:00:53 +0000

There are at least 2.5 million eBooks available on Amazon. There are only 150,000 books on Audible. There is simply no easier way to stand apart from the crowd. As more and more people try their hand at indie publishing, even niche categories are becoming saturated. It’s more and more difficult to compete and often takes the assistance of a savvy marketer to help.

4 Reasons to Turn Your eBook into an Audiobook

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:00:52 +0000

Turning your eBook into an audiobook can help you not only sell more eBooks but also grow your readership and fan base beyond the typical reader. Here are four reasons why you should turn your eBook into an audiobook:

EditionGuard Resources for the Indie Author

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:57:09 +0000

Are you a new indie author who doesn’t know where to start, or have you written your first eBook but don’t know what you should do next?

No reason to worry! EditionGuard is a one-stop resource for indie authors, covering everything from how to write and format your eBook to how to market your eBook and make more sales. We even provide you with the software you need to safely sell your eBooks on your own website without having to pay royalties to someone else.

Writing Well

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 08:00:45 +0000

Writing well takes enormous effort. We’ve discussed the importance of employing the skills of a proofreader and editor to help you create the best possible eBook. The reason we emphasize proofreading and editing so much is that because the better you write, the more professional you will appear, the more seriously you’ll be taken, and the more likely you’ll be to actually sell what you write.

Should I Write Under a Pen Name?

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:00:21 +0000

Samuel Clemens became Mark Twain. Stephen King wrote as Richard Bachman. Anne Rice wrote as A. N. Roquelaure, Dean Koontz was also Aaron Wolfe. Even Benjamin Franklin had his alter ego, Alice Addertongue.

There are a number of reasons you may wish to write under a pen name. Perhaps you’re writing erotica and don’t want the people you work with to know it’s you writing. Perhaps you want to write in multiple genres but feel your readers wouldn’t overlap.

4 More Non-Traditional eBook Marketing Techniques

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 08:00:40 +0000

We had such a great response from our last blog, where we explored some of our favorite non-traditional eBook marketing ideas, that we decided to bring you more. Be sure to let us know how these work for you!

Non-Traditional eBook Marketing Ideas

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 08:00:51 +0000

We often talk about the more obvious ways in which indie authors can market their eBooks, from hosting a blog tour to launching a website to being active on social media. But there are many, many, many other less obvious avenenues you can explore to improve your eBook marketing efforts and sell more eBooks.

There's No Magic Formula to eBook Marketing

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 13:30:21 +0000

There is no magic formula to eBook marketing. Much like the advice we offer to indie authors who haven’t yet achieved their goals (keep writing!), our advice regarding marketing your eBook is to keep experimenting.

Keep Writing

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:39:26 +0000

While we’d love to say that every indie author immediately becomes a bestseller, can quit their day job, and write full time, the truth is not so simple.

Many indie authors will achieve modest success. Some will not be successful. Most have the potential for success but not the wherewithal to invest properly in accomplishing it to any degree.

Benefits of an Author Website

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 21:47:23 +0000

Even if you have not yet published your first eBook, setting up an author website is extremely important. Your author website is your readers’ entry into the world of you and your eBooks. It’s a perfect platform for marketing, and a great place to start building a following of fans who will buy your eBooks.

Indie Authors Rule

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:20:15 +0000

There has never been more opportunity for success for indie authors than there is today. Whether you write a self help eBook, a memoir, or a work of fiction in your favorite genre, the path to publishing is easier than ever.

Write an eBook That Can Demand a Higher Price

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 08:00:18 +0000

If you’re trying to write an eBook that will demand a higher price, consider writing eBooks that fit into high-demand areas. There are specific niches that have high demand and low quantity, and eBooks published in these niches tend to be able to demand higher prices.

Digging Deeper into eBook Pricing Strategy

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 08:00:36 +0000

The simple fact is that because there is no measurable overhead cost to eBook publishing, prices for eBooks must be lower than prices for print books. That doesn’t mean you can’t make money on eBooks; in fact, indie eBook authors are making quite a bit of money.

Why New Authors Need to Have a Lower eBook Price

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:42:37 +0000

While the debate will continue about what the “right” price is for selling eBooks, one thing is certain: if you are a new author selling your first eBook, you need to be comfortable with the idea of having a lower price.

eBook Pricing and Why It Matters Even More

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:08:30 +0000

If you’re even flirting with the idea of writing an eBook, you probably have heard about the war between Amazon and Hachette. While we feel that Amazon, like other big publishers, isn’t always the right approach (selling your eBooks on your own website allows you to keep 100% of the profits), we do believe it has brought to light some important arguments about eBook pricing.

The Benefit of Starting Your eBook with an Outline

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:11:25 +0000

Sometimes, we all just want to get to the fun part, and for authors, that can be sitting down and writing the eBook. But if your eBook is more than 10 pages long, is a fiction eBook with a plot and characters, or offers how-to advice, you might be better off beginning the eBook writing process by writing an outline.

Soliciting Editorial Reviews for Your eBook

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 08:00:13 +0000

Before you even publish your eBook, you can send advanced review copies (ARCs) to people to review. Not only will these people provide you with excellent feedback that can help you improve your eBook, but these reviews can actually help you sell more eBooks.

The Cover Reveal

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:00:19 +0000

Building Excitement for Your Upcoming eBook

If you will be publishing your eBook within the next few months, there are many things you can do to market your eBook and build excitement before the eBook is launched. One of the ways you can build buzz and excitement is by holding a cover reveal event.

Make Your Cover Reveal Event a Success

To ensure that your cover reveal event is a success, you must ensure these three things:

1. Your cover image needs to really rock.

Cover Reveal, Editorial Reviews and Launch Party

Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:14:51 +0000

What You Need to Do before Your eBook is Published

The big day is finally more than a distant hope. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you know you are close to finishing your eBook. So, NOW is the time to start promoting the eBook. Don’t wait until after the book is published. You should be planning cover reveal events, soliciting for editorial reviews and planning a launch party.

Market Your eBook Now

You can begin to market your eBook before it is published – up to a year prior to publishing, in fact. But when you’re in the home stretch, you need to make sure to put as much focus and effort as you do anything else into making your potential readers aware of the eBook. Since you need to focus on writing, it may mean that you must outsource your eBook marketing. We recommend having a professional branding-and-visibility person help you market your eBook.

Building Excitement for Your eBook: The Cover Reveal

There are a number of different ways you can build excitement for your upcoming eBook, from holding a cover reveal event to hosting a blog tour. A cover reveal event can be a great way to build excitement for the eBook, like allowing your readers to peak behind the curtain. But that means you need to have a cover worthy of attention. If you have not yet done so, start working with a designer to create the perfect cover. You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune. Publishing Insider has a great article about the importance of eBook covers.

Next time, we’ll talk about how to create excitement about your cover reveal.

eBook Pricing Revisited Again

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 08:00:25 +0000

We have been talking about eBook pricing and the challenges it presents to indie authors. In this post, we’ll discuss how certain factors can impact eBook pricing.

eBook Length

Readers are likely to be willing to pay slightly more for a 400-page fiction eBook than they are for a 30-page how-to eBook. In a way, page count does impact your sales price. However, if your 30-page how-to eBook is something everyone wants to read, you may be able to demand more. Alternatively, if your 400-page eBook is long because it’s never been through an editing process, you may have issues getting the price you want.

eBook Pricing Revisited

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 08:00:43 +0000

Wouldn’t it be nice if every eBook was priced based on how much blood, sweat and tears the author put into creating it? Of course, for some indie authors, that might mean that their eBook is priced somewhere out of the market for most readers.

Content Curation: Enhancing Your Visibility

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 08:00:38 +0000

While this isn’t a tool exclusively used by indie authors, curating content through one of the popular content-curation tools can certainly work for indie authors who are trying to enhance their online visibility.

There are Many Indie Author Groups to Choose From

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:51:41 +0000

We have been discussing the many benefits available to indie authors who join author groups. From collaboration opportunities to the support of other authors, indie author groups can take you out of your isolated world of writing alone. The groups listed below are some of the most prominent, but we’d love to hear from you if you are aware of other author groups worth highlighting.

Should I Join an Indie Author Group?

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 08:00:12 +0000

Indie authors benefit from the digital publishing revolution by being able to bring their eBooks to market without the hoop-jumping required of print book authors, but being an indie author can feel rather isolating. Instead of having agents and publishers at your beck and call, you are pretty much going it alone, and that can be frustrating. Writing is already an independent effort, and devoid of outside support, it can be easy to feel disconnected from the rest the world.

Marketing Your Free eBook

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:10:35 +0000

There is more to marketing a free eBook than just dropping the price. To get the most out of offering your eBook for free, be sure that you market it well. Not only will this be an excellent time to launch a blog tour, but you can also benefit from the many sites that feature free eBooks. While many of these sites are driven by Kindle, there are plenty of sites that work with authors who sell eBooks on their own websites as well.

Can Free eBooks Result in More Sales?

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:24:27 +0000

One of the benefits of offering something for free is that people are more willing to take risks on something they don’t have to pay for. Yes, you have worked hard writing your eBook, so allowing people to read your work way for free may feel painful. However, if you’re trying to build a loyal following that will stick around for – and buy – future eBooks, then giving your initial offering away for free can pay off in the long run.

Leveraging Creativity to Create Fans of Your Fiction eBooks

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:00:40 +0000

How can an indie author leverage creativity to sell more eBooks? If you’re writing fiction eBooks, you already have a creative streak. You have created a world and populated it with characters interesting enough for people to like and even become infatuated with.

Fiction eBook Writer Tools: Personal Connections with Readers

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 18:56:28 +0000

The non-fiction eBook writer has a plethora of tools at his or her disposal, including professional knowledge or reputation, clients or business partners to help promote the eBook, and education that allows the author to be considered an expert. In many ways, it can be easier for the non-fiction eBook author to reach an audience because the writer is often targeting a niche audience or offering specialized information. While competing in a larger arena, the fiction eBook writer likewise has tools, albeit of a different variety.

Building a Loyal Fan Base

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:48:28 +0000

Unless you are only ever planning to write one eBook and then go back to whatever life and job you already had, you will want to do whatever you can to build a loyal fan base so that selling subsequent eBooks is not as difficult as it might have been to sell the first. There are a number of ways to build a loyal fan base, but it all begins with having a way to capture the email address and name of each person so that you can keep in touch with them.

How Much Does It Cost to Write an eBook?

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:22:21 +0000

The cost to write an eBook varies from indie author to indie author. Of course, the actual writing of the eBook costs nothing. If you already have a laptop and word processing software, you can simply sit down and begin writing. There are costs, however:

How to Launch a Successful Blog Tour

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:05:54 +0000

As promised, we’re going to dig deeper into the strategy of initiating a successful blog tour to promote your eBook. Blog tours require a lot of logistics; planning, coordinating and communicating are critical. You may want to enlist the help of a virtual assistant or a branding-and-visibility expert to help you.

Why You Should Have a Blog Tour to Promote Your eBook

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 05:00:59 +0000

What’s better than an indie author promoting his or her own eBook?

An indie author with an entire street team of evangelists, talking about how amazing an eBook is, combined with a limited-time sale of the eBook, and timed with a press release for the eBook is a stellar way of promoting a completed work.

Why eBook Reviews Matter – Even the Bad Ones

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:15:51 +0000

While it might be nice as an indie author to think you don’t need to worry about getting eBook reviews, the truth is, they do matter. In fact, research shows that people do pay attention to and read reviews, and that it does impact their purchase decisions.

Press Releases for your eBook

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 08:00:36 +0000

A press release is an announcement to the world of an event designed to generate buzz. While some authors question whether or not they have any value, a well-written press release can do wonders for visibility. The format of your press release should include your date and location, an attention-grabbing title, a short excerpt to draw people in, a well-written release that announces something important, like the release of your eBook or a big sale on your eBook, and links to where the eBook can be purchased. Additionally, the press release should contain either your own contact information or that of your publicist.

Market Your eBook: Resources You Can Use

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 08:00:29 +0000

No eBook author can be successful tackling the marketing of their eBook on their own. In fact, the most successful authors know when to say, “This isn’t my specialty.” Those indie authors who recognize that they are great at writing but that doesn’t make them great at proofreading their own work, designing their own covers, or marketing their own eBooks are much more likely to have success.

EditionGuard: A One-Stop Resource for Indie Authors

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 18:33:57 +0000

EditionGuard is in the business of helping indie authors be more successful, both by providing the technology that allows you to sell your eBooks yourself and by providing the resources you need for strategy, marketing, and selling your eBook successfully. Here is a round up of some of our best advice.

What Do the Most Successful Indie Authors Do to Succeed?

Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:38:28 +0000

If you talk to any writer who is selling well, you’ll discover that they have followed a recipe of sorts that has contributed to their success. We’ve talked to hundreds of indie authors, and what we’ve found is that three core principles successful writers adhere to, no matter what.

Why eBook Reviews Matter

Fri, 30 May 2014 18:31:32 +0000

If you’re focused on writing and being the best possible writer you can, taking time out for marketing can be difficult at best and impossible at worst. One of the best ways to amplify your marketing effort is to involve other people in the process of announcing, advertising, and promoting your eBook. eBook reviews can help you reach a wider audience and reach people you would not be able to reach on your own.

A World without Maya Angelou

Wed, 28 May 2014 18:00:26 +0000

All writers, whether print or digital, mourn the passing of Maya Angelou. Is there a person in the world she did not touch or inspire in some way? Her manner of inspiring hope and her ability to work magic with words will be missed.

Writing with Voice

Tue, 27 May 2014 08:00:31 +0000

Writing with voice is difficult to define and even more difficult to do well, but without a distinct and unique voice, the indie author is likely to simply join a cacaphony of white noise that is present in less-than-stellar writers. You can rise above the white noise, though, and really stand out as an author. It begins by writing with voice.

Advice from Indie Authors Who’ve Made It

Fri, 23 May 2014 08:00:18 +0000

We have compiled some great advice from indie authors who have had success with digital publishing. One of the things we advise indie authors to do is learn from those who have blazed the trail!

eBook Writing: Better Writing = Better Selling

Wed, 21 May 2014 08:00:25 +0000

While it’s not always true that better writing leads to better selling, in most cases, the effort you put into your writing will pay off in terms of loyal fans and readers who evangelize about your eBook.

The Biggest eBook Mistakes

Fri, 16 May 2014 18:38:37 +0000

The biggest eBook mistakes – the ones that cause readers to stop reading and move on to the next author or skip your eBook entirely – have less to do with what format you choose or what your cover looks like and more to do with grammar.

Making Your Words Matter – Sell More eBooks

Wed, 14 May 2014 08:00:05 +0000

The difference between a great read and a mediocre one often comes down to word choice. When you’re writing an eBook, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, keeping the reader’s interest needs to be foremost in your mind if you want to sell more eBooks. There is just too much competition in the industry. Why settle for blah when you can offer pizzazz?

Collaboration Tools for Indie Authors

Fri, 09 May 2014 16:48:19 +0000

Are you interested in collaborating on an eBook with another indie author? Combining your talents and efforts with a colleague can help you publish better works and more often.

There are a number of tools you can use to make collaborating easier. Here are our favorite collaboration tools for indie authors:

Marketing Your eBook: the eBook Website or Sales Page

Mon, 05 May 2014 08:00:51 +0000

While many eBook authors rely on their blog and social media as methods for communicating the availability of their eBook publications, a dedicated sales page is an important option for increasing visibility and ramping up sales when marketing your eBook. In fact, you may want to consider creating an entire website dedicated to your book. But at the very least, a sales page dedicated to your eBook is a necessary marketing tool.

Do You Use EditionGuard? Our eBook Reviews Help You Get Visibility!

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:00:19 +0000

As an EditionGuard client, you have the benefit of being able to sell your eBooks on your own website, keeping all of the profits from your sales rather than having 30 percent taken out of every sale by publishers. You also have the ability to take advantage of our digital rights management (DRM) system, to prevent your eBook from being distributed without your knowledge.

The Numbers DO Lie

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:12:07 +0000

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) conducted a survey of more than 1,200 U.S. publishers, to determine the health of eBook sales. Good E-Reader posted an article reporting that, according to the AAP, adult fiction sales increased a mere 3.8 percent from 2012 to 2013, reaching an annual total of $1.3 billion. The same survey reported a 26.7-percent drop in sales of children’s eBooks.

Using Your eBook for Lead Generation

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:03:35 +0000

While most eBook writers are writing for art’s sake, the eBook market is an excellent platform for generating leads for your business. Regardless of your industry, offering a free eBook on your website can not only establish you as a credible expert in your industry but also create an avenue for lead generation that has not been fully exploited.

3 Steps To Take If Your eBook Is Not Selling

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:53:04 +0000

If you have written an eBook, you know the time and effort that goes in to taking the eBook from vision to reality. Once you publish the eBook, you may have high expectations about how it will sell, especially since it seems so many eBooks are doing so well right now. If your eBook is not selling, don’t despair! There are steps you can take to improve your sales.

19 Quotes to Inspire Indie Authors

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:00:07 +0000

Writing is often difficult work, truly a passionate labor that often bears no fruit for the author. For those times when you want to walk away from your craft, take a word of inspiration from those authors who have felt the same. And then, write on.

Generating eBook Ideas that Sell

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 08:00:29 +0000

There are many writers who write for the pleasure of writing and who publish eBooks as a form of literature and art. There are also writers (and even those who do not write well – see our series on ghostwriters) who recognize the potential of digital publishing as an income stream. Publishing many eBooks on topics that have the potential to go viral can create multiple streams of income, especially if you sell them from your own website. Determining what eBook ideas to write about requires three things:

Turning eBook Readers into Marketers of Your eBooks

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:52:51 +0000

eBooks are magic, really. They are more than just words on paper. They are interactive, interconnected opportunities to deeply engage with your readers. You can hyperlink to web pages, detailed research and audio; you can even include a link for your devoted reader to buy your other eBooks. One of the most important things you can do at the end of your eBook is to offer your reader the opportunity to share the news that they’ve read the book.

You’ve Written an eBook: Now What? Part Three

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 08:00:08 +0000

You have written an eBook, and now you need readers. But before you publish your eBook, you should have three types of readers peruse your eBook. The first two types of readers you should solicit feedback from are the preliminary critic (trusted friends and family) and a proofreader. Only after your eBook has passed the scrutiny of those readers’ eyes should you publish your eBook and seek out the third type of reader: the one who will purchase your eBook.

You’ve Written an eBook: Now What? Part Two

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:00:03 +0000

What happens after you have written an eBook? In our last post, we discussed the importance of having people read your eBook prior to publishing it. The preliminary critic was the first of these three groups of readers. Of even more importance than the preliminary critic, however, is the second reader of your eBook: the proofreader.

You’ve Written an eBook: Now What? Part One

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 08:00:35 +0000

While writing an eBook is a huge accomplishment all on its own, one which should be celebrated with a night on the town or at least a dinner out, the completion of your eBook is, in many ways, only the start.

Write Your First eBook, Part 4: Collect Your Best in an Anthology

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 08:00:59 +0000

If writing a lengthy eBook on a single subject is too daunting of a task, consider collecting short stories or poems into an anthology for publication. This can help you get your first eBook published quickly, allowing you to gain experience for subsequent eBooks.

Write Your First eBook, Part 3: Use an eBook Template

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:11:52 +0000

When someone has a story burning inside them that must be told, it can be frustrating when they are unable to transform that story into an eBook. If you are that someone and you’ve tried our free writing exercise and tried recording your story without any luck, don’t worry. We’re not out of ideas yet.

Write Your First eBook, Part 2: Tell Your Story

Fri, 14 Mar 2014 22:00:59 +0000

Have you ever had the perfect story in mind but every time you sit down to write your eBook, it’s as if your mind goes blank? You may have trouble forming a connection between your brain and your fingers, thereby blocking the story up inside you. You may benefit from freestyle writing exercises. Luckily, however, the act of writing is not the only way to get your story out.

Write Your First eBook, Part 1: Getting Started

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:41:58 +0000

Getting started on writing your first eBook can be challenging, but sometimes it’s simply a matter of sitting down and writing. In fact, if you really want to write an eBook, try this brief exercise right now:

WordPress Plugins for Indie Authors, Part 2: eCommerce

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:21:41 +0000

If you are an indie author looking for a way to sell your eBook, without forking over a good percentage of your sales to Amazon, then selling the eBook on your own WordPress website allows you to keep more of the profits for yourself.

WordPress Plugins for Indie Authors, Part 1: Visibility

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:00:09 +0000

One of the easiest and most powerful website and blog builders for indie authors to use is WordPress. If you’re planning on building your eBook marketing website in WordPress, there are several plugins you can take advantage of to help make marketing your eBook even easier.

Stop Making Excuses and Start Writing Your eBook!

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 08:00:54 +0000

So many times we hear people say, “I would write an eBook if only I had the time.” But what we know from some of our most successful eBook authors is that there is no way to ever be successful as an author if you don’t make the time to write. If you don’t believe you have time in your life to write your eBook, consider areas where you can create time to write (even 15 minutes a day can be enough to write an eBook in less than six months).

Free Marketing for Your eBook

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 23:11:31 +0000

When you’re an indie author, you don’t have an agent or a big publishing house taking on the role of marketer, which means you have to write, publish and market your eBook on your own. So, there is nothing better than finding free marketing opportunities to promote your eBooks.

EditionGuard Presents: Thieves of Eden

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 18:14:22 +0000

About Thieves of Eden

Thieves of Eden by Robert Simon Siegel with art by C.S. Hopkins revolutionizes an old medium with new tech. Comic books have been around since the 30s, and while Marvel and DC attempt to shift toward the digital publishing revolution, Siegel and Hopkins are taking it by storm by creating a digital-only comic book. Thieves of Eden debuted in January and has everything comic book junkies love: a fabulous story filled with intrigue combined with artwork that brings it all to life.

In the comic, four characters meet only to discover they are in a game with very high stakes: the life of the planet. Their opponent, hidden for 6,000 years under the surface of the planet, has maneuvered everything to keep humans from realizing they are in a game. In order to win, the group must combine the knowledge of their ancient elders with science to form an energy device that may just save earth in the nick of time.

Market Your eBook on Pinterest

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:09:42 +0000

Pinterest is not just a social media platform for recipes and pictures of your favorite fashions. Pinterest is a powerful social network that provides some of the best referrals back to your website; if you are an indie author, those referrals can be linked back to the website on which you sell your eBooks.

How to Market Your eBook on LinkedIn

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:05:54 +0000

Unless you are writing a book that is not directly associated with your professional identity, you should market your eBook on LinkedIn.

If your eBook is considered adult erotica and you feel it would take away from your professional image, or if you have written something highly political that might prevent you from networking or obtaining employment in the industry you desire, then LinkedIn might not be the perfect fit for your marketing efforts. However, if you are an indie author and writing is your primary effort, then marketing your eBooks on LinkedIn can provide you with additional exposure.

Market Your eBook on Facebook

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:00:31 +0000

Most people are familiar with Facebook because it is a popular way to keep in touch with family and friends. And there is a real advantage in telling them about your eBook to help with word-of-mouth sales. But creating a Facebook page so that you can market your eBook on Facebook can help you reach a larger audience and sell more eBooks.

Market Your eBook on Google+

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:00:50 +0000

We’re continuing our series on eBook marketing in social media. One of the most promising social media platforms on which you can market your eBook is on Google+. Not only does Google+ give you a platform for connecting with like-minded individuals – other writers and your fans, as well as graphics artists, ghostwriters and proofreaders – but Google+ Hangouts provide a wonderful way to connect in real time with readers and fans.

Marketing Your eBook on Twitter

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 18:04:50 +0000

Twitter is one of the easiest social media platforms to master, so we’re beginning our eBook social media marketing tutorial here with a guide to marketing your eBook on Twitter.

What Is Twitter?

Twitter is a microblogging platform, in which your entire message must contain no more than 140 characters, including the link. However, if you want real traction with your tweets, you need to leave some of those characters available for retweets and quoted tweets. So, we recommend keeping your messages even shorter, around 100-120 characters.

How Do I Market My eBook on Twitter?

When it comes to marketing your eBook on Twitter, you can create a lot of buzz both before and after the eBook is published. If you don’t have a Twitter handle that is your name or the name of your book already, create an account. Follow indie authors and conduct searches on Twitter, to find other people to follow. Try to send at least four tweets per day, but do not focus on your own content and promotions alone. Be sure to share other author’s tweets, relevant quotes and great articles; comment on what others are talking about.

Remember: Twitter – and all social media eBook marketing – are not just about pushing your sales but about connecting and engaging! Follow these four tips to market your eBook on Twitter:

How Social Media Can Improve eBook Sales

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 22:29:59 +0000

Writing your eBook might be satisfying, but when you find an audience willing to buy your eBook, the validation you feel at having been successful is a great feeling. While there are a number of ways you can market your eBook, it sometimes seems as though indie authors (who are often writers, not publishers or marketers) have a harder time selling eBooks than writing them.

Why eBook Authors Should Use DRM

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 08:00:09 +0000

Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is the digital protection that allows indie authors to keep their eBooks from being accessed without authorization. It ensures that, as a hardworking indie author, you are compensated for your eBook. Without DRM, you could sell a single copy of your eBook and it could then be shared online with thousands of other readers. You would not receive a dime.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Four: How to Protect Your Work

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:00:08 +0000

When working with a ghostwriter, there are two ways you need to protect yourself: You need to protect your intellectual property, and you need to protect your copyright.

Protecting your intellectual property is crucial if you will be revealing secret recipes, business processes or ideas to the ghostwriter to aid them in the writing process. To protect your intellectual property, you should insist that the ghostwriter sign a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA. The NDA will state that the information you provide to the ghostwriter is only to be used for the project for which they have been hired and that the information cannot be used or shared for any other purpose.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Three: What to Expect

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:00:19 +0000

Now that you’ve chosen a ghostwriter, how do you get started with the process of building a working relationship and completing your eBook? The first step is for each of you to sign a contract or service agreement that outlines the deliverables and pricing. We will talk about this in more detail in part four of this series, when we discuss how to protect your work.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Two: How to Choose a Ghostwriter

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:00:45 +0000

If you have decided to hire someone to write your eBook for you, you should consider a number of factors – and price should not be the deciding factor.

Talent – The ghostwriter should have a demonstrable writing talent. While most ghostwriters work under non-disclosure agreements and will not be able to share samples of previous work written for other authors, they should have a blog, eBook or other self-published material they can share to demonstrate their ability.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part 1: When to Hire a Ghostwriter

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 20:39:18 +0000

Not everyone is a great writer, but that doesn’t mean a great idea can’t be turned into an eBook. If you have great ideas but don’t have the time or the talent to transform your idea into a publishable eBook, a ghostwriter might be the solution you need.

Can I Improve My eBook Sales by Giving Away eBooks?

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 08:00:18 +0000

While it may seem counter intuitive to give away an eBook you are trying to make money selling, reserving a segment of your budget for giving away eBooks can actually help you improve eBook sales overall. There are a variety of tactics that work well for giving away eBooks, but we like the following:

Why Writing Your Second eBook is Harder

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 08:00:25 +0000

If you’re already a published indie author, then congratulations are in order. Yet, even with that success, have you taken time to consider how you will follow up your initial publication with a second eBook?

New Year’s Resolutions for the Indie Author, Part 2

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:00:30 +0000

As promised, we’re doing everything we can to help make 2014 the year of the indie author. To get you started off in the right direction, here are 10 New Year’s resolutions that you, as an indie author, should consider:

New Year’s Resolutions for the Indie Author, Part 1

Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:00:07 +0000

We believe that with as much traction as digital publishing has already received, 2014 will be the year of the indie author. It is our goal to help ensure that this year is exactly that, by providing as many tips, ideas and marketing advice as possible. We want to help indie authors write more eBooks, sell more eBooks and thrive without the help of agents and publishing houses that ultimately take their cut of authors’ earnings.

Improve Your eBook Visibility, Part 4

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 08:00:17 +0000

This is the final installment in a four-part series on creating enhanced ebook visibility through a variety of easy and cost-effective measures, thereby helping you increase sales in 2014.

We have been closing the year with an in-depth discussion of increasing ebook visibility. Our posts have already covered how to improve your optimization, why you need an author bio and how to create a website that boosts your sales. To wrap things up, we’re going to provide a list of the 20 things you can do to improve your ebook visibility.

Improve Your eBook Visibility, Part 3

Tue, 24 Dec 2013 08:00:37 +0000

This is the third part in a four-part series on creating enhanced visibility for your ebook through a variety of easy and cost-effective measures, thereby helping you increase sales in 2014.

One of the most important things you can do to help enhance your ebook visibility is to build and maintain a website that can function as a sales funnel, ultimately increasing your ebook sales. There are four major components in a good website. We recommend using WordPress to create your website, as much of the design work can be done by simply installing a good theme.

EditionGuard Presents: The Healing Patch, A Child's Guide to Happiness

Sun, 22 Dec 2013 08:00:38 +0000

About The Healing Patch, A Child's Guide to Happiness

Using extraordinary imagery and delightful poetry, The Healing Patch: A Child’s Guide to Happiness, by Catherine Caminero, is a children's ebook designed to uplift any child. Written by the mother of a child with special needs, the book follows Dee on an adventure, celebrating qualities like Bravery, Creativity, Sunshine, Truth, Kindness, and Love as the child explores a magical garden called The Healing Patch. Each quality is illustrated in brilliant color as the trees transform Dee's sadness into joy.

Even children who are not yet reading will enjoy the beauty of the illustrations in this book, and the story is appealing to readers of all ages.

Improve Your eBook Visibility, Part 2

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:00:49 +0000

This is the second part in a four-part series on creating enhanced visibility for your ebook through a variety of easy and cost-effective measures, thereby helping you increase sales in 2014.

When striving for better ebook visibility, you should not rely solely on the description of your ebook to do the work for you. You should also flesh out your biography. Whether you have an “about the author” page on your website or use social media platforms to help promote yourself as an indie author (and hopefully you are doing both), you should create a well-polished about-the-author description of yourself.

Improve Your eBook Visibility, Part 1

Tue, 17 Dec 2013 08:00:56 +0000

This is the first part of a four-part series on creating enhanced visibility for your ebook through a variety of easy and cost-effective measures, thereby helping you increase sales in 2014. Consider this our list of New Year’s resolutions that every indie author should make for the coming year.

How Do I Use Video Marketing for My eBook?

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 08:00:44 +0000

We’ve already talked about the importance of using video marketing for your ebook, but we’ve had a number of questions about how to use video marketing, so we’re revisiting the topic with more video marketing tips.

How Can I Use My eBook Content To Grow Visibility?

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 08:00:39 +0000

Once you’ve written an ebook, you can use the content from it in a variety of different ways to help gain more visibility and, ultimately, sell more ebooks. If you have written an ebook, then you have quite a bit of content to work with. There are a number of ways you can reuse the content to help increase your visibility, but here are our favorites.

Can I Quickly Publish an eBook?

Wed, 04 Dec 2013 08:00:50 +0000

If you want to quickly publish an eBook before the holiday buying season is over, it’s not too late. But it will take dedicated effort on your part to make it happen. Opt for writing a shorter ebook – a how-to, recipe or advice book, or perhaps a short story or children’s book. Regardless of the genre or brevity of your eBook, however, remember to pay attention to customary details. At the minimum, your eBook should contain:

Can Video Marketing Increase Your eBook Sales?

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 08:00:47 +0000

Video marketing is beneficial for many kinds of businesses that sell products or provide services, but can video marketing increase your eBook sales? We believe that video is a great way for you to reach out and connect with prospective readers. You may want to show some of your unique personality and let your potential readers get to know you better as an individual and as an author, or you may want to keep your video focused on the eBook. In any event, you can use video marketing to extend your reach.

Improve Your eBook Sales During the Holidays

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 08:00:41 +0000

More people will be shopping online during the next few weeks, hoping to avoid the madness of shopping malls and to complete their last-minute holiday shopping. You can benefit from this holiday rush and sell more of your eBooks by making a few simple changes to your marketing strategy.

Why Won’t My eBook Sell?

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 08:00:31 +0000

Many indie authors ask, “Why won’t my eBook sell?” There are a number of reasons eBooks won’t sell, but the top reasons often have to do with how the eBook is written, designed and marketed. Here at EditionGuard, we have solutions to the top issues indie authors face regarding poor sales.

What Biographical Information Should I Include in My eBook?

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 08:00:39 +0000

One of the best ways to improve your eBook sales and develop a loyal readership is to include a section in your eBook that’s all about you. Many readers enjoy getting to know about the author of the books they read, and your popularity as an author can certainly help improve the popularity (and, in turn, the sales) of your next book. One of the great things about being an eBook author is that the biographical section of your eBook can be more interactive than that of a print book, because you can include calls to action and links for which a print book simply can’t enjoy the same kind of engagement.

Does My eBook Need a Copyright Notice?

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 08:00:45 +0000

Just because an eBook is intangible doesn’t mean it shouldn’t include some of the same elements that a print book has. A copyright notice is something your eBook should contain even when you are using digital rights management (DRM) for your ebooks. It is one of the most important protections you can have for your book. This notice empowers you to explicitly limit the ability of others to use or quote your work without permission, establishes how others can obtain permission to quote from your book and provides some peace of mind.

Overcoming the Fear of Writing an eBook

Wed, 06 Nov 2013 08:00:22 +0000

Many aspiring writers never put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) out of a fear of rejection. ePublishing is changing that, because authors no longer need to get the stamp of approval from a publishing company that looks at the work merely in terms of profitability, instead of judging it potentially as a quality piece of writing. But overcoming the fear of writing an ebook can be difficult all the same.

NaNoWriMo for the eBook Author

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 08:00:58 +0000

NaNoWriMo is a movement that has gained popularity over the years, helping fiction writers complete their books – 50,000 words – in a single month. Given that procrastination is one of the major reasons writers fail to become published authors, we applaud NaNoWriMo’s efforts to encourage writers. Their mantra says it all: “The world needs your novel.”

Why Children Are the Future of eBooks

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 08:00:19 +0000

If you have always wanted to be a children’s author, creating ebooks for kids is a huge market; in fact, we believe children are the future of ebooks. We predict that with the proliferation of low-cost ereaders and tablets that more kids than ever will have access to their own ereaders this Christmas. With some ereaders even being designed with kids in mind and the new research showing that ereaders may help kids with dyslexia, it’s a great time to be a children’s ebook author.

What the Numbers Are Saying - and What It Means for Indie Authors

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:00:40 +0000

Research is showing that the Nook is failing to sell up to expectations. The Kindle is not selling as well as expected. While there is a huge spike in sales each Christmas season, from 2011 to 2012, Kindle sales fell almost 50% and Nook sales remained fairly dismal. Yet people are reading more ebooks than ever, so what gives?

Engaging with Your Readers, Part II

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:00:50 +0000

As an ebook author, you have a unique opportunity to connect with your readers and gain perspective on your writing while also extending thanks to those who have supported your success. In our last post, we discussed engaging with your readers on a local level, through your local library and media outlets. But many of your readers will come from around the world, and reaching them in the virtual realm will be important. We conclude our two-part series on how to connect with your readers by discussing digital engagement.

Engaging with Your Readers, Part I

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 08:00:45 +0000

When you write an ebook, you gain celebrity status of sorts. You are now a published author. And even if you have only a small number of sales, you will likely touch someone with your writing. Engaging with your readers is a way to gain perspective on your writing in order to improve it, thank your readers for buying your book and increase your sales by encouraging word-of-mouth marketing.

How to Generate Ideas for Your eBook

Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:00:58 +0000

If there’s a budding writer inside you but you simply cannot figure out what to write about, the best advice we have is to start with something you know. Here are some of our favorite ebook-generating ideas.

Investments You Should Make Before Publishing Your eBook

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:00:16 +0000

Self-publishing an ebook seems as if it should be an automated process that costs you little, if anything, to accomplish. As long as you are diligent enough to see your writing through to completion, you may believe that publishing your ebook should not require a huge investment other than time.

The Optimum Price for Your eBook: Update

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:00:15 +0000

When ebooks first started becoming popular, the sell price of 99 cents was the magic number. The mindset of indie authors was, “If I sell a million copies at a dollar each, I’ll make [nearly] a million dollars.” The thinking was that lower-priced books would ensure the sale of more copies than those of a higher price. As it turns out, pricing an ebook too low can be detrimental to an author’s success. The price for your ebook is a critical element in your success.

Working with Bloggers to Promote Your eBook

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 08:00:23 +0000

One of the best ways to obtain free exposure to promote your ebook is to work with bloggers, to roll out a larger marketing campaign than you otherwise could do on your own. Bloggers often want to participate in events like these because it benefits them to offer giveaways and host events that drive traffic to their site.

Marketing Your eBook Before It’s Written

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 08:00:24 +0000

Are you writing an ebook? Are you planning on marketing your ebook once you get it published? While you can certainly wait until you publish your ebook before you start marketing it, there are some real advantages to getting the marketing started right now.

4 eBook Types You Can Write and Publish Quickly

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 08:00:47 +0000

By now almost everyone understands the benefits of publishing an ebook, but it’s also an idea that continues to be postponed because there is always something else that takes priority or there simply isn’t enough time in a day. But writing an ebook doesn’t have to be difficult. There are several types of ebooks you can write and publish quickly. Try one of these four:

Transform Content into an eBook

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 08:00:27 +0000

If sitting down and writing an ebook from start to finish isn’t your style, there are other ways to transform content into an ebook that will still give you credibility as an author and also give you another way to generate revenue.

Collaborating on an eBook

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 08:00:27 +0000

If the thought of writing an entire ebook on your own is overwhelming, consider the idea of collaborating on an ebook with another writer or even with several writers.

There are a number of advantages to collaboration; you will have:

The Power of Digital Publishing

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 08:00:12 +0000

There is still quite a bit of argument over whether or not digital publishing will overtake print. While there are a number of people who still prefer print books and enjoy the feel of turning pages, there is something powerful about digital publishing that opens up a whole new world for authors.

Empowering Indie Authors

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 08:00:40 +0000

Have you already written an ebook? If so, have you had any sales? And if you were selling your ebook on Amazon or another site, was it difficult to watch such a large portion of your ebook price disappear into the pockets of the distributor?

Make Millions Selling eBooks?

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 08:00:49 +0000

While this won’t happen for every indie author, just the potential promise of making enough money to quit your day job might make it worth taking your chances writing an ebook. Barry Eisler, the author of the John Rain novel series as well as several other books and short stories, turned down a $500,000 publishing deal to self-publish his books instead. He explained: “I know it’ll seem crazy to a lot of people, but based on what’s happening in the industry, and based on the kind of experience writers like you are having in self-publishing, I think I can do better in the long term on my own.”

eBooks Will Surprass Print - It's Just a Matter of When

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 08:00:43 +0000

The Washington Post says ebooks won’t outperform print. For the short term it does appear that ebook sales are leveling off. According to a recent article in The Washington Post, ebook sales went from enjoying a 28-percent growth in 2012 and a 252-percent growth in 2010 to realizing only a 5-percent growth in the first quarter of 2013. The Washington Post’s theory is that ebooks will not outperform print books, but will only serve as a complement to them.

Factors to Consider While You Write an eBook

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:00:20 +0000

Thanks to the proliferation of ereaders and the growing popularity of ebooks, becoming a self-published author is literally as easy as sitting down and beginning to type. There is obviously more to it than that, but scheduling writing time and completing your project can often be the most difficult part of the process.

Want to Write an eBook? Start Here!

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 08:00:12 +0000

Perhaps we all have an idea for a book rolling around in our minds, but the gap that exists between realizing the dream of becoming an author and actually publishing an ebook is only bridged by effort and determination. If you’re ready to write an ebook, this blog is the place to start.

4 More Tips to Improve Your eBook Sales

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:00:58 +0000

It can be very frustrating to put your heart and soul into writing an ebook, going through the excitement of launching it, only to have it sit there and not sell. Most indie authors aren’t expecting to make millions (although that would be wonderful!), but they do want some validation for their efforts.

4 Tips to Improve Your eBook Sales

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 08:00:08 +0000

You’ve finally published your ebook, and now it is sitting on the online bookshelf, collecting virtual dust, not selling at all like you had hoped. What can you do to improve your ebook sales? Here are 4 tips that should help you supercharge your sales:

Turn Your WordPress Blog into an eBook

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 08:00:00 +0000

A new plugin has been developed by MagPress that will allow you to make the most of your hard work and convert your published blogs into an ebook. The plugin, which MagPress sells for $49, allows you to choose which blog posts to combine and allows you to create your ebook in the most common formats, including PDF and EPUB.

EditionGuard PlugIn for WordPress Makes It Easy to Sell Your eBook

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 08:00:54 +0000

The EditionGuard plugin for WordPress is the ideal solution for indie authors who want to be able to sell their ebooks through their WordPress blogs without sacrificing security or publishing control. The plugin is a complete ebook sales solution and integrates fully with our cost-effective EditionGuard DRM service.

Advantages of Adobe DRM

Wed, 07 Aug 2013 08:00:08 +0000

Adobe digital rights management (DRM) solutions for eBooks offers a number of advantages for indie authors. In addition to allowing ebooks to be created in two of the most commonly read formats, PDF and ePUB, it also puts all of the power of distribution, sales and publishing control in the hands of indie authors. A typical PDF publication may not have the security necessary to prevent issues with the duplication, unlicensed sale or sharing of your content, but the Adobe eBook DRM – used by Google, Nook and other major publishers – provides indie authors with protection for the copyright of their ebook.

Why You Shouldn’t Publish on Kindle Only

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 08:00:37 +0000

Amazon has announced that the Kindle Select Global Fund for August 2013 will be $1.1 million. The global fund continues to attract new indie authors with the temptation of sharing in the fund. The problem is that to qualify for a share of the money, you have to make your ebook free for Prime members to borrow, and you then earn your share of the fund based on how many times your ebook is borrowed.

Creating a Second Edition of Your eBook

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:00:10 +0000

Is your initial ebook publication outdated? Consider creating a second edition, which will allow the ebook to become new and fresh, attracting new audiences while also compelling existing audiences to desire the updated version of your ebook. To make it worthwhile, a rule of thumb recommends that approximately 15-25 percent of your book should be new. If you have only minor changes or catch a missed typo, you should not consider this an edition change.

5 Ways to Create Compelling Content for Your eBook Website

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 08:00:03 +0000

Whether you market your ebook from its own website or sales page or whether you simply blog about it on an existing site, the most important thing you can do to improve your ebook’s visibility is to create compelling content.

3 Easy Steps for having your own eBook Website

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 08:00:05 +0000

Setting up a website for your ebook is not difficult. We have broken it down into a three-step process.

Step One: Obtain Your Domain

Whether you purchase your domain from GoDaddy or from a web host, choosing your domain name is one of the most critical aspects of the entire process. If your ebook title is available as a domain, the choice is easy. Alternatively, your name as a domain is perfect for an author site that can host several books. If neither of those is available, then a site name that reminds people of your book can work.

Step Two: Design the Website

Whether you use your hosts’ templates or install WordPress, designing the website is an easier task when you realize that an ebook site fares better when the site is clean, easy to navigate and not too cluttered. Don’t worry about adding a lot of widgets or extra material to your site; simply focus on describing your ebook and adding a few appropriate images.

Step Three: About the Author

Every ebook site should include a page about you: the author. This page allows you to share those details that help readers connect with you, transforming them from basic readers to adoring fans. Don’t be afraid to show your personality – or your picture.

That’s all there is to it. Creating a website to market your ebook is a relatively painless process; sometimes we can make it more complicated than it needs to be. Follow these steps and keep your website simple.

Book Reviews: Why You Need Them and How to Get Them

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 08:00:56 +0000

People buy things not in response to brilliant marketing (although that is what gets their attention and makes them aware of the existence of a product) but because other people say that it’s worth buying. In fact, according to WebProNews, peer reviews trump all other forms of advertising in creating a sale. People trust first the people they know and then others who have already risked the purchase. When you’re trying to sell your ebook, book reviews can be critically important to your ability to generate more sales.

Creating a Description for Your eBook

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:00:14 +0000

Congratulations! You have written your ebook! You have also chosen a highly searchable title, and you are well on your way to being an indie author superstar. Right?

Not yet.

There are a few more steps you must take to be sure that your ebook is visible to readers who search for it online, and one of the most important steps is to create a description for your ebook.

How to Title Your eBook Effectively

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 08:00:54 +0000

There can be significant differences in your approach to choosing a title for your ebook and your approach to choosing a title for print publication. Regardless of what type of ebook you write, you want people to discover it online, even if they don’t know about it or aren’t looking for it specifically. In order for readers to find your ebook online when they search for your topic, how you title your ebook is crucial: it needs to be search-engine friendly.

Do You Want to Be an Indie Author?

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:00:45 +0000

Getting started as a self-publishing indie author is as easy for some writers as just opening up the laptop and starting to type. For others, there is more that must go into the process of creating an ebook. Over the next few posts, we’ll try to address some of the most common questions. Today, we’ll focus on choosing a topic and a title that sells.

Why Write an eBook?

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 08:00:06 +0000

There are a number of reasons authors choose to write ebooks, and just because the publishing medium has changed, that doesn’t mean the reasons for writing have changed. In addition to the standard reasons for writing an ebook, such as having a passion for writing or having a story to tell, there are a number of other reasons to write ebooks.

Should I Write an eBook?

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:00:48 +0000

As the ebook industry continues to grow, more and more people are beginning to ask the question, “Should I write an ebook?”

That’s a good question, and the answer may be different for everyone. But if you already have a passion for writing, then the answer can be a pretty simple, “Yes!”

The Future of Publishing – Why Now Is the Time to Act

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:00:35 +0000

While the transition to ebooks and ereaders has been more prevalent in the U.S. than in Europe, digital publishing is here to stay. In a study from PWC, analysts highlight the future of publishing and the opportunity that exists for publishers, developers and authors:

Why eBooks are the Future of Publishing

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:00:57 +0000

eBooks are the future of publishing. There are pockets of resistance in the publishing industry in which groups of people declare that digital publishing will never overtake print publishing. I would suspect that the average age of these skeptics is somewhere well over 18.

How to Use QR Codes to Market Your eBook

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:12 +0000

One of the most recent innovative and technological developments is something so innocuous, you may not even realize its importance. The QR code has the ability to revolutionize how much space it requires for you to tell your customers everything they need to know – about you, your ebook and how to buy it.

Can Your Library Be the Key to Better Visibility for Your eBook?

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:00:48 +0000

Even some of the smallest libraries around the country are recognizing the shift to digital and are trying to accommodate their patrons by providing digital media. Yet as an ebook author, is there any benefit to allowing your ebook to be included in a library’s borrowing system?

Selling Your eBook: Managing the Price

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:00:41 +0000

In our last post, we discussed the need to select just the right price for your ebook. But it’s important not to feel like your price, once chosen, can’t be changed. That’s one of the great things about digital media, really. If you change the price or have a graphics issue, you don’t have to worry about the cost of reprinting the covers; you simply make the change, and it typically updates overnight or even sooner if you’re selling from your own website.

How to Price Your eBook

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:00:08 +0000

Paperback books retail for $7.99 or more; hardcover books retail for more than $20. So why do publishers and indie authors price their books in the 99-cent to $2.99 range? Is there a perception that their books aren’t worth enough, or is it something else? Learning how to price your ebook can be difficult.

Market your eBook the Right Way: Speaking Engagements

Thu, 30 May 2013 08:00:52 +0000

To successfully market your eBook, it may seem illogical to consider speaking engagements when you do not have a physical book to sign and sell, but this form of marketing can actually be very effective. While it’s not the same as a traditional book tour, you can boost your sales considerably.

Market your eBook the Right Way: Blogging

Tue, 28 May 2013 08:00:05 +0000

One of the most effective ways to market your eBook and let your readers get to know you is to have a blog. A blog is a place where you can write about your life, your eBook and your upcoming speaking engagements. It’s a place where you can let your personality show.

Market your eBook the Right Way: Social Media Marketing

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:45 +0000

Last week we discussed the importance of having a website to successfully market your eBook. One of the reasons a website is important is because you can further enhance your marketing efforts through social media, driving interested readers back to your website for more information.

Market your eBook the Right Way: the Website

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:21 +0000

There are a number of things you can do to successfully market your eBook , but to really get the most exposure, you need to take a multi-pronged approach that includes the use of a website, social media marketing, blogging and speaking engagements. In the next few posts, we’ll go over each of these in turn, beginning this week with how to use a website to market your eBook.

Creating an eBook for Different Devices: Testing your eBook

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:18 +0000

Creating an ebook presents a number of unique challenges. Your ebook will inevitably look different depending on the device your reader is using, and the number of devices available is growing exponentially. In addition to Nook and Kindle, there is now iBook, Kobo and a variety of online readers. You may not be able to make your ebook formatting work perfectly on every platform, but when creating an ebook, you should test your book to see how it will look once converted to .epub.

Creating an eBook for Different Devices: Proofreading and Editing

Thu, 09 May 2013 08:00:29 +0000

When creating an ebook, often one of the well-deserved assumptions about indie ebooks is that they author has skipped the much-needed editing process in order to go straight to publication. While indie authors do like to skip the steps of hiring agents and choosing publishing houses in order to bring readers material that costs less and says what the author intended, one of the most important steps in creating an ebook is proofreading and editing. In fact, it may be one of the most important steps you can when creating an ebook to be considered a serious author.

Creating an eBook for Different Devices: Font Choices

Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:56 +0000

When you are creating an ebook, it is important to consider your reader and focus on providing easy-to-read text in a common font that is translatable to any device.

Font Tips for Creating an eBook

Page numbers no longer exist. Because your book will be viewed on so many different devices, page numbers and pagination are of no concern. In fact, page breaks between chapters can create too much white space on the device, so a simple indication of transition works better than encoded page breaks.
Keep your ebook formatting simple. Use a left-aligned, standard paragraph style in a standard font type and size, such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 10, since these fonts convert easily.
Less white space is better. Because some people will be reading ebooks on cell phones and other small devices, it’s almost always best to use single spacing when formatting your ebook.

In the end, your reader will have control over what font type and size they read in, but by creating an ebook using a standard font and maintaining consistency throughout your entire ebook, it will convert more easily regardless of the device and reading choices your reader makes.

Creating an eBook for Different Devices: Using Images

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:20:02 +0000

When you are writing a book that will be print published, you control everything about how the book will appear for the reader, including the size of the font and the size of the page. When you are an ebook author creating an ebook, you have no control over what device your reader will use to read your book, making ebook formatting is quite different. In fact, in the digital publishing world, what you write will be seen on a variety of different devices with different screen sizes and different capabilities. Users can increase the font size or change the rotation of their device from landscape to portrait.

Protecting Intellectual Property Rights for eBooks

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:37:56 +0000

The Benefits of the Adobe Content Server

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:47:23 +0000

Many authors who publish their own ebooks often contemplate about what the effects of piracy would be for their earning potential, and the possible scenarios aren’t all that attractive. To combat piracy, the ebook industry has taken to the use of DRM (digital rights management) technology as a method of protecting the rights of the author. Unfortunately, many eBook owners tend to view most DRM technologies as a violation of their rights as an eBook owner. Quite a lot of people on both sides, however, find Adobe Content Server as an acceptable compromise.

How To Write “How To” Articles For Ebook Marketing

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:55:09 +0000

If you have written an ebook and you want to market it online, one of the most efficient ways of doing so is by writing online articles and allowing search engines to lead your potential readers to them. This activity alone is the center piece of eBook marketing. It’s been said that search engines like Google have become the modern equivalent of the ancient oracles. In the old days, hordes of people flocked to oracles such as those at Delphi, and they had to wait an eternity for their questions to be answered—if they do get answered, that is. And even if and when they receive an answer, it may be couched in words so vague that the answer doesn’t seem all that helpful anyway.

How To Use Youtube To Increase eBook Sales

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:51:46 +0000

Once upon a time, the TV was the most popular platform to sell just about anything, and the price of advertising minutes increased exponentially to reflect the great demand for airtime. Although in some ways this is still true (this is why a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl costs millions of dollars), for many people Youtube is the most popular website to go to for videos. Close to a billion people visit Youtube regularly and that kind of potential exposure shouldn’t be ignored for increasing your eBook sales.

Why Authors Need eBook Protection

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:44:51 +0000

Authors, as a group, tend to consider their eBooks almost as dearly as they would their own child; thus eBook protection is of paramount importance. This kind of concern often goes beyond proprietary and business concerns, and although some may consider it in a way irrational, it is also natural.

What’s not irrational, however, is the concern that piracy can have on the earning potential of an eBook. Books in digital form offer several benefits that do not come with traditional printed books. For one, it does save a lot of trees from being cut down to make paper. Another reason is that ebooks are much more convenient to distribute than traditional printed books. Unfortunately, ebooks are also easier to pirate so that the benefits of the work go to unscrupulous individuals instead of to the author.

The Raging Debate about eBook DRM

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:23:25 +0000

eBook DRM officially stands for “eBook Digital Rights Management”, and it is a term used to describe any technological method for fighting piracy so that the rights of musicians, software developers, and eBook authors can be protected.

Adobe Content Server 4 - Deploy it yourself or host with us?

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:40:55 +0000

Currently, Adobe Content Server 4 is pretty much the industry standard for eBook DRM systems. It can protect the most popular eBook formats, ePub and PDF, and perhaps its greatest strength is that it does so without locking end-users into a single device, platform or vendor. It is probably why many industry giants like Google Editions, Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster have adopted Adobe Content Server 4 instead of developing their own eBook DRM system.

3 Essential free eBook tools for authors and editors

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:52:58 +0000

When writing a book, it’s only natural to be using the tools you’re most comfortable with. Many use Microsoft Word for writing the actual text, and for that intent and purpose, it is a good tool. But when it comes to formatting it correctly and optimally as an eBook, you’ll be needing something extra, preferably some free eBook tools.

With so many formats and different media types to cover, how can you take care of them all? The short answer is, you can’t. There’s no holy-grail format for eBooks that works equally well on all media. Since we’ve already covered eBooks formats in our previous post “eBook Formats: Why choose one or the other?", I wont be delving into that again. But if you’re curious about what formats are out there and their use cases, it might be worth a read.

In this post, I want to point out some free tools that could make your eBook creation and formatting endeavors much easier:

How to Use Contests and Giveaways to Get More Followers

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:44:40 +0000

From reading the series of posts that we have on promoting your self-published book, you already know how to use social media for online marketing, specifically Facebook and Twitter.

You also know three ways in which you can use your blog for book promotion: by using it as your online identity, as a way to increase email subscriptions, and by engaging with your readers.

There is one more thing you can do through your blog, though, to get more followers and drum up more awareness of your portfolio as an author: hold contests and giveaways.

3 Ways to Use Your Blog to Promote Your Book

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:18:00 +0000

As mentioned in the post Create an Online Presence…Even Before Your Book is Published, you need to maintain a blog as one of your online marketing strategies if you’re aiming to earn from your self-published book. Why? There are several reasons.

Tips on Using Your Facebook Page to Promote Your Book

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:22:56 +0000

Are you on Facebook? If you aren’t yet, you should really signup now. This social networking site has over a billion users worldwide, and if you just published a book, wouldn’t you like to promote it by targeting even just a small percentage of these users?

How to Promote Your Book on Twitter

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:24:12 +0000

You have probably heard how effective social media can be when it comes to promoting small businesses. In most cases, yes, it is true. Social media can be very powerful; if used wisely, it can boost sales beyond expectation.

However, is social media promotion as simple as sending 1,000 tweets a day, asking your followers to buy your book?

Definitely not.

5 Ways to Promote Your Self-Published eBook

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:52:15 +0000

Now that your book is published, you can just sit back, relax, and watch the sales come in. Right? Wrong!

There’s one crucial thing you must do if you expect to earn anything from your book, and that’s to promote it. After all, according to the New York Times, hundreds of thousands of new books are published every year. How will people buy your book if they don’t know it exists?

Self-Publishing 101: How to Find a Good Editor for Your Book

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:46:39 +0000

Finally, after years of slogging through your manuscript, you’ve finished your first book. Exhilarating, right? There’s no other feeling in the world like it (except maybe giving birth to your first child). Before you rush off to show it to a literary agent (or a print-on-demand company) though, there’s one thing you need to do first: you must have it professionally edited.

3 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:36:55 +0000

A decade or so ago, if you wanted to be published, you would look for a literary agent who could sell your manuscript to potential publishers. You would submit your manuscript, and the publisher would do everything, from editing your work, to designing it, printing, and then marketing and promotion.

The biggest challenge then (aside from the writing itself) was to find that publisher who would buy your book.

Sell your eBooks using Wordpress, with DRM!

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:00:42 +0000

We’re proud to announce the release of our Wordpress eBook sales plugin with DRM support! It allows you to sell eBooks with EditionGuard eBook DRM protection right on your Wordpress blog!

At the moment, you can accept payments via Paypal or Moneybookers. Obviously, the eBooks are DRM protected through full integration with our EditionGuard service. You can manage everything without ever leaving your Wordpress admin UI! Best of all, the plugin is completely free and open sourced. So you can download, install and modify it as much as you like. You can find the plugin on the wordpress.org site, by clicking here.

eBook Design vs. Print Design

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 12:14:18 +0000

When converting printed books to eBooks, a complaint we receive from publishers often is, ’the eBook design looks nothing like the original design of the print book!'

While trying to address this concern, we’ve come to see how important and fundamental a task it is to clearly explain the differences between print books and eBooks, as many publishers are yet to become privy to this knowledge. If the root of this problem is not addressed properly, many will be reluctant to enter the eBook market if at all.

Authors and Publishers: Time to get on the eBook bandwagon!

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:34 +0000

Well, I just realized that it’s been a while since I last posted here. I know, shame on me!

I have to admit, I’ve been carrying the topic of this post around in my head for a while now. It’s one of those things that I struggle to address continually while trying to help authors and publishers along with their endeavors. So I figured, why not make a post about it for posterity? Here goes.

Magento eBook Sales with EditionGuard DRM Integration

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:22:55 +0000

So, why have we have developed our Magento eBook DRM Extension? A great number of Publishers, especially Digital Publishers are seeking a trustworthy and cost-effective eCommerce solution for selling eBooks while protecting them. Our main intention for developing this extension is that we wish to offer a turnkey solution for selling eBooks online securely. Magento Commerce is a comprehensive solution for selling digital goods like eBooks. Now, as an addition to this, our EditionGuard Extension is providing a complete eBook DRM solution built on top of Magento Commerce.

Things to watch out for while preparing your eBooks

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:01:38 +0000

As the popularity of eBooks continue to rise, so does the number of eBook authors and designers.

While many who create eBooks have received some form of training on the matter, we often see some basic problems and issues within many eBooks on the market.

In this article, we wanted to provide some helpful tips & tricks to authors and designers, so they can avoid many painstaking issues and get it right as easily as possible. We’ll be focusing on the ePub format for this article, and the few others that will follow, though maybe we’ll do more on other formats later on if requested. Here we go!

Why use eBook DRM?

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:38:23 +0000

One of the conversations that we return to time and again is eBook DRM. DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is technology that puts you in control of your content. It lets you manage who can access your digital content, as well as when and how it can be accessed. It continues to be a point of consternation in the industry. Some indie authors and readers are wholly supportive of DRM. Others refuse to consider it. This argument will likely continue to be a central component of digital publishing.

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