HOW I WORK NOW

When I started this blog, it was all about HTML. I wrote books in code (to be exact, HTML tags) in a text editor. (I ended up in Notepad++, which I still use for writing blog posts, like this one.)

But in HTML you have to hassle with the OPF file and two different tables of content, not to mention front-end code to describe the text in Web-based publishing language.

I don't do that anymore.

Now that you can publish Print On Demand versions of paperbacks and hardcover books on KDP, I've changed my methods.

I compose in a free word processor from an app suite called LibreOffice (I was using OpenOffice, but apparently that version is no longer supported). I design the book for a particular page size (usually 5" x 8" or 6" x 9"), and fiddle with each page for the best look, before exporting the whole mess to PDF files, ready for submission to KDP. (You can do this easily in LibreOffice's writing app; not sure about OpenOffice.)

Then I modify the paperback version for e-book use and run it through Kindle Create. This way you get "enhanced typesetting," which means automatic hyphenation.

For e-book use, you need to delete your table of contents (if you've used one; novels mostly go without). You also need to remove that row of asterisks you ought to put between sections of chapters when that break occurs at the end or beginning of a page.

(I use three asterisks in these situation despite the fact new sections start with an un-indented first paragraph where the first three words are set in bold.)

Section changes usually mean a jump in location or time; you don't want your reader to miss this when it happens. Why confuse folks unnecessarily?

In an e-book, there are no page breaks. You just get a space tween chunks (along with whatever you can manage in the way of indents and the use of bold or italics at the beginning of new sections; you have to mess about with Kindle Create to find out what is possible here).

I still use GIMP2 to make book cover images. For POD versions, you also have to deal with spines and back covers. Back covers are usually just text. I'd have to look into whether it's possible to use images there.

KDP hard covers are called "case laminate" for front cover art--no dust jackets. More traditional hard covers are available from IngramSpark. They used to charge $25 (or more) to submit a book for POD, including updated editions. But right now (or from now on, I'm not sure) they've dropped the upfront fees.

On their Web site you can calculate the cost for a paperback or hard cover, including shipping. A 5x8 paperback running 276 pages with standard service and basic shipping would run you $9.16. A rush order paperback delivered residential next day is $81.58. The same book in case laminate hard cover would be $13.13 standard service basic shipping. A proper hard cover with a dust jacket: $15.83 standard, $97.83 rush next day. YMMV

The last time I checked on KDP the price you have to set for a trade paperback POD could easily exceed twelve or thirteen bucks, assuming you want to harvest a dollar's profit for each copy sold. But this includes some technical stuff about distribution. I think you could get a better price with limited distribution without retail stores in the picture.

(I'm just ball-parking these figures. I'll know more when I put up my next book and clue you in with up-to-date details.)

And there are other publishers of POD editions to consider. A quick Google search brings up nearly a dozen, all with competing features.

And for that matter, there are lots of other ways to publish ebooks. KDP just happens to dominate the market. Might have something to do with the Amazon's domination in the retail universe.