AUTHORDOCK 5.0: Messages

Barnes & Noble Nook: Missing cover and/or description on BN

2026-03-09T14:29:51Z

Q. Why is my cover and/or description missing from the Barnes & Noble catalog?

I suspect the title metadata is still 'populating' their online catalog as data is pushed from Ingram as setup is still in process. Eventually, it will appear. The data 'push' from IngramSpark started on 3/2:

A week later, the book cover is up, but the description is missing.

If you want to know how long it should take, you can reach out to IngramSpark support (ingramsparksupport@ingramcontent.com), but I'm pretty sure they'll tell you 2-4 weeks is typically and highly dependent upon the retailers systems.

It's worth noting in my experience that the systems take longer than they used to, under the weight of so many books being published thanks to AI. Companies like KDP & IngramSpark are doing their best to keep up.

Cheers,
Brian

Frequently Asked Questions: Using Bible Verses in your Book? Citation required.

2022-08-12T17:54:08Z

If you are using bible versus in your book, you need to include one of the following on your copyright page (depending on the source):

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.¶

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™¶

More info:

Audio Books and Audible: Year End Tax Info (1099) from ACX

2022-03-10T17:10:55Z

Looking for your 1099ss from ACX?¶

To securely download your form, follow the steps below:

Go to your ACX Dashboard here: www.acx.com/dashboard
Click on your name to select Account Settings, then Tax Information.
Click Edit Royalty Tax Interview to access the Tax Dashboard.
Scroll to the Year-end tax forms section.
Click the Find Forms button.
Click Download.

Screenshots:

Print-on-Demand: Transferring a title from KDP to IngramSpark

2020-05-27T16:22:18Z

New Process effective as of Nov-2021¶

There is a much simpler process to transfer a title to your own IngramSpark account, assuming you meet all the qualifications. Simply go to https://www.ingramspark.com/lp/title-transfer and complete the form:

For items 1-3, you need to be sure it matches your IngramSpark account exactly. You can find this on your IngramSpark account information page.

For item 4, you need the ISBN. Put it in without any dashes.

After you submit the form, assuming the transfer request is for a title you originally setup on KDP, you will need to respond to the email that will arrive from KDP support (usually within a few days):

The response MUST come from the email KDP sends that email to (and we can't do this for you).

Once you respond that you in fact did make the transfer request, they will give IngramSpark/Lightning Source authorization to transfer the title to your account. This can take a couple of weeks to complete (and IngramSpark asks for up to 30 days).

You will get confirmation from IngramSpark via email once the transfer is complete and the title will appear your list of titles.

Once the title is in your account, you should update the Print info (Pricing) to add it to all geos, set return & destroy, and set a discount of at least 50%.

This is how it will likely appear after it's transferred from KDP (and explains WHY you probably were not selling any books):

This is how retailers expect to see it (allow returns, and know that it's not likely to happen too often):

(updated 10/2/21)

A common problem during title setup at IngramSpark is this error:

This usually only happens if you select the 'Expanded Distribution' option at KDP which I never recommend (which I explain in more detail here.

If this occurs, you will need to follow a Title Transfer procedure to move the ISBN from the current account holder (KDP) to your account.

Please note: If you acquired a free ISBN from KDP, then it is not eligible for transfer to your account and you'll have to use a new ISBN. I explain more about ISBNs here.

The first step is to remove your title from expanded distribution (from your KDP bookshelf):

After you have done this, you will need to complete the steps above to transfer the title to your account.

Here are some additional notes from Ingram:

If CreateSpace or KDP owns the ISBN or if it is CreateSpace or KDP exclusive, it cannot be transferred.
If the author or publisher owns the ISBN, the files and ISBN can be transferred to the author or publisher's account once Expanded Distribution is removed and KDP confirms with IngramSpark support the transfer can be completed.
If the title has never been in Expanded Distribution, it can be set up as a new title on the IngramSpark account without having to go through the title transfer process.
The account receiving the transfer of the title, ISBN and files must be fully active, i.e., all account set up tasks listed on the Dashboard must be completed.

As of 11/18/21: I'm trying to confirm whether or not removing a title from expanded distribution is actually still required.

PubWriter FAQ: Case sensitive - what you need to know about filenames & folders

2019-12-18T12:38:06Z

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PubWriter FAQ: RE: Need a countdown (timer) for your site?

2019-03-12T09:53:23Z

Here's another one:
https://countdown.onlineclock.net/generator/

You can use the div id="countbox" to customize a look of the countdown in your stylesheet.

See sample in use at:
https://read.pubwriter.com/countdown.md

Amazon: Contacting Amazon Author Central

2018-10-16T14:37:52Z

There will likely be times when you need to contact Author Central at Amazon.

Yes, in fact, you can talk to a live human being at Amazon whose job it is to fix issues with your titles (whether or not you the publisher).

For example, if you have a new edition of a book and you want Amazon to point people who find an old edition to the new edition:

If you've worked with us, let's assume you already have an Author Central account.

If not, you can create one here.

If there's an issue with your Author page or book listing on Amazon, there is a support team at Amazon available to assist you. Believe it or not, you can actually talk to a real human being! They can help you resolve a lot of common problems. Look for the Contact Us tab somewhat hidden at the very bottom of the screen after you login:

It's a good idea to check your own listings now and then (and your Author page) to ensure nothing has gone astray. The reps at Amazon Author Central are essentially evangelists for authors... so if something doesn't look correct, they'll know.

Just keep in mind that not all reps are on their 'A' team. You may need to call back until you find one that is.

~Brian

AuthorDock Tutorials: Get Text Alerts for AuthorDock Updates

2018-08-29T13:15:26Z

You can now setup text alerts for AuthorDock notifications. When you do, you'll be alerted via text message anytime there's an update on your project(s).

I find it very helpful!

Here's a tutorial:

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You can add your own cell phone to your account at:
http://authordock.com/my/account

If it's Verizon:
cellnumber@vtext.com

If it's AT&T:
cellnumber@txt.att.net

Amazon: Disabling Amazon's 2-step Authentication

2018-07-31T08:47:15Z

If we are going to be assisting you with title setup on Amazon or working in other areas of your account, we might need you to disable the 2-step authentication that Amazon recently added which makes it impossible for us to login to your account unless you are on the phone with us to provide the code they send to your cell phone.

I can be quite a pain I think you will find, so here's how to turn it off.

Step 1¶

Step 2¶

Step 3¶

Step 4¶

Let us know once you've turned it off and we can get back to work for you!

Thanks,
Brian

Frequently Asked Questions: RE: Copyright Boilerplate

2018-03-08T14:14:58Z

If you are worried about liability (in how a reader may use the information you've provided), you may want to check out the sample disclaimers at:

https://termsfeed.com/blog/sample-disclaimer-template

Frequently Asked Questions: Copyright Boilerplate

2018-02-27T12:09:35Z

In case you need the verbiage for your copyright page, here's some basic legalese you can use on your copyright page:

NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.

Trademarked names may appear throughout this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

If your book is fiction, add the following¶

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

If you want to add attribution to us (appreciated but not required):¶

Built at AuthorDock.com

You can use our logo as well:
https://pubwriter.net/images/ADlogo.png

Amazon: Setting up our KDP account (banking & tax id)

2018-02-21T11:17:17Z

In order to publish a new title via your Amazon KDP account, you will need to provide your banking and tax ID information.

If you see this notice when you login to your account, please click on it and follow the prompts to complete the setup of your account.

This is required to track your royalty payments!

Be sure to follow the prompts to setup direct deposit with your bank - otherwise, you'll have to wait until your royalty his the $100 threshold and they may also charge a per check processing fee.

~ Brian

Apple iBooks: How to setup your iTunes Connect account to sell on iTunes/iBooks

2018-01-29T12:37:16Z

iTunes Connect / iBooks setup¶

Do you need help getting your book listed in the Apple iBooks? We can help. For the first three steps explained below, you don't need a mac. But in order to publish your title(s) to your account, you do need a mac (which you've likely hired us to do).

Here are a few important things you need to know about getting published in the Apple iBookstore:

Do you have a valid Apple ID?¶

You must have an existing valid Apple ID (by valid, I mean that Apple has your credit card on file). If you've ever purchased anything from iTunes, you've likely got a valid ID. If not, you will need to create a new Apple ID.

Create a new seller account at iTunes Connect:¶

Once your account is approved, you need to completely setup your account before we can upload your file(s). This step trips up a lot of people because apple requires authentication via email, and then you have to 'request contracts.' Even after you've been approved for an account, you MUST click on the link that they send you in the email entitled 'Welcome to the iTunes Store':

If you need help setting up your tax & banking info, here is Apple's tutorial and a video tutorial on the topic. Note: You may have to be logged in to your iTunes Connect account to view it.

Next, you will need to request & approve a contract for each country you want to sell your ebook in and provide apple with your contact info, bank account, and tax ID. A very brief tutorial on how to do this is below:

Note: Apple also provides a video walk-through on how to setup your contracts, tax id, and banking info here. We can't proceed until this step is complete.

To complete the setup for you

We need your ePub file (unless we created it for you already) and cover file (jpg or pdf).
We need you to select up to 5 categories.
We need your title/subtitle info, description, author & any other contributors to be listed, page count (if in print or make an estimation if it's only an eBook).

Any other questions? Feel free to Contact us!

After we've setup your title, usually within 1-2 days you can expect to find it available in the Apple iTunes store for sale.

AuthorDock Tutorials: Logging Time

2017-11-14T10:46:09Z

You can log time from a milestone using the formats: 1h, 1 h, 1 hour, 2 hours, 30m, 30min, 1h30, 1h30m, 1:30

Here's a brief tutorial:

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Mobile Users Video Link

Why log time?

In the case of a POD:

Hours you put into the pod can be logged in AuthorDock. In the spirit of an hour exchange (aka time bank).
The time you log into milestones are 'banked' as credits you can expect to redeem in the output of others.
The idea is to encourage contribution and discourage 'freeloaders.' Every author will find a way to contribute to the whole.

Inspiration: 150 Writing Mentors

2017-11-05T21:57:26Z

"Most people wake up in the morning fully intending to be their ideal selves. To finally get themselves to the gym. To be a better student, a better parent, a better citizen, a better friend. That’s why it’s so painful to fail, as inevitably happens: It hurts to feel the distance growing between who you are and what you wish to be."

"But if you’re willing to lower your expectations, to temporarily mute your inner critic, then incremental progress is always possible. And that’s where novelists have struck on something. Above all else, writers are people who allow themselves the freedom to suck—unrepentantly, happily, even. They’ve learned through hard experience that out of failure comes something better. And that the only catastrophe, really, is the refusal to keep trying."

"And yet, by the time this idea passes through the different filters of your mind, and into your hand, and onto the page or computer screen—it becomes distorted, and it’s been diminished. The writing you end up with is an approximation, if you’re lucky, of whatever it was you really wanted to say." - Author of The Kite Runner

It’s like climbing a mountain—you get some fantastic views when you pause or when you get to the top, but the actual process can be tough. … I wish I could enjoy the process more, but I think I’ve come to accept that for it to work, I have to be uncomfortable.

These quotes are from a good read that dives into the obstacles even the biggest names face:

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/09/my-150-writing-mentors-and-me/540948/

Writing Tips: Overcoming Writers Block

2017-09-29T08:59:48Z

I felt this article covered a lot of good tips on overcoming writers block:

http://feedreader.com/how-to-beat-writers-block

~ Brian

Writing Tips: Showing vs. Telling - Emma Darwin's Blog

2017-08-22T15:10:01Z

Emma Darwin has a great blog, with a number of interesting posts about writing. This post on showing vs. telling is beautifully done!

Print-on-Demand: Ordering 'Author Copies' from KDP, IngramSpark, or Snowfall Press

2017-08-16T13:15:42Z

To order books at cost, you will need to login to your account KDP and order copies.

The shipping cost will vary depending on your desired delivery date:

Amazon KDP - login to your account at https://kdp.amazon.com and go to your bookshelf:¶

IngramSpark - login to your account at https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/¶

Note: IngramSpark will force you into the title setup. Don't proceed. We'll take care of it and you'll likely create more work for us if you try to proceed. Thanks!

Snowfall Press¶

(our preferred printer)

Setup your account here.

If we set you up on Snowfall Press (our preferred printing partner):

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We use (G) to indicate a Glossy cover and (M) to indicate a Matte cover. We recommend Matte since they don't tend to curl like glossy covers can.

Also, if you see two versions of your book, this may be why:

~ Brian

PubWriter FAQ: Creating autolinks to an email address

2017-08-01T14:42:41Z

PubWriter - Creating live links to email addresses¶

In order to make your email a live clickable link people can use with their email clients, you need to wrap your email address with a greater than < and less than > :

Example:

<support@selfpublish.org>

becomes:

support@selfpublish.org

Print-on-Demand: IngramSpark vs. LSI vs. CreateSpace

2017-07-20T16:42:43Z

Starting in June-2017, IngramSpark changed their pricing model. Now, authors who are setup with IngamSpark pay a higher price than those setup with Lightning Source.

If you haven't yet read my explanation on the difference between IngramSpark and CreateSpace, you should and can do so here.

One advantage of IngramSpark is avoiding the $12 annual fee/title they charge you if you are with Lightning Source - not much until you have many titles, and then it can be a hit if you are not generating many sales. There's also a $49 title setup fee that we can often get around with IngramSpark, but not with Lightning Source. There's also a $25 charge everytime you upload a new interior or cover. Since CreateSpace doesn't charge any of these setup or change fees, you may want to consider whether or not you plan to sell enough books to justify the additional expense. There's also the added labor of setup.

I haven't a chance to compare all the different options, but I have to assume the % difference would be consistent. Here's a side-by-side comparison of IngramSpark vs. LSI:

Here's the cost/royalty for the same title setup at CreateSpace:

So for a 52 page full-color book (note: quality of print full color from CreateSpace tends to be noticeable better than IngramSpark/LSI):

LSI: $2.95/ea.
IngramSpark: $3.79/ea.
CreateSpace: $4.49/ea.

Earned royalties are the highest from CreateSpace, but ONLY for books sold on Amazon.

Thanks,
Brian

AuthorDock Tutorials: Embedding video into any AuthorDock post (YouTube or Vimeo)

2017-06-01T14:19:37Z

It's very easy to embed video directly in your posts on AuthorDock.

YouTube¶

{{video(https://youtu.be/2Utyoh1tRzM, 854,480)}}

The 854 is the width and the 480 is the height that you want to display the video in.

Loading the player ...

Self-hosted¶

{{video(https://pubwriter.com/images/video/snowfall.mp4)}}

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Writing Tips: Breaking the fourth wall

2017-05-25T13:22:17Z

What is the fourth wall?

The "fourth wall" is what actors do to make the act appear real. It's the process of ignoring the audience, focus their attention solely on the make believe. Completely absorbed in its own fiction, what actors do is take on roles in a state 'public solitude' or 'being alone in public.' It's the actor's ability to behave as they would if it were real, and they were alone, despite being watched by others in what is usually a make believe story.

"Breaking the fourth wall" is the term used when the actor (or author) either directly references the work they are in to the audience (or reader). It's a temporary suspension (or sidebar) of the story while it's being told. It may be a personal commentary to draw draws attention to itself in regards to the rest of the story (or performance). It allows the veil to be revealed temporarily, by drawing attention to a larger event taking place. In a way, it's like zooming out or hitting the pause button. Breaking the fourth wall, while originally used in theater, it is often extended to books as well.

Is it possible that the actor (or the author) gets so consumed in the story that they forget the fourth wall actually exists?

Writing Tips: Simple(ish) Tricks to Make Any Style of Writing Better

2017-05-25T10:09:57Z

I’ve done a lot of critiquing, beta reading, and professional editing, so I’ve had the privilege of working with people who write in all different styles and genres. Each style and genre has its own rules, and I’ve learned to appreciate them all on their own merits. There’s a lot of writing advice that doesn’t take into account the different standards and styles between genres. Some of it makes me want to headbutt the person giving it, because it amounts to a style critique rather than sound writing advice, especially if applied indiscriminately. This sort of writing advice can impede creativity.

There is other advice, however, that works across all styles and genres. I'm going to outline some of the tips and tricks I use when writing and editing my own work as well as clients’ work. It’s the stuff that always seems to make writing better (although there are exceptions…like when I was writing Justin’s schizophrenic character voice in The Other Place Series. There are times to break every rule, as long as you’re doing it mindfully).

So, with that small caveat, here are six things I’ve found (almost) always improve writing:

1. Avoid dialogue tags whenever possible.¶

If you only have two people in the conversation, you don’t need a dialogue tag with every line of dialogue, because readers understand who’s talking as long as they’re oriented now and again.
You can also use action tags in the place of dialogue tags. Action tags usually precede the dialogue (though they can come after), and describe something a character is doing while they speak. Action tags are super great because they can perform quadruple duty: let us know who is speaking, develop character, create a mood or vibe, and put a vivid image in the reader’s mind. For instance:

“I just don’t know,” Marla said.

As opposed to:

Marla chiseled the dried blood from beneath her fingernails with her hunting knife. “I just don’t know.”

Be careful, however, of overusing dialogue tags like she smiled, or she cocked an eyebrow. I’m guilty of overusing these. Often, they don’t add anything, and/or are already implied by the dialogue.

2. Adjectives and adverbs are okay; redundancy isn’t.¶

If the adjective or adverb is already implied by the scene, dialogue, or action, you don’t need to use it. For instance:
The bright Southern California sun shone intensely on their faces.

Neither bright nor intensely are really needed here (because they’re implied by SoCal sun), and don’t add much as to style, either. You probably don’t even need on their faces in most cases, if you want to get technical.

Or:
“We need to get out of here!” she yelled urgently.

You really just need the dialogue here. Very few people would exclaim such a thing languorously, and if they were, it would be very appropriate to use that adverb—especially because languorously is a bitchin’ word.

However:
He leaned on the dented bumper of his car, eyeing her lustily.

Both dented and lustily add something here, if we don’t already know those things from context.

3. Description is fine, but diagraming is generally not.¶

I love it when the author gives me a bizarre, beautiful, or bleak image that sticks with me. However, I get really confused and any image in my head is destroyed whenever I read something like this:

The house was three stories tall, with three rows of five windows off to the right of the main entrance, and three rows of eight windows to the left of the entrance. The front door was tall and stately, a double door, with carved frescoes of cherubs and nymphs all along the edges. Inside, a hallway led off in front to the state rooms. Another to the right led to the ballroom …

You get what I’m going for.

The point of description is to give readers an image, and a mood. You can do this succinctly, and let their imaginations fill in the rest—that’s part of the fun of reading. In the passage above, the writer can convey the image of a grand, old-style mansion with little images dropped here and there throughout the dialogue and action, preferably when the characters interact with the graceful draperies or display of jade fertility carvings. We don’t need a layout of the house, especially all at once.

4. Inner dialogue and exposition are fine, but be careful of telling the reader stuff they already know, or don’t need to know.¶

He pressed his lips to hers. She gave a little gasp, and her body melted into his. I want him so badly, she thought. I’ve never felt like this before about anyone.

Now, you can get away with a lot of inner dialogue and exposition in romance, but in the above passage we don’t need that inner thought at all. Even if we do perhaps, in some cases, need to see that thought once, we don’t need it every time he kisses her. We actually feel the moment and the romantic tension more if the inner dialogue is mostly implied by the characters and the situation, and left to the imagination.

Also, giving expository backstory or detail that doesn’t play into the story is a double no-no. Backstories on minor characters that only appear once in the book; memories of events that aren’t relevant; long descriptions of job duties when the novel takes place while the character is on vacation—these sorts of things are dead weight that slow pacing and bore readers.

5. You don’t need to say something using the fewest words possible, but avoid repeating yourself, or telling something you’ve already shown.¶

Some people can go on and on and on without losing the reader, because their style is engaging for one reason or another. But, even if you’re prone to wordiness, you don’t need to say things more than once. For instance:
She drove quickly down the road. She was in a hurry. She was late for a meeting, and would be in trouble with her boss.

Those three sentences basically convey the same idea a bunch of times. You could say the same thing by showing her honking her horn and swearing at traffic, and letting us know by context that she’s on her way to a meeting. Or you could say something like:
She drove like a maniac to get to the meeting.

Another example:
She hated chocolate pie. She poked at it with her fork, wrinkling her nose. “I hate chocolate pie.”

You really just need the action there. You could also have the dialogue if character-appropriate, but the first sentence should never be there. It just tells before it shows, and thus reduces the impact of showing.

6. Avoid sensory words such as “saw” “heard” “smelled” or “felt” as much as possible.¶

This is the hardest one for some people. The trick here is to put the reader in the story by describing what’s going on instead of saying so-and-so saw or heard it going on. For instance:

Jeremy smelled jasmine.

As opposed to:

The scent of jasmine embraced him.

The second makes you feel more like you’re there, right?

Sometimes you do need the sensory tag for emphasis; for instance, if your main character is in the other room and can’t see the door opening, you can’t say the door opened. You have to say* they heard the door opening*…or you could say The door creaked as it opened, or something, if appropriate.

Also, I say someone saw something when I want to make it clear they're noticing something they were not meant to notice:

John saw Fred tuck his shirt over the butt of his pistol.

That makes it clearer that it didn’t just happen, it happened surreptitiously. Even in these situations, you can sometimes remove the sensory tag:

Fred quickly tugged his shirt over the butt of his pistol, then smiled wide at the approaching cop.

The “feel” tag is harder to remove. It’s best if you can write the scene so it’s obvious what someone would be feeling. If you’ve done your character development, scene setting, and dialogue right, this is often possible. But, at times, you really do have to say things like:

George felt like she’d hung him by his nuts from the flagpole.

There’s no other way to get the point across and keep the reader along for the ride.

What writing tips and tricks do you use? I’d love to hear them. I’d also love to argue with you if you don’t agree with some of mine. :)

Elizabeth Roderick is a freelance editor, and the author of many strange novels. You can find her on Amazon.

PubWriter FAQ: RE: Need a countdown (timer) for your site?

2017-05-24T10:19:38Z

I also like the simplicity, speed, and responsiveness of:

https://www.tickcounter.com

Inspiration: The value of character development

2017-05-17T18:04:13Z

The characters the author created will evolve into their own identity as the story develops. Thier behavior is defined by the experiences they have. Authors themselves are surprised to discover what these characters want to do in the plot. Often the plot itself will take an unexpected detour due to the interaction of the characters and their unique personalities, values, and personal motivations. Although the writer begins the story (acts as the prompt), it's the development of the characters themselves that make the story believable.

Frequently Asked Questions: Pricing your eBook edition

2017-05-09T17:48:35Z

Looking for guidance on pricing your paperback? Click here.

Since I get this question all the time, let me answer it more publicly.

The price you set for your eBook should be based on a few factors.

1. Other books in the same category¶

You want to price your book just below the price being charged for a comparable ebook. I used to say your eBook should be half the cost of your print edition, but I don't think it's necessarily the best advice anymore. You can view Kindle books by category here.

2. Number of reviews¶

The fewer reviews you have, the lower the price should be. Although this will vary based on your genre, here's a rule of thumb you can use:

Less than 100 reviews: $2.99
101-199 reviews: $3.99
More than 100 reviews: $4.99

If your book is less than 20,000 words - keep in mind a price of more than $2.99 may get you some negative reviews from people who felt like cheated on the length of your eBook.

3. File Size¶

To earn a 70% royalty, Amazon requires that you price your book between $2.99-$9.99. If you are under or over that range, they'll only pay you a 35% royalty. But the drawbacks of the 70% option are that you also pay a delivery fee for that file to be delivered to the buyers device.

Kindle Delivery Fee¶

Amazon's sole purpose is to make as much profit for it's shareholders as possible.

One example of this is found in the .15 per MB 'delivery fee' they charge. I understand that if a reader downloads your kindle book over a cell network, then Amazon pays a small fee to the cell provider. But I have to believe the majority of readers use a wifi connection most of the time. Regardless of the method the buyer uses to download your book, Amazon still hits us with this fee when you choose the 70% royalty option.

If your eBook file is large, say 10MB, you be deducted a $1.50/sale fee from Amazon if you opt for the 70% plan.
If you opt for the 35% plan, then they don't charge this fee.

If your ebook is more than 23.3MB, and you charge $9.99, you will actually make more profit at the 35% option because Amazon doesn't deduct the delivery fee when you opt for the 35% program.

You can play around with some different scenarios with this calculator I created.

~Brian

AuthorDock Tutorials: Q&A (easy linking to specific messages)

2017-05-06T17:32:48Z

Unlike Milestones items, the information in the Q&A Module is not limited to specific milestones, but rather a collection hub for all information related to a project or topic.

You can use it as a shared digital notebook. The advantage of using Q&A is having a quick way to search and find the information you will likely need again later.

Collaborative Q&A are especially valuable because you are tapping into the collective wisdom of all members in that project.

You can link directly to a war room message very quickly. After you create one, it will assign a specific number that can be found in the URL bar:

Make a note of the number (in this case 718).

You can link directly to it from anywhere else within AuthorDock by using the context message#718 it will automatically link directly to that Q&A topic.

Here's an example:

AuthorDock Onboarding

Above, I typed message#718 and it automatically inserted the title of the war room message links to it.

Hope you find it helpful!

~ Brian

Book Covers: Recommended reading (for authors) on book covers

2017-05-03T11:21:34Z

I want to share some of the better posts I've come across regarding book cover design. Here you go:

http://www.creativindie.com/8-cover-design-secrets-publishers-use-to-manipulate-readers-into-buying-books/

Frequently Asked Questions: ISBNs and LCCNs/LOCs

2017-04-13T10:14:34Z

Q. Do you need a separate ISBN for each format of your book?

No. Only Bowker will tell you so because they make a profit $ on every ISBN sold. The only edition you need an ISBN for is the print edition.
If you plan to offer your book in hardcover, you'll need a second ISBN.
If you release a 2nd edition, technically, you need a new ISBN, although many authors just called it 'Revised edition' and keep the same ISBN. That way, the reviews they gathered stay tied to latest book on Amazon. When you issue a new ISBN for a book, it becomes a new listing on Amazon.

ISBNs are only used to catalog books-in-print.

You can learn more about ISBNs and your options here.

Q. Do you need a Library of Congress (LOC) number?

Yes. But only if your book is in print. Also, keep in mind it does take a year+ to actually get into the library of congress and you have to send them a copy of the book to get into the queue. It's at their discretion as to whether or not they will actually include your book in the LOC, and they don't provide any criteria on what books make the cut.

We can request an LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number) on your behalf. You must have an ISBN # in order to request an LOC #.

The process typically takes 48 hours and the LCCN # does need to be added to your copyright page along with your ISBN #.

You can hire us to assign you an ISBN and/or LCCN from us here.

If we do assign you an ISBN, in order to setup the metadata for you at Bowker, we'll need to following info:

Title
Subtitle
Author
Custom imprint (optional, if not specified Wise Media Group will be used)
Cover
Interior PDF (optional - it may help findability)
Main category (1)
Price (print)
Size of book (6x9, etc..)
Number of pages
Paperback or Hardcover

~Brian

Book Covers: Cover Designer Advice (technical specifications)

2017-04-10T23:01:18Z

Dear Cover Designer,

Thank you for assisting us with your cover design!

Below is a list of important considerations when building a cover for print. We typically start with the eBook edition (requiring front cover only) and then we usually set it up for print with up to 3 different printers.

Note: The ISBN barcodes are automatically added by KDP (after upload) & IngramSpark (w/their template).

2019 Updates¶

We can no longer use the same cover template file for both KDP & IngramSpark.
Please download the cover template for IngramSpark here.
Download the cover template for KDP here.

2020 Updates¶

RE: ISBN/Barcode location:

IF the barcode is already part of the back cover, then you can put it anywhere you want. But if you do not include the barcode, KDP will only place it on the spot specified in the cover template (and you can't specify anything different).

Here's an example of a back cover that had to be revised due to not considering the location of the barcode:

IngramSpark: You can put the barcode anywhere you want on the IngramSpark back cover.

Here's the steps KDP provides w/their cover template (How to use the template):

Open the PDF or PNG file template your image editing software.
Create a new layer in your image editing software. This layer will serve as the design layer.
Design your cover in the design layer, using the template PDF or PNG file as the guide layer. The artwork should extend to the outside edge of the template's pink zone to ensure a white border will not exist within the printed work. Do not move the guide layer, as it is properly aligned for our printing specifications.
Ensure text and/or images that are intended to be read do not appear in the pink zones of the template.
The barcode area is indicated in yellow on the template. Do not place important images or text intended to be read in the barcode location. We suggest filling in this area with your background color or design. KDP will automatically generate a barcode representing your title’s ISBN when printing copies of your book.
Once your design is complete, you will need to turn off the guide layer so that it is not printed on your final product or rejected during the review process. If you are unable to turn off the guide layer, then you will need to format the artwork so that it completely covers the guide layer.
Flatten all layers, save the file as a press quality PDF, and upload the file via KDP.

There's a very good video on youtube that steps through a lot of the details and I highly recommend it: https://youtu.be/u6zRIXw19Jo

An eBook version (front cover only)¶

From KDP "To ensure the best quality for your image, particularly on high definition devices, the height of the image should be at least 2,500 pixels"

Preferred dimensions (in pixels):

Kindle Front Cover: 1600 (wide) x 2560 (tall)
Maximum: 2820 (wide) x 4500 (tall)
Typical: 1800 (wide) x 2880 (tall)

Snowfall press (quick turnaround & ARCs - B&W only). No barcode: Pricing & Spine Width Calculator. We can use the same cover file you design for KDP
KDP (for sale of print books on Amazon). No barcode: You can generate your template here.
Lightning Source/IngramSpark: _Barcode included with template! Requires that you use their [specific cover template] and know the ISBN number (https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/Portal/Tools/CoverTemplateGenerator).

Printers usually require a PDF/X-1a file. Here are the common issues we run into when a designer does not save as a PDF/X-1a:

TRANSPARENCY USED ON FILE: When the file contains transparent elements such as drop shadows or opacities less than 100%. Please flatten all layers to eliminate transparent elements. Saving a file using the default PDF/X-1a:2001 setting will eliminate transparencies.
INVALID BLEND MODE USED CREATING LAYERS WITHIN THE FILE: The file contains blend modes that create layers and may cause elements to print as transparent (blank or missing). Saving a file using the default PDF/X-1a:2001 setting will eliminate this issue.

We can often fix the issue with Adobe Distiller, but it's extra time and we don't always remember to check before we upload. We would prefer you send us the cover spread in a PDF/X-1a:2001 format. If you do have Adobe Distiller, you can create a PDF/X-1a compliant file in 2 steps: Step 1. Step 2. If you are putting text on the spine: 1/16" space is required on either side of the text, and the spine width will vary depending on the paper being used. The ideal cover design for print should be 'flexible' in regards to the spine width. This is due to the fact that different printers use different paper, and depending on the printer used, there will be small fluctuations in the spine width.

The image should 'wrap' so it's not highly depending on a spine with being 'exact' - because depending on the paper used and the printer selected, the spine width will always vary slightly. Also, we may add or delete pages in the future.
The text on the spine - note the orientation is important and you need to leave a 1/16" gutter on each side of the text to avoid text spilling over to the front or back cover.

Please Note: CreateSpace limits file size to 40MB - If the PDF you send us is larger than 40MB, we can't use it!¶

The best designs are one continuous image across the cover spread:

Here is how the cover layout should appear (note that the specific dimensions will vary depending on book size & paper selected):

If we do provide you a cover template, here is a process you can follow (this is also a good procedure to follow regardless):

Open the PDF, EPS or PNG file provided in your image editing software.
Create a new layer in your image editing software. This layer will serve as the design layer.
Design your cover in the design layer, using the template PDF, EPS or PNG file as the guide layer. The artwork should extend to the outside edge of the template's pink zone to ensure a white border will not exist within the printed work. Do not move the guide layer, as it is properly aligned for our printing specifications.
Ensure text and/or images that are intended to be read do not appear in the pink zones of the template.
The barcode area is indicated in yellow on the template. Do not place important images or text intending to be read in the barcode location. We suggest filling in this area with your background color or design.
Once your design is complete, you will need to turn off the guide layer so that it is not printed on your final product or rejected during the review process. If you are unable to turn off the guide layer, then you will need to format the artwork so that it completely covers the guide layer.
Flatten all layers, save the file as a press quality PDF (PDF XA or X1), and upload the file to us.

We MAY also request a copy of the cover without any text. Doing so will allows us to make changes to the title/subtitle, if needed, without having to hassle you every time we do!
Here's an example:

If you do run into any problems or have questions, don't hesitate to contact us. If it helps to see an example, below are links to print-ready covers that other designers have created for us in the past:

You are welcome to contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for assisting us with your talent!

Audiobook Cover Specs¶

Exactly 2400 x 2400 pixels.
24-bit (True Color) minimum.
No smaller than 72 dpi resolution.
RGB color (not CYMK).
Images must be a true square, not a rectangular image with borders.
JPG, PNG, and TIF file formats only.
Include author name, narrator, and title.

Please also keep in mind the following:

Thank you!

~ Brian

Apple iBooks: Two-Factor Authentication Issue

2017-04-10T13:23:57Z

Friends,

We won't be able to access your iTunes Connect account and setup your title on iBooks (or take it off-sale and enroll you in KDP Select) unless you turn off Two-Factor authentication.

By default, when you upgrade your iOS, Apple may have turned it on.

To turn off two-factor authentication (so we don't need a 6 digit authentication code via a cell phone), sign in to your Apple ID account page and click Edit in the Security section. Then click Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication. After you create new security questions and verify your date of birth, two-factor authentication will be turned off. If you don't see the option to turn off two-factor authentication on your Apple ID account page, that means you can't turn it off. More info is at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915

Thanks,
Brian

Amazon: Proofing your Kindle edition

2017-03-07T18:35:30Z

This is not as easy as it once was.

If you have an iPad, you should proof your eBook via .ePub in iBooks which doesn't have any of the additional compatibility issues I'm about to explain for the mobi (Kindle) file.

To proof your mobi file:¶

I highly recommend you proof it via your KDP Bookshelf. The reason is that depending on the device being used to view the mobi file, it may or may not be the same file Amazon delivers once it's actually published. If, for example, a reader buys a Kindle edition, and it is delivered to an iOS device (i.e. iPad, iPhone), Amazon will actually deliver a file specially formatted for the device and the version of software they are running. Droid readers will have to undergo a different formatting, as will the Amazon cloud reader, Mac, or PC. Each app has it's own nuances. The important thing to understand is this: You can't necessarily just open a mobi file on any device and expect that's how it'll appear once it's live on Amazon.

If you do own a Kindle, you can use the Send To Kindle app to send the mobi file to your device. I am waiting to hear back from Amazon regarding whether or not the Send To Kindle app converts a mobi to AZK for a iOS device. I suspect it does not.

For now, to save yourself time of proofing a file that isn't accurately displaying on your device, use the preview on kdp.amazon.com. Here are some screenshots to help guide you. Note: If I just uploaded your file for presale, you may be locked out of it until Amazon finishes reviewing the file I uploaded.

Screenshots:

Step 1¶

Step 2¶

Step 3¶

Step 4 - Preview the file that was uploaded¶

Writing Tips: Proofing tools

2017-02-27T12:28:38Z

Dear Author,

RE: Editing/Proofing options

While we do a technical proof of the layout as part of the service we offer, we don’t do copy editing/proofing. Here's what I suggest (which is always in flux based on client feedback):

The danger in proofing someone else’s work is that often, what may appear wrong to me is exactly what the writer intended.

Writer’s Digest offers a variety of services through their pool of editors, but to get pricing for proofing you do have to reformat your book to their specifications. A typical 50,000-word manuscript will run you about $350 to proof.

Online Grammer Checkers:

Google Docs also has a built-in grammar checker.

A client told me about Reedsy, but I don’t have any feedback on it yet.

Editing is subjective, and I’ve found that one author will love an editor that another author hated. I also feel that the number of concurrent projects an editor has at the time, as well as the deadline to complete the work will often impact the quality of work.

Locally, the gals at Crimson Quill might be a viable option, although their pricing seems reasonable, their availability may be less so.

Some final thoughts:¶

Proofreading can’t be rushed! If you rush an editor, the quality of work their work will be impacted.
When you advertise for an editor, often the only responses you get will be people who are available, and you have to ask yourself if they are good, why are they available? Referrals are always the best way to go.
You can always release the 2nd edition at a later date, but should put your best work out, because if it's not edited much at all, you will run the risk of a bad review that will stick with the book even after you fix the problem.
I always recommend an author get a printed proof because so many errors don't become evident until you see it in print, I believe it really has to do with how the brain works.
You could let us drop your manuscript into PubWriter so you could have it read (text-to-speech) to you. Here's a sample. There's a small fee unless you are get it ready yourself (we can provide instructions on how to format it in markdown and share it with us via dropbox). There's also a way to do this using Pages on the Mac.

Grammarly¶

Grammarly is quickly becoming an indispensable technology for all writers - I can’t imagine the hours of rework that we could have avoided if every author used Grammarly BEFORE sending us their manuscript to format!

Here’s a video I made for a client to show it in action.

Here’s the MS Word Add-in (if you are on a PC):
https://www.grammarly.com/office-addin/windows

If you are on a Mac, you'll need to copy & paste into their web editor, which is very easy to do.

Answer Hub¶

Please view this discussion in the Answer Hub for more options, including contact information for a few editors I've worked with.

Hope that helps!

~Brian

Apple iBooks: Updating your iBooks Metadata

2017-02-14T13:21:40Z

While you do need a mac to publish your book to the iBookstore (which we can do for you), you don't need one to update much of your metadata, including title, subtitle, description, categories and pricing.

Step 1 - login to your iTunes Connect account

Step 2 - Click on My Books

Step 3 - Click on your book Cover

Step 4 - Click on the 'edit' button next to the title 'Metadata'

Note: if you want to update pricing, you'll need to click on the Rights and Pricing button

Step 5 - Update the information accordingly on this screen

Note: if you want to change your author name as listed, you will need to click on the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of your screen (after you login):

And then follow the prompts:

Note: You can always call the iBooks support desk at:1-877-206-2092 as well.¶

Audio Books and Audible: How to update an audio book cover

2017-02-13T10:48:24Z

Need to change the cover art for a book that is on sale (or pending final review)?

You need to send your new cover file to support@acx.com.

Changes to the cover on a live audiobook can take up to three weeks to complete.
Note: Please ensure the cover art meets the following requirements listed in the Official Audible Cover Art Requirements PDF.

AuthorDock Tutorials: Microsoft Clutter Spam Filter

2017-02-02T17:55:10Z

Attention users of MS Office 365 outlook.

Do you use the clutter spam filter in MS Outlook?

If you are not receiving notifications from Dropbox or AuthorDock, check it.

The message from dropbox may be in your SPAM folder.

Move it to your inbox and click on the link to accept the share to your PubWriter folder.

Barnes & Noble Nook: Setting up your Vendor account w/Nook

2016-12-28T12:05:04Z

You have likely hired us to setup your eBook on your nook account.

However, we cannot publish your nook book until your account is fully setup. This entails providing nook with your tax id & banking info to Barnes & Noble. Here are some screenshots to guide you through the process... which all assume you are logged into your B&N press (formerly nook press) account:

Here's a link to it: https://press.barnesandnoble.com/vendor_account

If you run into unsolvable issues, then contact Nook support:

OK... so you did all that, right?

You may still need to contact them if what you provide is not complete or differs from what they show from the IRS:

Thanks,
Brian

PubWriter FAQ: Create a custom divider, scene (or thematic) breaks for PubWriter

2016-12-09T17:40:18Z

I will create a new section for what I would consider more advanced tutorials and ones specifically for PubWriter agents, but till then, here you go.

This is the same as the <hr> tag in HTML (which you can also use in Markdown, or you can use ***). I recommend the *** since it will transfer over more cleanly to print.

This is a bit longer - 20 mins or so, but it introduces some pretty slick things you can do with PubWriter.

The idea is to use the same scene break you used in your print edition on your website. When used with the font of your book and cover, you can see how seamlessly the experience from your book to your website can truly be.

Loading the player ...

(or view it on YouTube)

Here is the css snippets I referenced:

/* Divider=============================================================================*/
hr {
clear: none; height: 50px;
width: 373px; margin: 2.5rem auto;
border: none; background-image:

Next you copy the CSS from https://www.base64-image.de/, and add this at the end of the Base64 code:

; background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position-x: 50%;}

Have fun!

~Brian

Amazon: Viewing a kpf file (kindle fixed layout aka KF8)

2016-11-22T12:58:22Z

Dear Author,

This information is specific to Fixed Layout eBooks (aka Print Replica).

If we provide you a link to download a .kpf file, please note the following:

In the interest of time (and because Amazon doesn't make this process easy), I’d recommend you publish the kpf file to your account and download it directly from Amazon when it’s live. Rest assured, you can unpublish it immediately if you need to and nobody is likely to just stumble upon it after you first publish it.

Otherwise, here are instructions on how to proof your specially formatted KF8 file:

The newest fixed layout format from Amazon for Kindle that allows for the full pan & zoom features doesn’t work like normal .mobi file.

Unlike standard mobi files, kpf files can only be previewed with the Kindle Previewer 3.

Please keep in mind the the previewer is relatively primitive and does not reflect the experience of reading your book on an actual compatible device.

The functionality (and user experience) of your ebook will vary depending on device, OS, and screen size. Rest assured, Amazon is working to improve the experience every time they release a new version of their software.

Here are a few screenshots to show you how it will appear on the new Kindle Previewer:

Apple iOS considerations¶

When a Kindle file is delivered to an Apple iOS device (for the Kindle Reader app), the file goes through an additional backend conversion at Amazon before it's delivered to the reader. For this reason, you won't be able to read a kindle file on an iOS device without going through a few steps first. I created a video to explain this further.

Frequently Asked Questions: Where to setup your seller accounts

2016-10-28T18:39:03Z

If you are working with us, we'll likely ask you to setup your accounts at:

Print-on-Demand:¶

KDP
IngramSpark
Snowfall Press - for Advance Reader Copies - no ISBN/Barcode required!

eBook Marketplaces:¶

Kindle & now used for print-on-demand (formerly CreateSpace) at Amazon.
Nook
Apple iBooks - please note this (requires that you have an Apple ID, if you don't have one yet, you'll need to first create one in iTunes) – and you must use a mac. We do offer iBooks setup as a service.
Google Books

I highly recommend you use Lastpass to share your login info with us if you have hired us to setup your title.

Print Edition¶

If we are setting up your print edition, please complete this form Save it somewhere you can find it before filling it out.

Formatting: Scene Breaks

2016-10-26T09:52:51Z

Dear author,

While you can get away with a blank line in print, it’s preferred to have something to signify the break in the eBook edition. It can be a simply 3 asterisks centered (very common):

The reason for this is for the eBook, all text is reflowed to fit the screen/font of the reader used. Thus, it’s quite possible that your blank space to signify the scene break will land at the top or bottom of the screen. When this happens, the reader will most likely e miss the scene break cue.

I’d recommend you always designate scene breaks with in addition to not indenting the first paragraph in the new scene.

~Brian

AuthorDock Tutorials: RE: Need to increase font size / zoom in?

2016-10-25T13:25:28Z

Most browsers, just holding the ctrl key and using the scroll wheel on your mouse resizes the content in the browser.

PubWriter FAQ: RE: Need a countdown (timer) for your site?

2016-10-23T12:03:09Z

I just found one I really like at:

http://itsalmo.st/

Yes, you can easily embed it on your PubWriter site!

~Brian

PubWriter FAQ: RE: Calendar options

2016-10-23T12:02:11Z

Here's another option that Mike found:

www.localendar.com

You can view a live example at:

http://scottsavitt.com/Calendar.md

Frequently Asked Questions: Advantages eBooks provide Authors (beyond the profit of the ebook alone)

2016-10-19T14:28:34Z

Here's some additional 'perks' of having a Kindle edition of book that you may not be aware of:

1. Amazon indexes Kindle books, thus, they show up more frequently. This results in better SEO on Amazon.com.¶

2. Because Amazon makes more profit on Kindle books, they tend to rank them higher than books-in-print in search results, and if the shopper owns a Kindle, Kindle books will always outrank books in print.¶

3. Given the ability to offer a lower price, ebooks lower the barrier to entry. New readers are more likley to give a new book a chance at a lower price, and often will buy in print once they are sold the value of it's content.¶

4. You can offer an even lower Kindle price using MatchBook, when people buy the print book, thus increasing the value of the print edition.¶

5. Offers a lower cost method of sending out reviewer copies. Also, Amazon reminds Kindle readers to post a review increasing your review-per-reader ratio.¶

6. Amazon gives authors/publishers a cost-effective marketing channel via KDP that you can't get elsewhere, where you can:¶

Run a KDP Ad Campaign

Run a Kindle Countdown Campaign

All in all, it gives you a lot more 'leverage' in the world of online marketing.

~Brian

PubWriter FAQ: RE: Cleaning up html

2016-10-18T11:15:56Z

Mike,

It did actually - I received a file from a client in MS Word, and ran it through the Word to MD converter and the result was all that old school HTML. It probably would work fine, but it makes it hard to proof a document. So the fix was to run the result I got back through Dan's tool.

~Brian

PubWriter FAQ: RE: Cleaning up html

2016-10-18T06:45:02Z

Did this happen when you run a docx through a specific markup converter?

PubWriter FAQ: Cleaning up html

2016-10-17T18:02:06Z

Sometimes, when you convert a document, you'll get some ugly 'old school' html that you'll want to clean up.

Example:
"Dr. Latham has crafted a book that gives leaders and organization architects at all levels."

And you want:

"Dr. Latham has crafted a book that gives leaders and organization architects at all levels."

The tool you want that makes this a piece of cake is at:

http://dan.hersam.com/tools/smart-quotes.html

PubWriter FAQ: Embedding a PDF on your PubWriter page

2016-10-10T19:21:54Z

If you want to embed a PDF on your PubWriter, page, you'll need to insert some HTML:

<object data="http://www.pubwriter.com/pdf/kickstarter.pdf" type="application/pdf" width="100%" height="1000">
<p>Download <a href="http://www.pubwriter.com/pdf/kickstarter.pdf">the PDF!</a></p>
</object>

Just change the URL to point the PDF you want to embed.

You will need to link to a PDF somewhere in the cloud (and unfortunately it can't be the dropbox public link). But Box.com does work last time I tried it.

Here's the sample page:

http://read.pubwriter.com/kickstarter.md

PubWriter FAQ: Calendar options

2016-10-10T17:28:40Z

Because you can embed HTML into a PubWriter page, you can use many different online calendars for your PubWriter site.

I recommend creating a public google calendar and embedding it on your PubWriter site like this:

https://read.pubwriter.com/calendar