About ePublishing?

What is ePublishing?

ePublishing or electronic publishing is a digital approach to book distribution. This approach sees the author embrace the use online publishing platforms, instead of only focussing on printed books being sold from physical bookstores.

ePublishing is closely connected with the rise of eBook technology, publishing platforms and curios authors who are choosing to rather self-publish their books.

Write a book today – publish it tomorrow. But is this speed of publishing a good thing?

How ePublishing is different from traditional publishing

No gatekeepers
Book production costs are paid by the author – not the publisher.
Faster time to market – weeks instead of months or years.
Royalties earned are higher than traditionally published authors. (Up to 70% vs up to 15% on average.)
Global access to readers.

What made ePublishing Possible?

What is an eBook?

An eBook is a digital version of a printed book. Designed to be easily read on devices such as computers, smartphones and tablets. Typically an eBook is an ePUB file – not PDF.

Why should I bother making an eBook?

It’s faster. It is quicker to create an eBook than layout a paperback edition.

It’s cheaper to make. Making or converting to an eBook format is also cheaper than producing other book formats. (Paperback, hardcover or audiobook.)

Unlock access to new readers. Every new book format opens your message to a new segment of readers. Some readers prefer listening to audio, whilst some prefer downloading digital and yes, there will always be those that prefer the feeling of paper.

Lastly, don’t let your bias against any new book format or technology mean that you limit your book’s distribution. Have your book available in as many formats as possible.

How do I make an eBook?

Also, “How do I convert my Word manuscript into EPUB eBook format?”

Free or paid Software. Online platforms. Paid professionals.

eBooks can be created or converted from Word document into ePUB format using free or paid software.
Online platforms such as Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital will automatically attempt to convert your Word manuscript into an eBook format for you.
Use paid-for professional publishing or eBook conversion services to ensure your eBook looks as good as possible.

Value Add

Free software: Google Docs, Sigil, Calibre.

Paid software: Scrivener, Vellum, Atticus

How to validate your ePUB new eBook file: https://draft2digital.com/book/epubcheck/upload

The process of publishing an eBook

I can easily summarise a typical eBook publishing project into 4 basic book or publishing steps.

Have your words edited,
Have your (front) cover designed,
Create your ePUB eBook file (or rely on an automated conversion platform,)
Publish your new eBook through Amazon KDP or similar platform.

How do I read or preview an eBook?

For reading eBooks, I recommend Kindle Reading App,

For previewing your own eBook before publishing, I recommend: Amazon Kindle Previewer.

What now?

Challenges faced by authors

#1 Putting Your Best Foot Forward.

I help hundreds of authors each year. Most authors are publishing books whilst constrained by very limited budgets. Lack of funding and a need for speed unfortunately leads many authors to knowingly cut corners whilst publishing. This may mean little or no editing. It may mean a cover design from MS Paint. It may also mean choosing to print your book from the neighbourhood printers.

I recommend always asking yourself, “Is this book really the best you could publish?”

#2 Lack of Funding for the Book Publishing Project

The bigger your book (word-count) and the more help you need, the bigger the cost of publishing your book. Many authors approach the publishing without a plan or a realistic budget. There a ways authors can reduce or manage these book publishing expenses.

I write about fundraising ideas for authors over here.

I also write about the risks of going to into debt to self-publish here.

#3 Unwillingness to Embrace Marketing & Selling

ePublishing puts you in direct control of your author career. This requires the author to master the art of sales and marketing. You are responsible for the quality of book that you release to readers. You’re also responsible to find, engage, convince and then convert a curious visitor into a reader.

Find – Who is your ideal reader exactly? Where do they spend time online?
Engage – How can you authentically engage without spamming others
Convince – How good are you at summarising the benefits of your book? Why should someone read your book?
Convert – What is your call to action for potential readers? Most authors default telling readers, “Find me online/ Amazon.” – Bad idea.

Most authors do not put enough thought into the “business” of their book. The expectation is that once written and published online, riches happen. This is an unlikely scenario for most new authors.

An example DIY Publishing approach for bootstrappers (For eBooks)

How to convert and publish your manuscript into an eBook online for little to zero cost.

Editing
- Higher-level editing done through beta readers – friends & family.
- Additional rounds of proof reading handled by Grammarly and your choice of AI platform (Gemini etc)
- Print out your book and read it aloud to help spot errors.
Cover Design
- Cover design done within Canva – front cover only.
Layout
- Manuscript conversion layout handled by Amazon KDP – into eBook.
Distribution
- eBook Published via Amazon KDP for no upfront costs.

The Future of ePublishing?

Just as we were are beginning to get comfortable with eBooks and the online platforms that publish them, AI enters the room. An author correctly using AI is able to edit text and craft beautiful covers in just a few clicks. The core promise of every author however remains the same, a quality story or message – as does the biggest risk faced by any author – obscurity.

Whatever tools you choose to use when assembling your story, always be guided by the question – “Is this the best book I can publish?”

Next, I recommend you consider your book as a product. By zooming out and considering the book as part of a larger strategy, idea or offering you will be less concerned by the ups and downs reflected on your royalty earnings report.

Lastly, invest time and effort into learning to sell. Finding and convincing new readers to buy your book will always be important, irrespective of the advances in technology we are going to continue seeing.

Connect with me?

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/thirdworlddave/

ePublishing Demystified: Smart Questions to Ask Before Publishing Your First eBook