I consider book cover design to be one of the most challenging steps in the process of producing a finished book: It is critical to the marketing of a book. Everyone you ask for input seems to have a different opinion. Good covers are often a big investment. (Big might be a relative term.) You might have an idea but communicating that vision is another story (for most of us). If you are self-publishing, you may be the wrong person to judge the ideal design. Take your pick, it … [Read more...]
Book Barcode Basics When Using CreateSpace or IngramSpark POD
If you are planning to use a POD printer you probably do not need to buy a barcode. I say that because most new indie or self-publishers use print-on-demand printers like CreateSpace and IngramSpark (or sister Lightening Source) and these printers provide the ISBN barcode free. The book cover you submit to these POD printers will have a blank (white) rectangle on the back—this is where their printing presses place the barcode for your specific book at the time it is printed. Said another way, … [Read more...]
eBook Distribution for Indie-Publishers Using IngramSpark: A Case Study and Lessons Learned
Where does an indie publisher turn if they want their eBook available in “all” eBook retailing stores? Vook? They distribute to 6 retailers. Bookbaby? They reach 12 retailers. Smashwords? 15 retail stores. IngramSpark? 63! Before we take a deeper look into the IngramSpark eBook distribution process it is instructive to consider two confounding facts: The reality is that many Indies can reach the vast majority of eBook buyers in the U.S. by distributing their eBook direct to the major … [Read more...]
How Much Does It Cost to Produce a Print-on-Demand Book Using IngramSpark?
IngramSpark, the sister POD service of Ingram’s Lightning Source aimed at the self-publishing marketplace, has emerged this past year as a serious alternative to Amazon’s CreateSpace. It isn’t as easy to use as CreateSpace, nor is it free, but it does offer a number of benefits and capabilities that CreateSpace lacks, notably the ability to print hardcover books and low-cost color printing. (Read my article IngramSpark vs. CreateSpace: When Color Printing and Hardcover Editions Are … [Read more...]
Comparing CreateSpace to IngramSpark: 5 Production Considerations
CreateSpace may dominate the market for POD (print-on-demand) titles from indie publishers, but they don’t offer hardback printing and color printing for large books is expensive. Authors of books with those requirements often turn to IngramSpark, the new indie-focused cousin of Ingram’s Lightning Source (LSI) launched in 2013. (Lightning Source has been re-positioned for medium and large publishers.) As with any service in this category there are many other factors to consider such as … [Read more...]
IngramSpark vs. CreateSpace: When Color Printing and Hardcover Editions Are Important
CreateSpace as a POD option for indie publishers is a great solution except when you need a color interior or hardcover edition. Color printing is usually cost prohibitive and CreateSpace just doesn’t offer a hardcover printing option. If this is you then a good solution to consider is IngramSpark, an author-friendly self-service option from book distributor Ingram Content Group. (By the way, Ingram is also the parent of Lightning Source, a service Ingram positions as ideal for medium and … [Read more...]
CreateSpace eStore: Pros, Cons and Why You May Not Want One
A potentially nice benefit of using CreateSpace is that you can create a branded online CreateSpace eStore to sell your book. It’s fast and easy to setup, and it’s free. But I say potentially because there are a few things to know before you decide to funnel your shoppers to your eStore instead of the regular Amazon store. This is important because the process of buying a book is a little more involved for the regular Amazon shopper and you might end up losing sales at the expense of improving … [Read more...]
Amazon CreateSpace: 10 Essential Things to Know
Here is a collection of 10 little known facts and features, and responses to the most frequently asked questions about Amazon CreateSpace. These range from costs, to capabilities to getting the most out of the service--and there are a lot of features. Note that words in italic are terms or phrases Amazon uses in menus or page titles. Try searching for these in their Search Site search box, top right. Costs: You can produce a print book for free if you are willing and able to create your … [Read more...]
5 Ways a CreateSpace Book Helps You Make More Money
What I really wanted to title this post was here are five ways a print-on-demand book can help an author make more money than if they published only an eBook, and CreateSpace is the easiest and most pain-free way to produce a book in print. Obviously way too long! Why CreateSpace? According to a recent report from exclusive U.S. ISBN administrator Bowker, CreateSpace was responsible for registering 55.9% of all ISBNs used in print during 2012. Furthermore, CreateSpace experienced a 3355.73% … [Read more...]
Color vs. Black and White Printing Using CreateSpace
There is a significant cost difference when producing a CreateSpace print on demand book in color vs. the same book in standard black and white. Here's an example: 6" x 9", 150 page book, selling for $19.99. Royalty $.64 for Color (yes, 64 cents) $9.34 for Black Buying a copy for yourself $11.35 for Color $2.65 for Black Ouch! Why such a big difference? CreateSpace is not counting the number of pages that have to be printed in color. As far as they care you can print the … [Read more...]
