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T O P I C    R E V I E W
highlandviewpantry Posted - Apr 21 2011 : 7:07:01 PM
Does anyone have any experience self-publishing? Has anyone used Amazon to self-publish? I am wondering about Amazon form a cost and profit stand point.

www.thehighlandviewpantry.blogspot.com
25   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
TexasWildflower Posted - May 08 2015 : 3:27:56 PM
Thanks for the input, Kathleen. That's what I've been doing, trying to dig my way through the information on their sites. I also watched a 'walk you through it' webinar about CreateSpace, which talked about the things you mentioned as well as the walk-through on account set-up and book design. So many choices!

I do know I want a professional to do the cover and editing, even though it was edited by a published author/instructor as I wrote it. I have a friend who is an internationally published (traditional) author, teaches writing, and has an editing business but, I don't know if he handles this type of books. I'll have to ask.

Either way, it's the up-front expense that has me concerned. Not sure how I can handle that. I do want to get the most bang for my buck, and I understand some things are 'free' on CreateSpace. On BookBaby everything seems to have a price tag, as far as I can tell. I don't mean to pry but, did you start out with print on demand, and kindle, etc. (the whole shebang), or did you begin with one and add to that?

An easy to work with customer service is definitely a plus. Right now I just feel overwhelmed, sitting here with a finished product and probably not having the funds to get it out there. But, if God wants it published, He'll provide a way.

Wanda
Farmgirl sister #3399
www.wandasturrock.com
(Includes 'The Simply Lived Life' blog)
kathleenshoop Posted - May 08 2015 : 05:47:26 AM
Oh, Wanda, another thing when considering who you want to publish with is customer service. I don't know about BookBaby, but createspace is an incredible company. I can most of the publishing process on my own now (Or I hire out) but when I get stuck, there's a button on my dashboard that says "call me now," and literally I get a call back in ten seconds by a happy person, willing to help me do whatever I need. The creative teams who help format the interior and do covers are incredible as well. Also they have editing services that I hear are quite good. I have called Createspace many times in complete panics about something "not working," and a cheerful person makes it right every single time. Every single, last time. If I needed a job I would look there the employees are so nice and helpful... But it could be the same at Bookbaby. Go on their sites and call them and get a feel for who you're most comfortable with!

quote:
Originally posted by TexasWildflower

Does anyone have any experience with BookBaby? Can you give a comparison between CreateSpace and BookBaby...good, bad, or otherwise? Writer's Digest recommends BookBaby but there are so many positive things mentioned here about CreateSpace.

I had completely closed my mind to self-publishing until I learned there is still the possibility of being picked up by an agent/publisher even after you have self-published. Now I have to figure out who to go to in order to get the job done.

I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Wanda
Farmgirl sister #3399
www.wandasturrock.com
(Includes 'The Simply Lived Life' blog)



Best selling, award-winning author of historical fiction and romance! The Letter Series, Endless Love Series and More!
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Again-Endless-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00ERBKQSO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1381435626
kathleenshoop Posted - May 08 2015 : 05:41:44 AM
I haven't published with BookBaby. I've heard that people are satisfied with them and like the services offered. I have published with Createspace (Amazon owned-print on demand service) and KDP--the Amazon epublishing arm. I also sell my books on Nook, Kobo, Ibooks and Smashwords. I control all those aspects of publishing my books and can easily change pricing for promotions or make changes to the documents if errors are found after publishing. I don't know for sure how Bookbaby works, but I think there may be an extra layer to go through to make all those changes to book baby books. Does anyone know if you have to submit changes there and then that company makes the changes/exchanges the old document for the new one and then the changes go out to all the vendors? For me it's worth it to have the formatting done for each vendor and to upload directly to as many as I can. That way I get the most money and have the most control of the process. Some people don't want those responsibilities and that is understandable.

You mentioned finding an agent through self-publishing. I do hear of that happening. I also have friends who are making so much money self-publishing that a publishing house can't give them a big enough advance to cover what they are making on their own. So, to me it's all good!

quote:
Originally posted by TexasWildflower

Does anyone have any experience with BookBaby? Can you give a comparison between CreateSpace and BookBaby...good, bad, or otherwise? Writer's Digest recommends BookBaby but there are so many positive things mentioned here about CreateSpace.

I had completely closed my mind to self-publishing until I learned there is still the possibility of being picked up by an agent/publisher even after you have self-published. Now I have to figure out who to go to in order to get the job done.

I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Wanda
Farmgirl sister #3399
www.wandasturrock.com
(Includes 'The Simply Lived Life' blog)



Best selling, award-winning author of historical fiction and romance! The Letter Series, Endless Love Series and More!
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Again-Endless-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00ERBKQSO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1381435626
TexasWildflower Posted - May 05 2015 : 6:15:29 PM
Does anyone have any experience with BookBaby? Can you give a comparison between CreateSpace and BookBaby...good, bad, or otherwise? Writer's Digest recommends BookBaby but there are so many positive things mentioned here about CreateSpace.

I had completely closed my mind to self-publishing until I learned there is still the possibility of being picked up by an agent/publisher even after you have self-published. Now I have to figure out who to go to in order to get the job done.

I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Wanda
Farmgirl sister #3399
www.wandasturrock.com
(Includes 'The Simply Lived Life' blog)
farmmilkmama Posted - Apr 24 2015 : 05:38:02 AM
I'm currently working on my 6th book and have used Amazon/Createspace for all of them. I would second the "hire an editor" and would add "make sure you have a decent cover". :)

--* FarmMilkMama *--

Farmgirl Sister #1086

Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde

www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com

www.thehmmmschoolingmom.com
KhadijahL Posted - Apr 23 2015 : 7:18:55 PM
I want to also put in a good word for Createspace. We've been using it for years now, and it truly just gets better and better.
One thing I do want to suggest to everyone who is self-publishing is to make sure you do have a good editor go over your work before you publish it. It's AMAZING the difference a good editor can make with a book!
It's wonderful to see how creative and amazing all you farmgirls can be!!

Khadijah
Farmgirl #6334
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
ceridwen Posted - Apr 23 2015 : 1:27:59 PM
Informative thread. Thank you all for your input!

Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http://www.carolesquiltingetc.com
http://www.fibrejunction.com
kathleenshoop Posted - Apr 23 2015 : 09:02:10 AM
Thank you so very much!!! This thread must have gotten buried for me and I'm seeing it now! Thank you for reading. It means the world.

Kathie

quote:
Originally posted by QueenofQuiteAlot

Kathleen that book looked so good I bought a kindle edition just now :)

Dalyn



Nubian and Miniature Nubian dairy goats http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/





Best selling, award-winning author of historical fiction and romance! The Letter Series, Endless Love Series and More!
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Again-Endless-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00ERBKQSO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1381435626
kathleenshoop Posted - Apr 23 2015 : 09:01:00 AM
For anyone who is still looking into self-publishing the past four years have enriched me and my publishing process greatly! I can forward any info I have. And thank you to all the readers who read The Last Letter--Book two is coming June 2015 so if anyone wants an early review copy please let me know! Here is the description to help you decide if you're interested!

THE ROAD HOME...
The Long-Awaited Sequel to Award-Winning, Bestselling Author Kathleen Shoop’s The Last Letter…

1891—Living separately for three years, fourteen-year-old twins, Katherine and Tommy Arthur, have done their best to make each boarding house feel like home. But unrest grows as they are driven to questionable actions just to survive. Meanwhile their desperate mother is confronted with breaking yet another promise to her children. Then a miracle descends. Hope rises on a cold, rainy night and changes everything. If Jeanie could just get word to Katherine and Tommy, she knows she can set their lives right again. Agitators, angels, and dangerous “saviors” illuminate the Arthurs’ unmatched determination and smarts.

1905—Though she tries to forget the awful years that hurt so much, the memories still haunt Katherine. Now, tearful mourners at her mother’s funeral force her to revisit a time in her life that both harmed and saved her in the most unexpected ways. Tommy grieves his mother’s passing as well. He too is thrust backward, compelled to rediscover the events in his life that shaped the man he has become. Will he commit to reconstructing his broken life? The Arthurs come to understand that forgiveness is the only way back to hope, the only way to find all that was good in the misfortune that transformed their lives forever.



Best selling, award-winning author of historical fiction and romance! The Letter Series, Endless Love Series and More!
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Again-Endless-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B00ERBKQSO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1381435626
HodgeLodge Posted - Mar 15 2014 : 08:07:58 AM
This whole conversation sounds wonderful. I'd like to eventually pick someones brain about this.

Farmgirl #4817-The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hodge-Lodge-Clothesline/285366378259342

QueenofQuiteAlot Posted - Mar 14 2014 : 10:25:36 PM
Kathleen that book looked so good I bought a kindle edition just now :)

Dalyn



Nubian and Miniature Nubian dairy goats http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/

Lorie.Vance Posted - Jul 18 2012 : 07:02:10 AM
Kathleen - I just ordered your book because of this blog, it looks beautiful! I'm taking the advice of my sisters on this site and have decided to write my post "Nightingale" from my blog into a short children's book. I'm even thinking of illustrating myself in watercolor's. This publishing topic has been so useful. Thank you to everyone for your input!!

The Vintage Garden Girl @blogspot.com
Primitive DIVA Posted - May 07 2012 : 1:07:41 PM
Thanks for the thread.....I have become discouraged with most of the conventional publishing and the only exploration I have done is with Balboa Press (a division of Hay House) they wanted $8-10,000 for publishing, design, edit, marketing. I will visit Amazon and look into the pricing structure. I have almost completed my book (health/wellness/nutrition). Would love to slef publish....IF I could afford to ;-)


New Sister #4088
Montgomery, Texas Chapter Leader
I threw off my high heels to move to our dream 10acre Texas homestead. Goats, Chickens, Garden and Orchard and more!I am also a Weston Price Chapter Leader advocating Traditional Foods
www.healthylivingwithmelissa.blogspot.com
countrymommy85 Posted - May 04 2012 : 07:53:52 AM
Love this thread, I have been working on some books that I have been wondering what to do with once I finish them and now I know it's possible to self publish. Thanks so much for sharing all the tips, LOVED reading about it and it was very encouraging to me :)

Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown

http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney
Bella Posted - Mar 03 2012 : 12:53:40 PM
Hello Kathleen,

I have seen your book advertised and it looks lovely and intriguing. Now that I know you are a farm sister, I will definitely be ordering a copy. I am a published author of two books and have another that will be released in a few months. I have never gone the self-publishing route, but lately I have been looking into CreateSpace. Can you tell me if CreateSpace books are returnable? The Barnes & Noble in my area, and other bookstores as well, will not stock books unless they can be returned. Also, I notice that the traditional publishers are going the e-book route first, then publishing in hardback and/or paperback. Did you get to make that choice yourself? Sounds like you are having great success. The biggest sale I had was at my first signing when I sold around 100 copies, so you are doing far better than I.

"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson
frannie Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 12:21:41 PM
thanks so much for this thread, and kathleen thanks so much for all the great information. i have been writing "stories" for a long time now about my bunnies and i would love to have a book, but i have never known what to do.
the bunnies cannot wait to find out about publishing their story!

love
frannie in texas
farmgirl sister#807
home of "green"crafts,
where no scrap is left behind
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/)


jodischmitz Posted - Feb 28 2012 : 07:09:04 AM
Hi, I am thinking of making my own cookbook. Has anyone done this before. I sent for a free kit through MorrisPress Cookbooks. I only want to make around 30 copies.
houligan19 Posted - Feb 11 2012 : 8:29:21 PM
I'm so glad I found this thread! I have been thinking about maybe writing some children's books but had no idea that you could do it this way. Thanks so much for all the good information. Now I have somewhere to start.
CMac Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 11:33:03 AM
I just finished Kathleen's book and I loved it! It has been a while since I found a book that I stayed up late reading and thought about during the day. The characters became real to me. The story is the point and I loved it but I also really enjoyed an un romanticized view of what the early settlers in the prairie lives were like.
Kathleen your insight into addiction and it's effects on family were right on. It is rare to see that so well portrayed in fiction. Family secrets travel through the generations even after the secret has been long lost. I can't help but wonder how these secrets will affect this family 2 generations removed...
Bravo! Well done!
Hugs and thanks for such a great read,
Connie

"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau
kathleenshoop Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 11:19:51 AM
Thanks so much for your interest in the book ladies! I really hope you like it! The support here is amazing.

Kathie
http://www.amazon.com/Winner--Best-Regional-Fiction-Midwest-ebook/dp/B004XR50K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1308593947&sr=8-3

Author, The Last Letter, The novel for every daughter who thinks she knows her mother's story...
walkinwalkoutcattle Posted - Jun 06 2011 : 05:05:06 AM
Wow! I just saw that book on Amazon.com-I love the cover illustration. Very nice!

Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
Penny Wise Posted - Jun 03 2011 : 03:30:54 AM
im going to jump in here to say that i have a copy of kathleens book-havent dared to open it to read due to school finals- but it is beautiful!!!!!! wonderful quality!

as to the book content-i am waiting til i can dig in-hopefully in a week or so between classes!!!!! i want to be able to get enrossed in it as i am sure i will!!!!

HTH

Farmgirl # 2139
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~
kathleenshoop Posted - Jun 02 2011 : 08:12:01 AM
Thanks so very much for getting the book! I hope you like it!

Kathie
http://www.amazon.com/Winner--Best-Regional-Fiction-Midwest-ebook/dp/B004XR50K6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1307026524&sr=8-3


Author, The Last Letter, The novel for every daughter who thinks she knows her mother's story...
country lawyer Posted - May 31 2011 : 05:11:25 AM
Katleen, Your book looks wonderful! Congratulations! I'm about to order a copy right now!
Lady Woodworker Posted - May 27 2011 : 6:25:46 PM
Thank you so much Kathleen!

I sure appreciate this.

And congratulations on your awards!

Karen

Farmgirl Sister # 2419

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