Searching online will no doubt bring up a list of help on the subject of creating and/or publishing an e-book, all for a fee. There is no reason to pay anyone to help, when all of it can be done online for free. The help that can be bought will undoubtedly give detailed pages on each step, but most of this is common sense for anyone who has used writing software like Microsoft Word.
While most people will have a version of Word that came pre-installed on their computers, for those who don’t have it and don’t want to pay for it, there is a free alternative. Open Office is a Word clone that enables the user to read and/or write a Word document. Why is this helpful? Because just about everyone uses Word, so it is important to create documents that are compatible. Open Office is the free solution.
Where to Sell Your eBook?
Once the book has been typed and edited, what is the next step? Well, that depends on how it will be sold. If the author intends to sell the book from his/her own website, the file needs to be converted into PDF (Portable Document Format). Converting an ebook to PDF allows each page of the book to maintain its formatting. This is important since readers will have different computers who will want to enjoy reading the book. Without proper formatting, enjoyment will be negatively impacted.
Open Office has the option to export as a PDF, and newer versions of Word do as well. But what about those who have an older version of Word and don’t want to use Open Office? There are many free PDF creators that can be found online. One of the best that can be recommended is PDF995, which offers a free trial version. Though a license can be purchased to get rid of advertisements, the trial never expires and is fully functional.
Lulu.com and SmashWords.com are Popular Publishers
On the other hand, if the author wants the ebook available to more people through an online publisher, there are many choices. The easiest free option is lulu.com. This site will format a Word document and even supply a cover. They don’t care what they publish and don’t have any style guidelines that must be adhered to. They do have services for sale for the writer who needs help, and they sell ISBN (International Standard Book Numbers), which all ebooks must have to be sold in online bookstores.
A better free option is SmashWords.com. This site has expanded its publishing options to include outside retailers, such as Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. They do have strict guidelines that must be followed, but this site will offer the ebook in a variety of formats that can be read on the Kindle, iPad, Palm and Sony Reader. Best of all, everything is free, even the ISBN. Covers are not provided though, so it might be best to design one. This can easily be achieved in any graphic software like Gimp, which is a free alternative to the more expensive Photo Shop.
Style and Formatting are Important for Readers
Even if SmashWords.com isn’t chosen, anyone who wants to publish an ebook should take a look at their style guidelines. They help the writer polish his/her manuscript for any online version.
For those who want to publish with Amazon.com, be sure to try their Digital Text Platform. All it takes is creating a seller account to get started. Amazon offers a very high commission rate, so it’s beneficial for every self-publisher to take advantage of their service.
Don't Forget to Copyright!
Though many writers go the simple way by placing the copyright symbol on their ebook, it is always best to register for an official copyright. While a book is protected by law without this step, it is much easier to prove the book belongs to an individual if it has been registered with the copyright office. This can be done online, which makes it even easier. Unfortunately, it is not free, which is why so many people choose not to do it. It is definitely a personal choice.
Hopefully this guide has given anyone who wants to create and publish an ebook some ideas on how to get started. As detailed, it is very possible to do so without spending a cent. To help advertise the book, create a free book trailer. Good luck to all writers going the self-publishing route. It’s not always easy, but it’s almost always rewarding.
Judith Lee - Judith has been a writer for over two decades. She is also a blogger and book/movie reviewer.
