CreateSpace For Independent Publishers

I visited CreateSpace today to check on The Pet Washer, and I noticed a new channel opened up--Amazon Europe. Previously, only the ebook version of The Pet Washer has been available in Europe through Kindle Direct Publishing. Now my paperback version will be available there too.

ePublishing is huge, but did you know that publishing your ebook in paperback is free? You know I believe in publishing everywhere and in every format. A quarter of my sales have come from Barnes & Noble and Itunes. I've also sold more paperbacks than ebooks (although not lately.) Granted, the middle-grade genre is conducive to paperbacks. Most of my young readers don't own kindles or iphones.

There are other benefits to paperback books. If you write for people over 30, a lot of us still prefer paper books. There are even teens who still prefer them. They aren't exactly the horse and buggy yet. Don't limit yourself!

I'm not sure about the other POD publishers, but CreateSpace is now free. Their distribution channels include Amazon in the US, Amazon in Europe, CreateSpace eStore, Bookstores, Online Retailers, Libraries, and Academic Institutions. Royalties are high.

Cautions about POD publishing!

1. The longer your book, the more you will be forced to charge for it to cover the cost of printing. I had a dream of charging $4.99 for The Pet Washer to keep it affordable, but at 200ish pages, CreateSpace wouldn't let me go that low. Once your file is uploaded, the site will let you know the lowest price you can set and what your royalties will be. You can play with the price until you find a combo you like. 
2. Do not expect bookstores to sell your book. Read my article on why that is. 
3. CreateSpace will not distribute your book to Libraries or Academic Institutions unless you use a CreateSpace ISBN number. I purchased my own ISBN numbers so I am S.O.L. However, I believe I did the right thing. There are mixed views on this subject! Please research the issue before you decide. Overall, it's fine to use the Createspace ISBN. It won't change how much you make, but I prefer having my own. One day, I'll write about it. 
4. Order the proof--your formatting and editing errors will blare at you like nobody's business when you first see your book in print. I laughed out loud when I got my first proof. 
5. Watch your margins, font and font size, odd and even pages, blank pages, title pages etc.--formatting is precise and complicated, but you only have to do it once!

Benefits of POD Publishing!

1. There is nothing like holding your book in your hands. 
2. If you speak, like I do, you have something to sign. 
3. You reach more buyers
4. You up your game. In my opinion, ebooks can foster a degree of sloppiness. The formatting changes on different ereaders, the sample previewer when you upload isn't very good, the cover is a thumbnail etc. When you see your book in print, it really hits you that you have written a book! You know I have many blunders under my belt, and my new cover and better formatting will be coming soon to my paperback, but if it weren't for POD, I'm not sure I would have noticed all the things I need to improve. Thankfully, my readers like the story!!!
5. It's green! Read here to find out what I mean.  

If you feel overwhelmed, there is always traditional publishing to try. The odds may be tough, but if you don't play, you won't win. I submitted my new novel to ten agents between May 16th and today. I want to experience both worlds. I have my reasons. Book industry professional, Brooke Warner, discusses the changing publishing industry here at The Jennifer (Author) Diaries.

To Do: Explore your options and, one way or another, consider getting your book in print!!