Frequently Asked Questions
If my book was rejected by agents and publishers, what makes anyone think I could do better selling it on my own?
First, you’re not on your own because you sell your book through online sites where readers search daily for topics of interest; second, you won’t have a publisher taking all of the profit. Keep in mind that publishers reject excellent books every day solely for economic reasons. If a publisher recently published a series on stamp collecting, they won’t accept another book in that genre for fear of market saturation. While a publisher might be disappointed to sell only 5,000 copies of a title, an eBook author probably won’t mind earning $35,000 for selling a “paltry” 5,000 copies.
Which is the best file format for an eBook conversion?
The best format depends upon the author’s needs. The most popular are PRC (same as AZW), used by Amazon.com and Mobipocket, and EPUB, used by Barnes & Noble, Apple, Google, and a host of other booksellers.
Why does my manuscript have to be converted?
Electronic readers require text that flows to accommodate the variety of screen sizes. The conversion process removes formatting that would otherwise cause a book to be unreadable.
Why not use one of the free conversion sites?
You get what you pay for: one site refers to its automated converter as a meat grinder and you get whatever comes out. Along with quality control checks and guaranteed satisfaction, our service spares you the grief and frustration of do-it-yourself conversions. Finally, just as some people don’t mind replacing the head gasket in their car, most of us would rather pay someone else to do it.
Does an eBook conversion affect my copyright or royalties?
No. You retain all rights and royalties according to your agreement with a publisher or agent. The conversion cost is merely a one-time fee for a service rendered.
Does an eBook require a cover?
Technically, no, but you’ll have a hard time selling your book without it. We offer a variety of templates for $99.95, which you can customize with your own photograph or artwork, or you can work with one of our designers to create something completely different.
Does an eBook require an ISBN?
Amazon.com, Google Books, and Barnes & Noble do not require eBooks to have an ISBN, while Apple’s iBooks site does. Requirements change so be sure to check with the site where you want to sell your eBook.
I have an ISBN for my hardcover book. Can I use that number for my eBook?
No. An ISBN is a unique identifier so each media type requires its own number. For example, if your book is available in hardcover, paperback, audio book, a MOBI eBook, and an EPUB eBook, then you need five ISBNs—one for each publication. Refer to ISBN.org for more information.