I'm often asked about how to become a writer and get started publishing. I believe the old ways - write a book in solitude, send out hundreds of agent queries via snail mail, maybe get an agent and then wait while dozens of editors take eons to mull over your creation - are long over. You can still do it that way, or attempt to, but really your best bet at building a career in writing once you have a polished and edited manuscript is to simply publish it yourself.
While that may sound easy, the reality is that becoming a successful writer - someone who can make a living at it and maybe then some - takes long hours. Others can point out the steps to publishing or provide advice, but it's up to each writer to put in the time and increase their chances of reaching readers.
So to help out those who've asked me and those who are wondering just how you do it, I'd like to share a list of books that I've found helpful. Before I do that, though, I need to mention once again that the best place on the internet for writes to learn about the digital publishing world is the Writers' Cafe at www.kboards.com.
Totally new to publishing and don't have time to sift through all the threads at Kboards? I suggest starting with David Gaughran's books:Let's Get Digital and Let's Get Visible.
A wonderful guide to how to create fiction, from plotting to pacing.
" Why do some novels become spectacular bestsellers while others fall
flat? In this concise (31,000 words) guidebook, bestselling author
Patricia Ryan reveals the key elements of those page-turners that earn a
place of honor on our keeper shelves. Learn how to avoid pitfalls like
obscurity and over-writing while utilizing story questions, empathy, and
more, to keep your readers enthralled."
While not about publishing, this is a great tool to help boost your productivity. I was stumbling along this past year when I read this one and learned that a huge part of my problem was that I wasn't thinking things through before I wrote them. Once I started doing that, the floodgates were flung wide.
"In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular 2k to 10k
writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy editing
tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write
their own stories, practical plot structure, and learning to love your
daily writing."
This is from one of my favorite novelists, Catherine Ryan Hyde, and blogger Anne R. Allen. This one takes you through all the stages of becoming a writer in the current market, from where to find critique partners and how to set up a blog to more advanced questions like how to deal with criticism and what to do after publication.
One word: Inspirational. No matter where you are in your self-publishing journey, READ THIS BOOK! It contains advice and stories from several highly successful indie and hybrid authors, like Liliana Hart, Jacinda Wilder and Theresa Ragan, all of whom work incredibly hard. Reading this book made me realize that we really do make our own luck.
That should keep everyone busy reading for a while!
I'd long ago lost count of the number of rejections I've received, at first from agents and eventually from editors. When I initially put my debut book on Kindle, there were days I clicked on my KDP sales report page and didn't get a single sale. Sometimes that went on for most of a week. Great big goose eggs. Oh well, I tried.
Yet something kept me going: supportive family, a champion agent and fellow writers. Along the way, I had crit partners who were persistent in their encouragement, even when I didn't have confidence in myself, and who made suggestions in a helpful, positive way that made my writing better. I remember the phone call from a successful agent (OMGosh, someone was actually interested in my books!) that had me so excited I almost burst. I can't neglect to mention my two children who allowed me to ignore them so I could write and the husband who made sure that dinner was on the table when I was absorbed in my work.
And one day, along came my first fan mail. It was January of 2011. I'd been self-published for seven months. I thought surely this was just some kind soul taking pity on me and spreading random kindness. Now, I can glance up at the wall behind my desk (above) and see it papered with e-mails and FB posts and tweets from readers. Yes, real readers. I sure as heck don't know that many people! I'm still amazed that anyone would take the time to write to an author, least of all me.
Yesterday, my KDP sales report page ticked over with my 50,000th Kindle sale on Amazon. Honestly, it feels more than a little surreal.
Just in case you think that's something spectacular, here's a list of indie authors and their sales figures for April 2012: Top 100 Indie Authors. It's not a comprehensive list, as some indie authors are more public with their numbers than others, but Holy Smokes! It's amazing how well some self-published authors are doing. Here's another thread on Kindleboards listing authors with over 50,000 sales.
I'm taking a moment out to celebrate and say THANK YOU! to all the readers who made this milestone possible, as well those who provided moral support and shared their knowledge along the way. I am humbled and eternally grateful.
Success, however small or large, never happens without a little help from others. Whatever your dreams, wherever you're starting from, however far you have yet to go, remember - one step at a time, stay the path and (as Oprah used to say) surround yourself with angels. They're there if you look for them. I've been lucky enough to find more than a few along the way.
Last week I was honored to appear over at the fabulous writer's blog Writer Unboxed, courtesy of the gracious Anna Elliott, along with fellow indie authors Sarah Woodbury and Jennifer Becton. The topic was Advice for Indie Authors. As you can see, there are a variety of approaches to getting started and finding ways to get the word out about your books.
Speaking of which, I must finish my latest so I can get started on the next one...
In the past year, I've shied away from posting about self-publishing, simply because there are so many good blogs that already cover that topic (some of which I've included in my blogroll). I'm going to renege on that practice temporarily, since I've had a few newly fledged writers recently ask me how I found readers. I hesitate to dole out advice about writing or publishing because my perspective is unique. It's not a one-size fits all. I can't, with certainty, say in order to sell books you must do this or this, because there are so many paths that will get you to where you want to go. My friend Lisa Yarde wrote a very insightful blog post called Truths About Publishing that is very worth reading no matter where you are in your writing career.
Furthermore, digital publishing is a very volatile business right now. What worked six months ago, may not work now or six months from now. If you want to be in this business (and yes, self-publishing is publishing), you have to follow what's going on out there, invest in yourself and occasionally take risks that follow no proven precedent. Or you could toss your book out into cyberspace and wait for lightning to strike. Your choice.
In the last post, I talked about why writers write. The most basic reasons are the same as they are for why we read: to entertain or be entertained, to inform or be informed, to connect or be connected. Stories can put life happenings in perspective or simply let us escape from life itself.
People become writers because they feel like they have something to say and they want others to hear it. They want to give someone else the same joys of reading that they have discovered. If you've written something, this is the point where you need to be really honest with yourself about what else you expect from writing and whether or not you're willing to overcome your fears and make the investment and sacrifices required to reach your goals.
Many people are in love with the idea of being a writer: either a reclusive curmudgeon who never gets out of his PJs, pounding out literary brilliance and claiming the Nobel Prize for Literature while avoiding the media, or maybe a bestselling thriller author who jets around doing TV interviews (Today Show, Tonight Show, Charlie Rose) and mingles with Hollywood elite. The reality for most writers is very, very different, I assure you. For most, it's a long road of dedication, giving up free time, learning the craft and persistence in the face of rejection and criticism. If you can't endure all that, pick another career.
Use (But Don't Abuse) Social Media:
This is perhaps one of the most useful and most overused tools for writers. You can waste huge chunks of time reading/writing blogs, debating the Oxford comma on forums and chit-chatting about American Idol on Twitter (not that I've done any of those things *cough*). Are you using social media for a much needed break after finishing that critical scene? Looking for or sharing valuable links? Or are you putting off doing something productive?
If you are willing to put in the time to learn, the best advice I can give is to hang out at Kindleboards. The Writers' Cafe there is a great place to get news about digital and indie publishing, ideas on marketing strategies and to find both encouragement and inspiration. The authors are wonderful about sharing what they did to achieve sales. I wish I had the time and gumption to use half of what I read there. If you do nothing else, read the threads and absorb the wisdom, but also be wise enough to consider the source. Listen to those with experience and proven track records.
Set up a Facebook fan page or e-mail newsletter. Through e-mail and Facebook, you can let readers know whenever something mildly exciting happens, like finalizing a cover or a projected publication date.
When on Twitter, BE SOCIAL. I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. It's fun and challenging to be entertaining in so few words and I've met some witty people there and others with similar interests besides writing. What I do get weary of is the constant stream of links from other writers about where to buy their book. Have a new release or a milestone to share - by all means mention it. But for Pete's sake, keep it to a minimum. Nothing's more boring than someone who talks shop incessantly and few things are more annoying than someone who's always trying to sell you something.
Be Professional and Nice:
This ties in with the social media aspect, but I want to mention it separately because it deserves special attention. We all have opinions, but remember that everything you write and send out into cyberspace is there FOREVER.
When it comes to reviews, if you get one that seems negative to you, never, ever, ever comment back. And don't complain on forums, even in general, about some review you got. Book bloggers and customers who take the time to leave reviews are simply sharing their take on a book. The review is meant for other readers; it's not a personal attack on you. Not everyone is going to love your book. If someone leaves a less than favorable review, it could actually help better define your intended audience. How? If I'm scanning reviews on a book I'm considering and I see that someone hates, abhors and loathes the fact that story is written in intensely emotional first person POV and has some action-packed battle scenes - Oooo, I'm sampling that one and maybe even buying it.
If you're an author, it's probably not a good idea to slam other authors or leave nasty reviews of their books. Doing so just makes you look petty, competitive and unprofessional.
Being a nice person won't lose you any readers. Being negative or nasty very well might.
Get Your Book in Front of Readers:
Many times, newly published indie authors will post links to their books repeatedly on social media, like Facebook or Twitter (see above). There's nothing wrong with letting your family, friends and colleagues know your book is for sale and where to find it. The problem with stopping there is that you're limiting your audience. Although your story and writing may be brilliant, your friends may not read the kind of books you write. Other writers are often busy writing and can only read so many books. Besides, flogging your book to the point of spamming just becomes more white noise in an already crowded stream of social media.
So how do you reach readers? Social media, giveaways (on blogs and at Goodreads or LibraryThing), and advertisements. Ohhh, but advertising costs money, doesn't it? Well, it can. Blogs that have a huge readership (in the tens of thousands, like Kindle Nation Daily or Pixel of Ink) and that are picky about what books they will and won't post can afford to charge money. If those blogs attract readers who like your genre of books, it can be a worthwhile investment. Publishing on a shoe string? There are other blogs that charge less and many times other authors will be happy to feature your book or have you guest blog, for free. Keep your eyes open. Again, Kindleboards is a great place to learn about opportunities.
Stay Focused on Writing:
All the above can be both distracting and time-consuming. Devote a little time to those things every week, but most importantly, you need to remain focused on WRITING. Often, someone will write a book, publish it and then get consumed with 'promoting' that book. If you've only got one book in you, that's fine. But if you plan on building a career out of writing, you need to write more than one book.
Yes, you need to spend time discussing and learning the business of publishing, finding ways to market your book, and it doesn't hurt to keep honing your craft. But at what point are you just procrastinating? Writing a book can take months or even years. Clicking through social media is immediately rewarding. Long term goals vs. short term rewards. You choose.
The more books you have available (but please, don't rush them to publication, take time to rewrite, edit and let them ferment), the bigger your potential fan base will be. And the more income you'll earn. Simple math.
Make writing a priority. Devote blocks of time to it. Set goals (like daily word count or how many books you plan on finishing this year). Surround yourself with like-minded people and those who will respect your dedication and encourage you.
There is so much more I could say, but the truth is there is more than one way to succeed in writing. And keep in mind that 'success' is a relative term. Some genres and story ideas have more potential to ensnare a bigger audience, so don't get caught up in comparing your sales numbers to Stephen King's.
Sometimes you just get lucky in life (like if Amazon decides to feature your book somewhere), but there are a lot of things you can do to increase your chances of getting lucky: like writing a fantastic book, writing more than one book, searching out readers and investing in your career. You have to decide your own priorities in life.
And on that note, I need to get back to editing. I'm almost finished with another book, but I'm already panicking about the next one.
Over the past year, I've been asked for tips on self-publishing. The ugly truth is that sometimes I'm just flying by the seat of my pants.
One thing I do is sit back and watch others - meaning I read books and blogs and forum posts on anything and everything about digital publishing. I take what makes sense to me and use it, following the lead of those who've gone before, but with the realization that what worked a year ago or even few months ago to gather momentum, may not work tomorrow.
Recently, I've come across a few authors who have done a fantastic job of gathering information on self-publishing in the digital age and the importance of social media for authors. They've already said it all so much better than I ever could. So rather than reinvent the wheel, here they are:
"This guide contains over 60,000 words of essays, articles, and how-to guides, as well as contributions from 33 bestselling indie authors including J Carson Black, Bob Mayer, Victorine Lieske, Mark Edwards, and many more.It covers everything from how the disruptive power of the internet has changed the publishing business forever to the opportunities this has created for writers. It gives you practical advice on editing, cover design, formatting, and pricing. And it reveals marketing tips from blogging and social networking right through to competitions, discounts, reviews, and giveaways.If you are considering self-publishing, if you need to breathe life into your flagging sales, or if you want to understand why it's a great time to be a writer, Let's Get Digital: How To Self-Publish, And Why You Should will explain it all."
Let's Get Digital is a comprehensive look at the advantages of writers going direct to readers. For information on where to download this book, or to grab a free pdf, go to David's blog here.He was kind enough to include the story of my path to publishing along with 32 other indie authors, but you can learn something from each and every one, as well as gain inspiration.
"This book is relatively short for its subject matter, weighing in at a little over 47,000 words. There is no filler, just straight talk in Zoe’s typically blunt writing style. If you’re tired of people selling you rainbow farts and butterfly dreams and want to know how to think and act like a business person, create a solid plan, and become an indie author, this book is for you."
If you're considering self-publishing an e-book, this should be the first book you read. It's concise and understandable, especially if all the publishing jargon is new to you, but it really hits the important points without a bunch of fluff.
"Kristen's method is simple, effective, and helps authors find ways to harness the imaginatin used for writing and employ this creativity to build a solid platform designed to connect with readers. This system is designed to change the writer's approach, not the writer's personality."
I'm including Kristen Lamb's books because I think social media is the most misunderstood and misused aspect for many indie authors. Kristen not only gives guidance on what to do, but what NOT to do. Like, don't tweet 20 times a day that you have a book to sell (those are the first Tweeters I tune out and sometimes even un-follow.) Even for those of us who are inherently shy (moi), this book will help you more effectively and efficiently use your time.
None of these how-to books can replace putting in the time (usually years) that it takes to properly learn the craft of writing, commit to writing a whole book and then hammering it into shape, but once you've gotten to the point where you're ready to nudge your baby out into the world, they have all the information you'll need to set you well on your way.
So to all you hopeful writers out there - good luck!
P.S. If anyone has suggestions for similar books that they recommend, please feel free to share them in the comments!
Today, I'm over at Lisa Yarde's blog chatting about my first year of indie authorship. Check back at The Brooklyn Scribbler throughout the week to catch up with some other fledgling indie authors as they share their experiences of the past year.
Meanwhile, no, I haven't been kidnapped. I'm editing. Red pen squigglies freak me out - even when I'm the one who put them on the page. The only cure is to quietly and methodically eradicate them, surrounded by my trusty stacks of resource material. Am imbibing way too much caffeine these days.
We live in a digital age that has democratized authors' access to readers - and that has caused a lot of debate in the arena of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. With print-on-demand and e-books, the floodgates have opened up. Nowadays, it seems like everyone is writing a book.
Not too long ago I resigned myself to no longer engage in such debates. I'm glad I didn't say that out loud, because here goes:
Publishing is in a state of flux. The lines are blurring. We have writers like Amanda Hocking transitioning from self-published stardom to the world of traditional publishing in order to reach even more readers. We also have writers like Seth Godin going the other direction. Now we have the announcement that JK Rowling's e-books will be available, not on Amazon or B&N, but via her own designated web site and sold in 'partnership' with her publisher.
There used to be a prevalent belief that if you self-published you'd obliterate your chances of ever becoming traditionally published (see Amanda Hocking, above) and never make any money at it (see Amanda Hocking, above). "Yeah, but . . ." you say, "she's an exception." You're right. The truth is that aside from the standouts in self-publishing, there is a growing sector of indie mid-list authors. And yes, my name is there somewhere. You also have the tens of thousands who never sell over a hundred books because 1) the writing/formatting/cover are awful, 2) they don't know how to promote, or 3) they just give up too soon once they realize the work that's involved. No debate there.
I've seen the perpetual arguments on writers' web sites and discussion lists for or against one side too many times to count; so much so, that I just have to roll my eyes. Those who are the most vehemently against self-publishing flooding online booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble basically state that the midden heap will be so high and fetid that we'll never be able to find a good book again. All I can say is that is a very black and white view of the world. Blogger/author David Gaughran dismantles that myth and others in this post.
There are also those who say they've picked up a self-published book or two (or more) that was absolute crap. Yes, they're out there, plenty of them. But you don't have to sift through ALL of them like some squinty-eyed underling combing through the slush pile at a big literary agency. Amazon, in particular, has a system of recommendations that will weed out for you what others have already weeded out. So don't worry that the moment you get on Amazon to load up your Kindle that you're going to be buried by failed 6th grade English essays masquerading as literary brilliance. Trust me, no matter how picky you are, you'll find something worthwhile to read.
Let me summarize: Self-published works are not inherently bad. Some are, I agree. Some are okay. Some are very good. And some are are FABULOUS! Quality is a gradient. And value is subjective.
When I go to a local theater production, I don't pre-judge the actors just because they aren't graduates of Juliard or Hollywood actors with multi-million dollar contracts. And you know what? I've been bored to tears, mildly entertained, and blown away at different times.
Publishing will undergo some growing pains in the next few years as it catches up with technology. Authors - both those already on top and those working their way up from the bottom - are in large part affecting that change. But ultimately, it's readers steering the ship and picking out books. And for the most part, they don't care if it's Random House that publishes a book or Joe Smith's Garage Press. They care about the quality of the story inside and whether it provides entertainment, moves them to tears or laughter, or makes them think.
Maybe, just maybe, we should judge each book not by the publisher's logo on the spine (or lack thereof), but by the content within?
View of Cader Idris, North Wales, 1878, by Sidney Richard Percy.
I've been asked on more than one occasion who or what Cader Idris Press is. Heck, once someone even e-mailed me their manuscript and asked if I'd consider it for publication. But the fact is, it's just me. And it will only ever be me. Unless you want to count my husband as my accountant, because I hate balancing the checkbook, so he does it or it doesn't get done.
When I started out on this self-publishing venture there was more of a stigma attached to it than there is now - and that's only been a year ago. But thanks to the e-book revolution and likes of Amanda Hocking, Joe Konrath, Victorine Lieske, Barry Eisler, Beth Orsoff, H.P. Mallory and dozens of others, that's not the case at all anymore. Successful and mid-list authors have come over to the Dark Side, and indie author entrepreneurs have made a dent in Amazon's bestseller lists. Isabeau and The Crown in the Heather have even been cracking the Top 100 for Bestsellers in Historical Fiction there regularly lately. That truly flabbergasts me and I' thankful for each and every reader, because for so many years I was never sure I'd have any.
Anyway, as to where the name Cader Idris (my imprint's name) comes from - there is a story about Cader Idris in Wales. Cader Idris is a mountain in Snowdonia National Park. Wales is one of the most beautiful places on earth and if you ever want to walk a little closer to Heaven during this life, go there. The legend is that those who fall asleep on the slopes of Cader Idris will awaken either a poet or a madman.
So there you have it. I'm crazy. I'm a writer - and a publisher. Check, check and check.
In the past couple of years, while I was contemplating whether or not to go the indie route in publishing my books, a very wise voice appeared on the scene over at Authonomy.com. Her name was April Hamilton and she had started up a website called Publetariat as an online community and resource for indie authors. She was among the first to herald indie publishing as a legitimate course for authors and an alternative to the traditional publishing scene. She spent many, many hours on Authonomy sharing information about what self-publishing is and is not. Although most writers there were curious to find out more, a handful of them believed that indie publishing was for those who would never find success anyway and would only ever end up selling to their friends and relatives. April always kept a cool head and never resorted to emotional outbursts,always maintaining the utmost level of professionalism. I quickly got the impression that not only was she very knowledgeable, but also very selfless with that knowledge.
I spent hours on her website and following the links there to learn as much as I could before finally making the brave decision to publish my own books. Without her, and many like her, I may never have done so. Six months into the venture and I'm now earning enough from e-book sales to pay off my monthly satellite internet bill, my phone landline and take the family out for dinner every now and then. It ain't a lot, but it's something and the added bonus is that I can actually call myself a writer because my books are being read by complete strangers.
But back to April Hamilton. This past week, she posted this: Is Publetariat Worth a Dollar to You? To summarize it, she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, her husband left her and her business went under. Struggling to make ends meet, she is also facing foreclosure. So she's asking for help - a dollar or whatever can be spared, to help her family and the website stay afloat. You can donate at Publetariat via PayPal or purchase one of April Hamilton's books.
I firmly believe that if you do your best to spread good karma that it will one day come back to you. I also realize there are many, many other people and animals in the world who need a helping hand at times. So find someone in need, give up your Double Mocha Grande' Latte for a day and throw your change in the Salvation Army kettle or whatever cause you believe in. I've been eating cheap at A&W lately and shoving my change and spare bills in the Humane Society piggy bank there. Meanwhile, have faith in the Universe, then, that the same kindness will come back to you when you need it. But that good karma has to start somewhere - why not with you?
Although I've been brewing a couple of other blog posts in my gray matter, they keep getting delayed by studying and writing a term paper. Next week my college course will be over and I'll be unfettered, so in the meanwhile here's a quick mention for the new Sample Sunday.
If you're on Twitter and are looking for new reading material from indie authors, just search for #SampleSunday or #ss and you'll find oodles of reading samples recommended by other readers and indie authors. The great thing about indie books, particularly on Kindle or other e-reading devices, is that they're usually very CHEAP!
Here's the final installment in the Kindle Primer series by author Ruth Francisco. These points are about where to promote your book and get it reviewed:
PROMOTION: The most difficult part about selling ebooks is getting the word out about them.
For "Amsterdam 2012", I mentioned it on the Amazon Kindle forum and on Kindleboards.com. That was it. And it took off. Most of the promotion is word of mouth--doing guest postings on other writers' blogs, finding interest groups and pitching your book (e.g., if you have a book about dogs, pitching it to websites for dog lovers), participating in various writers groups, reviewing other writers' works. The self-promotion is time-intensive, and, yes, annoying. But even traditional publishers insist their writers do a lot of self-promotion on their own (my last publisher asked me to hire a publicist!) There are some websites that review ebooks only. Soon there will be established review venues. Right now everyone is kind of flying by the seat of their britches.
AUTHOR COMMUNITIES to Join and to Promote Your Books:
- Kindleboards.com. Sign up and promote your book on the Writer's Book Bazaar forum. Participate in as many discussions as you have time for. Post questions if you want. Everyone is very helpful. These boards list a lot of other venues where you can advertise your book.
-Amazon Kindle, Discussions, Kindle Forum. There are several threads where you can plug your book. Let friends know about where you’ve plugged your book, so they can comment on your remark and keep it on the first page of comments. This helps enormously in sales. I do not recommend posting a new thread about your book, although many do. Several “trolls” are very harsh to writers who “hog” the forum for self-promotion. Use this venue with caution.
-Goodreads.com. Become a member and promote your book. If you spend time on their discussion boards and make "friends", they can be really helpful.
-Nookboards.com. Become a member and promote your book.
-Soundings:Puget Sound Speaks. Promote on Board Index, Independent authors
-Mobileread.com. Become a member and promote your book on the authors’ promotion thread.
-Librarything.com. Become a member and promote your book.
-Redroom.com.
AUTHOR BLOGS Where You Can Ask to Have Your Book Reviewed or be a Guest Blogger:
http://theindiespotlight.blogspot.com/ (Fill out their author's interview questionnaire. They will post your book in about 3 weeks.) http://indiebooksblog.blogspot.com/ http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/ http://spaldings-racket.blogspot.com/ http://paperbackdolls.blogspot.com http://www.kindleobsessed.com/ http://kindlecheapreads.com/ http://redadept.com http://thecajunbooklady.com http://theunreadreader.com http://dailycheapreads.com http://spaldingsracket.com http://candysraves.com http://trishasbookshelf.blogshopt.com http://kindle-author.blogspot.com http://kindlereader.blogspot.com http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com http://tenasbookreview.com http://rexreadingrobot.com http://novelcritic.com http://kindleobsessed.com http://thefrugalkindle.blogspot.com http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com Kindle Nation Daily, a promotional site. Promotional blitzes start at $79.
-There are many, many more. Many are mentioned on Kindleboards.com from time to time. It is a question of networking and favors, but this shared promotion is invaluable.
Other Promotional Tools to Know About
- Tagging. On your book page on Amazon, there is a place where you can list "tags" or key words that help people find your book. Add tags, then go to Kindleboards and ask fellow writers to tag your book. This will get your book up on the rankings for specific types of books. Very important.
- Author Page on Amazon. Amazon now gives you an author page where you can write about anything you want to promote yourself. Put up a picture and stuff about yourself. You need to set up a separate page for Amazon UK.
-Facebook and Twitter. Lots of writers use Facebook to promote their books. Become a fan of other writers on FB, and they will do the same.
Many, many thanks to Ruth Francisco for compiling this information and graciously allowing me to share some of it.
Following are some more excerpts on pricing, making changes to your e-book and publishing backlist titles from Ruth Francisco's The Kindle Option thread that originally appeared on Authonomy.com:
PRICING:
A lot of writers first post their books for .99 cents because a number of Kindle readers routinely buy only .99 books. It is a way to get a following. Think of it as an introductory price. The minimum for which you can get at 70% royalty is $2.99, which is why many indie Kindle books are $2.99. The DTB publishers often list their books at $9.99 or higher because they can. Many writers think it's the DTB publishers’ way to suppress the ebook market, and to maintain a demand for DTBs. But readers have made it clear on the forums that they think it is unfair to post an ebook for more than a paperback.
In other words $9.99 is probably too much for an indie ebook. Keep it under $5.00.
At some point you might want to change your price. If, for instance, you post at .99 cents and it sells like crazy, getting you to the top 100 Kindle Best Sellers list, you might want to keep it at .99 cents until you drop off. (The big deal about the top 100 is that it is a visible list that is promoted by Amazon. A major goal is to get on this list.) But if you are not making a lot of sales at .99 cents, you might as well go to $2.99 for awhile. I've had books that began to sell more when I raised the price.
There is no stigma for .99 books on Amazon. DTB Publishers sometimes run very cheap specials (or free) for their best sellers. Everyone, in other words, is trying to find a good price point.
You'll simply have to test it out.
CHANGES. At any point after you have published, you CAN make changes. You can change the price. You can make editorial changes and upload again. You can change your cover and synopsis. Amazon may take your book offline for up to 48 hours, so you don’t want to do this excessively, but it is hugely comforting to know that once “it’s gone to print”, it’s not “carved in stone”.
BACKLIST TITLES. Many authors are uploading to Kindle previously published books when they get their rights back. You need a letter from your publisher confirming Reversion of Rights. Upload your book. Within a few days, Amazon will contact you and ask you to scan in your letter and send it to them. Within four or five days, your book will be approved.
Yes, new writers still can and do acquire agents and publishing contracts these days; I know a couple of very talented ones who have. But many others who've either already tried the traditional route or have decided to skip it altogether are now considering the option of e-publishing as indie authors.
One thing I've come to appreciate about the indie author community is the openness, support and encouragement that can be found there. Recently, Ruth Francisco, who is both traditionally published and an indie author, posted a forum thread on Authonomy.com called The Kindle Option. Ruth was kind enough to share the details of many of the steps in publishing to Kindle as an indie author.
I was impressed with the first book she'd posted on Authonomy, Amsterdam 2012, and recently read and reviewed her gritty, fast-paced historical crime novel, The Pigtailed Heart. I asked Ruth if I could post excerpts of her forum post here and she graciously agreed:
A KINDLE PRIMER
I want to share my experiences with Kindle, and to let everyone know that epublishing is a viable option to waiting around for a traditional publisher.
Not only are Kindle writers being offered traditional DTB (dead tree book) contracts, but established writers are publishing original material to Kindle. Epublishing is revolutionizing publishing and writing, an event no less important to intellectual discourse than the penny newspapers of the nineteenth century.
In February, after a year of shopping my latest novel "Amsterdam 2012" to New York publishers, and being turned down for being “too controversial,” I decided to upload it to Kindle. I didn’t know anything about epublishing. I actually posted it because I was afraid my aging computer would crash, and I would lose the novel. Or the house would burn down. I figured at least if it were up on Kindle, it would be safe. I set the price at .99 cents. What the hell.
I sold 1,000 copies the first weekend, and soon my book was number 30 on the Kindle best seller list. With a Kindle royalty payment of .35 cents (35% of books under $2.99 and over $9.99; 70% between $2.99 and $9.99), I was not getting rich; but I was getting read. And readers were responding—immediately—in reviews, on forums, and in emails. I had written the book because I wanted people to discuss a difficult topic, and they were; I was having an active and open dialog with my readers unlike I ever had with DTB publishing. I was exhilarated.
After the success of "Amsterdam 2012", I uploaded two backlist titles, "Good Morning, Darkness", and "Confessions of a Deathmaiden", the rights for which my publisher had recently returned to me. Then three original titles.
Why did I do that rather than submit them to my publisher? For one thing, waiting a year to get published, even if my agent could sell my manuscripts tomorrow, seemed antiquated. Who has time for that? If I write about fresh, relevant issues, I want the stories published now. I was also selling more books on Kindle, reaching more people, all over the world, than I had with DTBs. If I set the Kindle price at $2.99, I make $2.04 per book, about the same as I would for a hardback. If I sold it as a $7.99 paperback, I would only earn about .64 cents per book.
Also, epublishing does not preclude a DTB contract. In fact, the paper publishing arm of Kindle, Amazon Encore Books, culls its list of Kindle authors for books to publish. Soon other DTB publishers will follow.
While the ebook market is still only 5-7% of the total book market, it is a growing market. The market for DTBs is shrinking. I chose to go with the growing market.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]
("Ruth Francisco worked in the film industry for fifteen years before selling her first novel Confessions of a Deathmaiden to Warner Books in 2003, followed by Good Morning, Darkness, which was selected by Publishers’ Weekly as one of the best mysteries of the year, and her controversial third novel, The Secret Memoirs of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She now has four new novels, including The Pigtailed Heart, up on Kindle. She is a frequent contributor to The Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and currently lives in Florida.")
How much is a book 'worth'? Ponder that. Notice I didn't ask you how much a book should cost. 'Worth' is a relative term and means different things to different people. A book that changes how you think, that stirs you on a deeply emotional level, that carries you away from the stress of daily life and lets you relax for awhile, or that teaches you something valuable isn't something you can put a sticker price on.
An easier question would probably be: How much would you pay for a book? How much for a hardback vs. a paperback? How much for an e-book? Would you pay more for your favorite author? What about a debut author or one you've never heard of before? What about a reference book that provides valuable information? How much for a non-fiction book that you'll use on a regular basis vs. a fiction book that you'll devour in a few days and never look at again? Ah, maybe those questions aren't so easy to answer either.
Recently, I read A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron. I loved it. I was moved to tears. It encapsulated, from the dog's point of view, what a dog lives for and made me, as a human, think twice about what they must surely feel in regards to us bipeds. Since then I pat my dogs on the head more often and say, "You're such a good dog" in that gushy, high-pitched tone that you talk to babies in. I've recommended to others several times. It's a rarity for me, being on a practically non-existent budget, to buy a hardback book when it first comes out. But I did that for this one. Generally, I'll wait until A) the local library gets it or B) I can buy the paperback (better yet if it's used and dirt cheap).
This isn't because I don't value the author's time. Quite the opposite is true. As a writer myself, I don't believe you can put any price on the endless hours of writing, revising, proofing and researching a book - not to mention, the angst of sending out query letters to agents, waiting to hear back from editors, wondering if anyone, anyone at all, will buy your book and even when they do whether they truly enjoyed it or would classify it as landfill material.
Since we can now agree that a book's worth is a relative term, let's get back to the question of price.
So is $25 too much for a hardback book? Does $8-15 sound about right for a paperback? $10 or less for an e-book, because after all the bookstore didn't have to ship it in, stock it on their shelves and there's isn't the cost of paper involved. If you see an e-book for 99 cents, do you assume it's garbage and you wouldn't touch it with a barge pole? Or do you judge each book individually and then buy it as long as it's within your budget, whether under a dollar or ten times as much? Since the library doesn't charge for books (unless, like me, you tend to keep them too long and have to pay overdue fines), does that fact that it's free to you make you think less of it? I doubt it.
On several online discussion forums, the topic of e-book pricing frequently comes up, particularly for indie authors. Ever since Amazon.com established $2.99 as the baseline for giving authors 70% and anything from .99 to $2.98 as only earning 35%, the $2.99 tag has become the norm for most books by indie authors. This is still quite a bargain when you consider that the majority of e-books put out by traditional publishers fetch quite a bit more - anywhere from $7.99-12.99 and up.
Why then are indies pricing themselves so cheaply? Doesn't that devalue not only their work, but yank the bottom out of e-book prices and threaten to bring the whole system tumbling down? Will writers ever be able to earn a living at writing again??? Well, truth is, most of them don't make a living at writing anyway. And, I don't know about the lot of you, but when items are cheaper, I tend to buy more of them, whereas if they are out of my budget to begin with, I don't buy them at all. Example: If long-sleeved T-shirts are $20 apiece, I may think that's too much and not buy one at all. If they're only $12 each, wow, suddenly it's a bargain and I buy 2 of them, shelling out 24 bucks. Get my point?
Many indie authors cringe at the thought of offering one of their books for a bargain basement price like 99 cents. I did, too, until recently, when I went ahead and dropped the price of the Kindle version of Isabeau down to just that. Why? Simple. Because I want more people to read it. Believe me, if folks were shoving each other out of the way to buy my books, I'd charge what the traditional publishers do. That would be beyond cool. My husband could retire from his present job and go find something fun to do, like play golf every day. I could send my kids to their choice of Ivy League colleges, fix my driveway, replace the old mini-van . . .
Okay, reality check. Established authors have a built-in demand for their books. Debut authors do not. Indie authors have an even rougher road. But . . . it's not an impassable one.
I don't have a marketing budget or the luxury of shelf placement at Target and Wal-Mart. If I do pay for a $10-35 ad somewhere - and there are places I can do that - that means that money comes out of my grocery shopping. Or gets added onto my already mounting credit card bill. One thing I do have is control over what price I charge for the book. If I can entice someone to try my book, then if they like it enough they'll let others know about it or come back to buy the next one at $2.99 or more. Many indie authors with multiple books have at least one that they offer at 99 cents to serve as an introductory price to readers. They build a following that way.
The greatest challenge for indie authors is gaining visibility. Readers have to know that your book exists before they ever have the option of buying it. Often, I'll see the argument that if a book is priced at 99 cents, it gets lumped together on that line 'Customers who bought Cheap Book A, also bought Cheap Book B.' etc. where Book B is in a totally different genre. Yes, ideally, it is better if your book is grouped with similar books. But if you're not selling enough in the first place to show up anywhere, isn't that a moot point? Isn't it better if your book at least shows up somewhere? After all, not all readers read exclusively in one genre. My own tastes are quite varied.
My husband and I have bred Australian Shepherds for over 20 years (bear with me, there's a point to this). Early on when we were nobodies, we practically gave away puppies or dogs, that we could have charged thousands of dollars for, to people who didn't have lots of money but who we knew would train, trial and campaign the dog. We did it because we knew that upfront loss would pay off in the long run - and it did, tenfold. The more dogs we got into actively showing and trialing homes, the more good advertisement it meant for us. Over the years, demand increased to the point where many times I didn't have enough puppies to go around. (Hey, they poop a lot and I can only raise so many at a time.) We gave up short-term gain for a long-term goal.
It is up to the indie author to decide what to charge for their e-books. If your book sells well at $2.99, by all means keep it there. If you can sell it for more, more power to you. But if you're looking far down the road, at building a career, then you need to find ways to get your book into more hands.
Happy reading and writing, Gemi
(P.S. Later this week I'll have a guest post on a primer to e-publishing for indie authors by Ruth Francisco, author of The Pigtailed Heart, Amsterdam 2012 and other great books.)
If you're an indie author, this is another great place to gain some free exposure for your book and see what others are doing as far as cover design and trailers - speaking of which I'd also like to recommend Blazing Trailers, where you can also submit your book trailer for free or just get ideas. As of earlier this week, The Crown in the Heather's trailer on YouTube is nearing 700 hits! Honestly, I never even thought that many people would find it. I heart YouTube.
How do you make a trailer? To start with, your book's short synopsis will serve as a guide for the storyboard. You also need a program for making videos, music (royalty-free), and pictures or video clips.
Think of it as a commercial for your book. Book trailers should be short enough to retain the attention of viewers, but long enough to let them know what it's about. You can convey a lot about the tone of the story in one minute. Two minutes is reasonable. Three or more and it's getting a bit long.
Don't have a crew of actors and cameramen lined up? Still shots can still be used to good effect. Spend some time at iStockphoto and find eye-catching professional pictures that give a fair representation of your story.
Need royalty-free music? Try Incompotech.com. This step is important. Find a score that conveys the mood of your book.
Software? I used Windows MovieMaker. Spend some time learning all the effects that come with it: fade in/out, pan, zoom, etc.
Time your transitions and place your pictures to match the music. It can take a heap of time to synchronize everything, but it's worth paying attention to.
Do book trailers actually sell books? That's hard to gauge. There certainly may be more effective ways to spend your time and money. However, if you have the means to do one or know someone who creates them, it's one more means of advertising your book. I had a blast making mine.
Long gone are the days when writers scribbled away on clackety typewriters in self-imposed solitude. To be a writer today, you have to wear many hats. And to be a successful writer, it helps if you're not an anti-social, reclusive technophobe.
Earlier this week I discovered that my web host, in its zeal to 'update' everything, has somehow misdirected both the domain names I own: the one for my author site and the one for my Australian Shepherd kennel. One day, everything was there exactly as I had painstakingly designed it and the next . . . well, things are . . . missing. Attempts to communicate with tech support have resulted in them spewing back technical gibberish which may as well have been Swahili. And this during the week that I'm releasing the paperback edition of Isabeau, A Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Roger Mortimer, and when a front page article about me and my books appeared in the local community paper.
Can you say 'bad timing'?
Thank goodness there are still other ways to stay in touch with and provide information for readers, like YouTube, Goodreads, Twitter, an Amazon author page and e-mail (please excuse the shameless links I've slipped in there while my web is on vacation). But this (hopefully) temporary crisis made me realize how reliant authors are on the internet these days. I, for one, did not realize when I first sat down to write stories over a decade ago that I would need to became a semi-expert in the arts of social media and web site building. While I love picking out artsy fonts and getting my page colors to be all matchy-matchy, if you start talking about things like 'file transfer protocol' you may notice me sticking my fingers in my ears and going 'la-la-la-la-la-la'.
The truth is: I learn enough to get by. Sometimes I need help. Bless husbands whose best friends are computer engineers. And writing buddies who mentor me in the etiquette and rituals of Tweeting and Blogging.
The internet provides numerous ways to reach potential readers and . . . the internet also takes time away from writing. Thus the dilemma. So hone your writing first; then find ways to get your name out there. You can't write or edit if you're tweeting all day long; but no one will know you exist if you don't have some kind of internet presence. Is it possible to sell lots of books while remaining incognito? Hmm, possibly, if you have a major publisher pumping $$$ into publicity or Oprah selects your book for her book club. Good luck with that.
One of my favorite blogger-writers (who I incidentally discovered on Twitter) is author Jody Hedlund. Her first book, The Preacher's Bride, is due out in October from Bethany House Publishers. Jody has created a substantial following through her informative posts. She talks candidly about everything from platform building to time management for writers. By serving as a filter for helpful information, Jody has succeeded in building a name for herself and consequently an audience that will be eagerly awaiting her book's release.
Still, blogging, tweeting or a slick web site are not the only ways to connect to potential readers. Many other writers simply interact with readers and other writers on a personal level on various forums, like Kindleboards, which is a closely moderated site that does not allow for obnoxious plugging that might alienate readers who are there purely to discuss books or their newest Kindle acquisition. At some point, a reader or book blogger tries their book, likes it and enthusiastically endorses it. Then, the proverbial snowball of success starts rolling as the book rises up through the ranks by word of mouth to compete with traditionally published bestselling authors. Some recent examples are Amanda Hocking, Karen McQuestion, David Dalglish and David McAfee, just to name a few. This isn't going to happen if the book doesn't strike a cord with certain readers. In other words, being social in itself doesn't lead to success, but paired with a well-written book, the potential is there for that to happen.
It has been said many times that "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity". Writers today can't neglect their writing (preparation), nor can they ignore the great equalizer of opportunity that the internet provides.
Since the book giveaway for The Crown in the Heather at The Historical Novel Review blog drew way more entrants than there were copies to give away, I've sponsored another over at GoodReads. You may enter between August 23rd and September 15th and must be a U.S. resident. (Apologies to those across the pond and down under, but the postage costs me more than the book.) Interested in more free books? Check out all the book giveaways at GoodReads!
The Crown in the Heather can be purchased online worldwide. In addition to the Kindle version at Amazon.com, U.K residents can now download the Kindle book from Amazon.co.uk.
Don't own a Kindle? Visit any Amazon site and download 'Kindle for PC' or any one of various Kindle apps for your iPhone, Android, or iPad.
Own an e-reader other than a Kindle? CITH is now available at Smashwords. This is also a great place to download a sample of the first portion many books to see if you like them enough to buy the whole thing.
*****
For those readers who like to find the undiscovered gem in indie authors, here are some sites that regularly feature book reviews and interviews:
Kindle Nation Daily - This one is huge and probably has the largest readership. Tons of information here on everything Kindle!
The Indie Spotlight - I like sites like this that cover multiple genres, fiction and non-fiction. This site is run by Greg Banks and Edward Patterson who devote huge amounts of time to helping other authors.
Breakout Books - Started by Dawn Judd, this is another site that regularly posts reviews.
Kindle Author - Hosted by David Wisehart. A great place to learn more about indie authors and their books.
***Know of other sites that feature indie authors? Feel free to include the URL and blog or site name here in the comments and I'll add them. I've been amazed at the support among indie authors and the number of readers willing to give them a try.
One comment that I’ve received frequently is that the interior layout of my historical novel, The Crown in the Heather, is on par with any traditionally published book. Of all the things an indie author can do when putting a book together themselves, formatting the interior is perhaps the easiest thing to do well – and without added cost, since you can do it yourself. In a previous post, I skimmed over some of the elements I used to give my interior a little more pizzazz. Here, I’ll expand on those.
What does it take to create a professional-looking interior layout to your book? Mostly, attention to detail, a little extra time and the willingness to learn about more features of Word than you ever cared to know. Like most writers, my manuscript was formatted in a specific way: 8.5” X 11” paper, Times New Roman font (12 pt.), 1” margins, .5”indents on new paragraphs, left-justified and double-spaced. Obviously, no real book is laid out that way.
How do you transform your manuscript into a professional-looking interior? By first studying books in your genre, using some as templates for your work and then making about a hundred little decisions to customize your interior so that it is uniquely your own. Here’s a list of some – but not all – of the decisions you will need to make:
1. Book size – Go to the library or a bookstore (Wal-Mart will do). What size are books in your genre, typically? Manuals with a lot of pictures, tables or graphs are probably better suited for a larger size like 8.5” X 11”, while paperback novels come in smaller sizes that are easier to tote around.
Initially, I had my book laid out in 5.25” X 8” size. But there were two drawbacks to this. One is that the shorter lines produced more hyphenated words, which meant more finagling to try to reduce how many hyphens were on a page, which led to more wonky spacing problems. Another was that it meant more pages – and like it or not, your printing service will charge you by the page, not the word count. So, I switched to 6” X 9” and got a book that was easier on the eyes and slightly more profitable.
* In Word 2007, simply go to ‘Page Layout’, then ‘Page Setup’, and click on ‘Size’ to choose.
2. Paper type – Although this is something you won’t have to worry about until you go to order your proof, you do need to consider how it will affect your reader. You have two choices: white or crème. White is appropriate for technical manuals or non-fiction with a lot of pictures and tables, but for novels you’ll most likely want to use crème, which has less glare and for long periods of reading is easier on the eyes.
3. Margins – Lightning Source recommends that on the pdf of your text file, that margins be at least .5” on all sides. I’d recommend more and here’s why. People need someplace to put their thumbs to hold the book open and you don’t need them prying apart the spine and cracking it just to see the words in the crease. At the top and bottom, you need a little space for headers and footers. Don’t crowd the page. It may daunt your readers.
* I used .8” margins on the right and left and 1” at the top and bottom.
4. Font – Choose a font appropriate for your genre and one that’s highly readable. You may be able to get away with a sans serif font for non-fiction or a contemporary novel, but Arial wouldn’t be appropriate for a medieval historical. Although we use Times New Roman for our manuscripts, because it was developed for use in newspapers with vertical columns, its letters are narrower and it’s generally not recommended for novels. While you may be thinking this will save you a few pages in the long run, in reality the narrower the font the harder it becomes to read for long periods.
While sans serif (‘without feet’) fonts may look fine and even be preferred on a web site, most novels use serif fonts. Not only are we more used to reading books in those fonts, but the little feet and tails actually make the letters easier to differentiate.
Except for perhaps chapter headings or the occasional brief letter, avoid script fonts.
Some recommended serif fonts for novels are: Garamond (this was my choice), Bookman, Century Schoolbook, and Palatino, but there are many more that work quite well – just don’t get too fancy. The font you choose will also affect your page count, so keep that in mind. Don’t be afraid to try different fonts, print out some pages and see how they look.
5. Point size – Which point size is appropriate will depend on your font. In Garamond, 12 pt. worked well. Obviously, if your book is intended for either very young or very old readers, you’d use a larger point size. Whatever you do, don’t go small just to save on page count. Readers will give up on books with print so small they need a magnifying glass – and I’ve unwittingly bought a few of these online myself.
6. Line spacing – Generally, line spacing of 1.15 works well.
7. Justification and hyphenation – Unlike your left justified manuscript, your book should have paragraphs that are full justified (even on the right and left side). A ragged right edge is the sign of an amateur. Poetry would, of course, be the exception.
Also, I’d suggest you turn hyphenation ‘on’. Without it, you’re likely to have lines that contain longer words get shuffled onto the next line, leaving the previous line with strung-out spacing. But do check each word that Word hyphenates. In mine, it kept hyphenating ‘bishop’ as ‘bis-hop’. Obviously the ‘s’ and the ‘h’ belong on the same line: ‘bish-op’.
8. Widows and orphans – Try to avoid the obvious short word that appears alone on a line of a paragraph or a short, partial sentence on a page by itself. Omitting or adding a word or phrase, breaking larger paragraphs into multiple ones or combining paragraphs can often solve these pesky little problems.
***[Edited to add that I turned 'Widow/orphan control' OFF. Word automatically turns it ON. This can be changed by going to 'Paragraph' in your task bar, then 'Line and page breaks'. Uncheck the box. If you leave it ON, you'll end up with some pages where the last lines of facing pages, left and right, don't line up as Word shuffles things around. Much better looking just to leave it OFF and adjust manually where needed.]
9. Headers and footers – Your headers (at the top of the page) will be your Title and Author Name. Usually, your name goes on the left-hand page and the title on the right. For these, you can choose a slightly fancier font, perhaps one that echoes what you’ve used on the cover, but again, keep it legible. Most often headers are centered, but they can be left/right justified, depending on which side they’re on.
Page numbers generally appear in the footer space (either centered or in the left/right corner), but will sometimes be placed in the upper outside corner. I’ve seen variations on headers and footer arrangements – some work, some don’t. If in doubt, check out several books in your genre and choose what looks best to you. For headers and footers, go to 'Insert', then click on headers or footers. When you click your cursor in the header space on the page, you can edit there.
10. Styles – This is the one feature of Word that, prior to designing my book’s interior, I never knew existed, but now I can’t live without it. Using Styles (shown at the top of your task bar) will allow you to remain consistent about chapter headings, for one. If you want to change which font you use for all your chapter headings or how many lines you put between the chapter number and subheadings, simply right click on the Style you use for that and re-format it to your specifications. This is a huge time-saver.
11. Front and back matter – If you are including acknowledgments, historical notes, a list of resources or anything else that may fall into either of these categories, pay attention to how they are arranged in traditionally published books and then do the same, including the insertion of blank pages to set them apart and whether they appear on the right- or left-hand page.
12. Fancy features – Yes, I get excited about Drop Caps (found under the ‘Insert’ tab). These can add a little flare to your book, but not all books need them. Again, pay attention to whether they are generally used in your genre or not.
I also used small caps (found under the ‘Paragraph’ tab) for the first four words of each scene to signal to the reader that there was a change in setting or time. Again, use selectively. It's possible to get carried away and overdo it.
***[Edited to add:]
13. Section breaks - While it might be tempting to just put page breaks at the end of a chapter, use 'section breaks' instead. This will let you turn headers off on the first page of a chapter, and page numbers off where you might have blank pages between the sections (Part I, Part II) of a book. To create a section break, go to 'Page Layout', then in the 'Page Setup' tab, click on 'Breaks'. You can add a page break that begins on the very next page, or the next odd- or even-numbered page.
To link your page numbers or headers to a previous section, simply click on the header or footer area and you will see a small tab that says 'Same as previous' if you want to repeat the headers. If, for example, you want to turn the page numbers off altogether (like in the back matter of the book), simply click on the 'Design' tab, go to 'Navigation' and unclick the 'Link to previous'.
As Lisa said in the comments to the post, this is one feature that can drive you batty learning it, but it's worth mastering.
There’s even more that I could add here, but these are the basics that you can probably get by with. Do take the time to lay out your book’s interior so that it’s virtually indistinguishable from a traditionally published book. A sloppily prepared interior will only give the self-publishing naysayers one more shell to load into their rifles to shoot indie authors down with.
Set your book above the rest. Take the time, make the effort to do it right, so that anyone who picks up your self-published book and starts reading it has as pleasant an experience as possible.
