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How to Submit Your Manuscript for eBook Consideration or Do It Yourself

Blackcurrant Press is here to tell you how to submit your manuscript for ebook consideration or do it yourself!  Are you thinking about writing a book?  This is a great time! Electronic books are all the rage! Here’s information on how to submit and create  your own electronic books. Hopefully, this post can help writers become authors.

How to Submit Your Manuscript for eBook Consideration or Do It Yourself

Let’s begin. Electronic books or ebooks have become common place in the book market. If your story doesn’t come with a physical and electronic copy, it’s only reaching half its audience.  There is software available and it’s FREE!  It is designed to help writers become electronic authors without much more than their creativity and some know-how. Two of the biggest electronic stores in the world are Barnes & Noble (Nook) and Amazon (Kindle). See below how its done on their websites.

How to Submit a MANUSCRIPT to Barnes & Noble

Go to the Barnes & Noble homepage footer and click on Publisher & Author Guidelines. On this page there are a list of questions and answers helping the writer through the process of setting up their Vendor of Record Account on the B&N platform. There are two requirements for this account, the bibliographic and book data.  Writer must follow the formatting specifications. After account set-up, writer can submit their manuscript in three different ways.   Barnes & Noble will accept them via email, file transfer protocol (FTP) or by sending a CD Rom, zip-file, or even floppy disc.

try publishing an ebookCover image must be submitted with a high resolution TIFF or JPEG 100-150 dpi only, length between 1400-2000 pixels and width proportionally designed.

<a style="background-color:black;color:white;text-decoration:none;padding:4px 6px;font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.2;display:inline-block;border-radius:3px;" href="https://unsplash.com/@disguise_truth?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=photographer-credit&utm_content=creditBadge" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Download free do whatever you want high-resolution photos from Anastasia Zhenina"><span style="display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px;"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="height:12px;width:auto;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;top:-1px;fill:white;" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><title>unsplash-logo</title><path d="M20.8 18.1c0 2.7-2.2 4.8-4.8 4.8s-4.8-2.1-4.8-4.8c0-2.7 2.2-4.8 4.8-4.8 2.7.1 4.8 2.2 4.8 4.8zm11.2-7.4v14.9c0 2.3-1.9 4.3-4.3 4.3h-23.4c-2.4 0-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3v-15c0-2.3 1.9-4.3 4.3-4.3h3.7l.8-2.3c.4-1.1 1.7-2 2.9-2h8.6c1.2 0 2.5.9 2.9 2l.8 2.4h3.7c2.4 0 4.3 1.9 4.3 4.3zm-8.6 7.5c0-4.1-3.3-7.5-7.5-7.5-4.1 0-7.5 3.4-7.5 7.5s3.3 7.5 7.5 7.5c4.2-.1 7.5-3.4 7.5-7.5z"></path></svg></span><span style="display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px;">Anastasia Zhenina</span></a>Text data can be submitted in Microsoft Word, HTML (computer code in text, not images), TXT (text) or ePub (International Digital Publishing Forum) only.  For the content to look its best in multiple e-readers, writers must be proficient in HTML and TXT formatting.  Book composites of text and chapter headings will look fine in Word, HTML or TXT despite naievete of writer. However, if there are images and a table of content, and footnotes, etc., skill in the areas of HTML and TXT formatting are a must.

For ePub, an extension of XML formatting, writers arrange book as a zip file with a MIMETYPE file, a META-INF folder, and a OEBPS folder. Each will contain all the files of the writer’s book perfectly set-up for the ebook platform and work best for the publisher. Those unfamiliar with these types of files need not worry. There are companies willing to convert Word, HTML, TXT and even PDF to ePub files for FREE. Altova has a 30-day FREE trail for epublishing software, afterwards pay $999 for full package and $499 for a subset.

Alternately, writers may also submit their hard and/or paperbacks and request to be included in B&N’s retail division (brick and mortar stores) by submitting a copy to their Small Press Department (212) 633-3388. Author’s book goes through a review process for placement in their stores. See address below.

The Small Press Department

Barnes & Noble

122 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10011


How to Submit YOUR MANUSCRIPT to Amazon Kindle

Go to the Amazon homepage footer and click on Kindle Direct Publishing. On this page there is a sign up button that launches to a series of forms for writers to complete.  Writer sets up an account, then creates and uploads their manuscript to the Kindle book store platform. Click on Get Started with Kindle content creation tools. This leads to a listing of what’s available. Kindle has an array of publishing tools that are FREE to end users. Whether the writer has a PC or Mac, Kindle provides downloadable applications (Mobi) that allow the user to upload their manuscripts from a Word or PDF file, manipulate it, add covers and even see how it will look in various types of Kindle Readers. These tools come with User Guides, making this process extremely user-friendly.

What Blackcurrant Can Provide for Writers

Here at Blackcurrant Press, we offer manuscript conversions too. Writers will receive completed files in one of the two digital standards, ePub and Mobi. Writers must supply their text files in WORD, PDF or InDesign and images in TIFF or JPEG formats and will receive a file that can be uploaded to Barnes & Noble’s Nook, or Amazon’s Kindle, iTunes, or any other on-line bookstore. Our price is $75 for this service. We offer this service for those who do not wish to convert their work themselves. You’re in luck! Click Here to submit your manuscript.

eBooks are all the Rage

With many bookstores closing and libraries in need of funding, ebooks have become more and more popular.   In some cases ebooks are the only way to publish books. There’s less overhead like with traditional publishing.  You don’t need a printer and materials, a brick and mortar store, a storage facility, physical distribution, or delivery. All electronic books require is a computer, creativity and a willingness to do the work.

Please leave a comment below.


<–Click Here for information on becoming an author.

 

 

 

 

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A Publisher’s Opinion on the Importance of a Good Book Cover

Here’s a Publisher’s opinion on the importance of a good book cover.  Imagine buying an expensive piece of jewelry, a ring perhaps or bracelet. Now, think about a special someone who will be the recipient of this gift. Now, place it in an ordinary box like the ones found at a grocery store.  Then wrap the box in a crumbled paper bag. Not a great way to present a fine present, right? In fact, this will not be well-received at all unless the objective is to throw the recipient off in guessing what’s inside. This is an analogy of what happens with book covers all too often. An author spends days, months, or even years crafting their novel, only to dress it in rags.  Unless the book is about rags, this technique is ill-advised.

What is the purpose of the book cover?

Book covers have quite a few sections all purposely designed in order to inform readers, merchants, and libraries about the content within. In other words, it is an informational device and marketing tool of significance.

The dust jacket (sometimes book jacket, dust wrapper or dust cover) of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations. This outer cover has folded flaps that hold it to the front and back book covers. Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a summary of the book from the publisher (known as a blurb), and/or critical praise from celebrities or authorities in the book’s subject area. In addition to its promotional role, the dust jacket protects the book covers from damage. However, since it is itself relatively fragile, and since dust jackets have practical, aesthetic, and sometimes financial value, the jacket may in turn be wrapped in another jacket, usually transparent, especially if the book is a library volume.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_jacket] See illustration below of a hard cover book template. Soft covers do not have back or front flaps.

Hard Copy Book Cover Template Sample
hard cover book template

The lists below the bold cover section titles in the illustration above are the items that are typically found within those sections. Of course, these items need not be present on all book covers, however, the title, author’s name, bar code, price and ISBN must be present on the cover. Without the bar code, merchants will not be able to sell the book because this code holds the basic information about the product, tracking for inventory and publisher and distributor identification.

Hard Copy Book Jacket Cover 

Poor-ducing Theatre book cover

Above cover is from writer, Carl Clay, a book about producing theater and film at Black Spectrum Theatre sold in the Shop.

What about the book cover picture?

This can be a very subjective area, like all art, not everyone likes the same thing. That is why there are impressionists, abstract artists, realists, etc. Therefore, one cover design or formula cannot please all audiences. However, there are basic rules cover makers should follow.

Art work should be sharp and presentable with a minimum of 300 dpi resolution. The easiest way to describe this is to say that when the picture is magnetized to 400 in a photo viewer, the picture should still look sharp and not fuzzy. In other words, only use high quality photos, pictures and illustrations. Printers will typically ask designers to adhere to these conditions and some will even demand cooperation because the finished product now attaches their name and reputation to the work.

In the post-war era, book covers have become vitally important as the book industry has become commercially competitive. Covers now give detailed hints about the style, genre and subject of the book, while many push design to its limit in the hope of attracting sales attention. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_cover]

What about the content on the cover?

The content on the cover should give readers some clues to the story within. Good covers simply echo the book title, for example, book title Walk in the Park might have a picture or illustration of a park. Great covers tell a story in and of themselves, for example, book title The Eclipse might have a moon partially covering the silhouette of a man carrying a weapon. Both of these examples aren’t based on actual books, but are given in order to spark imaginations.

Best to think of the book cover similarly the way movie trailers are perceived, as ways to engage an audience and entice them into coming to see the show. Anything less than that, is a waste of valuable space on one’s cover.

What tools are used to make book covers?

Software in this area has come a long way, not to mention access to such powerful tools. Printing presses used to be the standard method for creating books and covers. Authors would have to go to a printing company and pay them to have their books and covers done. However, now-a-days nearly every household contains a personal computer. Publishing capabilities are no longer just in the hands of printing presses, but are now in the hands of the consumer.

In the opinion of Blackcurrant Press, one of the best book publishing software applications available is InDesign. A designer can either upload a cover template or create their own in this application and build their cover. Unfortunately, learning the InDesign application may not come naturally to users who are only used to Microsoft Word. This application has a few more features and capabilities. Plus, the price tag for this application ranges from $900-$1,200+ depending on package variation. Of course, for those who do not wish to learn a new software or create their cover on their own, outsourcing is the way to go. Book cover designers are plentiful and most will work within their clients’ budget.

Another good book publishing software application is Quarkxpress. This software has been around a while and some designers may not be familiar with it at all. It’s not as user-friendly as InDesign, nor as integrated with other applications. However, with a little effort and ingenuity, this application is capable of doing most of the things that InDesign can with a smaller price tag of $850. Again, outsourcing book cover production is always an option.

A favorite, of course is PhotoShop, with a price tag of $240.  It has a great deal of capabilities like the others, though basically known for its photo altering tools.

Also, there are websites that allow users to create a cover for FREE!  Try Canva, or Kindle Direct Publishing, or Create Space, to name a few.

Conclusion

Below are some samples of great book covers.  Hopefully these will inspire budding authors to create their own works of art!

example of a good book cover

 

Notice the picture is clear and high resolution.  It is a photo of a street in Tuscany.  It has a quote on the cover as well as an award.

 

A Publisher's opinion of a good book cover

Notice the words ‘the woman’ appear as if they’re peaking through the window blinds.  It has a best seller honorable mention and a quote.

 

 

This book cover shows the important of a book cover

Notice the word ‘Me’ wrapped around the Empire State Building.  Also, the author’s title mentions another book of distinction.

 

 

This Publisher’s opinion on covers is to ask writers to take a look at books similar to theirs. The intention for this is to illustrate industry quality and standard.  It would be lovely to report that this technique always works. Unfortunately, some writers do not believe that book covers matter.  To them, we say, “Sometimes the old barn needs a little paint!”

If you’ve enjoyed this article, please leave a comment below.

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Typing vs. Writing – Which is Better?

Mike Tinnon
Photo by Mike Tinnon

Typing vs. Writing – Which is Better? To Type or Write Long-hand – that is the question when starting one’s novel.  Ultimately, it’s author’s choice and which ever feels the most comfortable.  It is such a personal choice that each have merit.  Some like the flow of the pen ink as it glides along a blank page.  While others prefer tapping away on their lap tops for hours on end.

At Blackcurrant, when typing prose, poetry, novels, short-stories, lyrics, etc. a computer – WINS!   Also, there is a mighty good reason to type when one writes!  When typing one page per day as author of a book, by year’s end, will be 365 pages complete.  This way an editor can receive the work in less than a two minute e-mail and start refining one’s work into a masterpiece.  A writer can quickly become a published author!

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Now, if you prefer writing your pages out in long-hand, eventually those pages will have to be typed because most editors and publishers require it to be so.  Depending on how fast you type or how much money you have to pay someone else to type for you, will determine how long it will take to get your pages out to your editor.  At Blackcurrant, we’ve had many writers in this situation, and some of them weren’t typist and had very little money to hire one.

 

 



I wrote my first novel, Smart, Sexy, Spiritual, Strong  in long-hand.  I feel as if I’m still writing it because I had so many re-writes to do prior to publication.  It took me five years to finish this novel because I couldn’t make changes easily.  My advice, don’t waste time – type!

USING PAPER?  Save the Planet Along the Way

I use my scrap paper on both sides.  I simply pick it up off the floor (chuckle…chuckle) and put it into my printer face down.  This accomplishes three things:

1) If it is face down, I don’t have to look at the horrible draft I’ve just finished

2) I’m saving the planet, and

3) I’m saving up in case this whole writing thing doesn’t pay off!! (chuckle…chuckle)           

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” —Thomas Jefferson