Ronald Reagan’s Daughter Self Publishes
Getting published by a traditional publishing house these days is tough. Ask any writer about their publishing experience and you’ll hear a variety stories with poor results. The process can induce nerves and anxiety, even for those who have a thick skin. But when you think about celebrities and the famous people of the world, it’s hard to imagine them on the receiving end of a rejection letter from a publishing house. After all, they’re popular. Don’t people want to read about them? That’s what we thought. But yesterday we learned about Patti Davis, Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s daughter, who struggled to find approval with her latest book. Although she sings her literary agents praises in interviews, she says she was unable to get a book deal for her latest book Til Human Voices Wake Us. This fictional piece focuses on a mother who falls in love with her sister-in-law while mourning the loss of her husband.
But this wasn’t Patti Davis’ first literary rodeo. She penned her first book Home Front back in 1986. Unfortunately, it was not well received. This was rumored to have been caused by her families’ political involvement. Since then she has written 8 more books. Her struggle with publishing Til Human Voices Wake Us was the motivating factor behind self publishing. “With each of my traditionally published books”, says Patti, “I felt like I was dropping off my child in a strange city, in the senseless murder district, with, ‘Hope you make it’”. Sadly, many authors are familiar with this feeling.
BookRix was created to give writers a platform to publish and distribute their work while having a sense of control. Self publishing also eliminates the waiting game many encounter with traditional publishing houses. Getting your book out there shouldn’t be that hard. And when people, even famous people, are taking control of their book, it’s really encouraging.
“There is now a boundary line in my career separating being conventionally published and self published”, Patti says. “And I’m very much at peace on this side of that boundary line.”
Good for you, Patti. Your determination is commendable!
Blurb:
Willie North is a successful, hardworking pig farmer, known all around Muddy Fork as a kind man and a good neighbor. However, due to his weight and looks, Willie couldn’t attract a woman, no matter how hard he tried. He was the only single man in Muddy Fork, so in an act of desperation, he pays $1000 for a mail order bride. When word spreads, the whole of Muddy Fork is at the train station to greet her. Will she turn out just as he imagined, or will he end up with a broken heart? A Muddy Fork Short Story.
How to add your self-published eBook to Goodreads AND enable Kobo book reviews
For those of you who don’t already know, Goodreads is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Their mission is to help people find and share books they love. Basically, they are making reading more social and it’s working! If you’re an author who sells your books through Kobo, you’ll know just how important Goodreads is. At the moment, only people with Goodreads accounts can leave a book review at Kobo. You have to sign-in to your Goodreads account, search for the book, add it to one of your bookshelves (read, to read, currently reading), give it a star rating and then, if you want, leave a personal review about the book. This review will then automatically show up on the book’s Kobo page.
For indie authors, reviews can make or break the success of a book. Most readers find new books through word of mouth or recommendations from a friend. The great thing about Goodreads is that your friends can share their reviews and recommendations with you, or you can visit their profile to see what books they’re reading or read (and enjoyed) in the past. BookRix is similar, we add books to our favorites and add our reviews to the book info pages – then our friends can see what we think about other books on the site. Leaving a book review on BookRix is easy because all the free eBooks are already available on the site, and the self-published eBooks have accessible shop links. However, more often than not, indie books won’t be found in the Goodreads search. If a reader can’t find your book to leave a review, then other Kobo readers won’t know if anyone likes or dislikes your book. Without a review to read, they might not buy your book.
The simple thing to do is add your book to the Goodreads library. To add your book manually, here is what you do. You can visit the Goodreads Home Page, then click on the Find and add books to your shelves button which will take you to the search page. Then simply click on the Manually Add a Book button on the top right. Next, you just need to input your book info.
Here’s what you need:
1. Title and author name (*If your book is part of a series, you should add “Part One” or “Part Two” to the end of the title to alert the reader.)
2. ISBN (If you don’t know this, you can find it on the Imprint page of your BookRix book, you can also usually find it on Amazon – if not, contact our support and we’ll help you.)
3. Publisher (BookRix GmbH & Co. KG)
4. Date published (Again, if you’re not sure of the exact date, you can find it on Amazon, or on the imprint page of your BookRix book.)
5. Number of pages (If your book is a short story, just leave this part blank.)
6. Format (In this case, you would always select eBook.)
7. Edition (You only enter information here if you have published more than one edition.)
8. Description or Blurb (Just copy and paste it!)
9. Edition Language
10. Cover image (This is so important – it’s on the top right hand side and allows you to upload a jpeg from your computer. Don’t skip this step or your book won’t have a cover and we all know how important that is for potential readers.)
There is one more thing that you should know about Goodreads – it was just bought by Amazon. That’s one more major reason why your eBook should be in their library. Just because you’re an indie author, doesn’t mean you should be left behind!
*Don’t forget to sign up for the Goodreads Author Program – then you’ll be able to create a personalized profile page and promote your books.
New Adult ebooks: The next big thing in Indie Publishing!
A new book category for YA lovers who want
their books to grow-up just like they have.
Easy by Tammara Webber - One of the first New Adult bestsellers
If you’ve grown up reading Young Adult books (YA) and you just can’t say goodbye to them, well, this is your ticket. Hold on to your youth for as long as you can. New Adult Fiction is the up-and-coming genre for eBooks – They still have the intense emotions and irrational behavior of YA Fiction, but with the serious responsibility, freedom, and romantic inclinations of an adult.
These are the coming-of-age books for people who have just discovered they’re no longer teenagers. The characters have moved away from home, maybe to go to University or to live on their own. They’re finally free of the ever watchful eyes of parents and guardians. Not only are they finding out what it means to be an adult, they are also learning how to handle so much freedom. They have complete control over their own decisions and can suddenly do whatever they want. This reminds me of the great quote: “With great power there must also come great responsibility.” (Fact of the day: You all probably heard that from Stan Lee (via Spiderman) but it actually originated from Voltaire.)
If you’re like me (and half the readers out there) you’re always going to love reading YA literature. However, you might also be starting to suspect that you’re getting too old for teen angst. New Adult literature is our saving grace. We can still read about young people falling in love, and watch the dramatic changes of a character who is gaining life experiences while leaving childhood behind, but we won’t be embarrassed to answer the simple question: What are you reading?
Check out USA Today’s Bestseller list – the Number One spot is currently being held by Jamie McGuire’s Walking Disaster. New Adult writer Carrie Butler says, “The e-book revolution pushed (New Adult) into the readers’ hands.” Readers were looking for books that bridged the gap between YA and Adult fiction. Of course, there is an element of sex in these books, but it isn’t the most important aspect, it’s more about self-discovery, the ups and downs of young love, and a happy-for-now-ending. It’s real and we want to read it.
While BookRix doesn’t yet have a genre for New Adult books, we’re suggesting that authors use it in their keywords. Discuss this new phenomena with our online community of writers, or search for free eBooks with New Adult content. Watch out, or you’ll be hooked! Not that being hooked would be a bad thing… You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t already ADDICTED TO READING.
Here are some great BookRix eBooks that could be marked as “New Adult” if it were an official category:
Evol by Jess Wygle
Heroes & Hearts by Noemi Betancourt
Why eBooks Rock
From the 90’s alone, we’ve had so many technological advancements. The capabilities of computers are beyond comprehension (to me at least). We’ve got smartphones, MP3 players, satellite HDTV, lazer printers, – it’s really incredible how far our generation has come. Another item worth noting is the eBook. What is it about this downloadable file that makes us giddy with excitement? Well, let’s list a few, shall we?
1. Instant gratification: We all have that gimmie gimmie, I need, I need personality trait within us (at least according to Freud). And 9 times out of 10, we can’t satisfy it. For example, if I’m lusting after a pair of shoes online, I’m left with two choices: find a store and pray they have my size or place an order online and wait for them to arrive. So few things can be obtained instantly, yet buying an eBook is just that simple. Click, purchase, download, read. Voila!
2. Versatility: Like many people, I like options. When you purchase an eBook, you can read on your eReader, your computer desktop or notebook, PDA, or your smartphone.
3. Cost effective: I’m fine with dropping money on a good book. But let’s get real here – a bargain is a bargain. And it’s no secret that eBooks generally range from $0.99 – $10, whereas a paperback can cost upwards of $10 – $15. A penny saved is a penny earned.
4. Durability: Have you ever loaned a book to a friend, only to have it returned far from its original condition? We all have. And it sucks. With eBooks, not only do you not have to lend them out, but you no longer need to worry about fading ink, torn pages or general wear. It’s in perfect condition each and every time you open it.
5. Noteworthy: Sometimes when you’re reading you come across a thought or passage that’s worth remembering. When you have a paperback you can either mark up the book (how dare you!) or grab a tablet and jot it down. Ebooks make this process a breeze, as you can leave notes without fudging up your book.
6. Insta-dictionary: We’ve all come across a word while reading that made us scratch our head. Some of us look at the sentence, see how the word is used, weigh in the context and try to mentally define it. I know I’ve done this many times, and many times my mental definition has been inaccurate. Luckily eBooks take the guessing out of the game by allowing you to highlight the word and obtain a definition within seconds.
7. Save the trees: I can’t get on my high horse about this one because I use paper towels in complete excess. BUT, with that in mind, I feel like by purchasing an eBook, I’m making up for my wastefulness. And honestly, every little bit helps. I recently read that one digital eBook can be distributed to one million readers and save 300,000,000 paper pages. That’s something to think about.
8. Authors have more control: When writers publish their work as an eBook, they have full control of their sales. All their numbers and stats are easily accessible and up to date. This can result in better marketing strategies by targeting specific consumers.
9. Feedback is Key: When an author posts their eBook online, readers are encouraged to leave comments and feedback which often times eliminates mistakes and helps improve the authors accuracy level.
10. Don’t Take ‘No’ For An Answer: Gone were the days when writers submitted their work to large publishing houses only to be dismissed and sent back to the drawing board. Take control and go digital. If you know you’ve got talent and you’re confident in your work – publish it as an eBook and let the world decide for themselves!
Obviously at BookRix we’re all huge eBook fans. I know I might sound biased since I work here, but truthfully, they really are the cats pajamas. When I went to Kauai last July, I was thrilled that my Kindle took up so little space in my purse. When traveling, you often have to decide which books you’re going to take so that you have ample clothing space in your luggage. Not having to decide which books made the cut felt amazing. I was able to take my entire library with me, cause lets be honest – when you’re laying in the sun on a beautiful beach your taste in reading material might not be what it was when you packed. Jump on the eBook bandwagon with me if you haven’t already. I’m confident your heart will always hold a special place for paperbacks (mine does too), but I’m just as confident you’ll be thankful you took the eReader plunge with the rest of the world. And while you’re exploring your new found reading freedom, check out my recommendation for today. Warning: It’s a tear jerker. So have some Kleenex handy.
A teddy bear relives the memories of his previous owner
Who Reads eBooks and How It Affects YOU
When you’re thinking about marketing your book, you should know more about your consumer and how many people out there are actually reading eBooks. To determine how publishers and authors are going to adapt to this digitally savvy target group, Random House wrote an article that puts the e-book reader under the microscope. Some very interesting facts were revealed, for example, women are reading 10-20% more than men. For eBooks, 63% of readers are women. Hmm, could that possibly be the reason why Danielle Steel and E. L. James are enjoying long weekends at their vacation homes in the tropics? Kind of makes you want to add a little romance into your novel, doesn’t it? Honestly, that wouldn’t be a bad move. Thinking about real life hormones, does anyone really get through any event in their life without libido getting in the way somehow? So why wouldn’t your zombie novel have at least two characters becoming romantically involved in the midst of the blood and gore of the apocalypse? A little chemistry goes a long way.
What does this mean for authors?
Well, it means that developing your presence and building buzz across a wide range of online platforms where eBook consumers can be reached (including your website, blog, social networks, and reading-focused sites) will become increasingly important as eBook and eReading device adoption continues to grow. -Random House
Random House also shared that 60% of eBook readers are under 45 years of age, 66% of eBook readers have a degree, people who read eBooks have a higher income than those that read print books, eBook readers spend less on each book they purchase, and the most popular genre is Mystery & Suspense. Don’t get discouraged if you’re writing a Science Fiction novel about an elderly man who doesn’t have words in his vocabulary that exceed three-syllables. There is still a market out there for you, it just might be a little smaller. And don’t forget – the statistics surrounding most popular genre are constantly in flux due to ever-changing trends. When Fifty Shades of Grey came out, the popularity of Erotica went through the roof. And although vampires have always been represented in literature, Twilight brought them back to the front lines of fashion and style – basically they’re hot-hot-hot.
The good news is that over 20% of American adults have read an eBook (and this number just continues to grow), and people who own eReaders are 56% more likely to get their reading recommendations from online bookstores and other related websites. (Great news for the wonderfully online and book related community that is BookRix!) And now, the point of this entire blog: What does this mean for the author? I’m going to leave it up to Random House, because they have the perfect answer: “It means that developing your presence and building buzz across a wide range of online platforms where eBook consumers can be reached (including your website, blog, social networks, and reading-focused sites) will become increasingly important as eBook and eReading device adoption continues to grow.” – Mina Park, Senior Analyst, Consumer Insights (Click HERE to see entire article)
Self-Publishing: Why BookRix is Boss
At BookRix, we make it our goal to bring you publishing services that are accessible and affordable for everyone. In order to do that, we made publishing at BookRix completely free. With BookRix, there will never be any hidden fees. All other areas of our community are also free and always will be.
As you’ve probably heard us say before, our aim is to revolutionize the self-published author’s experience. Our passion for this is apparent in the pricing of our publishing packages (FREE)! We like to carry this passion on to your royalties. That is why you will receive 55% royalties on all of your books sold from BookRix, and 43% royalties on your books sold externally. Wondering why BookRix has to keep some? Well, almost 90% of the BookRix share goes to distribution costs for partners, technicians and external promotions. Basically the amount that is taken is used to sustain Bookrix as a company.
During the selling process you will be able to see how much you will be getting paid. Your royalties are paid out to you every quarter if you meet the minimum payout requirement of 25 euros. Once you have made that amount in sales (royalties) from your books, BookRix will transfer your funds quarterly to your already set up PayPal or Click&Buy account. Payout of your royalties is every 12 weeks. This means, for example, that you will get paid for your 1st quarter and the end of your 2nd quarter at the same time.*
Why authors are choosing BookRix:
1. It’s Free.
2. At BookRix, what’s yours is yours. This means that you always own the copyrights to your book. When you upload your book to our site or sell your book through us, you only give us the right to host your content. Nothing more, nothing less. If you ever decide to remove your content from our site, we won’t be able to show it or have access to it.
3. Our Community. Not only can you publish your book with BookRix, you can also get help along the way. The BookRix community is there to read your book and give you feedback (be it critical or praising), supporting your goals as an author. The community will help you design a book cover, edit your book, help you learn from your mistakes and pat you on the back when you’re finally finished. They’ll also be there to discuss the news of the day over a virtual cup of coffee.
4. BookRix helps authors get their published books to the eBook market. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, Kobo and the Apple iBookstore are today’s major resources for eBooks and that’s exactly where we’ll send your book! The more exposure your book gets, the more chances it will have to sell. Currently, if you use Smashwords (another self-publishing service), your book can only enter Amazon (the largest of the online bookstores) if you have already made $1000 with your book. Even then, your book will only be considered for Amazon.
5. The BookRix Team. We want to help make your book the best it can be. We want millions of people to read and love your book. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we created the “Publishing Tips & Tricks” series; to help authors learn more about successful publishing and marketing. We’re here to help and it won’t take us 10 days to answer you (like it does at other sites). We will do our best to respond within 24 hours and are always happy to answer any questions you might have.
Choosing where and when to publish your book is a big step for any author, so BookRix is here to help make your decision that much easier.
*Tip: If you ever what to see how your sales are doing, when you get paid out, what books you have purchased/sold, etc. you can click on “Home”, “Profile settings” and “My Transactions”. From here you can look into “Book purchases”, your own “Sales statistics” and “Selling expenses and Contracts”.
