Amazon also offers a bewildering array of tools and services to help authors publish and market their books. Amazon is also the largest online retailer of books and media products.
We list below all the Amazon publishing-related services along with links and descriptions.
Reading Kindle Formatted eBooks
You do not need a Kindle to read Kindle books. You can read Kindle eBooks on a PC, Mac, the iPad, Android tablets, iPhone, Android phones and other devices like certain Blackberry models. Click here for information about the free reading apps.
Kindle Direct Publishing
Format your book for Kindle, monitor sales, learn from the Kindle Community Forums.
This where you will:
- Add books to your bookshelf: descriptions, pricing, your cover; and upload the actual book
- View reports
- Tell Amazon how you want to get paid
- Research the message boards (help from fellow publishers), contact support, locate reference and how-to materials
Creating a Kindle Book
Are you a skilled user of Word, good at converting files to different formats, or can you follow detailed how-to instructions? You shouldn’t have a problem. Even better if you have some HTML knowledge.
CreateSpace
Create professional looking books (CDs and DVDs too) as they sell. Also known as POD, or Print on Demand.
Even if you never use CreateSpace to print your book the self-help articles and resources are a wealth of information for any publisher. In fact, begin reading some of the articles while writing your book.
Services
- Production/preparation: costs range from “free” to full service, including editing, cover design and distribution.
- Printing: per copy charges vary depending on the production package you choose. They have an online pricing calculator.
- Marketing services: press release writing and distribution, review submissions and marketing materials.
- $69 to convert your book to the Kindle format
Community
Like a writing group you can submit your cover or elements of your work for comments from your peers.
Amazon AuthorCentral
Promote yourself and your books, access sales information and receive author-trained support.
AuthorCentral is a free tool to promote you, the author. People find it by clicking your name (next to the title of your book) or when they search for your name.
Even if you have only one book your author information page is important. People enjoy learning about the author; it helps them form a connection.
What you can include:
- Your photos
- Biography
- Bibliography
- Videos
- An RSS feed from your blog
- Calendar of events
- Twitter feed
Other benefits:
- Track your sales (via BookScan)
- Track reviews of your books
- Edit details about your books
Kindle Publishing for Blogs
Publish your blog posts as a paid subscription—anyone with a Kindle or Kindle reading software can subscribe.
A simple, free way to generate income and create greater awareness for your blog.
Getting Started
- An active blog
- An RSS feed
- There are no charges to you
Being Successful
- As with any publishing activity it comes down to demand for your information. Inside information, key insights or scarce information helps. Frequency of publishing can also be a factor.
- Look at other blogs in your category before you begin. Can you add something new or compelling?
Amazon Associates
Add products from Amazon (like your book) to your website and receive a commission when someone buys them.
Why Participate
- Offer your own book(s) for sale, recommend other books or sell related merchandise. When you refer a visitor to Amazon.com and they buy something during their visit you receive a commission on the sale.
- Even if visitors don’t buy what you feature on your website you’ll receive a commission if someone buys something during their visit.
- A key side benefit is that you can view reports on what people are clicking on.
- There is no cost to participate and you have no operational or customer support responsibilities once it is set up.
This is one of Amazon’s oldest and best-known programs. Due to changing tax laws it is not available in all 50 states so check your state before beginning.
Amazon Advantage
Amazon will “stock” your book (or music, movie) on a consignment basis.
Your Book on Amazon’s Bookshelf
Think of this arrangement as selling your book to a bookstore. For example, you might sell the bookstore your book at a 50% discount off the cover price, ship them the books and accept any returns.
- With Advantage you pay an annual fee of $29.95 and receive 45% of the list price of your book.
- It is for physical inventory only.
- Amazon emails you when they need books to fulfill orders.
- The seller is listed as Amazon.
- This is easy to manage and arguably gives your business a higher profile than when you sell it as a third-party seller.
Getting Started
- Products must be new (not used)
- You need a bank account, a valid ISBN, UPC or EAN, and the product must have a scannable barcode linked to the ISBN, UPC or EAN.
Shelfari
Shelfari is a “social reading” website where readers connect with other readers to share their interest in books. Within this global community of readers you use tools and features to discuss, find and experience new books and gain insights from other readers, authors and publishers.
- Create your own virtual bookshelf and share it with friends, and the world.
- Discover new books that trusted friends are enjoying.
- Rate and discuss books.
It is essentially an online reading group but with the benefit of finding passionate readers for any topic.
