What I've learned from self-publishing so far

[Cathbad]

For #2, I've found you have to add a blank line between paragraphs.

 

[E.Maree]

Just caught up with this thread. Love the candid discussion of Amazon mechanics, and Gathering's pre-order page is looking loooovely! The very best of luck, Brian, I'm sure it's going to sell like gangbusters.

 

[Nick B]

We recently had a paperback ordered via expanded distribution. Most likely an online retailer, and, more than likely one of the sellers who advertise on Amazon.

CS paperback royalties are quite good generally speaking. Expanded distribution isn't. We get 9 pence . Luckily, I am more interested in readers than royalties.

 

[Montero]

Expanded distribution?

 

[Cathbad]

We get 9 pence . Luckily, I am more interested in readers than royalties.

That was probably a library.

 

[Nick B]

Bookshops, other online retailers, libraries, schools and stuff, they can order from CS as well.

 

[Nick B]

That was probably a library.

I hope so, I'd like to think Liberator is making it into libraries!

 

[Brian G Turner]

CS paperback royalties are quite good generally speaking. Expanded distribution isn't.

In the long-term I'd rather get a hybrid deal with a traditional publisher to put my book in shops, than go through Expanded Distribution via Createspace and end up with a deal I really didn't like.

 

[Nick B]

I didn't expect any sales through expanded dist to be honest. So any sales are good, its all about building a readership at the moment, I really don't care about the royalties. I've made enough to pay for the next books editing, so all good from here on in.

 

[Cathbad]

Using Expanded Distribution, you can, btw, select "Libraries and Academic Institutions" only.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Interesting - apparently it takes up to 30 days for paperbacks through Createspace to be listed on Amazon.ca.

 

[Ronald T.]

Thanks, Brian. A very helpful thread. We need all the information we can get. Well done.