At Author Fest, I went to a seminar titled “Unscripted Nonfiction.” The talk was given by Brian Schwartz, creator of the 50 Interviews series. What struck me most during his talk was the idea of setting up and selling ebooks on Amazon (and other ebook sellers). I’ve heard this before but what caught me was the idea of selling short stories. Yes, short stories! He recommended a price of 99 cents. What a great way to get your work out there. You can also do mini-books or single interviews.
To get started, visit dtp.amazon.com. Mr. Schwartz suggesting formatting for ebooks while you are still writing, instead of as an afterthought. He said that DTP (Kindle) is easier to start with as it is more complex. From there, converting it to EPUB (Nook, iPad and others) is easy.
I checked out the Amazon site and it looks fairly user friendly. I would suggest that you include cover art. If you don’t know any artists, then get out your digital camera and get to work. Generally, I don’t download anything from the Kindle store that doesn’t have cover art. I know, we are getting back to the I’m-judgmental-because-I-judge-materials-based-on-how-they-look. I do think that you generally can judge a book by its cover, or at least a shitty one. If the author couldn’t bother to upload a photo, the story isn’t likely of very good quality. Now I may be wrong in this but it is my opinion as a consumer. I know other people who think likewise.
Ok, enough ranting. I think I’ve narrowed my MFA list down to five schools. Right now I’m looking at: University of Notre Dame, University of Iowa, Ohio State University, University of South Carolina, and Colorado State University. I’ve been working with a mentor – I think I mentioned her before – she suggested that I apply to at least three schools. I need to have a reach school, a target school, and a safe school. I like that idea. CSU is kind of my safe school but also a target school. They have an MA in nonfiction which means I could go from that program to an MFA or a Ph.D. I’ve scheduled my GRE for 11/26. I plan on preparing but I’m not stressed about it. All I can do is the best I can do lol.
Reposted from my website: The Writerly Habit
Blog? Do you have one? So put it on Kindle with a monthly subscription fee and monetize it! Here is the coveted link for how to launch Kindle Publishing For Blogs: https://kindlepublishing.amazon.com/ Want More HOW TO LINKS? Make sure to read my e-book for MORE: "U-PUB" How To Create and Publish e-Books for KINDLE,iPAD, Nook, Kob and PLUS!
Brandi, the capability of publishing shorts has been available for a while now on Smashwords run by Mark Coker. Works uploaded to Smashwords get formatted for all reading apps, incl. Kindle, iBook, Sony, and Nook. It's basically (as with Kindle/Amazon) a matter of being able to follow directions accurately. You can check out my book there to see the variety of options. Works are available directly thru Smashwords or through the retailers of the above devices.
Hi C.D. Thanks for the blog publishing link. I've already got my site submitted. I'm checking out the trial version of your book now.
Thanks Susan. I went to the Smashwords site and it looks great. I'll have to try it out. :)
http:/ / www.e-junkie.com/ bcdmmedia/ product/ 69236.php
Blog? Do you have one? So put it on Kindle with a monthly subscription fee and monetize it! Here is the coveted link for how to launch Kindle Publishing For Blogs: / kindlepublishing.amazon.com/ Want More HOW TO LINKS? Make sure to read my e-book for MORE: "U-PUB" How To Create and Publish e-Books for KINDLE,iPAD, Nook, Kob and PLUS!
https:/
http:/ / www.e-junkie.com/ bcdmmedia/ product/ 69236.php
Brandi, the capability of publishing shorts has been available for a while now on Smashwords run by Mark Coker. Works uploaded to Smashwords get formatted for all reading apps, incl. Kindle, iBook, Sony, and Nook. It's basically (as with Kindle/Amazon) a matter of being able to follow directions accurately. You can check out my book there to see the variety of options. Works are available directly thru Smashwords or through the retailers of the above devices.
Best wishes in continuing your studies!