eBook 101

I have been working with several authors on their eBooks of late. eBooks are currently a flourishing market which many writers and web marketers are keen to capitalise on.

For those of you considering writing an eBook, or indeed any short non-fiction book that is easy to market on the web, you may be wondering some of the following:

What is an eBook?

How long is the average eBook?

Where can I market and sell my eBook?

There is no exact definition of an eBook that fits all types, but generally it is shorter than a traditionally published book and may only be available in digital format for example a pdf or txt file.

Wikipedia defines it as:

“a text-and image-based publication in digital form produced on, published by, and readable on computers or other digital devices." Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as "an electronic version of a printed book," but e-books can and do exist without any printed equivalent. E-books are usually read on dedicated hardware devices known as e-book reader, e-readers or e-book devices. Personal computers and some cell phones can also be used to read e-books.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBook

I have collaborated on, edited and produced eBooks for several clients including:

Grow into Success – an eBook on personal development for teens by a young UK author – Sarah Sophia Harfleet (76,500 words)

Various eBooks with Joe Price – a consultant and training coach for Intentional Achievements LLC, including sterling advice about finding your purpose in life, laying the correct foundations for achievement and developing your personal vision. (Books range in length from 15k samples to 45-50k full eBooks.) http://www.intentionalachievements.com

The eBook Guide to Seduction - editing for American author  - Shawn Adkins (15,888 words)

Get to Grips with Social Media – editing for Steve Nicholls to polish his eBook on social networks for policy makers and managers – UK market (15,500 words)

A Global History of the Menopause –a personal development eBook as part of a set produced in collaboration with We Wise Women (Linda Krick and Trypheyna Mc Shane) (20,000 words)

As you can see from this short sample of books, the length varies considerably from book to book. The authors may simply not wish to write longer content or the subject matter may lend itself to a shorter, pithier commentary on a subject. Since it may be made available to download from a personal website, any length is acceptable depending on the readership you are aiming at – for instance, do busy CEO’s want a longwinded read or a brilliant bullet-pointed condensed summary? Do teenagers want a book that covers every aspect of their concerns and plenty of action points and web-links for further information? Only you can decide.

You can market and sell eBooks almost anywhere these days – Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones all sell them, but there are also specialist websites like www.ebooks.com  www.booksonboard.com   www.lulu.com   www.ebookmall.com  and www.e-bestsellers.com

Many people choose to supply eBooks as free downloadable content from their personal web or blogsites, especially to capitalise on their tempt factor. Some eBooks have successfully boosted their author’s Google rankings, especially those on IT and social media related topics that have been advertised well with viral marketing.

Even if you are not aiming for a big hit with your eBook, it still pays to spend some time on the content, images, web links, design and layout so that your readers will get the increased satisfaction only an eBook can provide.

For more on marketing and promoting eBooks, watch this space...