Creating A Novel

I've written a lot of non-fiction books on #fiction writing, self-publishing, book marketing and Author business. I recently concluded that if I write any more of these books, It'll be a copy-and-paste operation and rewriting stuff I already wrote. In other words, they won't be anything original in the text and there won't be any creativity involved in the writing. It'll be sheer boredom.

That lead to my decision to stop writing books and instead create videos on the wealth of expertise I've accumulated since I started writing in the last century.

To that end, I've launched a new Youtube channel that will be dedicated to videos on fiction writing, self-publishing, book marketing and author business. Possibly some other topics will pop up in the future. There might even be a podcast launching there. The new channel and my website will complement each other so that I can create videos and articles on the same subject simultaneously.

The name of the new channel is Creating A Novel. I chose this name because creating a novel (or a book) involves all the topics mentioned above and it truly is a business venture.

The URL of the channel is http://www.youtube.com/@CreatingANovel-n9i and my website is hankquense.online.

Right now the channel has only a few videos,Intor but that will be change in the next few weeks.

Why not visit the site and subscribe?

Self-publishing: Packagers and ISBNs: Total confusion!

I've been self-publishing my books for over a dozen years. One of the most perplexing aspects for a first-time self-publishing author is packagers and whether or not an ISBN is required. Much confusion can ensue.

So let's look at an example to perhaps un-confuse this issue. Let's say I have a new book that I want to publish in both print and ebook editions with maximum distribution. In this case, I'd use two packagers for the print book and two packagers for the ebook.

For the ebook version, I’d use Kindle and Draft2Digital (D2D) for distribution. Why two? Kindle distributes the ebook thoughout the Amazon universe, so it will show up on Amazon sites in the UK, other European sites, Brazil, India, Japan and a few other sites. However, Kindle will not distribute the ebook to sites outside of Amazon. D2D will distribute the book to many non-Amazon sites includijng Barnes and Noble, Kobo and library sites such as Overdrive and Hoopla. Using these two distributors will ensure the book receives maximum exposure even thought most of the sales will come from Amazon sites.

As to ISBNs: Amazon says it doesn’t require one since the ebook will never be distrubuted outside of the Amazon universe. WIth D2D, you need an ISBN and D2D will give you a free one if you wish. Or you can buy one from Bowker.com for $129 (think monopoly pricing at work here. This only applies of you live in the USA). What’s the difference? The free ISBN from D2D belongs to D2D and says D2D is the publisher. If you want the ISBN to list you as the publisher, you’ll have to buy one from Bower.

For print books, I’d use Kindle and IngramSpark (IS) as distributors. Why two? Amazon will distribute print books outside the Amazon universe and the book will show up (eventually) at sites like Barnes and Noble, but on their websites, not in the book stores. Book stores will not stock Amazon books because 1. Amazon would love to drive them out business, and 2. Kindle will not allow book returns. Book stores will, however, order a book from Kindle if you go to the store and request it.

As to ISBNs, Kindle will give you a free ISBN if you request it. Once againe the freebie will list Kindle as the publisher. Or you can buy one from Bowker

To get my print book in book stores, I’d have to use IngramSpark as a distributor. With IS, you have to provide your own ISBN and a different ISBN from the ebook ISBN. A free print ISBN from Kindle will most likely be rejected by IS who will demand a different ISBN. (Be warned, IS is a user-unfriendly website.) Once available through IS, book stores will have no problem ordering your book to put on their shelves.

To summarze: using these four distributors will require at least one ISBN (for IS) and possible two (one for ebooks and one for print book). To expand on this possible confusing situation, if you provide the ISBNs, the ISBNs belong to you, not to the distributor and you can use the ebook ISBN for any number of ebook distributors. Similarly, you can use the print ISBN for any number of print distributors.

I used a spreadsheet program to summarize the ISBN requirements.

Beginner's Guide Overview

Earlier in the year, I ran two Fiction Writing Workshops in a local community center.  I sat a table with the attendees and talked about writing fiction.  They listened, took notes, asked questions and  made comments.  This went on for six weeks.  During these sessions, I observed how much difficulty the writers had in creating characters and developing a plot.  Both of these activities are tough for seasoned fiction writers and almost impossible for the newbies based on my talk and templates I handed out. I recognized these beginners need more than a template: they needed examples and guidance.  That was the origins of my Beginner's Guides series.

The first two address the problems identified above.  They are:

• Beginner's Guide To Creating Genuine Characters

• Beginner's Guide To Developing A Plot 

While creating these two, it occurred to me that first-time authors would encounter similar problems.  Once they finish writing the book, they face the daunting project of getting it published.   Recent developments in publish have resulted in several ways to accomplish this where once there was only a single way. Hence, more confusing for the prospective author.

Once that task was underway, the author came face to face with book marketing.  Book marketing offers the inexperienced author amazing new opportunities to waste money.

These thoughts led to two more Beginner's Guides:

• Beginner's Guide To Publishing A Book

• Beginner's Guide to Basic Book Marketing

The first book in the series will be available on September 15, 2024 and the others will be released one month apart until the last one in December, 2024.

Meanwhile, there is a possibility that the Beginner's Guides series may expand with a fifth book. 

Someday.