Self-publishing in today’s digital age comes with a lot of online elements. From creating cover art to eBook formatting, many tasks need to be done digitally to get your manuscript published. These terms and services can get confusing quickly, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. At EABooks Publishing, we are here to take the stress and worry out of self-publishing. Our experienced team of publishing professionals can help you learn how to become a self-published author and get your manuscript from polished to published. Here are some tech terms you should be familiar with when self-publishing your book.
Ebook
EBook simply stands for “electronic book.” Any book published digitally is an eBook. EBooks are formatted explicitly for online consumption through apps like Kindle, e-readers like NOOK, and smart devices like tablets and phones. We don’t use a program to create your eBook instantly; rather, we format it to the highest industry standards page by page.
EPUB
EPUB stands for “electronic publication” and is the standard eBook file format. EPUB files are used for any book intended to be consumed digitally. This file type allows for adaptable text and images that can be modified for different screen sizes. This makes your story accessible to all online readers, regardless of which device they use. We will convert your eBook file to EPub plus many others.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Kindle Direct Publishing is Amazon’s self-publishing platform and is one of the most popular ways to self-publish a print or eBook. Amazon acts as the book distributor and takes a percentage of your book sales in return. If you were to click Make My Book an eBook on your print book file on KDP, they will use a program to do this, but your book will only be available on Amazon and, in our opinion, not be of the highest caliber.
ASIN
ASIN stands for “Amazon Standard Identification Number.” It’s for authors who publish their books through Kindle Direct Publishing. If you want to distribute your book on Amazon, you will need an ASIN. For most books distributed online and in print, you’ll need an ISBN, which is not the same. With EABooks, we will handle this for you.
ISBN
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric book identifier. A different ISBN is assigned to each separate edition and publication variation but not a simple reprinting of an existing item. For example, an e-book, a paperback, and a hardcover edition of the same book must have a different ISBN, but an unchanged reprint keeps the same ISBN. We handle the purchase and assignment of your ISBNs.
LCCN
The Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is a serially based system of numbering cataloged records in the Library of Congress in the United States. The LCCN numbering system has been used since 1898, when the acronym LCCN originally stood for Library of Congress Card Number. Librarians all over the world use this unique identifier in the process of cataloging most books that have been published in the United States. It helps them reach the correct cataloging data, which the Library of Congress and third parties make available on the Web and other media. We will handle the registering of your LCCN.
Print On Demand
We cover Print-on-demand (POD) services in depth here. Print-on-demand is a cost-effective way to publish and distribute your book. With print-on-demand services, books are only printed and shipped once a customer purchases a copy of the book. This allows you to print your book in smaller quantities, significantly reducing upfront printing costs. This allows EBooks to keep our costs low for publishing services.
Digital Rights Management
When learning how to become a self-published author, how to protect your work is just as important as how to publish it. Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is a technology service that protects eBooks and other content from piracy or illegal distribution. DRM services work by restricting the replication and duplication of your book. For instance, you can set your DRM to limit the number of times an electronic file can be copied, downloaded, or duplicated from a single purchase. It can also restrict how many devices can access the content after an initial purchase. We use DRM on our books.
E-Retailer
Any online product seller is an e-retailer. Some of the most popular e-retailers for print and digital books are Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Apple Books. E-retailers get their books from various distributors, like traditional publishers, self-publishing services, and wholesalers. Ask for a list of our 140 distribution partners.
Metadata Optimization
Metadata is standard information about your book that can be found online. It includes the title, author name, a brief synopsis, release date, genre, and other reference information about your book. Online retailers use this information to help show customers books that match their preferences when searching for new books. Well-optimized metadata can help your book appear in relevant searches on marketplaces like Amazon so your target readers can browse and discover your book. Metadata is optimized by including relevant phrases and words related to your book (called “keywords”) that your target reader may use in their search. We will work with you to get these right and set up your accounts accordingly. We want to help you sell books!
Beta Reader
Beta readers are individuals who choose to review your manuscript before publication. Their feedback helps refine your story before the editing process begins. They view your book from a general reader’s standpoint and offer constructive criticism to enhance your manuscript. Beta readers receive early access to your story in return for providing reviews and feedback.
Audiobook
Audiobooks are digital recordings of your book distributed on platforms alongside eBooks and print editions. Audible is one of the largest audiobook retailers in the industry. When deciding how to publish your book, you’ll determine if you want your book to appear as an eBook, print edition, and/or audiobook. Learn more about whether your book would make a good audiobook.
Self-Publish Your Book with EABooks Publishing
Eliminate the uncertainty of self-publishing by partnering with a dedicated self-publishing team like EABooks Publishing. We are here to help you navigate the complex world of self-publishing and achieve your dream of becoming a published author. Contact us for a consultation to get started.
Be sure to read the other self-publishing resources on our blog, like Self Publishing Terms You Should Know and Creative Writing Apps That Make Writing Easier. Have questions? We’re happy to help. Contact us here.