The learning never ends

 This self publishing adventure has been fun, but one heck of a learning experience. I have already expressed how I started with Kindle Direct Publishing. Then I was asked to make my book available in print and I went over to Creatspace to accomplish that endeavor. Then, came the question asking me if the book would be available on Nook.


This last question was simple enough and the process was manageable, once I learned to navigate the requirements. All of these different options to publish require a specific formatting. When I say formatting, I am talking about the hidden language behind the text on my page. One needs a page break for the conversion at one site to catch the chapter breaks in my book. Another needed a section break to accomplish the same goal. If your scratching our head trying to understand this, don't. It will only make your head hurt.

What I did finally figure out was that if I want to publish my book for eBook distribution beyond Amazon Kindle, I will have to wait until the 90 day cycle for Amazon is finished on my first book to accomplish this. I signed the book up to be a part of the 'KDP select' program.When I started this journey I really was thinking I'll publish with Amazon and that will get my book out to anyone who wants to read it. 

Well I now know differently. So publishing my first book, other than in print, is not something I can do until after September 21 2014. I made sure the book is not designated to automatically renew in the program. I have uploaded a second book that is not a part of the 'KDP select' program. That book, Nathan's Storm,  will be distributed through Samshwords and will soon be available at your favorite eBook retailer.

I have learned a great deal in the two months that I have become an indie author. I am grateful for the various Blogs and  free how to publish books I have been looking at. I never anticipated publishing my books would entail more than just writing the books. I do not say this as as a discouragement to anyone who would like to publish their own book. One of the things I am absolutely certain of is that if you have a good story and you are ready to get it out to readers then you should not give up on getting it out to be read. 

Sure, I can tell the next potential self-publishing Author to do their homework. I can make all kinds of suggestions and none of it will make any difference. Every Author and their book will have different needs. I am only offering my experience through this process. Part of that experience is through my Facebook page where I post my most resent information. Once I figured out the answer to to question of making my book available on Nook, I knew it was time to post an update for the people following the page.  This was that post:

  
Update.....
This is for anyone who is waiting for my first book, Matt's Summer, to be available for Nook or iPad. The release date for those devices will be shortly after September 21 2014. My sincere apologies for the frustration this may cause.
When the book is released to the other eBook retailers, it will be offered for free for the first two weeks it is available.  I started this self-publishing adventure at Amazon KDP, Kindle Direct Publishing. Since I own a Kindle Fire I did not think anything of opting for the KDP select program when I published my digital book with Amazon. However, what this did was obligate me to publishing only with Amazon for 90 days. Which means for Matt’s Summer, this 90 day period ends on September 20th.
I think KDP select is a great program for a lot of reasons. However, with the interest I have gotten from several people here, I recognize it is not the best option for my books. Since Facebook is one of my sources for letting everyone know I have published a book, I would like to make sure that book is accessible to everyone who would like to read it. 
Thank You,
CJ

 The process of learning the various avenues to publish my books started out so simple for me. However, from the first post I made on my Facebook profile, there have been days that I feel like I got on board a runaway train. I have learned a great deal through the question posed and my research to answer those question. Thank you, all for the time to ask the questions that led me to another aspect of this journey.

You can Find CJ at:
Facebook
Web Page 
Smashwords 



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