Or why you should have an ISB Number. If you have problems seeing the video--go here:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13935421/tame-your-wild-book-with-an-isbn
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My detailed account of a struggle with ethics. "Luke's Tale" by Carol McKibben is slated to go on sale with Amazon as an ebook ONLY (or was...) on January 1st, 2013. Great date if you ask me! It's the launch of Troll River Publications and re-entering Author Carol McKibben into the world. I picked, designed and managed the cover myself. It wins the easiest, most heart thundering cover award--in my mind. The author posted the cover to her facebook and the demand for a print book made it worth while to look as an option. Mind you it was the cover that got people wanting to buy the book. (Yes, we do judge books by their cover, and that's okay.) Well, the image of the cover is an iStock photo. When I bought the photo I checked the licensing aggreement. It specifically said you CAN use this as an ebook cover. GREAT! I thought. The picture I chose only had about 50 downloads, so it's probably not all over the place and it probably won't be recognized as another ebook. Fantastic! The title screamed to be where it is. Everything was set! It was a total of $90 to produce the finished product. I was happy! Yay for the empowerment of ebooks! Then demand for print came. I wanted to be sure. I didn't want to claim ignorance because it's no excuse for the law. I checked on iStock. It specifically said with the thunder of God, in the very first line in the "NO YOU CAN'T" catagory -- and I quote, "May not be reproduced for online 'print-on-demand' products". I could do a limited print run. I could collect orders and send the book out myself. But, I'm one person needing to delegate work not collect more to do. Is it possible? Sure. And it's very possible people would be upset for not getting their book for two weeks as I try to fill orders. No, CreateSpace is the best option and it's...'Print on Demand'. As irrational as it is, that night I went to bed angry. Angry at not thinking ahead. Angry at iStock for allowing everything BUT this. Angry at being charged ten times the amount before I learned about 123rf.com and dreamstime.com and a whole host of other stock photos websites that have very different licensing terms. But I'm not angry anymore. Because if the original cover is only the ebook version, at least I have it there. It would be a shame not to use that cover for this story because it's perfect. The delima of ethics was...will anyone know if I print on demand this image? Yes. I will. Oh the tempation of easy. But not this time. So breathing in this learning experience, the print cover shall be different. The ebook cover will be my favorite. Always. It's mine and Carol's. It will forever be a sore spot in my publishing soul, but no one's going to get sued. If the artist would allow me to give him royalties on the print version, I'd agree immediately. His/her portion would be taken out of my profit, not my author's. And, his art would be in physical hands, not just electronic ones. My take, even if you're sure it will only be an ebook, you might want to re-think that logic. Becuase you want your book to get in the hands of the audience in the form THEY want it in. Otherwise, you've lost a sale. So be prepared to cover all ground. I believe in delivering a book in the form the reader/listner wants. Print, electronic, audible, download to a chip in your skull, whatever. If I have to become a brain surgeon, manufacture silcone chips, learn software langauges to get it in your brain--I WILL DO IT. Just so my reader can have the book they way they want. But ethics WILL NOT be damned. ~ Stephonavich Troll River Publications is proud to announce LUKE'S TALE by Carol McKibben will be released to Amazon on January 1st, 2013! One of our first titles! Luke, an intelligent, 89-pound yellow Labrador retriever, has an odd ability to understand human conversations and actions. When his owner’s girlfriend, Sara Colson, discovers she has breast cancer Luke is the sole secret keeper of her disease. Not knowing if she’ll survive, Sara leaves her boyfriend, Ashlundt Jaynes, to shield him from the pain. Luke, knowing how to give unconditional love, is the catalyst bringing the two lovers back together and helps them stay together while Sara and Ashlundt overcome a series of life-changing events. At the heart of Luke’s Tale is the story of two lovers and their struggle with unforeseen disillusionment to build a lasting relationship -- and the loving, furry creature who is devoted to them beyond all reason. I'd been critiquing manuscripts for three years, getting feedback on my own in exchange. So many good stories past over my eyes that I would inquire upon their progress to publication. Too often, I found those stories were put away in desk drawers because agents rejected the manuscripts to the point of the author's losing hope.
Not being one for conformity, I researched, a lot before I went into Indie Publishing. You could say I researched every day, at least two hours a day, about the craft of writing. I never got enough. I still don't. I love marketing and consume strategies as well as any 2 bit hussey envelops men. Every day I practiced methods of writing until I found I like to write in the male perspective--who knew I had penis envy? Publishing processes were fascinating. I shoveled all of it in. Briming with ideas about strategies, writing and editing, I set off to publish my own work. But when I was ready, I found I wanted it all. I wanted to say I was a publisher. MINE! I discovered that, to be an Indie Author one needed to be their own publisher. I was overjoyed at the prospect. Yes! Everything was fitting in nicely. I am the controller of my destiny. If my first book is not something people want to read, then I will write another. I'll write another and inflict my creative soul upon you anyway! Wether you like it or not. I will improve. I will get better. Maybe I'll write something you'll want to read! In the process of critiquing others, I found I wanted their stories published as well. These were stories I read and believed in. Their worlds, their creative souls bared, I found no other choice really, but to bring them with me in the world of the Indie Author. In other words, I believed in their stories. I cherished their characters. I also wanted more of their writing. So Troll River Publications was born. TRP isn't a fancy publising house. But we believe in our authors to the point of taking the risk and putting their stories out there. Because these stories need to be available for those who need them. That's the true purpose of TRP. |
Dear Reader,
My efforts are to make this a learning blog where writers can see the flip side of publishing. If you have comments that will improve your experience or have a certain topic you'd like discussed, please contact me through email - HERE. ~ Sincerley, Your Editor Stephanie McKibben Head Troll Troll River Publications Books on Kindle
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