Maybe reading a book on a computer-like device – instead of feeling the smooth paper as you turn the pages – isn’t for you. But even if you don’t personally like reading eBooks, if you’re an author, you need to make sure you’re selling an eBook!
What is an eBook?
eBooks are digital editions of print books. They are designed to be compatible with a variety of devices and give users the ability to change settings such as font size. eBooks are not meant to look exactly like the print edition of a book – fancy fonts may be converted to standard styles, and images resized. eBooks do not have page numbers, as they will vary in length from the print edition, so electronic links replace page numbers in the Table of Contents.
There are two major file types for eBooks: ePub and Mobi. ePub is a universal type that works on most devices, including Barnes & Noble’s Nook and Apple’s iPad. Mobi works on Amazon’s Kindle and the Mobipocket reader.
Some sites assist authors in doing their own eBook conversion. But professional conversion may be needed if your book has lots of images or complex formatting.
DRM, or Digital Rights Management, protects an eBook file from being copied once it is purchased. Not all eBook files have DRM on them after conversion. DRM can be added when a file is uploaded to one of the major retailers, such as Amazon.
Why publish an eBook?
eBooks are not only easy to distribute, they allow for higher revenue potential for an author. Royalty percentages are high (up to 70%) as long as an eBook’s price falls within retailers’ requirements. If you’ve had eBook conversion that provides you with the 2 major file formats, your book will be available for all eReader devices in addition to home computers, laptops, and even some cell phones.