If you’re looking to get your ebook published, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss some of the basics of ebook writing, along with some helpful tips on how to get your book noticed on Amazon.
Overview Of An eBook
First off, let’s define what an ebook is:
An ebook is a short piece of digital literature. It’s a compilation of written content, usually spanning across multiple files (often called “chapters”). Some examples of famous ebooks include George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
The contents of an ebook can be anything from a novel to a non-fiction account to a philosophical treatise to a how-to manual for beginners. Generally speaking, ebooks focus on a specific topic, and use language and examples appropriate to that topic. Ebooks can also serve as a great resource for writers who are looking for ideas and content.
The Parts Of An eBook
Now that we know what an ebook is, let’s examine its basic structure:
The front matter of an ebook is made up of the Table of Contents and the Copyright Page. The Table of Contents should contain a listing of the chapters in the order that they appear in the book. Keep in mind that Amazon has an algorithm that gives preference to items with an up-to-date Table of Contents. The Copyright Page should contain the appropriate copyright information for the work. It should also include a disclaimer that advises the reader that the work is fictional and should not be taken as real advice:
WARNING: The contents of this book are fictional and should not be regarded as real advice. This book is completely made up of examples used for stylistic purposes only. While some of the events, people, businesses, and ideas mentioned in this book may be real, the rest are entirely fictitious and should not be construed as actual events or as actual advice.
The body of an ebook is made up of the content that you actually wrote. This is the part of the book that contains the text and the language that you intended the reader to read and understand. Your body should contain enough material to make the reader interested in the topic and make them want to read more.
Writers Tips For Publishing Ebooks
Now that you have an idea of what an ‘ebook’ is, let’s examine some tips for getting your book noticed onAmazon:
1. Choose A Popular Topic
If your topic is very specific and in-demand – like programming in Java or Photoshop – then chances are, your book will be of interest to many people. If your audience is familiar with your topic, then they will have no problems following your text, and you won’t need to overly complicate things by using jargon and scientific language. This is also the case if you’re writing for a specific industry, like financial services or healthcare. Because these topics are already so heavily regulated, using jargon can potentially hurt your credibility as an author. Instead, stick with topics that are current and popular, but still have a lot of academic content.
If your topic is less ‘traditional’ – like history, literature, or science – then you will need to take a little more time to ensure that your book is accessible to as many people as possible. Remember that Amazon favors content that is accessible to a wide audience. While there is certainly value in being unique and innovative, if your content is too complicated or obscure, then you may struggle to find an audience. Choose A Popular Topic
2. Keep It Short
When people read on the Kindle, they have a limited amount of time in which to do it. If you want your book to be read, then keep it short. Like, really short. In general, the shorter your book, the more likely it is to be downloaded and read. If you’re writing for a specific platform (like the Kindle) then you’ll need to keep in mind the screen size of your reader. Kindle screens are just under seven inches, which is why most books are around 60-70 pages long.
If you’re looking to publish a general literature book, then you might want to consider making it somewhat longer. After all, people have traditionally held a fondness for long books.
3. Use A Focused Pitch
In the interest of making your book more accessible to readers, you might consider removing some of the more academic language that you normally use. When pitching your book to an agent or publisher, keep in mind that these are people who have very little knowledge of your topic (usually because it’s so specific). So, make sure that your story and the language that you use are both accurate and easy to understand by the general public. Use A Focused Pitch
If you’re worried that your book won’t be accessible to the average reader, then you can always use a translator and have a native English speaker edit and proofread your text. There’s also the option of using a service like https://oxforddictionaries.com/ that offers a free native English speaker to edit and proofread your text for you.
4. Use Visual Aids
In his book, The Art Of Fiction, Mark Twain says, “Show, don’t tell.” Using visual aids helps the reader imagine themselves in the book immediately. If possible, add some images to your text. For example, you might want to add a few charts or diagrams to illustrate a point that you’re making. Or maybe you’ll want to include an image of someone using your product or service. This will make them much more willing to read about your topic and be engaged with your content.
If, for some reason, you can’t add visuals to your text (like if it’s a really long article, or you’re writing for a digital publication), then at least use a transparent hyperlink within your text to lead the reader to a website with more information.
5. Include An Up-To-Date Table Of Contents
If you’re writing for the Amazon Kindle platform, then your Table of Contents will be quite important. This is where you list all of the pages that you have in your book. Because the Table of Contents is at the front of your book, and Amazon’s algorithm favors content at the front, make sure that you keep your Table of Contents up-to-date. You can also use your ebook’s Table of Contents to guide you through the writing process. Just remember: if you’re writing for the Kindle, then your Table of Contents should be in reverse chronological order.
6. Use Active Voice
Many people struggle with the active voice. Simply put, when you write in the active voice, you state what you’re doing or what happened in the first person. For example, instead of “Jane read a short story about a guy named Fred,” you could write, “Fred went on a journey and ended up in a book shop, where Jane happened to be browsing.” It’s a simple change, but it makes a big difference in the way your content sounds – and is – read. When you use the active voice, you let the reader into the action more; it invites them into the story and makes them feel more a part of it. That’s why we often see active voice in fiction, where the author assumes the role of a main character.
7. Proofread
Pro-readers are specialists in scanning for errors and picking up on inconsistencies in language and structure. To really nail down the perfect read, you should have someone proofread your work. Having someone else look at your content will raise certain questions about whether or not you’re actually competent at writing. It’s not that you’re asking for grammatical errors or awkward language – more like whether or not you actually understand what you’re writing about. Proofreading is very crucial because, as we mentioned above, your Table of Contents will be most important to Amazon’s algorithm. If there are any major errors in your Table of Contents, then it could potentially knock your book down a couple of spots on Amazon’s bestseller list. Proofreading Is Important