It is the question that all writers fear: “What shall I write next?”
You have a dream topic. You have been asked by a magazine to write an article on it. It is a matter of great urgency to you to get the piece written before the deadline. But your priority must be satisfied. You do not want to end up as a freelance writer with no real portfolio.
Which ebook should you write?
There are many factors that you need to consider before committing to write an ebook. But before we start, it is important to understand what an ebook is and why you should avoid writing one if you are not prepared to commit the time that it takes to write one.
What is an Ebook?
An ebook is a digital book that you can store on your computer. Unlike a print book which is bound and shipped to bookstores, you can get an ebook directly from a publisher or author. You do not need to go through a bookstore to get a book. In fact, it is often times more convenient not to leave your house to get a paper book when you can get an ebook. With an ebook, you can print as many copies as you want on your home printer. You can also easily share the ebook with your friends and family. No need to send emails to everyone you know to ask if they want a copy. You can just give them the link to download the book.
Why Should You Avoid Ebooks if You Are Not Prepared to Write One?
Let us look at the key reasons why you should avoid writing an ebook:
- They are usually less expensive than print books. If you need convincing, compare the cost of producing an ebook with that of a print book. You will find that the margin is often slim. The price of an ebook can range from $2.99 to $9.99. Compare this to the price of a print book which can be as much as $25.00.
- They are usually less convenient to ship. Unless the publisher and the author cooperate to make it so, you will need to go through the post office to get your ebook. Regular mail delivery is usually the norm, not the exception. You may not want to commit a portion of your vacation time to making a delivery. Especially if you are just stopping by your local mailbox to get your newspaper.
- You cannot sell them. Most ebook readers automatically block out any advertising that is associated with them. Your best bet would be to include affiliate links in your blog article. When someone clicks on these links and makes a purchase, you will earn a commission.
- You cannot update them. Unless you pay for the privilege, you will not be able to update the content of an ebook once it is done. Your best bet would be to write a review of the book and post it on your blog. If you are doing so well, consider paying for an upgraded copy to keep your content updated.
- You cannot lend them. Like with any other piece of technology, people lend ebooks from their collections to friends who do not own them. This usually happens when someone has lent the book to a friend who has since lost or misplaced it. In this case, you have a moral obligation to return the book to its owner. Unless the author offers a decent enough replacement, you should not keep it. You may also end up on the wrong side of the law if you do not return the book. Even if you do not intend on cheating anyone, the chances are high that you will be accused of it.
The Difference Between Ebooks and Print Books
Apart from the fact that they are digital, ebooks and print books have some significant differences:
- Ebooks are usually shorter. It was not uncommon for the early ebooks to be no more than a few thousand words long. Today, most ebooks are much more comprehensive. They can have anywhere from 10,000 to over 100,000 words. It is often the case that the more words an ebook has, the more expensive it is. Short ebooks can be found for as low as $2.99, while longer ebooks can go for as much as $9.99. In some cases, the price of an ebook can be twice that of a print book. This is mainly due to the fact that it takes more time to write a comprehensive ebook. And if you are doing it yourself, you will need a lot of uninterrupted time to do it properly.
- Ebooks are usually created with a specific audience in mind. This is mainly because most people who buy ebooks want to read them on a digital device. If you are trying to write an ebook for a mass audience, you are usually better off writing a print book. You can still get some of the benefits of an ebook, however, if you do not own a digital device (e.g. a Kindle), you will not be able to read the ebook as intended. The exception would be if the publisher decides to make the e-book available in multiple formats (e.g. Kindle, Nook, and PDF).
- Ebooks are usually presented in a specific way. Most of them have a sleek, magazine-like look to them. They are usually presented on an attractive digital device (e.g. Kindle). You may also find ebook menus on the screen. Sometimes, you will even be asked to make a decision about whether to read an ebook in audio format or in text format. Most people prefer to read their ebooks on a digital device. Whether you agree or disagree, it is probably the safest route to take if you want the content to be available as soon as you have finished reading it. Otherwise, you will have to wait until the following week to read it. The good thing is that once you have made the payment, you can always download the book and read it on your computer or mobile device. You should not have to worry about losing it or having it stolen.
- Ebooks do not come with parts. It is usually the case that you are buying ebooks as a complete unit. You do not have to worry about buying separately the cover and the font, for example. This part is included in the price of the book.
- Ebooks are usually less expensive than print books. Unless you find a good deal elsewhere, you will not be able to purchase an ebook which is half the price of a print book. You must understand that the bulk of the cost of a print book (paper, printing, warehousing, shipping, etc.) is already built into the price of the book. It is also important to point out that the cost of creating an ebook can be more expensive than that of a print book. This is due mainly to the fact that you have more competition when you are trying to sell an ebook. You must possess a good knowledge of computers in order to be able to create an ebook. This is not the case with print books. You do not need any special training to be able to write a book.
- Ebooks are usually more mobile friendly. This is mainly due to the fact that most people who buy ebooks read them on digital devices. It is also important to point out that some ebook readers (e.g. Kindle) are better than others when it comes to reading content on the move. The larger the screen, the better. When you are on the go, you cannot carry around a large book with you. You will have to find a way to get the content on your device. Unless a book is over 40 inches, you should have no trouble doing so. You will not be encumbered by the bulk of a hardback book. And if you do not have a good enough internet connection, you will not be able to access all of the content which an ebook provides. If you want to do some research, you will need to go to the library or a reputable online source. If you are on the move, you will not have time to go to the library or visit an online source. Especially if you are on vacation, you will want to bring along as many books as you can. Laptops and tablets are extremely useful for this purpose. You can also get special sleeves which make your books easier to carry. This is especially useful if you have a rather large tome.]
How Do I Decide Which Ebook To Write?
There are many factors which you need to take into consideration before committing to write an ebook. But before we get into that, it is important to understand what genre you should write in. What do I need to make my dream of becoming a published author come true?