Kindle direct publishing - anyone do it?

[Procrastinating]

I have an old novel (written a few years ago) I want to publish as an ebook, I have read through the process on Amazon and I think I'm going to have a go.

Does anyone publish this way? Some advice would be really welcome as I haven't a clue what I'm doing.

I have put together a cover and a description of about 140 words. Do I need to do anything else?

And what have you chosen to do about pricing?

Thanks so much for any help.

[MmeGuillotine]

It'd be nice to see my books in shops (and not get the daily annoyed emails from people who don't have Kindles and want to read my books) but I daren't risk it right now. Seems a bit silly to say that though as I know so many writers DREAM of being trade published and I'm here in my corner grumbling about it. I'm also aware that a lot of people think that being paid for writing cheapens the whole thing and makes it all very sordid. I am not one of those people. ;)

[MmeGuillotine]

Haha, I was on the Getting Published panel at the Mumsnet Blogfest, fighting the corner for self published writers but didn't get to actually say how I do it so this is a lot of fun. :)

I'd heard the same thing but they sent one out right away. It has to be a physical copy btw - the IRS won't accept a photocopy or a printed out letter. If you have trouble with Amazon, Smashwords also send out a letter which you can request once you hit $10 sales. I got one of those as well as security back up just in case the Amazon one didn't work out! :)

Yes, definitely work out a budget for editing. At the very least it means that when someone tries to get all snotty with you about being self published and being unedited, you can retort with 'It was edited actually so ner'. :)

[MmeGuillotine]

Also if you're (understandably!) nervous about sending your passport off to the US Embassy, you can trot to Grosvenor Square in London and do it all in person. :)

[MorvahRising]

May I join in? I am hoping to put a novel on Kindle in the next couple of weeks. My second novel is with an agent who is faintly interested providing I do a lot of revision, although I suspect 't'will come to nothing! The prospective Kindle one is my first which didn't have any luck on the traditional route.

MmeGuillotine thank you very much for so many useful tips both here and on your blog. Really helpful, especially on the pricing. Trouble is, I've been writing for so long I find it quite hard to believe anyone actually would want to pay me for it!

[MorvahRising]

Procrastinating, how are your sales going? My book's up now too. I'd love to know what is regarded as a fairly good take up. If I could hit 100 that would be pretty good! Mind you it was a huge thrill when the first one sold, as I felt that as someone has actually paid for something I wrote, I can now officially call myself a writer!

[LisaMed]

Disclaimer still at the start of this, and I don't know what Mme Guillotine thinks (but am devouring your advice - thank you)

but I have self published with Smashwords as well as Amazon (which is okay) and Smashwords distribute to kobo, Barnes and Noble, sony etc - even WHSmith online.

I have no idea how it works or how glitch free it is. But my stuff is in those shops. No idea how it is selling as "*&%! Smashwords haven't updated what has happened there for the last three months, but probably will soon, fingers crossed. And they are more or less user friendly, though I found it more complex than Kindle.

Mme Guillotine do you need to send a copy of passport for the IRS thingy? I'd skimmed the letter with Smashwords but didn't realise. I have no passport!

[Procrastinating]

I know this is an old thread now, but I'll reply anyway Morvah, my sales are going well I think but not even in the foothills of Mme Guillotine's. I wasn't expecting much, so anything is nice and I still get excited every time I see another one sold. What surprised me is where it is selling, America and Japan more than the UK. Wierd. I got two lovely reviews too.

How is yours doing Morvah?

[MorvahRising]

Hi Procrastinating, sorry, only just seen this!

Well done on your reviews and sales! It is ridiculously exciting isn't it; I check my figures far too often and get all depressed if it slides down the ratings.

Sales are not startling but steady and as you say I also have a way to go before I am competing with MmeGuillotine! I am only just starting to market it properly and send it out to reviewers which is taking quite a bit of research.

Have got 19 reviews on the UK site, of which three are by people I know (although I didn't threaten them at gunpoint!) and I know a few are by lovely MNers to whom I am exceedingly grateful.

Have had most sales in the UK. I'd like to sell more in the US, well done for cracking that market! Loads were downloaded in the two free promotions I did but I haven't had many paid ones there, and only one review on the US site. The book's set in Cornwall, which is a big part of the selling point, so maybe US people aren't interested? I have had a few though to Germany, Japan, France, Spain, Brazil, India and Canada which is very exciting!

Oops, sorry, rather a long post! How have your sales gone in the last month since you posted?

[confusedofengland]

Reading this thread with interest. Can I just ask one question (to which the answer may be completely obvious & I may just have missed it). How much does it cost to publish a book on Kindle Direct Publishing?

Thanks & well done on your success so far, OP & indeed any others who are doing well