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How to build an e-book (handout)

Posted on September 13, 2010, by Sandra K. Williams

At the latest meeting of Northern California Publishers & Authors (NCPA), the topic was e-books.

Stephanie Chandler discussed the current e-book market and marketing for authors. (An interesting factoid: PDF e-books are still selling strongly!)

I discussed my experience building e-books and gave out a handout explaining the steps for building an e-book based on the InDesign file for the print version of the book. While I took screenshots of the process, the handout includes just the facts, ma’am. Maybe in another blog post . . .

Download the handout: How to Build an E-book (PDF)

Filed in E-books and tagged , .

How can I get funding to have my book published?

Posted on April 20, 2010, by Sandra K. Williams

[Below is my response to a question one writer asked me.]

There is no fee to have a book published if you go the traditional publishing route. The publisher pays the author.

You may be thinking of using a subsidy publisher (sometimes called a POD publisher or self-publishing company; both are misnomers) or of self-publishing. A subsidy publisher makes money by getting authors to buy its services. You should not expect any support beyond delivery of the books you purchase.

If you self-publish, you are responsible for purchasing your ISBN and arranging the editing, design, typesetting, and printing. You are also responsible for marketing and distribution.

Here are some resources to help you get started. You might also check out the Independent Book Publishers Association and any publisher associations in your local area.

How a Book Gets Published
Warnings About the Schemes, Scams, and Pitfalls That Threaten Writers
Preditors & Editors

Good luck!

Filed in Books and tagged . 1 comment

Singular “they”

Posted on March 29, 2010, by Sandra K. Williams

“They” has been used as a singular pronoun for centuries, since 1400 or so according to the Oxford English Dictionary. When I edit, I take into account the intended audience. If I think my client will get dinged because readers will insist singular they is wrong, I’ll suggest rewording.

From Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary:
Writers and speakers have supplied this lack by using the plural pronouns: “and every one to rest themselves betake” — Shakespeare; “I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly” — Jane Austen; “it is too hideous for anyone in their senses to buy” — W. H. Auden.

Also see this blog post discussing singular they filed under “Prescriptivist Poppycock” at Language Log.

Filed in Editing & Writing and tagged , .