Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Hi everyone,

I've been contemplating using CreateSpace for sometime now and I think I'm ready. I've used Lu Lu before so I've been through the formating process, I'm guessing that CreateSpace will be somewhat simular. My big question is...should I get my own ISBN number to use so I'll be recognized as the publisher or should I just use CreateSpace ISBN and let them be recognized as the publisher. Any pros and cons that you guys can share with me would be great. Also, I've read on a few occassions that it's recommended to get the extra publishing package for $30.00 something, so Inghram will carry my book...does anyone have any thoughts on that as well?

thanks,
Cynthia

Actually, I think it's $75 or a little more to be carried by LSI...$30 is just premium footing with Amazon, but it might be worth it, if you think you have a decent audience.

I've used Create Space, and it's very easy to format for them. The cover caused me a little more trouble than I liked, compared to other sites, but it wasn't too bad.

To be honest, the ISBN has never mattered much to me. Unless you are creating your own publishing company, it doesn't much matter if the ISBN lists you (the person) or CS as the publisher. It doesn't give CS any additional rights to your book. When you terminate, you do. End of subject. And it will be assumed you are self-publishing, either way. Why not allow them to give you one instead of paying an arm and a leg? Shrug.

But don't forget the lure of ebook. I highly suggest doing at least distribution of ebooks on Amazon DTP, B&N PubIt, and Smashwords for aggregation onto Apple, Sony, and some of the other distribution channels.

Brenna

I highly recommend CreateSpace; they're who I used for my novel These Hellish Happenings and I couldn't be happier with the results. I did get the expanded distribution package, though it hasn't completely kicked in yet, so I can't give you a review on it (takes about six weeks, and my novel has been out for five).

My only complaint would be how vague they are with what the pro plan entails. Some people have told me that their book was automatically released in Kindle format, some didn't have this happen. Some have had their book released on amazon.co.uk automatically, some haven't. I feel like I just have to wait and see what happens. :/

But the product is gorgeous, it's way cheaper than most options. I didn't buy my own ISBN, either, so I can't say anything there.

Hi, Jennifer—

Hellish happenings (no pun intended) can occur with publishers. You have paid for the Pro Plan and they should not be vague with your inquiries. Follow up, and if not satisfied, continue to ask questions, and save your email correspondence. However, except for minor details, you are happy with the results, so that is a plus.

Best,

UrennaTrue Season of Love

I used them too. Here is something that happen to my novel. I somehow missed errors in the paperback and needed to fix it fast. Createspace offered to fix it for the cost of a proof if I formatted the interior (they now have templates for this!) or I could pay them and buy a proof, too. This is a great thing for me to have access like that for my first novel. It has been fixed and the proof will be here this week (I hope with holiday mail going on right now). I don't have experience with other self publishers so I don't know if they all do it.
Also, Brenna is right about setting up an ebook to go with your title. Google can offer a bundle for the physical book and ebook if people buy it through them. Something else to think about(don't forget Google now has a footprint in B&M stores with the new setup).

Thanks for the info. I just signed up with creatspace and I am just about to add my manuscript to the site to finished the process and finally get it published. I am looking forward to completing it.
:)

Sabrina,I have my book Velvet Ball and The Broken FairyOn CreateSpace as a paperback and also as an eBook with their Kindle. I also posted it on Smashwords and now it's also on Barnes and Noble. You must do an Ebook too if you want more exposure.

I love CreateSpace. You are able to edit and change your cover if needed and the staff are so helpful. But the best thing of all for me was when I paid the $30. for the Pro plan, it meant you can purchase your own copies so cheaply and sell them for what ever you like. With POD publishers, you nearly pay the full cost and have to sell your books at a higher price, so maybe don't sell as many.

I found making the cover with CreateSpace easy. I photographed a scene from my book (a kids fantasy story)Then uploaded it. It was available so quickly too.

Their postage is quick and if you have a problem with anything, their staff are so helpful and answer messages promptly. I also love knowing how many paperback I've sold and when.

Also join Author Central on Amazon. That's free too.

You'll love it.

Good luck with your book.

Star-Crossed Rascals

Thanks i will look into that. :)

I able fiddling around with some different cover ideas and would love to see what you would all vote for. if you have facebook check out my event.

I have an event on facebook going on right now. I would love to see all your votes on the covers for my book. the one with the most votes wins complete details on on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/ev...

Thanks. :) cheers

Sabrina, I've clicked to join you of Facebook. I did like the seventh one, but before you decide, consider taking your own photo or going to a free photo website. iStockphoto is one good place to swap photos or there are other royalty free websites.

Remember, it's the cover that sells the book, so you want the best cover you can find. One of my pals had a cover and didn't sell many of her eBooks, but as soon as she changed it to a fantastic image, she sold over a thousand eBooks in two months.

For my paperback version of Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy, I photographed my own image of a fairy doll in my garden, but with my eBook, I used someone else's photo and added a different photo of my fairy doll. I wanted to add the first scene in the story to the book cover.

If you can find a picture of guy that resembles the character in the book, that would be great, and even better if the background scene is good too. Don't rush until you're really happy as it will make a difference to your sales.

You can change the cover later, but that takes time.

Maybe describe the character here and see if anyone has a photo to donate.

The cover I've shown here is the eBook version, I can't seem to add the paperback one that's on Amazon Books, but it's different.

Good luck with it.

where would i be able to describe him. i can even show a photo of an actor that i pictured while writing it. its actually Jensen Ackles. LOL I really wanted to use a different picture but didnt know where to go.

wow they have great vampire photos on istock there are about 4 in particular that i would totaly use but its to expensive for me. I would have to buy amost 75 dollars worth of credit just for one photo.

Sabrina, I think you can earn credits by donating photos. Or maybe try this website>>>http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

If the link doesn't show, copy and paste it into your browser.

I don't know who Jensen Ackles is, but if you Google Royalty Free Photos, you might find a photo you like. Then you can add it to the template that CreateSpace provide. Or you could take a photo of someone you know who looks like your character.

Maybe you'll find something on Freedigital photos.
The covers you picked already were great though. I just thought adding a picture of a guy would be fantastic.

This is Jenson Ackles he is in Supernatural the tv series

http://www.google.ca/search?q=jenson+...

Patricia wrote: "Sabrina, I think you can earn credits by donating photos. Or maybe try this website>>>http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

If the link doesn't show, copy and paste it into your browser.

I don't ..." I posted a few more covers using photos from that website u mentioned in the last post

Sabrina, I have voted. I love the one with the blue. It's hard to work out if it's a woman or a tree, which is spooky. You got some great photos. Were they free?

Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy

yes they were from the last website you gave me freedigitialphotos. the other one had some great vampire ones but too much money for them well to much for me

Oh, good. I'm glad you didn't have to pay. I don't like having to pay either. It's expensive enough being a writer.

Good luck with your book.