Tag Archives: Self-publishing

InDesign CC 2014 Reflowable ePUBs are even better

Skilled Workman Posted on by

Although the large changes in ePUB export are seen in the fixed layout variety, what they now call reflowable ePUBs are also improved. They have their own dialog box and they are a separate choice when you export. You now add the metadata in the export reflowable ePUB dialog box. This saves time and hassle. Our control over placed graphics is much better, as long as you stay within the rules. Inline graphics are all rasterized or … Continue reading →

Why InDesign is even less optional than it was

Skilled Workman Posted on by

Click to enlarge As you know, I am convinced that you are hurting your chances with your book if you do not use InDesign in the production process. This is even more true now that InDesign CC 2014 has added the direct export of fixed layout ePUBs. Plus, no one exports the quality of PDF produced by InDesign for print and downloadable PDFs. InDesign now has five ebook export options Actually, with all the options, there are even … Continue reading →

A prominent voice nows says Lightning Source is no longer recommended

Skilled Workman Posted on by

  Aaron Shepherd has stopped recommending Lightning Source as necessary for self-publishers. This is a major reversal for a big name in self-publishing. His position is that the days of easy sales are over. New self-publishers really need to watch their costs, because their royalties will be lean unless the Lord or the world blesses [depending on your spiritual position in creation]. I’ll post more in coming days.  

Continue reading →

Brick & mortar bookstores continue to be in trouble

Skilled Workman Posted on by

Yes, I know this is not news to many of you. But it serves as a good reminder to see the Publishers Weekly article this morning showing that Books-A-Million is still diving with sales of books & magazines down nearly 10% over the past year. Our local Barnes & Noble has become irrelevant because they have nothing but best sellers and traditional publishers in their store here. In fact, the store is now barely half books. It’s very … Continue reading →

Mark Coker nails it again: we’re tired of the whining, just let us publish everywhere

Skilled Workman Posted on by

The Indie author furor! Big publishing isn’t dead, but it may be preparing to shoot itself in the other foot. 2014 will be quite a year. Mark’s article is real good—from Publisher’s Weekly.

Continue reading →

Author beware! You are responsible to make good choices

Skilled Workman Posted on by

Dave Bricker posted a long article today about the dangers of publishing without knowing the expenses and requirements of book production. You need to read the article if you are ignorant of the scams perpetrated on authors. Most publishers you run across with a quick Google search as you start your hunt for help will be vanity houses seeking to scam the author. There are countless people lusting after your production money This is where you need … Continue reading →

One main benefit to self-publishing and ebooks: unlimited shelf life

Skilled Workman Posted on by

Here’s a quote from my new book, Writing In InDesign CC, due out soon. I don’t know about you, but I tend forget this in the heat of the moment as I am launching a new book. “Sales continue to grow: Unless you are publishing very unique time-limited work, on-demand sales slowly grow and continue to grow. Because there are no warehousing issues, there are no reasons to stop selling your books. In many cases, your sales will … Continue reading →

Desktop, laptop, or tablet?

Skilled Workman Posted on by

I found a good article today which explains many of the issues. My main issue with the conclusions is that I cannot be productive with a laptop. If you are just writing, an iPad with Apple’s wireless keyboard will do the job for you very well. The article misses my most important category of software apps: the Creative Cloud. My two most used apps [outside of Mail and Safari], are InDesign and Photoshop. I can easily see that … Continue reading →

Book Production Services

Skilled Workman Posted on by

I regularly provide production help to Christian authors, as led by the Spirit. Feel free to contact me. What I want to do below is give you some idea of the options I offer. We can also negotiate custom relationships. Radiqx Press Production Charges Most of my books are done as a whole, so editing, proofing, formatting, exporting for upload are all part of the same process. I normally charge $60/hour for my billable time. To prepare a … Continue reading →

New Release! “How Do I Make The Next Book Better?”

Skilled Workman Posted on by

This is the plaintive question I get every time after I have set up, formatted, and uploaded a book for a new author. It is also one of the most common questions I see while socially networking. Buy $2.99: How Do I Make The Next Book Better? There are three basic underlying concepts 1: Producing a print version of your book 2: Dealing with the size of your production budget 3: Producing a manuscript which can be easily … Continue reading →