You simply format your book and upload it to a site that converts it into a book and puts it for sale on the internet. Some of the better known websites are Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, and IngramSpark. Let's talk about each one individually.

Amazon.com (not .ca) is proprietary. That means it has its own file format and does not share with other ebook agencies. The only place your ebook is for sale is on Amazon.com. Not that it is a bad thing since Amazon.com is the largest online retailer in the world. Readers have to use a Kindle to read the Amazon ebook format - called a mobi file. Most new computers have a Kindle reader built right in, and it is an free app for smart phones. Since Amazon.com is an American company, you will need to fill out Internal Revenue Services taxation information. Read the form first and then gather your information.

 Kobo is Canadian and requires no IRS forms. It is the ebook division of Indigo/Chapters and books are sold in Canada on the Kobo website. Kobo ebooks are put out in an epub file. If you are not familiar with ebooks, you can borrow a Kobo from your local library and try it out. Knowing what the reader will see can give you a good perspective on your own book.

 Smashwords is an American company that converts your ebook to an epub file and then  offers distribution to major online ebook retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple iPad, the iBookstore, Kobo and the Diesel eBook Store, and to all major smart phone platforms via app providers such as Aldiko, Page Foundry, Kobo and Word-Player. You will need to fill out the IRS form. Vancouver Island Regional Library can purchase your ebook from Smashwords and it will be in their catalogue.

 IngramSpark is the new ebook distributor for LighteningSource POD. They  distribute your titles to every major e-book retailer in the world such as Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Apple iBooks, and Kobo as well as 70 emerging e-book retailers. They have partnered with independent bookstores, online stores,  the big chains, the little chains, e-book retailers, local niche retailers, libraries, schools and universities worldwide. They even distribute to Amazon Kindle as long as your book is not already listed there.

 Formatting

 Independent publishers are often confused about formatting their manuscript into an ebook. If you have a print copy, you have already gone through the formatting process as discussed in the last blog post. Remember I recommended that you don't format a print book in Word? Well, the opposite is true for ebooks - they have to be formatted in word.  Do not convert it into a PDF when you are done either. All the ebook companies want either a .doc or .docx file. Every company has detailed instructions on how to format your manuscript into an ebook.

 Some important things to remember -

·         Remove all tabs at the beginning of paragraphs and replace them with Indents.

·         Single spaces between lines and paragraphs

·         Insert a Page Break at the end of each chapter

·         Use the same font for chapter headings as the text

 Use an easy to read Serif font like Georgia, Baskerville, Palatino or Garamand. Although it is recommended to use a Sans font on the computer, a Serif font is preferable for reading long publications. The main aim with any typography is for the reader not to notice what font you are using. Of course, ebook readers can change the font to something they want but most do not. So make it easy for them to read your ebook.

 Formatting an ebook is not really that complicated. If you don't know how to use the Indent or Page Break features in your Word program, then ask for help. Or do a Google search and you will find easy to understand directions.

 It is important that your ebook looks as good as your print copy. Take your time getting it right and you will be happy with the result. Rush it and you may be embarrassed with the finished product. I recommend that you have a proof copy emailed to you before approving the final copy.