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View Full Version : Confusing & Conflicting Ebook Platforms


Angkor
12-24-2010, 08:24 PM
All these ebook proprietary platforms sort of Balkanize the market. As an author, I've had to spend a lot of time getting my books listed and then tweaking those listings.

I have two novels listed in Amazon. The Kindle sales have taken off since I lowered the price to $2.99. My experience with Amazon has been very positive. They are always responsive and quick to help out authors with their listings. And they're constantly improving their format.

Google editions, however, is much more difficult to work with. I've been trying to get my books listed there for weeks. They've got a lot of kinks to work out yet.

Barnes & Noble Nook listing procedures are very opaque. As far as I can ascertain, the author needs only to click an icon requesting that his books also be rendered into Nook editions. So far, mine still aren't.

Apple iBooks is very confusing. I've navigated their iBookstore and haven't been able to figure out how to include my books.

All these proprietary systems reminds me of the early VHS vs Betamax wars in video recording, only more confusing. Perhaps, as with Apple vs Microsoft, they'll become more mutually compatible over time.

PortableHal
12-25-2010, 02:45 AM
Angkor, since you clearly have more experience with this than I do, have you tried to list your novels with Shareware ebooks (here (http://sharewareebooks.com/))?

thothguard51
12-25-2010, 02:57 AM
Yes, as an author we want things simple.

But the reality is that publishing, even self publishing via e-book, is a business with proprietary platforms from the various vendors. Thing of it this way...

You can't put Ford parts on a Chevy.

Just keep retrying with those that aren't working. Eventually, the bugs will all be worked out. Also, Amazon has been doing this longer than Apple or Barnes and Noble, and many other start up e-pubs.

Angkor
12-25-2010, 10:11 AM
Angkor, since you clearly have more experience with this than I do, have you tried to list your novels with Shareware ebooks (here (http://sharewareebooks.com/))?

No, I haven't. Thanks for the tip. I perused their website. It's unclear to me exactly what Shareware ebooks is all about, but I'll delve further into it once I get Santa out of my life.