Online Book Publishing Companies
Advances in information and communication technologies have brought about changes in the way books are published. Online book publishing is rapidly gaining popularity over the old forms of publishing books. With numerous aspiring authors facing rejection from traditional book publishing companies, online book publishing companies present great opportunities for authors to publish their work in an even better and more cost efficient manner. Under these new developments, authors have the option to use the services of print on demand companies (which are basically internet packagers) such as lulu, xlibris, and iUniverse, or multi-service publishing and printing firms who offer among other services e-book conversion such as Lighting Source, and Create Space. In particular, the latter option presents a great opportunity for authors to get their works published through non-traditional means.
Multiservice online book publishing companies offer several services in preparation of publishing a book. The companies ensure that they facilitate the self-publisher (author) such that both the hard copy book and the e-book versions of the book can be worked on simultaneously. In fact, the author can decide which one of the two types of books to begin with. The companies also offer expert interior design as well as cover design services to handle the author’s works. Lighting Source which is owned by Ingram and Create Space which is owned by Amazon are renowned in providing these kinds of publishing services. The two companies are particularly appropriate for self-publishers or authors who are beginning from scratch.
However, in case a self-publisher may need to go directly to the e-book format because it is faster as well as cheaper, or if he/she already has a printed book and needs to convert it into an e-book, or incase the book is available on the author’s website, an independent e-book converter is the most appropriate. Considering the fact that 60% of the entire e-book sales are accounted for through the Kindle, authors can gain numerous benefits in terms of promoting their books as they can be readily available on the Kindle as well as in the ePublished format for Sony, Kobo, and Nook e-readers. One of the most reputable online publishing companies which offer such benefits is Smashwords. Besides offering distribution services, the company also offers free conversion services. the company however specializes in the conversion of straight text Word files, and the firm may not be suitable for works which contain detailed graphics.
Online book publishing companies also present an added advantage in terms of a wide selling base. Companies such as eBook Architects, BookBaby, InstantPublisher, and Booknook.biz can sell to customers either through company owned online bookstores, or through online retailing giants such as e-bay, Borders.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com and Booksamillion.com. Traditional book publishing that is based on print-on-demand is based on establishing a limited number of brick and mortar retail outlets, and libraries where the books may be sold. With online book publishing companies, the author can target even readers who are beyond the home country’s geographic boundaries and reach international customers.