Forager Publications: Tim's Blog

Updates on Self-Publishing EBooks and PODs: One Step at a Time

Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - A Last Word on Adobe and The Latest on My Self-Publishing Text's Third Edition

Yes, I've finally heard from Adobe about their new ADEPT program. It is, at long last, available ... such as it is.
I'll try to express myself about Adobe, its delays, and it new ADEPT program succinctly - and without the use of the more, shall we say, "colorful" terminology their behavior warrants.
The bottom line, simply put, is that ADEPT will cost $8,500 - per year! That's obviously NOT the small-publisher-friendly package I was assured it would be all those months ago.
At this point, I'm afraid, we can only hope for a Ma Bell - type breakup of Adobe's grip on the market.
I apologize for delaying a third edition so long for such a let down. But on with more practical matters.

I will produce a third edition, as I promised. Unfortunately, the delay caused by my mislead patience (and misplaced trust in Adobe) has left me in the middle of revising my AutoCAD textbooks. I'll have these ready by April (that yearly deadline has been consistent for nearly ten years now, so you should be able to count on it!). I hope to produce a new text after that, but will delay beginning the new text and do the third edition of Self-Publishing EBooks and PODs: One Step at a Time first. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, it'll be available by July 1!

More on Microsoft Vista

I finally got Vista loaded and have had some time to work with it now (I needed it for the new release of AutoCAD). Graphics and the new Calibri font get A+s over predecessors; boot time gets an F. The rest is very expensive fluff. I still recommend sticking with XP as long as you can!

Monday, August 20, 2007 - More on the Third Edition

At this point, I can't help but feel like I've been abandoned by Adobe. Work on ADEPT was to have been completed this last month ... but the silence from the Adobe world is deafening. Some of my readers have written to vent their frustration - swearing never to use Adobe again (and so forth).
I'm afraid the best I can do at this point is to promise that I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything at all. I've written (again) to my silent friend at Adobe. Will keep you informed.

Friday, July 06, 2007 - Another Update on the Third Edition

I've just learned that Microsoft (in its infinite wisdom!) no longer supports the .lit file format since the Office 2007 release. Those of you who've invested in this "upgrade" probably realize, as I have, that it isn't the best of investments. Of course, this means that they will eventually drop support for the Microsoft Reader, as well.
I have a lot of work to do for my third edition!

Monday, July 02, 2007 - A Quick Update on Preparations for the Third Edition

I've spoken with the Adobe people about the new DRM (Digital Rights Manager - the stuff you use to protect your ebooks). The new ADEPT tools will be available in the next couple weeks (fingers crossed). Once I have a chance to explore this (hopefully) wonderful new tool, I'll get the 3rd Edition started. I hope to have it available in September!
Meanwhile, the new Digital Editions (DE) is now available! You might save some time by downloading it now and getting familiar with it (it's the future of Adobe ebooks)!

Self-Publishing eBooks and PODs: One Step at a Time – Third Edition!

YES! We are planning a third edition of our popular do-it-yourself manual which will address several issues (some expected and others already here).
Watch for these:

Amazon Changes

Amazon and EBooks
I suppose many of you have figured out that Amazon doesn't offer eBooks anymore. This issue developed without warning in August of 2006. Amazon now sends its eBook sellers to their subsidiary MobiPocket (see below).
Other outlets still available include: Powells, AbeBooks, Diesel eBooks, and eBook Mall, all reachable through LSI (Lightning Source).
But the good news is that some expected changes in how Adobe does things just might make it possible to sell your eBooks directly while still using Adobe security! (See The Expected Adobe Upgrade below.)
Amazon still carries PODs produced by LSI and other POD printers. In that regard, as my eBook sales suffered from Amazon's sudden departure from the market, my POD sales increased accordingly.
BookSurge and MobiPocket
Amazon has bought in to their own POD printer – BookSurge. I'm using them (rather than the ole reliable LSI) to produce my new SF – Sara: The Companion of God. I'll let you know how that works out.
So far, my impression is favorable – I'm able to produce an actual "pocket-sized" paperback (not available through LSI) and the price is less than I'd've had to charge for an LSI-produced book. Profits compare quite favorably to LSI for individual sales, but suffer a bit when compared to LSI volume sales setup. This means you'll have to consider whether you'll sell more to bookstores or individuals when deciding which printer to use.
I'm afraid my experience with MobiPocket has been decidedly unfavorable. They promise a great many outlets but many US eBook sellers won't carry my books(!) Bear in mind that I'm talking textbooks that consistently sell in the top ten in their markets. Go figure!
You'll have to convert your books to an HTML-based format (they provide a converter that is now free). This chore becomes quite complicated when you include graphics.
They don't discount (or their outlets don't) – so they don't compare with Amazon or many of the other eBook outlets in that regard.
They're extremely difficult to contact – opting for a forum format rather than simple email. Be sure to read through this forum before you decide to use MobiPocket. You'll get a good view of the problems others have faced.
In their defense, I don't think they were at all prepared for the attention they got when Amazon started sending them business. On the other hand, they've had a year to adjust and, if they have, it doesn't show.

The Expected Adobe Upgrade

This has caused the biggest delay in my working on the third edition – but if it's all they say it will be, it'll be worth the wait!
Some background first.
Over the years, PDF eBooks have cause more than one headache for reader and seller alike. Oh, the PDFs work fine, but security has been a major issue. It took a $5000 software to create the security, and Adobe required that the user register their readers to be able to read your books.
Then Adobe came out with Creative Suite 3 (including Acrobat 8) which caused a host of other complaints.
To be very clear – I don't recommend upgrading any Adobe package until everything is available – including the new Adobe Digital Editions – the new reader that promises to make all things easier.
DE should be available any time now (they've promised toward the end of the first half of 2007). It will eliminate the need to register either the reader or the purchased eBook.
We should also have the opportunity to secure our eBooks for sale through our own sites.
Once the new stuff is available, I'll study it and get to work on the third edition!

Microsoft Vista

I really can't recommend this upgrade. First, it took nearly four months to get the "express upgrade" from HP. By the time I did get it, I'd heard so many bad things about MS Vista that I refused to load it! (Let's face it, when HP and Dell and the other computer manufacturers offer a choice of OSs, there has to be something wrong with the new one!)
As with most of Microsoft's OS upgrades, don't buy it until the first SP (service package) has been made available.

The Microsoft Office Upgrade (prompted by Vista)

I do a tremendous amount of work using MS Word (and the other MS Office applications). This is the very first release in over ten years that has totally disappointed me.
They've reconfigured the interface. I understand that I have to adjust with a developing technology, but this new interface offers less workspace and more clutter. To make matters worse, they've removed the ability to have the computer read your document to you! This may seem trivial, but as a writer, I need to hear what I've written to help me find uh ohs and boo boos and ah, do dos.
When questioned about the changes, the MS Rep to whom I spoke didn't seem to care about my issues.
Wake up, MS! Ma Bell used to be the only provider in town, too!