In the writing game, there is a definite hierarchy – like a caste system, with some writers snobbishly looking down on others because they “just” write in newspapers, for example, instead of having their own ISBN number. “Yeah, we can't all be like Stephen King - there's no need to rub it in,” I told the world famous author with dozens of books and movie deals, not to mention plenty of cash, when he ranked on me (no, it was not Stephen King!).
But now I can hold my head up high among the ISBN set – thanks to Wordclay (http://www.wordclay.com), the easiest online publishing solution ever for budding authors, or anyone who wants to see his or her name in print! Joining is free, and so is uploading your book, in PDF or Microsoft Word format (the site accepts text in any language); the wizard guides you through the steps needed to turn your file into what is basically an e-book. The basic process is free; you click through Wordclay's six step wizard to choose the print size and binding (the company offers three standard sizes for paperback book printing), design a cover, supply information for marketing purposes, click OK, and that's it – you're “published!” Your book now appears in the Wordclay online store, available to anyone who orders a copy.
You only pay for printed books you order. A 244 page softcover black and white book costs about $9 (not including shipping), and you can order one or a hundred copies (the more you order, the cheaper each copy). The site offers all sorts of other services as well, such as filing for a U.S. copyright or ISBN number, copy editing services, or distribution (for $99 they will make your book available to sites like Amazon.com).
If you go the distribution route, you of course pay royalties and fees, and you need to price your book accordingly. Or, you can market your book on your own Web site, ordering copies and sending them out to customers one at a time, as orders come in (which would seem to me to be the best way to use Wordclay). Some of the services look pricey and can probably be gotten elsewhere cheaper, but you can't beat Wordclay's basic deal – turning you into a published author for nothing, or close to it!
Friday, February 15, 2008
