What is an eBook?
"eBook" is short for electronic book. eBooks are any type of book that you read in electronic format. Most eBooks give you the ability to search, bookmark and annotate. eBooks are constantly evolving and changing with regards to their functionality and the devices that they are read on.
How Do You Read an eBook?
There are many reader devices available. The most popular are:
1. Your computer or laptop
2. Dedicated eBook readers like the Kindle or Kobo
3. Cell / Mobile phones (smart phones)
4. Other devices such as the iPad or iPhone from Apple
Why Should I Publish an eBook?
Have you submitted your manuscript to a publisher before only to be knocked back time and time again? Do you have a great story to tell? Something you want to share with the world? Now you can self publish via www.eBooksInternational.co
1. Reach a New Audience
eBooks are just one of many ways to reach readers. Many authors consider eBooks a new, different marketing outlet for their books. As an author, the more exposure your eBook gets the more sales you will make. Many authors now package their work in both eBook and paperback form.
2. New Publishing Medium
eBooks allow the author to be more creative. eBooks will continue to evolve and become more interactive as new technology allows for such opportunities to develop. As an author you will be able to connect with your readers in many news ways such as embedding video links into your eBook, audio, links to your website and even direct them to bonus chapters.
3. Longevity
Once you have an eBook published it will be available for as long as you want it to be. Unlike paper backs you are not obligated to do an expensive print run just to satisfy a small audience. This shift in publishing also promotes positive changes to our environment.
Is There a Market for eBooks?
Absolutely! eBooks had their detractors early on. There was a lot of scepticism by journalists, authors and industry insiders which is now being eroded daily. Many of these sceptics were from the "old school" of publishing and feared the new changes.
eBooks are increasing in popularity with readers. The technical (formats, DRM) and commercial obstacles (lack of online eBook stores) are no longer an issue. By now, most publishers believe that a thriving eBook market is here and they are all jumping on board to make sure they don't miss out.
There have been authors who have made significant money from eBooks. In the past, these authors have mostly been from writing "informative" eBooks focused on a niche topic. Now, eBooks from all categories are gaining in popularity.
What Are the Most Popular eBook Formats?
The battle of formats has been an interesting one. Slowly, formats are being dropped off and hopefully there will soon be one standard eBook format that can be used on all reading devices. At the moment it appears that we are primarily down to the following two formats:
1. PDF: Developed by Adobe, the PDF (portable document file) is currently readable by just about everybody on almost any device.
2. EPub - Quickly becoming the standard format
What Are the Advantages of eBooks?
1. eBooks are Portable
The average person can only carry a limited number of books, but hundreds of books can be carried on an eBook reader. The benefits of this are endless. For example; soon students will no longer have to lug around heavy back packs full of books. We envision a world where students can carry one device that holds all of their required textbooks.
2. eBooks Are Adaptable and User Friendly
eBooks have a search text function, ability to highlight points of interest, will remember the last page you were if you stop reading, change the font size based on optimal reading for you, contain links to additional information and many more benefits.
3. eBooks Can Be Updated and Kept Current
eBooks can be very easily updated. It is simple to correct mistakes, add new chapters or update statistics. Previously with printed books, if there was an error that had to be corrected it was a costly process. Now eBooks can be updated in real time.
4. Accessible
eBooks provide greater benefits to readers with disabilities as they can be adapted on the screen or read from an embedded audio track.
What Should I Know About Digital Rights Management?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to the technical methods used to control or restrict the use of digital content. DRM aims to prevent sharing of the eBook or file.
Currently there is a debate amongst all of the key eBook stakeholders about the usefulness of DRM. Proponents maintain that DRM is necessary to prevent piracy and increase profits. eBooks with DRM are locked into one or more proprietary formats.
Those who do not support DRM feel it is unnecessary and limits access, functionality and sales of eBooks. They maintain that no matter how you secure an eBook it can always be pirated as with the case with music. Instead of treating customers as loyal, honest consumers, DRM is viewed as hiring an armed security guard to follow customers around a store.
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