Publishing Your E-Book On-Line

Different publishers and distributors of EBooks will require different formats in regards to word length, subject matter, author's biographical data, etc. Here we'll discuss a few examples and provide links to several on-line publishers. We will constantly be adding to our list here of on-line publishers and what they are seeking in the way of content so be sure to bookmark this section for future reference.

In all cases, be sure to visit the publisher's site prior to submitting any of your work. We have only provided "samples" here to give you an idea of what you may expect, however each publisher generally has their own set of rules and guidelines for submissions which may change from time to time. We are not endorsing any specific publisher on this site, merely providing information. We do our best to find reputable links whenever possible, however, it is your responsibility to investigate the reliability of each publishing company listed here should you choose to submit your work to them for consideration. Where ever possible, we attempt to get the royalty information and post it here, however, as these rates may change from time to time or if you do not see this information on the sites you check, be sure to ASK before submitting your work.

Most online distributors will want biographical information submitted with your EBook synopsis (if submitting for consideration) or contents (if submitting to a full EBook publisher complete contents for them to publish and sell/distribute). At the very least, most will want a biography statement, consisting of 25 to 50 words quickly listing your background as a writer, or as it applies to the topic you are writing about.

Next, a quick note regarding EBooks and quality content. I think dilsjpress.com wrote it best when they stated "Electronic publishing is becoming a more widely accepted form of media; however, it is still considered to be 'alternative' publishing. It is imperative that our authors are professional and attuned to the general guidelines of publication... Electronic publishing may be 'alternative,' but it is not second-rate."

Formats vary widely, depending on the publisher you are working with, however here are a few examples that appear to be the generally accepted "rule of thumb" regarding submission guidelines.

We are seeking book-length works for inclusion in our catalog. We are interested in reviewing both fiction and non-fiction works. Our taboos: hate, pornography, "objectification" of women.

Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we ask that authors query, rather than sending completed work. Please e-mail the following to our editor or use our Upload Center. (We prefer Word format.)

• query letter
• biographical statement
• first three chapters, or fair respresentation of collection

Electron Press is interested in quality fiction (novels and short story collections) and non-fiction (politics, current events, history, ecology, popular science, essays, etc.).   Electron Press does not publish romance novels, new age books, how-to books, technical books or text books.

Electron Press never takes commercial considerations into account when evaluating a book for publication.  If we like your work we will publish it.  We pay substantial royalties.

"If you would like Electron Press to consider your book, please refer to our Submission Guidelines online.

If Electron Press decides to publish your book, we will send you a contract to review.   When the contract signing is complete, you will have to provide the following items to Electron Press:

• the complete text of your book in a computer file (word processing or text file) on a standard 3.5 inch diskette,
• a one paragraph author's biography, and
• a portrait photo (optional).

All submissions should be copyrighted in the author's name. Only full length novels and works of non-fiction, plus short story collections, are currently being considered. The On-Line Press may make general suggestions as to the structure or characterizations within the piece, but line-by-line editing is the responsibility of the author. Only clean copy in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect 6, 7, or 8 will be accepted.

Of the writers whose work which is accepted, the writer will lease the publication rights to the work to The On-Line Press, thereby retaining their rights to their work after after the initial sales period with the Press has expired. This sales period varies in length from one to two years. Click Here To Go There Now.

"We buy what we like, and generally we publish anything sent to us, so don't be shy! Our goal here is to make you a published author. We love all genres both fiction and non-fiction. Basically we like well written stories(with the exception of pornographic or sexually explicit materials)."

Authors can submit to them in one of three ways - icq, email, or "snail mail". For more details, see their submission guidelines page. Click Here To Go There Now.

Note: for EBooks distributed on their site, readers must have a copy of the Bersoft's HMViewer "browser". Also, they indicate "the AUTHOR keeps all copyright on all works sent to StoneGarden.Net".

We've begun a huge task here at the Writers Nook to build a section with hot links to on-line publishers which we've gathered over this past year. This section will be added soon to our Resource Center. Be sure to bookmark and return or join our Discussion List hosted at eGroups (membership is free) to await the announcement when web site construction is completed on this massive project.