Being published is the dream for us writers. When we work on our novels, articles, short stories, blogs, it is with the intention of having it published. It is the ultimate aphrodisiac and the ultimate motivator for writers.
What It Takes
A common question most writers, especially unpublished writers, ask is how do we get published. Is there a magic formula, a particular strategy, a special tip, or is it good old perseverance and hard work. Does a published author do things differently from someone who is trying to get published?
Our editorial team mulled over this question and tried to find answers for our readers who want to see their names on published book covers. We sifted and perused the works of bestselling Indian eBook Writers and compiled a list of lessons we learnt from their success stories.
Lessons Learnt
These lessons could provide you with an insight on how to get your eBook published and popular:
1. The Cover Design
Someone once said, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ That someone had no clue that when it comes to eBooks that is exactly what readers do. As a reader sifts his or her eyes through a multitude of titles, it is only natural for them to stop on a cover that grabs their attention. This is one area where it is best to seek professional help if you are not conversant with design elements. There are certain nuances when it comes to designing eBook covers that may be missed by an amateur.
2. Meet The Reader’s Needs
This is an instant, sure-fire way of being published and making it on to the bestseller list. If you can write an eBook, with the interests and needs of your readers in mind, the book will be lapped up by publishers and readers alike. It is easier said than done though. A writer will have to do considerable research and reach out to their potential target readers to understand this aspect.
3. Brevity Works Best
Do not overload the reader with information. You may be an expert in your chosen subject and want the reader to get in as deep as they possibly can. This approach backfires more often than not. Focus on one aspect of your topic and stick to it instead of a broad-based approach.
4. Test Group
Whether you write an eBook or a paperback, it is better to do so with an audience in mind. Once your eBook is ready, test its contents with a core group of readers who form your target audience. The feedback you get from this group is invaluable and can go a long way in determining the success of your eBook. The very best eBook authors (in India and abroad) constantly seek out feedback from this group and value it slightly more than the feedback they receive from editors and publishers.
Changing Landscape
The publishing landscape is changing rapidly, and eBooks seem to be the way forward. If you have an eBook you want to publish, simply go forth and be confident about it.
Image credit: USACE Europe District on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/img-109061105-0001.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Anand Changali is a compulsive writer whose first love is cinema. He has written scripts for animation shows, animation films, and also articles for blogs and the digital domain. His book, The Princess in Black – An Unheard Story of the Mughals, has been picked up by Srishti Publishers. [/author_info] [/author]