Eddy

How Do I Set Up Pre-Orders for My Book? TL;DR:KDP allows Kindle ebook pre-orders up to one year in advance but does not offer pre-orders for print books. IngramSpark supports pre-orders for both print and ebook editions. Pre-orders help build launch momentum because all pre-order sales count toward your first day’s ranking. Print-on-demand (POD) has […]

What Is Print-on-Demand and How Does It Work? TL;DR:To get your self-published book into bookstores, you need to distribute through IngramSpark with a competitive wholesale discount (typically 55%), make your book returnable, and have a professional-quality product. Even then, most indie bookstore placement comes from special orders rather than shelf stocking. Print-on-demand (POD) has fundamentally […]

How Do I Get My Book Into Bookstores? TL;DR:To get your self-published book into bookstores, you need to distribute through IngramSpark with a competitive wholesale discount (typically 55%), make your book returnable, and have a professional-quality product. Even then, most indie bookstore placement comes from special orders rather than shelf stocking. Getting a self-published book […]

What Is Wide Distribution and Should I Go Wide? TL;DR:Going wide means selling your book on multiple platforms rather than exclusively on Amazon through KDP Select. Wide distribution gives you more revenue streams and reduces dependence on a single retailer, but KDP Select’s Kindle Unlimited access can be more profitable for certain genres. In self-publishing, […]

KDP vs. IngramSpark: Which Should I Use? TL;DR:Most self-published authors should use both. KDP is best for Amazon sales and gives you the highest royalty on the world’s largest book marketplace. IngramSpark gives you access to 40,000+ bookstores, libraries, and global retailers. They serve different purposes and work well together. This is one of the […]

What Is a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)? TL;DR:A Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) is a catalog identifier assigned by the Library of Congress to books that may be added to its collection. Self-published authors can apply for one through the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) program before publication. The Library of Congress Control […]

Do I Need a Separate ISBN for Each Format? TL;DR:Yes. Each format of your book — paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook — requires its own unique ISBN. This is an international standard, not a platform-specific rule. One of the most common surprises for new authors is learning that a single ISBN does not cover all versions […]

What Is an ASIN and How Is It Different from an ISBN? TL;DR:An ASIN is Amazon’s internal product identifier used to track items in their store. An ISBN is the global standard identifier for books. Kindle ebooks receive an ASIN automatically and do not require an ISBN, but print books need an ISBN for distribution […]

Should I Buy My Own ISBN or Use a Free One? TL;DR:Buying your own ISBN from Bowker gives you full control over your publishing imprint and distribution. Free ISBNs from platforms like KDP or Draft2Digital are convenient but list the platform as your publisher of record, limiting flexibility. This is one of the most common […]