The electronic publishing world is a new, fast-growing, and exciting place. It offers almost unlimited opportunity. Through digital publishing, suddenly the whole world becomes your marketplace--anyone with a computer connected to the Internet could be your reader. Finding your niche and then working your way into it can be a tricky task. Here are some helpful tips on publishing and choosing the correct online publisher for you.
Do Your Research. Find out who the electronic publishers are, where they are, and how to contact them. It helps to attend Internet and digital technology conferences or seminars, learn the hot topics and trends specific to this industry--understanding these will help you present your manuscript in a more appealing light by tying it to a popular trend.
Choose the Right Publisher for You. The list of web publishing companies is long. You need to understand what each publisher's specialties, strengths, and preferences are, so you can narrow down the publisher list and match up your material with their needs correctly. Be thorough and picky. Electronic publishers rarely, if ever, deal with literary agents. They are very accessible to anyone-one of the beauties of online publishing.
Approach the Publisher Properly. Some digital publishers want a call first, some want an email, some want a query letter, some just want a portion of your manuscript. You must show respect and approach them how they want to be approached-take the publisher's advice; otherwise, they will not listen to you or consider your material.
Learn to Shrug Off Rejection. One of the great things about online publishing is that you have a higher chance of getting published-the costs of publishing are just so much lower then traditional publishing. But you may get rejected sometimes. Be open-minded. You may need to revise and try again. If you have talent and perseverance, you will succeed in getting published.
Excellent books that offer help in getting electronically published can be found in your local bookstore, library, or Internet stores. Here are some of the best ones:
Writer's Online Marketplace: How and Where to Get Published Online. An informative overview of today's online publishing landscape; methods for crafting queries and submissions; using the Web to network, promote and sell work; making a web site; electronic rights; how to write for electronic publications; and info on who's buying what and what types of markets are now available on the Web. It is enhanced with advice from dozens of successful electronic writers, hundreds of Web site listings, a comprehensive section with details for 300 paying electronic publishers, including what they want, how much they pay, and contact information.
ePublishing for Dummies. This book will show you how to effectively package knowledge for the right electronic audience, in the correct format, and the best way to electronically market and publish the resulting product.
How to Get Your E-Book Published: An Insider's Guide to the World of Electronic Publishing. A thorough and up-to-date operations manual for writers who want to navigate the world of web publishing. It covers how the online publishing industry works, where it's headed and how you can be a part of it. Also, an invaluable directory of e-resources, referencing e-publishers, online bookstores, e-book software, HTML text editors, and writing Web sites is included.
