Writing an eBook — But Need a Jumpstart? | by Kathy

Fewer pages can get you off the starting block and into the eBook game

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] ” An eBook writer must move a typed manuscript to a digital format, load it into an electronic

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] All of that digital malarky can make writing an eBook appear to be impossible

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] That said, I’m not a techie yet I’m squarely in the eBook writing camp

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] No, the “e” part of writing an eBook isn’t the biggest issue for me

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Instead, what gets in our way is the “writing” part of “writing an eBook

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Historically, the average nonfiction book is 60,000–80,000 words

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] But when you can get past the “writing” part of writing an eBook you’ll find the

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] By writing an eBook that’s short, you give yourself the chance to complete a project

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Another advantage to writing a short eBook: there’s a good market for them

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] At last check, one-quarter of Amazon’s Kindle collection are short reads

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A short eBook offers readers the chance to try a new genre or a new author, like

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A short eBook is an excellent way to offer enticing, valuable information to users that you want

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Retail eBook stores have sprung up all over the internet: Kindle (KDP), Apple, Kobo, NookPress, iTunes Connect,

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Your problem will not be in finding an eBook store, but rather in choosing one or two

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] You can also sell your eBook on an affiliate marketing network, like ClickBank, that hosts products like

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Online publishers can promote your eBook for you and in turn, you pay them a commission from

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] While the average Kindle book length is about 300 pages (75,000 words), a short eBook is half that or

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Anyone can publish a short book on Amazon in Kindle Short Reads

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Yes, that means you, even if you choose not to submit it to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Classifications are calculated by assuming the average adult can read 250 words per minute

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The recommended minimum for Kindle Short Reads is a ten-page book, totaling 2,500 words

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] That’s the equivalent of four or five long blog posts or articles

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] But before you’re convinced to go short, let me add one caveat

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] That’s because readers want to know they will receive value from downloading your book and investing

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Maybe that means you may need to whittle down your book’s focus

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Perhaps you can choose a smaller problem or a more concise solution to address in your eBook,

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] By writing this one short eBook, you inadvertently can create a group of fans who want to

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] It pulls in yet another group of readers who join your first set of enthusiasts

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Now, you’re not only in print, but you’ve got a group of fans

[{"selector":"#anim-574aa85e-66b7-49d5-84bb-35b3f4202fba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.4034399948172863e-15%, 2.5495635385903583e-7%) scale(0.8403361344537815)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Your bank account has accumulated royalty checks along the way, too

[{"selector":"#anim-312dbec2-448c-4388-85c4-1b8014f14582","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93d08196-99ec-4261-87a6-4af6a44e4cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.3045977011494228%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] All because you got past the “writing” part of “writing an eBook