《百年陸沈》三部曲在蘋果書店
我的長篇歷史小說《百年陸沈》三部曲在六個平臺上架，其中要數蘋果書店的書籍外觀最美。蘋果會給封面左側加一道摺痕，右、下加陰影，看上去立體感很強，有精裝版的效果。
後來我把其餘五家的封面都做成這樣帶摺痕的，看起來漂亮多了，但還是蘋果效果最好。
蘋果版本中，內容簡介還有一個小視頻，可以在書中觀看視頻，視頻還可以放大到全屏，看書更有趣。
蘋果的Apple Books擁有華麗的特效，如類似真實書籍的翻頁過場效果，甚至讓翻開的書頁隨著使用者翻頁的手指移動。
而且蘋果給作者分成也很大方，蘋果上架51個國家，無論哪個國家的收益，無論圖書定價、書檔大小，全部給作者分成70%。
蘋果的缺點，就是只能在蘋果設備上的Apple Books上閱讀，不能在網頁上閱讀，也沒有其他裝置的app，因此讀者僅限於蘋果用戶。而Google、Readmoo、pubu都可以在網頁閱讀，也有各種裝置的app，Amazon、Kobo雖不能在網頁閱讀，但也有各種裝置的app，讀者覆蓋面更廣。
蘋果的書，就像一個孤絕的美人，遺世獨立。
As long as you know how to use Word, you are ready to publish your ebook! No barriers, zero cost, high profit!
Guide you step-by-step how to list ebooks on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo and sell them all over the world!
My epic historical novel trilogy, “One Hundred Years of Sinking," with Traditional Chinese Edition and English Edition, comprising three volumes, six books, and a total of over 1.2 million words, has been a one-person endeavor from writing and editing to publishing and distribution. Currently, it’s available on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo, reaching readers worldwide.
Throughout the entire process, the most time-consuming and labor-intensive parts were the writing, editing, and proofreading, while publishing and selling were the quickest and most convenient.
From the moment I started creating ebooks to applying for International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) and setting up accounts in major online bookstores, to uploading the ebooks, everything was done online. Without leaving my home, within a month, my books were available to readers worldwide, generating sales revenue within the same month.
Traditional publishing is often monopolized by publishing houses, as physical book publishing requires financial resources, professional personnel, and technical equipment that are beyond the reach of ordinary individuals. Consequently, countless authors’ works remain unpublished due to the lack of recognition from traditional publishers.
With the rapid development of technology and the flourishing of ebooks in response to the internet, ebooks have removed the barriers to book publishing entirely. Anyone can now publish their works independently, immediately releasing them into the market on various ebook distribution platforms.
This phenomenon has given rise to ebook self-publishing, where authors manage the entire process of designing, editing, proofreading, producing, publishing, distributing, and selling their works independently.
This approach has gained popularity in Europe and America, with ebook self-publishers being referred to as Indie Authors and Publishers, distinguishing them from authors who self-publish small quantities of their works through traditional publishing houses.
Independent authors and publishers who self-publish their works can achieve a barrier-free, zero-cost, high-profit, and continuously profitable experience.
1, Barrier-Free: Based on my personal experience, in today’s digital world, self-publishing ebooks is straightforward. Authors don’t need to be limited by any publishing house, nor do they require advanced computer knowledge or technical skills. As long as you can write in any word processing program like Microsoft Word, with no financial cost involved, every author can become a publisher and share their thoughts and ideas with the world.
2, Zero Cost: There are numerous free writing and image processing software options available. You can choose from a wide range of tools for writing, image processing, cover design, and more, all without any cost. Moreover, in most countries, obtaining an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is free. Uploading your manuscript to major ebook distribution platforms is also free. From start to finish, there is no financial investment required, and your work begins selling worldwide.
3, Sustained High Profits: Compared to traditional print book publishing, where authors often struggle to gain the attention of publishing houses, the earnings are extremely limited. Especially for unknown authors publishing their first book, one-time payments or fixed royalties are quite low, and they might even end up covering the publishing house’s expenses rather than earning income. On the other hand, self-published ebook authors can earn royalties ranging from 50% to 70% of the book’s price, and these earnings continue as long as the book keeps selling. Self-publishers have a dual role as both authors and publishers, so their income includes the sum of both author and publisher earnings.
I have summarized my practical experience of writing, publishing, and distributing ebooks to share with anyone interested in self-publishing ebooks. I hope that more authors can enjoy the freedom of writing and publishing, contributing to the diverse and flourishing development of ebooks.
The process of self-publishing ebooks has convinced me even more that the future belongs to self-publishing and ebooks. Traditional publishing houses will be sifted by the tides of change, with many fading away, and the industry will transform into small teams focused on editing, proofreading, production, and service to authors. Printed books will join the ranks of camera film, bamboo slips, writing cloth, Papyrus, and parchment, becoming a part of history. We are witnessing this momentous historical transition.
鳳巢 