Amazon pulls Macmillan titles in first e-book skirmish

The $9.99 price is a loss leader for Amazon, which has used it to help gain e-book market share for its reader, the Kindle. Publishers are concerned about the downward pressure on prices.

Up until Tuesday, a publisher like Macmillan had no real alternative if it was unhappy with Amazon's e-book prices. But when Apple announced its iPad and an upcoming iBook Store on Wednesday, the e-book landscape changed. Five publishers were announced to be working with Apple; Macmillan is one of them.

The dispute between Amazon and Macmillan has bled beyond e-books, however. All formats of Macmillan books are now unavailable for purchase from Amazon. And that may be tough on the publisher.

Who loses? Will people seeking Macmillan hardcovers and paperbacks on Amazon buy from the secondary retailers? Will rival online retailers Barnes & Noble and the independent Powell's see a sudden bonanza? Will people leave their screens and walk into their local bookstores to get "Wolf Hall"? Or will they simply get "The Help" instead?

How to Write & Publish a Non Fiction Book : Writing the Proposal for a ...

Learn how to plan your non-fiction book proposal, with tips for writing it out, in this free video guide for first-time authors.

Publish Your Book On The Amazon Kindle: A Practical Guide

Imperial Guard Publishing

List Price: $5.95

Product Description

If you're an author or independent publisher who wants to make your book available to the rapidly growing number of Amazon Kindle users, this book is for you!

This book will lead you step-by-step through the process of taking your book from an original digital file, such as a word processor document, to the Kindle Store catalog. It will help you understand the unique paradigm of the Kindle's reflowable text format, and provide solutions to the major problems people commonly face.

You'll also learn the two main paths of publishing to the Kindle Store, plus how to maximize the return on your effort by also publishing your work to Mobipocket.com.

The book assumes that you have NO working knowledge of HTML code. You'll be introduced to certain aspects of HTML that will help you format your book, but it's presented in an easy-to-follow format that focuses on the specific things you need to know to get the job done!

The Business of Writing for Children: An Award-Winning Author's Tips on Writing Children's Books and Publishing Them, or How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book for Kids

Shepard Publications

List Price: $11.00
Price: $9.90
You Save: $1.10 (10%)

Product Description

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books.

Topics include common myths about children's writing, children's book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, career building, and children's writer resources. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and designing a Web page.

Read The Business of Writing for Children to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.


IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit

Creations by You

List Price: $19.95
Price: $19.95

Product Description

IlluStory

Write and illustrate your own book!!

Imagine your child's face when she or he sees their own story and drawings made into a professionally typeset, hardbound book! With this multi - award winning kit, you simply have your child write and illustrate their story using the materials supplied in the kit, which are then mailed in (in the pre-paid envelope provided) for publication. You'll soon receive a beautiful, professionally typset, 12 page, 7" x 9" hardcover book, complete with an "about the author page", title and dedication pages and your little author's name, title and drawing laminated on the cover. Extras books are optional and make great gifts for grandparents. Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, Parents' Choice Classic Award, Family Life's Best Learning Toy Award and Dr. Toy Best Toy-Classic Award.


Publish your own book with the Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit! This award-winning activity kit allows future authors to write and illustrate their very own story on special book pages provided. Once the story is complete, it is sent to be published, and in a few short weeks the budding writer receives a color-copied, professionally type set hardbound book. Ideal for ages five and up, this innovative kit nurtures enthusiasm for reading, writing, and illustrating.

Let the Fun Begin
Illustory Make Your Own Book Kit is not only fun, it also helps your child build self-esteem. You'll never forget the look in your budding writer's eyes as you proudly display his or her first book on your coffee table or bookshelf. This kit even includes an "About the Author" biography page, title, and dedication, just like a real published book. Your child will also enjoy creating the cover and will be able to select from seven cover colors. Families can have fun too as they create their own story together. Extra books with alternate dedication pages can be ordered to make the child's story a gift or keepsake for family, friends, or teachers.

Once your child is finished with the writing, sending the manuscript to publishing is easy, with the included paid postage envelope. Production time is about three to four weeks, plus delivery time. The finished hardcover book measures 7 by 9 inches with 12 pages, and features a permanent hardback binding, a laminated cover drawing, and book title. For techno-savy young authors, the book can be created entirely online by using the Creations By You bookmaking Web site. The entire Illustory kit includes 18 special book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and a prepaid envelope. The correct spelling option allows a choice between leaving spelling errors in or having the words printed correctly.

Award-Winning Features
This kit was a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, as well as multiple awards from other organizations. It helps builds self-esteem and sparks an interest in reading and writing. Youngsters learn to see a project through to completion, and their final printed story rewards their effort. There are many optional upgrades available (for a charge) to enhance the book. Extra books can be printed and separately dedicated as gifts for family and friends. In addition, the author's photo can appear on the bio page, and rush delivery is also available. The Make Your Own Book kit beautifully captures a child's creativity and turns it into a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.

What's in the Box
18 book pages, 2 cover pages, 10 washable markers, story web planner, instructions, order form, and prepaid envelope.


Using the popular IlluStory Make Your Own Story kit, kids who love to write and color can turn their work into a "published," hardcover book that's complete with personalized dedications for each copy. Aspiring writers ages seven and up will get a big thrill when their finished book comes in the mail featuring their own creative text as well as their own photo in the "About the Author" section!



Kids will love seeing their work published with the IlluStory kit. View larger.


Each kit comes with 10 colorful markers. View larger.
What We Think

Fun Factor:

Durability:

(what this means)

The Good: Personalized copies of books make great gifts for relatives

The Bad: Complicated instructions and publishing options

In a Nutshell: Creative kids will definitely be thrilled at becoming a "published" author
At a Glance

Ages: 7 and up
Write, Color, Publish!
Parents will have to read the instructions carefully to help kids create and mail in their book for publishing. There are several important rules to follow, such as strict word countes per page. Once you've helped your child understand the rules, all they have to do is color and write! There are "cover pages" and "story pages" provided, with extras of each in case of mistakes -- a thoughtful touch.

The kit includes 10 markers, but kids can also use their own. When it comes time to publish, the variety of options parents will be faced with can be confusing. They are all covered in the instructions, which are relatively clear, but you may have to read them a couple times through to fully digest them.

Great Gifts for Relatives
Though kids can only write one story per kit, they can write personalized dedications for each book they order, which makes their published books great gifts for grandparents and other relatives. The "About the Author" section is sure to be exciting for your child, especially when they see their own photo. And while younger kids will love the act of coloring and writing on the pages that are provided, older, computer-savvy kids might enjoy the option to create their book online -- an option that lets your child get published faster!

Watch Out, Stephen King!
We really appreciated the extra cover and story pages that were provided in case of mistakes. The "Story Web: Plan Your Story" page is a nice feature too: it gives kids a quick lesson in storytelling while encouraging them to plot their story out before writing. The ability to create your book online is very cool. But our online attempt to create the cover illustration got sadly foiled by a technical error. There was no explanation of what it was or how to fix it, either. On the other hand, the physical kit, with its quality, old-fashioned paper and pens is easy to use. Also, when you mail the story in for publishing, the postage is free!


What's in the Box
Instructions, story web planner, two cover pages, 18 book pages, order form, 10 broadline washable markers, and postage paid envelope.


How to Publish Your Children's Book (Square One Writer's Guides)

Square One Publishers

List Price: $17.95

The Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit!: Start Your Own Home-Based Publishing Company and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book with CreateSpace and Amazon (Volume 1)

Pineapple Publications

List Price: $15.95
Price: $15.95

Product Description

"A fine book for self-publishers set to take advantage of today's best entry to self- publishing." Aaron Shepard, author of Aiming at Amazon.

This book cuts through all the hype that surrounds the publishing industry.  Learn how to register your own publishing imprint and reap the benefits of passive income that successful writing provides. This book shows you, step-by-step, how to set up your own publishing company and self-publish your own nonfiction book WITHOUT the expense of inventory or pricey "writing services" that bogus vanity publishers sell to authors. Using CreateSpace, an Amazon affiliate company, you can self-publish with very few costs up front. Stop dreaming and start living; get your book published and distributed the easy way, and keep ALL the profits for yourself!

See the official website for this book and learn more about the authors at: www.stepbystepselfpublishing.net