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Self-publishing Amazon Print on Demand (POD) Paperback Books

Name: Self-publishing Amazon Print on Demand (POD) Paperback Books
Rating: 4.5 (143 reviews)

Self-publishing Amazon Print on Demand (POD) paperback books using KDP (formerly CreateSpace)

Created byBrian Jackson

Last updated 8/2014

English

What you'll learn

To show you how to format your manuscript for publication using Microsoft Word
To publish your manuscript for POD paperback distribution on Amazon using KDP Print

Course content

7 sections • 41 lectures • 2h 55m total length

Why Self-publish4:24
In this lecture we examine the question, why self-publish?
How Print on Demand (POD) Works3:39
In this lecture we discuss a single presentation slide showing an overview of how Print on Demand (POD) works and discuss the financial benefits of using POD to distribute your paperback manuscripts.
Where to Self-publish5:00
An overview of all the publishing options from ebook, through paperback, and then audio concludes with a discussion of the costs and benefits of entering the Kindle Select program.
What This Course Covers3:10
This lecture includes an overview of the course as well as demonstrations of the screencast recordings of both Microsoft Word 2010 and the CreateSpace web interface.
Transitioning from Createspace to KDP0:37
In this lecture, I discuss the fact that Createspace has been replaced by the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) web-based interface and the changes made to this course and the paperback publication process to accommodate this change.

CreateSpace Word Template0:13
Microsoft Word 2007 template implementing standard CreateSpace formatting.
Why Use Microsoft Word1:42
In this lecture we discuss the two reasons for using Word to format you manuscript for publication. The first is so that you can follow my lectures, the second so you won't encounter difficulties submitting to CreateSpace.
Displaying Formatting Characters2:11
In this lecture we see how to enable and disable the display of formatting characters while we work on a document in Word.
Replacing Invalid Characters3:39
In this lecture we learn why and how to remove all tabs from your document and how to translate -- to an emdash.
Dropping the Formatting Bomb2:12
In this lecture we learn how to wipe out existing formatting of a poorly formatted document before formatting it for publication.
Inserting Title and Copyright Pages7:47
In this lecture we see how to format the title and copyright pages for publication.
Formatting Page and View Size4:36
Learn how to set the page and margin sizes to the most common CreateSpace print sizes and how to set your view size to display two pages side by side for easier formatting.
Modifying the Normal and Heading 1 Styles6:29
We begin the formatting of the body of our document by modifying the definitions of the Normal and Heading 1 styles.
Applying the Styles3:28
In this lecture we review how to apply the Heading 1 style to your chapter headings.
Inserting a Table of Contents4:43
How to insert and maintain a table of contents.
Formatting Page Headers and Footers5:21
In the first of three lectures specific to formatting for print we discuss the inclusion of a standard header and a centered page number in the footer.
Inserting Graphics9:28
How to insert images, the simple way and the way that allows text to flow around them.
Snazzing Up Our Pages3:51
In this lecture, we conclude the formatting of our Word document by snazzing up our Heading 1 chapter headings and our title on the title page.

Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Formerly Createspace0:11
In this article, I introduce this section that provides an update replacing Createspace with the new KDP publishing interface.
Logging into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)5:15
In this lecture, I discuss the process for logging into KDP and the screen layout of the application.
KDP Paperback Details: Naming Your Book to Be Found13:59
In this lecture, I explain how to name your book to optimize its visibility on Amazon. This is the Amazon SEO lecture.
KDP Paperback Details: Copywriting Your Book Description2:13
In this lecture, I emphasize the importance of writing a killer book description and provide some advice on doing so.
KDP Paperback Content: Uploading and Previewing Your Book Interior4:03
In this lecture, I explain how to upload your paperback book contents and how to preview those contents before submission.
KDP Paperback Content: Uploading Your Book Cover7:44
In this lecture, I explain how to use to KDP book cover creator to create a book cover with your own front cover image.
KDP Paperback Rights & Pricing3:42
In this lecture, I explain how to set your publishing rights and how to price your book.
Modifying Books and Monitoring Sales7:24

Original Createspace Publishing Sections0:05
In this article, I introduce this and the following sections as the original Createspace publishing instructions that should probably be skipped.
Logging on to CreateSpace2:13
In this lesson we discuss creating a CreateSpace account and logging in to display the member dashboard.
Entering Title Information and Assigning a Free ISBN7:48
Submitting a manuscript through the CreateSpace interface involves filling out a series of web based forms. In this lecture we fill in the forms which define our project, title, author, and then assign a free ISBN number to our manuscript. We switch to Word to include the new ISBN on the manuscript title page, and return in preparation for submitting our manuscript for review.
Uploading Your Book Interior4:36
In this lecture we see how to upload the interior of our book for publication. Because processing of uploaded content takes so long, we skip ahead to working on the book cover while processing completes...
Using Cover Creator to Create Your Book Covers13:13
In this lecture we see how to use the built in CreateSpace cover creator to create a nice looking cover to complete the creation of our book.
Previewing Your Book Interior7:05
In this lecture, we preview the book interior to make sure the pages are well formatted and that the content fits within the page constraints.
Proof Approval, Distribution, and Price5:13
After waiting only a day we get our completed manuscript and book cover back from CreateSpace review so that we can review it, choose distribution channels, and set the price.
Adding a Book Description4:43
Finally, we complete the publication of our book by adding a description and search criteria that will be used to list the book for sale on CreateSpace and Amazon
Two Last Points2:32
In this lecture I make two last points before moving on, the first about how much money you should expect to make from publishing on CreateSpace and in the other I point how how you can use CreateSpace to distribute your memoirs and family related books to friends and family without incurring any costs or having to ship books yourself.

Requirements

Installed and working version of Microsoft Word
A standards based web browser (e.g. Chrome)

Description

*** Important Course Update ***

In August 2018, Amazon announced that the KDP Print web-based interface would be replacing Createspace as Amazon’s Print on Demand (POD) paperback self-publishing interface. The Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) interface will be familiar to those who have self-published Kindle eBooks on Amazon.

Section 3: Publishing Your Paperback Book via KDP

Has been added to this course to replace the original Createspace publishing instructions retained in:

Section 4: Publishing Your Book via CreateSpace
Section 5: Managing Your Books

All other sections have been kept in place since the process for formatting your document with Microsoft Word has not changed.

Since sections 4 and 5 are only of historical interest, students should skip these sections to view the course conclusion.

Note that there will be significant references to Createspace in the lectures I retained. Simply replace the word Createspace with KDP Print when you hear it and everything should be fine.

I hope you enjoy the new course,

---Brian

*** End of Important Course Update ***

Have You Ever Wanted to See Your Novel or Memoirs in Print?

Who hasn't? Well, thanks to the Print on Demand (POD) services provided by KDP Print you can realize your dreams today. In this course, I'll show you how to format your manuscript for print publication on Amazon using Microsoft Word. Together we'll dot every "i" and cross every "t" while inserting an image or two along the way.

Do You Want High-Quality Results?

With KDP Print, you get high quality, publisher grade books for the cost of printing and distribution. High-quality covers with heavy bond paper and crisp print will make your words soar and look beautiful on your coffee table. Your friends' coffee tables too.

Do You Want to Publish with No Up-Front Costs or Inventory?

Who doesn't? Again, thanks to KDP Print you can commit future royalties to hire Amazon and company to print and distribute your book for you. In this course, I'll show you how to publish your manuscript via KDP Print and Amazon without cost.

This Course Shows It All

From formatting your manuscript for publication using Microsoft Word 2010 through the publication of your book via the KDP Print web-based interface, this course shows it all. Allow me to demonstrate by actually publishing a book for you.

Please Let Me Join You On This Exciting Journey

If you're as yet unpublished in print, it's time to change that. Let me show you how easy it can be.

Don't forget Udemy's 30-day no questions asked money-back guarantee. The should make your decision an easy one.

I'll see you in the classroom,

---Brian

Who this course is for:

Anyone who has ever wanted to see their book in print
Anyone who wants to publish their book with no up front cost and no inventory

Self-publishing Amazon Print on Demand (POD) Paperback Books

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the Course5 lectures • 17min

Formatting Your Book in Word for Publication13 lectures • 56min

Intermission1 lecture • 1min

Publishing Your Paperback Book via KDP8 lectures • 45min

Publishing Your Book via CreateSpace9 lectures • 47min

Managing Your Books2 lectures • 8min

Conclusion3 lectures • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: