How To Publish A Genealogy E-book

After years of diligent genealogy research, you’ve crafted a compelling family history. Now, it’s time to share this rich narrative with family, friends, and the world. This guide will help you navigate the process of creating and publishing a genealogy e-book.

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Understanding motivations for a genealogy e-bookUnderstanding motivations for a genealogy e-book

Genealogists have different motivations for publishing a genealogy e-book:

Scholarly research: Experienced genealogists often seek to publish their findings, typically focusing on specific family lines or groups.
Share research with family: Many beginner and intermediate genealogists aim to share their research results with family members.

Regardless of the motivation, authors can use platforms like Amazon KDP to monetize their e-books or produce downloadable PDFs or EPUB files for free distribution.

Advantages of e-booksAdvantages of e-books

Publishing a genealogy book digitally offers several benefits:

Built-In Marketing Tools: Many platforms, especially Amazon KDP, provide robust marketing tools.
Lower Publishing Costs: Digital publishing significantly reduces upfront costs compared to print publishing.
Broader Reach: E-books can reach a wider audience, especially if available in both print and digital formats.
Accessibility Features: E-books cater to the aging Baby Boomer population with customizable font sizes, backlighting, and adjustable text formats

The e-book publishing processThe e-book publishing process

Follow these steps to publish your e-book using Amazon KDP:

Select the E-Book Format: For PDF e-books, include a table of contents, page numbering, and graphics. For Amazon Kindle, strip out extraneous formatting like headers and footers.
Prepare Your Manuscript: Ensure your manuscript is perfectly formatted, preferably in Microsoft Word. Proofread thoroughly for spelling and grammar errors. If publishing both PDF and Kindle versions, create separate files for each.
Create an Account on a Publishing Platform: Use an existing Amazon account for Kindle publishing. Provide necessary information such as your Social Security Number and bank details. Account approval typically takes 2-3 business days.
Draft a Compelling Book Description: On Amazon Kindle, utilize the 3,000-character limit to craft an engaging description that can boost sales.
Design a Book Cover: An eye-catching cover is essential, even for digital books. Familiarize yourself with size and file format requirements. While professional designers can be costly, many authors successfully create their own covers.
Set Price and Royalty Percentage: Choose a competitive price that offers a decent profit. For Amazon Kindle, e-books priced between $2.99 and $9.99 earn a 70% royalty; otherwise, royalties are capped at 30%.
Upload and Publish Your Manuscript: Most platforms accept PDF or Word formats. Use preview options to check for spelling and formatting errors before publishing.
Market Your E-Book: Utilize the free and paid marketing options offered by the publishing platform. Amazon’s KDP Select program provides additional promotional tools.

Selecting the correct E-book formatSelecting the correct E-book format

When deciding between PDF and other e-book formats like Amazon Kindle, consider the following:

Ease of Preparation: PDF is straightforward, especially if used for printed versions.
Copy Protection: PDF files are easily shared unless DRM functions are included. However, DRM can be cumbersome for consumers.
Market Potential: Amazon Kindle’s proprietary format (.mobi) is popular and offers significant marketing and profit opportunities.

Many authors publish both PDF and Kindle versions, typically starting with the Kindle format.

Preparing the manuscript for E-book conversionPreparing the manuscript for E-book conversion

Special preparations are needed for e-book manuscripts:

Keep It Simple: Use standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, avoid headers, footers, and page numbers.
Pagination: E-readers adjust pagination based on user settings. Avoid tables and minimize the use of indents and bullet points.
Graphics: Convert high-resolution images to black and white to reduce file size.

Designing a book coverDesigning a book cover

A captivating book cover is crucial for attracting readers. Consider hiring a designer or using templates provided by platforms like Amazon KDP. Analyze successful covers in your genre for inspiration.

Pricing and RoyaltiesPricing and Royalties

Research market prices for similar books. For Amazon Kindle, select a price that ensures a 70% royalty. Negotiate royalties for PDF versions with resellers, ensuring favorable terms for discounts and promotions.

Marketing Your E-BookMarketing Your E-Book

Effective marketing is essential:

Amazon KDP Select: Enroll in this program to access special promotions. Understand the terms and conditions to avoid penalties.
Leverage Previews: Allow potential readers to sample your book. Place promotional materials at the end of the book.
Provide Review Copies: Engage with genealogy influencers for reviews and share these on social media.
Contests and Giveaways: Use social media and collaborations with bloggers for promotions.
Coupons and Discounts: Offer limited-time promotions to boost sales.

By following these steps, you can successfully publish and market your genealogy e-book, sharing your family’s history with a wider audience.

Explore more on how to publish a genealogy e-bookExplore more on how to publish a genealogy e-book

Printing Charts and Books on MyHeritage on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
Amazon KDP - Amazon
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“Cool Tools for Publishing Your Family History” - Lisa A. Alzo, Internet Genealogy, April/May 2011
How to Make a Family Tree Chart or Book on MyHeritage - MyHeritage
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