Self-publishing challenges for 2016
Our Self-publishing challenges for 2016 are discussed in this post.
This is the second year in a row that we have posted our challenges. However, this year we need to be more realistic. Despite our best efforts we will achieve some of the challenges but invent others throughout the year. This is what occurred last year.
Nevertheless it is always exciting to identify the challenges for the year ahead. Of course, that establishes the often fraught task of reflecting at year’s end.
Areas of Interest
eBooks
Our ongoing eBook challenges are to self-publish at least two eBooks each year, and be well advanced on the preparation of a third. This year is no different. First, the eBook about our drive up the Queensland Coast must be completed (already about 80% complete) and published. Secondly, “Seven Days in Devon” is earmarked for publication this year, following our planned visit in early August. Preparation of “Seven Days in Prague” also needs to be well advanced by the time we leave for the UK.
In previous years we have pulled our research together after our visit, but this year we want to complete it before our departure. We hope this will mean a stronger focus on our impressions, lessons learnt, alternative schedules, highlights, and disappointments. We intend, after lapsing for a couple of years, to record (audio) our impressions at the end of each day. We intend to post these on our website.
Just quietly, I want our Prague eBook to be an enhanced eBook. Realism has just walked out the door!
eBook self-publishing
Self-publishing techniques will be a strong emphasis this year. This area is fascinating but our focus has waned.
So, this year I am going to really study enhanced eBooks. When we self-published our first eBook back in 2011 it was all about Amazon and its Kindle. But now the focus is on mobile (smart) phones and tablets as reading devices. This provides the opportunity for audio and video to be embedded in future eBooks.
In the first instance this means targeting the ePUB format. How can be audio and video be embedded? Which distributors can facilitate these eBooks? Do Amazon Kindle Fire tablets allow embedded audio and video?
These are our 2016 challenges for self-publishing.
Photography
Once again photography will be a major focus. The 2016 challenges for photography will include:
- learning all about my new camera and extending my skills beyond aperture priority
- studying all about “light”
- re-examining appropriate eBook and print image specifications
I have booked a weekend workshop with Anthony Epes (Cities at Dawn) in August while we are in London. One of his recommendations is to really know your camera controls and tripod as we will be operating pre-dawn (in the dark) – looking forward to it.
Posts
I like to publish posts on our website but I am not a blogger. Last year I set a target of 26 posts but only managed 18. This year I am going to commit to 12 posts. I like to research a limited number of topics and write a post about each one.
Most likely the posts this year will relate to our eBooks, eBook self-publishing, my photography, our travels, and our website growth and maintenance.
Travel
This year we will be travelling to the UK and Europe. The majority of our time will be spent in London and we plan to undertake some London walks. We’ll also spend a week in Devon and plan to publish an eBook about our experience. We’ll also spend a week in Europe (Prague) with an associated eBook.
Social Media
We are terrible at promoting our eBooks. We’ve only managed a low-level presence on Twitter. Once again I am setting a goal to improve our social media presence by engaging more on Twitter and making a concerted effort with Google+. I am not confident about this but who knows what might happen.
Conclusion
This completes our list of 2016 challenges. Once again I think I have overdone it, time will tell. However, it’s always good to have some stretch goals.
The top five priorities as we see them are to:
- complete the Queensland Coast eBook
- prepare for our overseas travel and complete all pre-planning components of the Devon and Prague eBooks
- become very familiar with my new camera
- explore the requirements for enhanced eBooks
- write posts and engage on social media about these activities
What do you think? You’re comments are welcome.
This is a link to all of our Goals and Reflections posts
This is a link to all our eBook self-publishing posts.
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Visiting Budapest this year? Consider our eBook.
Buy now on Amazon for Kindle
Buy now on Apple iBooks
Buy now on Smashwords as an Epub (suitable for Apple iPad/iBooks, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, and most e-reading apps including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others)
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