Over the last few months I've had lots of requests for help from authors and illustrators wanting to get their work on Sharing Books. To help everyone out, and to share the love, I'm going to start posting semi-regular tips and tricks for success on Sharing Books.

The natural place to start, getting your work on Sharing Books!

We have taken efforts to make getting your work on our site, and getting your work published, as easy and painless as possible. But what we have found, time and again, is that there are a few things that everyone asks about.

The first thing you need to get your work on Sharing Books is:
1) A PDF version of your book, finished as you wish it shown on the site.
2) A .doc, .docx, or .txt version of the text of your book.
3) A thumbnail image you wish to represent your book on our site, no larger then 600 by 600 pixels in size, at 72 dpi, in .JPG or .GIF format.

Today I'll tackle making the PDF. To get these files you will need to use some sort of software on your computer to put the files together. The most difficult is going to be putting together the PDF.

If you happen to be on a Mac, I recommend using either Microsoft Office ( $199 ), Open Office ( free ), iWork ( $79 ), or Adobe InDesign ( $699 ).

For Windows users I recommend using either Microsoft Office ( $199 ), Open Office ( free ), or Adobe InDesign ( $699 ).

If you are on Linux, I recommend Open Office ( free ) or Adobe InDesign ( $699 )

Any of these programs have page layout components ( or in the case of InDesign, is a page layout program ). You can use this software to combine your images and your text into how your book looks. For books that are text only, you simply need to use your preferred word processor.

For Mac users, you have PDF making built right in to every application on your computer. All you need to do is select 'Print' from the File menu, and there is a 'PDF' option in the dialogue box that lets you 'Print to PDF'. Easy as pie.

For Windows users, you have a lot more trouble. PDFs are a real challenge at times on Windows because their isn't a single way to do it, and it all involves plugins, software, and add ons. I recommend the following tutorials and using these plugins for information on how to do it: Creating PDFs, Cute PDF, Print to PDF in Vista. Those should get you under way, and give you an idea on how to get your PDFs made.

If you are technologically adverse you could always request the help of someone more technically savvy. Kids, friends, grandkids, nephews, nieces... they can probably all help you out. Just about everyone knows someone with enough geek in them to put together a PDF! If you are looking for a place to connect with these people, I recommend checking out the Sharing Books Facebook Group. We are starting to get a number of people there that have the technical chops to get what you need done, at various costs.

Hopefully all this information helps you authors out there get things rolling! Look forward to further information as we go!

Labels: help, support, tips n tricks