Gadgets & Gizmos: What You Should Know About E-Readers

Kobo, Kindle, iPad, Nook, Papyrus, Libre Air, Cybook, jetBook, BeBook—the list of these funky-sounding names could go on, seemingly without end. But while these appellations might not have made it into Webster’s yet, they are extremely relevant in today’s publishing world. So, what should all of these gadgets mean to you as an author?

In short: A lot. Thriller author James Patterson was the first novelist to sell a million ebooks last July; this summer, only a year later, he’s sold over three million. In fact, ebook sales recently surpassed print book sales on Amazon, only four short years after the introduction of the company’s Kindle ereader. UK publisher Bloomsbury has also been counting its lucky ebook stars; the company reportedly saw its ebook sales increase eighteen-fold during the first quarter of 2011, bringing in around $1.8 million.

If you are considering publishing your book in a digital format, know that it is imperative to make sure it is available to all digitally inclined readers out there—no matter their gadget preference.

According to Wired, the most popular ereaders purchased in today’s market are the Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad/iPhone, and netbooks. Still, the most popular way to read a digital book is on a trusty ol’ laptop. Luckily, there are only two main file formats for all these different readers—the .prc and .epub formats—and it is essential that your book is made available in both. The .prc format is Kindle’s file of choice, while Apple and most other ereaders are compatible with .epub files.

To get your Word document ready for ebook readers, consider using a conversion professional. Conversion houses like codeMantra, Aptara, or eBook Architects will ensure that your book looks its best in its digital form, assisting you with interior layout and digital cover design.

If you’re in a DIY mind-set for your book, software such as Calibre and MobiPocket’s eBook Creator will let you convert on your own. With these types of programs, all you’ll usually need to do is upload your .doc or .pdf file into the software, make adjustments as needed, click the “Convert” button and hit “Save.” It can get the job done if you’re seeking a simple ebook or if you want to get a feel for how your book will look on a digital reader.

If you’re hoping to maximize exposure, be sure to have a web page for your ebook with links for readers to buy at each of the digital bookstores. Don’t just make your ebook available on Amazon and call it quits. Get in contact with a conversion house or download ebook software and you’ll be on your way to ensuring that your words are read on every possible screen.

Check out the Big Bad Book Blog next week for tips on how to effectively market your ebook once it’s on the digital shelves.