My children read eWords. We visit traditional libraries and bookstores, but we more often frequent sites that offer eBooks. My teenaged son prefers to read on his gadgets rather than to cart around oversized books that scream, “I am a boy book nerd, see me read!” My ten year old succeeds in keeping up with her older sibling. I get such a thrill from watching my own eReaders reading their mommy’s books.

People often ask me how to self publish electronic books. Virtually every eReader device on the market has a free tool for authors and publishers to self publish. The Kindle, iPad and Nook have complete publishing programs that one can easily navigate. These products can be located by doing an internet search. Utilizing such avenues rapidly places your words for sell along side publishers from various sized houses.

1. Write the book! Write your best book. Some books may or may not be best suited for electronic publishing. Confirm your decision by researching genres, readers and formats that have seen significant success as electronic readers. Romances, paranormals, thrillers, and mysteries have been quite successful in the eWorld.

2. When you elect that the eMarket is a good fit for your book, begin personal editing. After rounds of personal revisions, have the manuscript professionally edited. If your access to editors is slim, have the text looked over by at least your peers, professors or critique partners. Try contacting a local high school English teacher or community college professor who may be willing to help - the more eyes the merrier. Take into consideration that once you decide to click the publish button, your work and any errors not corrected will possibly be viewed by millions of readers.

3. Design the cover art for your manuscript. Although the art is not required to sell your own eBooks, it helps with visual recognition of the work. Contemplate using artwork, a photo or a digitally mastered representation. Avoid copyright issues by being certain that the cover is original and that you have rights to display the picture. If you do not submit your own cover art, a generic cover may be used.

4. Purchase a block of ISBNs from Bowker Identifier Services to catalog your manuscript. An internet search can provide exact information for this process. Again this is not required, but suggested for legitimacy. Determine and set up banking accounts used specifically for book earnings and royalties. Set your price.

5. Enter the website that will be hosting your electronic book. Create your personal account. This is similar to setting up an account for any online service that requires a user name and a password. Make sure the name used coincides with your banking account for payment and tax purposes. Pay close attention. Read all details and fine print. Creating this account allows you to publish books, track sales, ask questions and network with others in the community.

6. Complete the form information, and set categories. Form information consists of contact information and verification of product authenticity. Precisely indicate the genre and categories of your manuscript. Mark any subgenres and themes within the work. The groupings that you choose will establish how the company places, markets and rates your book. It is also how readers will find your book. Certain eBestseller charts list our books solely based on the categories we entered and a few sells. The children’s eBook market is still quite novel and bounding bestseller potential exists.

7. Convert your manuscript and cover art into the suggested format for the publishing program. When you are ready, upload the manuscript and the cover art.

8. Preview the upload. The programs offer an option to view your uploaded work and ensure that a seamless conversion. Spend time in this stage proofing each line of each page. More times than not, another upload will be necessary.

9. Publish! eBook authors have the benefit to revise and re-upload if necessary.

10. Expect access to your product to take a few days. During the wait, market your forthcoming manuscript. Customers in this reading world happen to be technologically savvy. The internet provides an easy way to market your book. Set up social network pages or a blog dedicated to your book to route your future readers. Happy ePublishing!