Whether you have experience or not, writing an online book is always an attractive idea for those who are passionate about creating stories. So, on the occasion of World Book Day (April 23), we want to explain how to start writing an online book and what recommendations you should take into account when starting such a project. So, unleash your creativity and get to work!
What is an online book? Features
An online book, also known as a digital book, electronic book, or ebook, is nothing more than a book that can be read from different devices, be it a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a Kindle. The latter is the most comfortable and least harmful to the eyes, as it is an electronic ink reader and allows you to adjust the light depending on the time of day. Likewise, the format of these digital files is usually identified as .epub, .pdf, or .mobi.
The two big advantages of e-books are:
They are purchased online and are available immediately, as there is no need to wait or pay shipping costs.
Its price is very affordable since there is no paper or ink.
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Steps to write a book online
You’ve probably become a fan of reading books online on platforms like Wattpad and want to take the plunge and contribute your grain of sand to the community of readers. Well, in the following lines, we explain how to start writing your book, in this case in an online format. Take note:
Choosing the topic and format
First, it will need to be a topic you are familiar with and a format that is suitable for developing it. Not every ebook has to be a novel or an essay. Some options can make your book exactly what you want to offer your potential readers. Also, spend some time choosing these aspects. It can be very helpful to make an outline of the plot or content and think about how you are going to order everything you want to express.
Create a work calendar
It will depend on what you have to do with the rest of your work, but it is not a good idea to write whenever you have time or whenever you can. It is more effective to reserve several hours a week to give shape to the different passages of your book.
A trick: set yourself a word count for each session or a chapter or section per week.
Write a detailed index
Whatever type of creation you want to write, you will need to write it following a guide or index. Yes, it is possible that inspiration, especially if your work is literary, surprises you while you are working and you end up changing it.
It will therefore be easier to divide the work into chapters and specify in detail what will happen and what you will explain in each one. Create a skeleton and complete it as your book grows.
Writing time
If you are creating an informative or research ebook, you probably know the approximate number of pages and have an idea of how you are going to structure your data. However, if it is a novel, essay, or creative work, it seems more complicated to know the length in advance.
You may think that more pages mean better quality (or maybe you think just the opposite). Short writing is counterproductive, and so is making the plot too long. Our advice is to write down everything you want to include in your work and everything you have in mind.
Correct the book several times
As we have already mentioned, it is advisable to have everything you think written down and then shape it. Create different chapters or eliminate certain paragraphs from the final result. We also say that correction is a process that is not carried out just once:
The first thing must be to remove everything that does not contribute anything to your work.
The second, more intense, is to correct grammatical and punctuation errors.
The third one should be done a few weeks after finishing the second one.
Let the text sit for a while. If when you read it again you think it is of quality and meets your expectations, you will have made the right choice. Just in case, let someone you trust read it for a final correction.
As they say, four eyes see better than two. Surely, that other person will find some phrases that can be eliminated or substantially improved.
Publish and promote
The Internet is a fertile ground for publishing a book online that will become a best seller. Various companies are dedicated to this type of activity. They usually offer an extra proofreading service that can be very useful. For example, Amazon offers an ebook upload process that allows you to put a work on sale in 15 minutes. This store can be the final boost to taste the fruits of your success. You will be able to see how your book is rising in the rankings and how it has been received by readers.
However, you should keep in mind that you do not need these companies to promote your ebook. If you have a website or a blog, you already have the necessary platform to upload your work. With it, you can charge, without intermediaries, the price you consider most appropriate for it.
It will certainly be more difficult to improve the positioning of your website and promote your ebook. This option is recommended for those who want to improve the branding of a company or for those who manage a blog with an audience that knows your writing style and your interests.
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