Comments on: Thirteen Steps to Write and Publish a Free Ebook In Thirteen Hours

By: Ishan@ILoveFreeSoftware

Ishan@ILoveFreeSoftware — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:17:46 +0000

This is a really good post. I have been thinking about creating an ebook for sometime, but had been putting it off thinking that it would be pretty complicated to do the same. However, you have made the whole process seem pretty simple. I am sure to give it a try now. Thanks :)

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:42:24 +0000

Hurrah for the thinkers! This is a very inspiring project – and a challenge to boot. Thanks for the post.

By: Timberland shoes

Timberland shoes — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:27:24 +0000

I already have some bits and pieces
I have drafted for a ‘How to set up a membership site’ so with your great plan in hand I have no excuse for not being able to complete this project in 13 hours…

By: dusakabin

dusakabin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:25:43 +0000

700 $ a day? x30 = 21,000 $ a ay!!
Ben Darren am impressed!

By: John (aka The Masked Financier)

John (aka The Masked Financier) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:29:36 +0000

Ali,
Many thanks for this excellent post.
I myself have already written an ebook and am planning on distributing it online for free based on the following strategy:
1) I have written a full ebook on the topic of Texas Holdem Investing
2) I am current posting on my site a shortened version of the full book – similar to the strategy used by 37Signals for their “Getting Real” book
3) When I have finished posting the shortened version online I will PDF it and distribute it for free
4) Then I will create the full version as a PDF and sell it as a follow up to the free version

I would be very interested in any feedback from you.
Also, one question I have is: how does one set up the distribution so whoever comes to the site has to give an email address if they would like (it would not be mandatory)?

By: Eugen - electrician Bucuresti

Eugen - electrician Bucuresti — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:44:32 +0000

Hello,

Thank You for your advice. I was planning to write a e-book on electrical engineering. This will help me alot.

Than You once more,
Eugen

By: Fran Civile

Fran Civile — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:42:58 +0000

Thank you very much! I already have some bits and pieces
I have drafted for a ‘How to set up a membership site’ so with your great plan in hand I have no excuse for not being able to complete this project in 13 hours…

Fran :)

By: Travel Membership

Travel Membership — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:23:28 +0000

Hey Ali,

Very well explained and step by step post. You got me thinking of creating my own ebook. The table of contents idea was great. Keep up the great work. I look forward in reading more of your posts.

Thanks,

Tony

By: Dickie Armour

Dickie Armour — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:18:50 +0000

WOW! I love this article! Thank you so much. I thought it was going to be an article with 13 tips, but this is so much more. YOu’ve gone into great detail and I really enjoyed reading it and I have picked up some great advice.

The feedback and number of comments you’ve had speak volumes.

I wish my Blog was this successful!

Have a great evening and thanks again.

Kind Regards
Dickie

By: Roberto75

Roberto75 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:58:30 +0000

Absolutely awesome post! I’ve been thinking about writing an ebook for a good while now, but the challenge always seemed too BIG!
Just breaking it down into manageable chunks like you have above, makes the whole process seem a lot more achievable. So thanks, I’m gonna get right on it :)

P.S I’m currently using eCoverSuiteElite for my eCovers etc. Just thought I’d post an alternative to eCover Software Pro – It works in photoshop so the end result it usually at a much higher quality.

By: jennifer888

jennifer888 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:47:28 +0000

Ali,

Thank you for this post! As a new blogger myself, I haven’t even considered the idea of writing an eBook. It is now something I have on my “To-Do” list!

By: Lexi Rodrigo

Lexi Rodrigo — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:32:19 +0000

Thanks, Ali! I’ve been toying with the idea of giving away a free report or ebook on my blog. Now you’ve inspired me to actually do it!

And I’m so glad you included adding a table of contents in your steps. Ebooks without a TOC is a pet peeve of mine. I’ve bought ebooks without one and it’s very annoying. It shows the writer didn’t care enough about the reader to make the experience easy for them.

Oh and I’d like to add that creating a PDF is not an issue for Mac users since we can easily turn almost any document into a PDF.

By: George Estremera

George Estremera — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:08:04 +0000

There oughta be more blogs like this! Information products are big online business, and more make money online experts need to cover this area as well as it’s covered here! Thanks for clearing up some things that might have daunted a beginning online entrepreneur!

By: Bakari

Bakari — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:42:28 +0000

Ali, I just finished reading your article (which could easily be expanded into an ebook!), and I have question about the Adobe Acrobat process. If I say write, format, and export my ebook as a PDF file using Apple’s Pages or Word, why do I need to bring it into Adobe Acrobat? Is it just so the links will work? I’m not quite clear about that part of the process.

Btw, I know I can’t finish my ebook in 13 hours (I’m a slow writer and typist), but even if I did it in 13 days that would be better than what I’ve done so far, which is only think about the idea of doing it. So I think writers of your guide shouldn’t get stuck on the number of hours. The point is, is to have a plan and stick with it. Don’t let the project be so drawn out that you never get started or complete it.

By: Ali Hale - Aliventures/Getting More From Life

Ali Hale - Aliventures/Getting More From Life — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:31:49 +0000

Thanks for keeping the comments coming; very much welcomed! I’ll address a few below:

@Paul – The 15 was the “final proof read” and was mostly focused on link-checking (and keeping an eye out for any glaring errors!) The stage where I did most of the spell-checking and typo-fixing was “Redrafting and editing, inserting all links: 3 hours”

@Anders – I haven’t been tracking downloads, nope, I’m sure it should be possible to see how often the pdf has been requested from the web server though.

@Wayne – The 13 hours is tight, and I did spread it across a few days. Also, I’m a writer by profession, which certainly helped a lot!

@Samantha – Yes, I think an ebook in a day is definitely possible!

@Codruta – Those are some great ideas on publishing/marketing, thanks!

@Endy – This was a pretty long post (even by Aliventures standards!) so I’m glad it was digestible!

@bridid – Yes, I’m afraid I don’t use a Mac so not sure if there’s a free version of WriteRoom or something similar.

By: brigid

brigid — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:05:28 +0000

thanks so much for this info!!!
Its just what I need, the Darkroom doesn’t work with Macs though, so it looks like I will have to buy Writeroom. I tried it Its awesome, thanks for the link.
I will be referring to this post a lot because I am about to write 2 free e-books. Watch for the release dates!!
Cheers Ali for being so generous with what you have learned, much appreciated
Brigid

By: Liew Cheon Fong

Liew Cheon Fong — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:25:25 +0000

great article. I found the steps work on writing blog post too!

By: Dennis Gibson

Dennis Gibson — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:15:22 +0000

Wow. Those tips were awesome and I can really relate to it. Just as I thought of haveing an e book!

By: MiaHysteria

MiaHysteria — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:43:23 +0000

Great article. Thanks for the outline. It’s something I’ll refer back to often.

By: Ronblogger

Ronblogger — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:53:31 +0000

nice list of ideas there. im planning to have my own soon and i will surely follow your steps here ;)