Creating your first E-book.

Everyone can write an E-book, or information product,
and distribute, sell, or give it away, on the Web.

Here are some of the advantages of being an  E-book writer:

* You have total control over your work. You are your own
   boss, you decide what, when and where you will write, and
   no publishing company or editor can put you on a dead line.

* You make 100% of every E-book sale.

* You decide where to promote, and how much you spend on advertising costs.

* You can create as many E-books as you like, and start selling them the next day once you know how to do it.

* Your E-book will sell 24/7. Even when you're sleeping, or on  vacation, people will be able to buy and download your book from your web site.

-What you need to start.

It doesn't take a lot to start as a writer.

All you need is a text processing program like MS Word, Notepad, or any HTML Editor, like FrontPage 98/2000.

Why an HTML editor? Because most E-books are compiled from HTML pages.

If you have no idea how to write HTML, you can download Joe Barta's FREE HTML-Tutor by clicking here. (If this link doesn't work, you may try it from here. )

(You need a Windows PC with MS Internet Explorer 4.0 or later to use this software. Also be sure to enable Java!)

If you've never created a web page before, this tutorial will guide you gently through the basics of HTML.

-If you already have experience in HTML, you'll probably find this info a bit simple.However, the tutorial is free, and there are some useful tips in it, explaining how to upload your web
pages to your server, and how to reduce your GIF images.

Here's a list with FREE HTML-Editors:

- Notetab Light (FREE)

NoteTab Light makes text editing a breeze. Move quickly around a stack of large files with a simple interface. Format your text to your heart's content. Write with the font of your schoice, fixed-width or proportional.
- First Page 2000 (FREE)

1st Page 2000 is a professional HTML editing software which lets you create great web sites fast! The visually appealing program comes bundled with over 450+ Javascripts and supports all the latest web languages.

- HTMLPad (FREE)
HTMLpad is a Hypertext editor for Windows 95 and NT 4.0. It can be configured to operate as a simple text editor like the Windows Notepad, or as sophisticated and customized as you like. It caters to the developer that is familiar with HTML and looking for an editor that provides them with complete control over their markup, without consuming a great deal of system resources.

- Arachnophilia (FREE)
Arachnophilia can import and automatically convert RTF documents, tables, and outlines from any Windows 95-compliant application to HTML. It supports up to six Web browsers, CGI, frames, Perl, C++, Java, and JavaScript. Other features; a built-in, intelligent FTP client; automatic uploading of changed files; user-defined templates; global search and replace; and an interface with full drag-and-drop capabilities. This software includes built-in tutorials on HTML development, JavaScript, frames, and the Internet.

E-books are easy to distribute, and you have almost no costs to cover. Once your E-book is finished, you can make it available to the whole world by putting it on a web server.
If you can accept credit card payments from your web site, you are ready to start making money.

You can also let other people help you promote and sell your E-book, by setting up an affilate -or reseller- program, but I'll tell you how to do all this later

- About the creative process of writing.

Really, you don't have to go for the Pulitzer Prize, if you start writing.
On the contrary!
Try to write as you speak.
Be clear, and come right to the point when you make a statement.
Remember, it's not about HOW you write; it's about WHAT
you have to say.
TIP: People love to read clear lines, and if you use lots of white space between your paragraphs, you'll keep the readers interested.

Don't forget; Keep it simple!

One more thing: before you start hitting those keys, ask yourself if there is an audience waiting for your book,or are you going to be your own reader. Make sure there are people willing to read your E-book before you write it.Otherwise: DO NOT WRITE IT!

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you write:
* be original.

* Inject your personality into your writing style.

* Use short sentences.

* Use words that don't force your readers to grab a dictionary to understand you.

* Put in some sort of illustration to prove your point.

Ok, I hope this got you started.  

When next I come, we will talk about how to prepare your e-book.