If you’re a Kindle author, you’ll be interested in Apple’s just-released application, iBooks Author.

I haven’t downloaded the iBooks Author application yet. This article suggests it will be easy to use for anyone who owns and loves a Mac, Apple’s iBooks 2, iBooks Author: Bids to own publishing’s future – latimes.com:

“If you’ve ever used Apple’s Keynote or Pages (or Microsoft’s PowerPoint or Word) apps, then you should be able to hit the ground running in iBooks Author. There are templates for different types of book layouts, and adding the interactive 3-D models, photos, videos and diagrams that Apple demoed iBooks 2 textbooks on Thursday is as easy as clicking and dragging a built-in widget… “

It’s great to see that Apple’s producing tools for self-publishers.

I’m in two minds about it however.

On the one hand, I love new tools, especially Mac tools produced by Apple. On the other hand, I wonder whether Apple is as committed as Amazon to creating an entire environment for self-publishers.

The big lure of the Kindle platform, especially for novelists, is that each book helps to sell your other books. Apple doesn’t as yet have that environment. Time will tell whether Apple intends to devote time and money to creating such an environment.

Kindle Publishing Is Hot: Want to generate cash from your kitchen table and quit your day job?

Others are making money from Kindle publishing. The lucky few are making millions. Some are making great money — and that money increases each month.

What about you?

Imagine generating cash from your kitchen table. You can let Amazon do all the heavy lifting. Amazon’s got a proven publishing system, after all — discover Fast and Easy Kindle Publisher: Turn Free Stuff Into Kindle Cash, and discover four different ways to turn free stuff into Kindle cash.

Are you considering enrolling your new ebook in the KDP Select program? You’ll be given the opportunity to do so when you upload your ebook.

Amazon has just released a new press release which indicates that authors are having some success with the program.

In this press release, Amazon Media Room: Press Releases, Amazon reports:

“Amber Scott is a romance writer and earned $7,650 from the KDP Select fund in December. “Enrolling in KDP Select utterly transformed my career,” said Scott. “I’ve experienced not only a surge in royalties but a surge in readership thanks to the increased exposure. I love the chance to earn new readers through the innovation of the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. What an exciting time to be an author!””

Tired of struggling? Here’s some inspiration for you… An ebook called “Fat Loss 4 Idiots” made 21 million dollars in 2009. Last year, Amanda Hocking wrote several short ebooks, and made 2 million dollars. Publishing has changed. You’re in charge, if you want to be.

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Oh dear. Panic abounds on indie authors’ forums and blogs.

Don’t panic, dear author. Amazon isn’t taking the bread out of your mouth… Kindle owners can only borrow ONE book a month, so who cares?

You shouldn’t.

I heartily second this blog post. Scott Nicholson:

“Every single move Amazon has made resulted in MORE money for all participating writers, MORE ebooks for all readers, and MORE opportunity instead of a monopoly (if you follow me at all, you know I’m a contrarian and I see huge, huge opportunity in the other markets now, which of course will have to do something to counter Amazon’s big move.)”

No one is twisting any author’s arm to take part, are they? And as Scott says, without Amazon, indie authors would be using manuscript pages for origami.

Amazon’s just giving authors more opportunity. If you’re not interested, don’t take part.

Nervous about self-publishing? Many writers aren’t and that’s ideal. Kindle publishing is laughably simple.

That said, many writers would rather do their own dentistry than format and upload their self-published books. If you feel this way, respected publisher Penguin can help.

Publishers Lunch (subscription required), Book Country Launches Self-Publishing Platform reports:

“Book Country is offering three publishing packages to authors who wish to self-publish within the genres of romance, mystery/thriller, and science fiction & fantasy: a digital book with user-formatting based on a Microsoft Word file for $99…”

I’m not familiar with Book Country at all, but it looks like a great community. I’ll be joining myself.

You’ll need to decide whether their packages work for you. Be aware that you’re giving up some control, and money, too. Before you sign up with any packager, make sure you read and understand the fine print.

Kindle Publishing Is Hot: Want to generate cash from your kitchen table and quit your day job?

Others are making money from Kindle publishing. The lucky few are making millions. Some are making great money — and that money increases each month.

What about you?

Imagine generating cash from your kitchen table. You can let Amazon do all the heavy lifting. Amazon’s got a proven publishing system, after all — discover Fast and Easy Kindle Publisher: Turn Free Stuff Into Kindle Cash, and discover four different ways to turn free stuff into Kindle cash.

Ebook publisher Angela Booth is presenting a new series of tips on her Top Ebook Writer Blog. The ebook market exploded in 2010. Writers now have many new sales channels and options, and Angela will be exploring them in the series.

Now three years old, her popular blog is a resource for information product creators. It covers ebook writing, marketing, and strategies.

Angela says: “I originally created the blog to provide inspiration for anyone who wanted to write and sell an ebook, but had no idea how to do it. Creating information products is a perfect home business, because the startup costs are minimal, and the business can be bootstrapped easily. I’m launching the new series because there are now a bewildering number of sales channels available to ebook creators.”

The channels include Amazon, Apple iTunes/ iPad, Lulu, Smashwords and many more.

The series will look at the various channels, and what they offer, so that writers can choose the best channel for their ebooks in 2011. Writers need to be wary of distributing through too many channels however, because each new channel requires a different format, and marketing can become very complex.

For writers who want to do it themselves, Angela will be including posts on the technical aspects of ebooks: how to format ebooks for the various channels, and how to hire a graphic designer, and copyeditor.

Like many writers, Angela is surprised at how huge ebooks have become so quickly. She says: “I’m sure it’s taken traditional publishers by surprise. This ebook tsunami started with the Amazon Kindle, and received a huge boost with the launch of the Apple iPad and the bookstore ebook readers.”

It’s a very exciting time for writers and information product creators as they explore the many new options available.

The series, called “Ebook Revolution 2011″, will be available on the Top Ebook Writer blog soon.

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Are you make as much money as you could be making? Chances are that you’re not. There’s no shame in this. Writers often struggle to find their own special niche.

If you love to write, then you’ll love the information in my new ebook/ coaching package, Info Product Maestro: Make $500 a Day with Your Information Products.

Write what you like, when you like, and make an income you’ve only dreamed of.

Enjoy.