Frequently Asked Questions
We're here to help you make your book a realityWho are you anyway? Do you know your stuff?
I’m Kylie Chan. I have thirteen novels traditionally published by Harper-Collins, and four novels self-published worldwide on IngramSpark.
I was an IT expert before becoming an author, and I found the advent of self-publishing fascinating. I experimented with some novellas back in 2013 and haven’t looked back. I have been presenting workshops on self-publishing for nearly as long as I’ve been self-published, and in 2016 I did a research Master’s degree on the impact of self-publishing on the lives of traditionally published authors.
Often during my workshops, people would ask me about vanity publishers. I’d hear some real horror stories where people were ripped off for thousands – or even tens of thousands – of dollars by predatory vanity publishers, and were left both broke and without the rights to their work. Some of the stories were heartbreaking.
I do teach how to self-publish, but many people find the process intimidating (with good reason, IngramSpark is really hard) so in response to requests, I’m now providing a service. I won’t bankrupt you to see your book published, and you will, in the end, have a book with your name on it that you can be proud of.
Can you advise me on my best options?
Yes! I’d love to help you if you’re not sure what you need. Use the contact form to book a half-hour obligation-free zoom consultation.
I will discuss your options and advise you on the best way to move forward with your work. If you choose to go a different way, I will cheer you from the sidelines.
There is a $50 fee for the half-hour consult, refundable if you decide to use our services.
Why do you use so many platforms? IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, GooglePlay? Why don't you just use Amazon KDP?
I don’t offer KDP as a standard service because if you publish your book with KDP, it will only be available on Amazon and not in any other online outlets or physical bookstores.
Your print book from IngramSpark print will go to all physical bookstores and online book sellers.
Your ebook with Draft2Digital will go to Barnes and Noble and Apple, as well as libraries and subscriptions services. Your ebook will also be published on GooglePlay and Amazon KDP directly.
With all of these publishing options, your book is truly ‘going wide’ and I’m ensuring that it will be available to all retailers.
Will you do a cover for me?
My service doesn’t include a ‘bespoke’ tailored cover for you, but I will help you to select a cover from many of the pre-made cover services. Some example cover providers are here, here and here. If you don’t find the perfect cover there, I can also refer you to a number of cover designers who can provide you with a design to your own specifications, but this will add significantly to the cost of publishing your book.
Can you illustrate my children's book?
I’m not an illustratore but if you have the text of your children’s book I can provide you with referrals to a number of quality, talented children’s book illustrators.
Do you provide editing?
We don’t provide editing, but we can arrange for Swish Editing to edit it for you. Swish will provide you with an accomplished professional editor who has worked on fiction, non-fiction and academic papers. Use the contact form to get in touch with us, and we will help you to arrange to send your book to them. If you have already edited your book, or it doesn’t require editing, we can publish your book as-is.
Why would I need extra Amazon KDP and GooglePlay accounts for my digital book?
Draft2Digital and IngramSpark will make your book available on most digital platforms (‘going wide’) but they do not distribute to GooglePlay or Amazon. We will have to create accounts on these platforms and publish your book separately there.
How many copies of my print book will I receive?
You’ll receive one digital copy, then one print copy of your book for proofing. Once you’ve approved your book, we will hand your accounts back to you and you can order your own copies at the cost of printing and delivery through your own account.
Will my print book be available in bookstores?
Absolutely. Your print book will be available world-wide to all physical bookstores that are serviced by the Ingram Content Group. Any reader who wants a copy of your book can ask the bookstore to order your book, and it will be delivered directly to the store.
Should I go with IngramSpark or Draft2Digital?
Draft2Digital will give you a quality black-and-white paperback on a website that is easy to use to order your books and check your sales.
IngramSpark will give you the opportunity to choose your own internal design, colour interiors, and create hardcovers with dustjackets, but the website is much harder to use.
The IngramSpark interface is much less user-friendly than Draft2Digital, so it greatly depends on your vision for your completed books.
Use the contact form to ask me which option is best for you.