I just updated this book at the end of June. Got the updated version uploaded on the evening of July 1, 2023. Of course, Amazon has to approve the updates which might take up to 24-72 hours. I only state this because there was an order (for a single copy) placed on 1 July and I’m not exactly sure if the person who ordered the book would receive the updated copy or not. I would like to think so, since the copy to be sent out would not have actually been printed yet, but who knows?
In any case, there aren’t too many significant differences between the last update in January 2021 and this current update. There is really only one main change, or difference. If you have the older version of the book (Jan 2021 Update), turn to page 27 (if you have the paperback version. In the kindle version, just look for the Headers and Footers section) and look for the following:
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You’ll see in the screenshot below (not from manuscript, but from Microsoft Word) that the word, or label, “Design” that I mention, now no longer exists. Did it ever? I’m assuming it did at the time I wrote the first edition and the second (first updated) edition. I can’t see having made such a glaring error. But who knows? Perhaps Microsoft did actually change things . . . In any case, I’ve made the correction.
Corrected:
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Compare the two Highlighted sections in the screenshots above!
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This was the only major update! The book is a little longer now due to some rewording of things. And I did add a short note, or section on how to think about Word documents so that the “Link to Previous” process will be a little easier to understand. In short, just think of the Word document as a section of chain and each page as a single link in that section of chain. You will have to unlink in various spots . . .
Essentially, that is all of the updating.
I did check over the Kindle Create software to make sure that the buttons were all in the same places and worked as described. However, as I closed out of the Kindle Create software, there was a new update offered. I updated and looked again. The only difference I could see was that at the end, meaning when you are ready to publish, when you click on PUBLISH (see page 81 in the Jan 2021 updated book) to publish/create the KPF file you can also publish your book in ePub format. So, this is new!
Amazon does have a way to publish a hardback copy of your book now if you so choose. I have yet to do this. I’ll have to check into that at some point.
Also, there is an option for publishing using Vella if you are interested in that. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but here is the definition on Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) site:
We’re introducing a new storytelling option: Kindle Vella. With Kindle Vella, U.S. based authors can publish serialized stories, one short episode at a time. Readers can explore Kindle Vella stories in the Kindle app by going to the Discover tab in app on iOS devices or the Store tab in app on Android and Fire devices and tapping the Kindle Vella link.
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So, the big question, at least in my mind, is why don’t I promote this book?
The answer: It sells itself. I don’t have to push it. This book has sold even more since Amazon sometimes offers it bundled (or suggests purchasing this book) with another book on Formatting and Self Publishing for authors.
And, to be honest, another reason I don’t promote this book is that I want to be known for my works of fiction. My fiction sales are picking up, but do not match the sales of this book.
Should I promote it? This book does help people quite a bit. I use it often. I have to use it if I go a few months without formatting or publishing a title. Though I did have problems when I formatted a couple of books last November (under a pseudonym). At the time I hadn’t realized I was using the initial copy of this book (not even the Jan 2021 update). I had quite a time as the original version is really outdated.
Note: I also had a difficult time uploading the books. I kept getting an error and thought I had done something wrong. Turns out, Amazon now just allows you a couple of tries—if they are busy or whatever—and just gives you a vague error message. This had never happened before. I walked away in frustration at three in the morning and came back the next day (really later the same day) to publish (Seventh try). Worked like a charm. Just be aware that sometimes you are doing everything correctly by following the book and the problem is on Amazon’s side of things. Don’t give up! Maybe it is a temporary problem. Just step away for a bit, especially if you have checked everything over and are certain that you have not made an error.
I haven’t decided, really . . . maybe I’ll promote and market this book in the near future. Though, I guess you could say I am doing so with this post.
Really, I just felt bad for those individuals who ordered the book in June. And I especially feel for the person who ordered on July first. I hope he or she sees this post!
And yes, I also will have to order a copy of the updated version for myself.