[Closed] I wrote an eBook about cycling

The picture is a bit part of what sells it - if you're not good at it (looks alright, just a bit low-res) get someone who is!

Bit tricky on my budget as the book is 98p! Is the pic that bad?

The pic doesn't look too bad to me. Perhaps a little 'overdone' with the contrast slider, but it gives you a clear idea of the book.

I didn't realise you could write books and get them up on Amazon for sale.
That's pretty neat!

Is the pic that bad?

No, like I said, looks alright, just a bit low-res if I was being critical.

Was a general comment (as you'd picked up on it) that if you're not good at it get someone who is. Don't necessarily mean paying hundreds to a professional, get a mate who knows Photoshop, and buy him a beer.

stumpy - it is flippin hard work let me tell you that! But The publishing process is quite straightforward once you have sorted the text out.

I think the picture looks good.

Its meant to show physical effort by increasing the contrast ?
So only the important things stand out.

I think that sometimes kinda happens when u really try hard and feel a bit faint.

Bet nobody can tell me where it was taken?

road, out of saddle steep, hairpin = hardknott? but I guess maybe scotlandshire somehwere?

scotlandshire is correct, which island?

Lewis?

Skye?

It's Skye..wish I was riding there right now

Windy and wet right now, must be summer. 🙂

Thought the 'About the author' read very pratchett like. If the books in that style you're onto a winner (imo)

DT78, read the intro which is available for free by clicking "Look Inside" and tell me what you think?

David, what's your full name? Having difficulty finding your book on my kindle.

Cheers

P

Ok- found your full name from the link above, but your not coming up on a kindle search? I can buy through the amazon site, but not with my device. Odd- worth having a look into, as your losing a lot of potential buyers.

That said, I'll get a copy through the main site...

P 🙂

Ok- found your full name from the link above, but your not coming up on a kindle search? I can buy through the amazon site, but not with my device. Odd- worth having a look into, as your losing a lot of potential buyers.

That said, I'll get a copy through the main site...

P 🙂

Read the free bit on the train this morning, was quite funny 😆

tootallpaul: You can buy other versions at [url= https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/134414 ]Smashwords[/url] including iPad and Sony/Nook compatible formats.

emsz - that's my life you're laughing at there..it's all true, only 98p and then you get to read the full truth about singlespeeding.

Whoops..I misunderstood you tootallpaul, I will look into that. Thanks!

just reading it now. I like the dry daft humour, really enjoying it.

but like tootall says I couldnt purchase it for my kindle via my Android phone.

I think the pick is okay, brings out the pain we all feel on a big climb 😀 I think you could of had a picture of yourself smiling on the All About the Author section, instead of the miserable git one. 😉

I think you could of had a picture of yourself smiling on the All About the Author section, instead of the miserable git one.

What and misrepresent myself?

but like tootall says I couldnt purchase it for my kindle via my Android phone

Just tested on Kindle and a Search for Dave Barter brings it up ready for purchase. I think maybe there is a lag between publishing and availability?

Look forward to reading your book and many congrats on getting yourself published.

Bought it and reading it now.

Thoroughly good fun! Already worth 98p 😀

Is it available in the I store?

Edit - spotted link

Thanks for the nice comments. If anyone is thinking of doing the same I am hoping to put together a bit of an idiots guide which I'll stick up on my website. There is a lot to think about and if I had known what I know now I could have saved days of pain in formatting and other issues.

The ultimate arse is Amazon. As a new author there is no point pricing above a £1 as nobody will take a punt, and in my case that wouldn't have been a good idea as the book is a string of articles. So Amazon take 65% if you price under £1.80 ($2.99). You can guess I am totally raking it in at the moment. I have to sell 2.8 million books to become a millionaire. Therefore the day job will have to be something a little more mundane.

smudger666: You have to go through an approval process..takes days.

edited as a double post, never done that before 😕

Hey Dave, well done on getting the eBook done; now where's that quid, it'll be here somewhere, ah there it is... 8)

One day I'll ride down your way 😉

Tony

I have to sell 2.8 million books to become a millionaire

2799999 eBooks now...

Found it on my android absolutely fine and have splashed out 🙂 It'd better be good 😉

Cheers Dave- I picked it up from the link, and look forward to having a read soon.

Just downloaded it. Says it is ranked #1,077 in Amazon shop.

Hopefully a bit happier story than my current book - reading about Graham Obree's childhood in 'The Flying Scotsman'. That is looking like it will be a tough read in places so I am expecting YOU to cheer me up!

is it on Amazon.com cause I cannae download it cause I live outside the UK

Flying Scotsman is a good read but by god, it's not a happy one...

Bought. Looking forward to a good read this evening. 🙂

Just bought it as well, will start it tonight....
Now up to #1066 in the best sellers
How high can it go!

Would be very, very interested to read how you got your book onto Amazon.

I can create Kindle eBooks no problem (and use them on my iPod) but I have no idea how to get them on Amazon.

Would be very, very interested to read how you got your book onto Amazon. I can create Kindle eBooks, but don't know how to publish them on Amazon.

Thanks!

Just trying to find it and will buy it also.

JulianA..it is really quite easy..follow the process at this link [url= https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/signin ]here[/url]

Thank you so much all those who have bought it, any feedback gratefully appreciated and I am gutted to have already found a few typos myself..so another version will need to go up soon.

Intro and description read well, so I reckon it's worth a punt for a pound.
now up to 731 in the best sellers rank.

I bRought you're book. Enjoying it so far. Thanks 😉

Forgot to say,

Bought. Figured, worth supporting.

As always the support around here is fantastic.Thank you. Please let me know if you think it's a bit crap, email in profile. I'm open to any suggestions as to how to improve this sort of thing. A few friends said "pictures" but I'm not convinced in a Kindle book as they look so pants on the eInk screens

Actually got round to start reading it........pretty good so far! well done

Actually got round to start reading it........pretty good so far! well done

+1.

Read the intro and some of the first chapter whilst waiting for salt & pepper chips in the Chinese at lunchtime. I like the style, I think it's the sort of style I'd write in if I wasn't utterly apathetic.

Have been reading it on the train home from work and it is a great e-book ! I also find it quite inspiring to get off my butt and ride in the evening after work so thanks for that David.

Regards,

Tim

timmytwowheels - top man! any chance of a positive review on Amazon?

Of course, no problem.

If it's as good as your blog it'll be great. We bought a Kindle recently, and you'll be pleased (maybe) to know yours will be the first book we buy.

Enjoyed the little I have read so far.

Ranked 9th best selling in the cycling lists - above David Millar's book!

I have managed to create a paper version via Lulu now [url= http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/obsessive-compulsive-cycling-disorder/18915090 ][link here][/url] some of the pain of the whole process documented [url= http://www.phased.co.uk/index.php/blatherings.html ]here[/url]

HI Dave, Finished reading it last night. Perfect kindle book...able to read in bite sized chunks: on the plane, bed time etc. Some great chapters. well done....
If you haven't bought it yet its great value and funny in parts.

Bought,looking forward to reading it.

Thanks deadslow..made my day that did, after a very difficult week.

Suitably curious...cued up the sample, although for 77p I might just take the punt

Just wanted to say good luck with your book.

I see your Mum wrote a review. My Mum wouldn't read my dissertation on which my book is based, so I had to make the decision not to tell them I had published my book. Great to see you have her support.

All the best

simon my Mum and Dad are pissed off with the swearing 🙂

Thanks for your help by the way. I ended up using Lulu for the print copy on your advice and love the service...hate the commission

Just finished it, and enjoyed all of it (including the non MTB stuff - you have me thinking of a road bike....) 😳

Left you a review on Amazon too - keep up the writing.

Cool

It will be better when the paperback gets on to Amazon in a few week's time as then you may sell some more. Kindle seems to be where it is at sales wise, as my book seems to sell around 5 times as more on Kindle than in paperback.

I was really happy with the quality of book you can produce on Lulu, and photos come out quite well too if you ever want to put some in your next book ; )

Now that you are building up this huge fan base you will have to get going on your next book!

I bought this at the start of the tread.

I liked it

Plum

I finished this book about a week ago.
It did read like a collection of articles/stories (obviously).
Some were better than others, with some being very good indeed.
The writing style was good and it was like reading a compilation of the best bits from a cycling magazine. So considering how much we pay for magazines, I'd consider this a good buy.

If we're doing ratings: 4/5

If you want a hand with pictures I'm always happy to help out a cyclist. Email/website in profile and whatnot.

Bought it too, will probably save it for holiday, loving your Mum's review! That alone made me laugh, I didn't bother looking at the book antyhign cycling related that is only 98p is worth a punt! Good luck STW readers may be able to push it up!

Half way through it some stories better than others but am enjoying it if scoring i would give it 4/5

Number 2 on the Cycling books charts now!

I bought this at the start of the thread, but not got round to reading it yet as I've not finished Kok and Tvatt yet! (Tandem ride through Scandinavia)

Reading this whilst away on a skiing holiday. It inspired me to get the bike out of the car (where it was, just in case) and ride down and then back up the hill. Good read and great value, I'll pop over to amazon and leave a review.

I've just had a look on Amazon.com. On there there book is number 23 in the cycling chart, which also is a brilliant achievement given the fact that this market is so much bigger as it includes many other countries as well as the States.

You guys should also write some reviews for Amazon.com as the UK ones do not get ported over. Great result that, and it is number 9 also in a slightly different chart cycling/ excursion guides.

Well, that's the first review I've ever posted on Amazon.
Dave, sorry for dragging your average score down with a miserly 4 stars!

t_i_m do not apologise. I really appreciate you taking the time to do a review and even moreso the honesty.

spooky Kok and Tvatt is ace I thoroughly recommend it

Well, I just finished Kok and Tvatt...

Started reading the sample of OCCD, (turns out I hadn't bought it) I'm on page 2 of the first article, I can tell its going to be a good read, so I just tethered my Kindle to my phone, and bought it 🙂

Now if only the annoying creature in the horsebox parked alongside me would stop kicking the shit out of its poor lorry, I would be able to read it in peace...

There's a real book too you know.
Obviously it needs to be placed in the appropriate place in the bookshelf.
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Kok and Tvatt is ace I thoroughly recommend it

Very best of luck with your own volume. It deserves to do well.
Out of interest, what's an average month's sales looking like?

Neil
I am selling 650 a month at the moment which is shocking for a load if old blah about cycling

Ps. Remember I gave you a nice review 🙂

Part way through. Perfect for Kindle with short snappy chapters making it great or electronic readers.

It makes me want to go out and ride but I only seem to read at night, while in bed. The central heating seems to be winning easily at that time of night too.