Book & eBook Writing Self-Publishing Platforms 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is Kindle Unlimited (KU) and how are authors compensated through it?
- A subscription service where authors earn per page read by subscribers (Correct answer)
- A program where Amazon pays authors a flat fee per download
- A free lending program with no author compensation
- An audiobook subscription with spoken-word royalties
Correct answer: A subscription service where authors earn per page read by subscribers
Kindle Unlimited is a reader subscription service; authors enrolled via KDP Select earn a share of the KDP Select Global Fund based on Kindle Edition Normalized Pages (KENP) read.
Question 2: What is a 'print-on-demand' (POD) book?
- A book printed as individual copies only when a customer orders one (Correct answer)
- A book printed in massive quantities and stored in a warehouse
- A digital book that can be printed at home by the buyer
- A subscription service that mails books monthly to readers
Correct answer: A book printed as individual copies only when a customer orders one
Print-on-demand technology prints and ships individual book copies only when an order is placed, eliminating upfront printing costs and inventory risk for authors.
Question 3: Which platform is the primary self-publishing option for authors targeting Apple Books readers?
- Apple Books for Authors (via iTunes Connect / Books Connect) (Correct answer)
- Smashwords
- KDP
- PublishDrive
Correct answer: Apple Books for Authors (via iTunes Connect / Books Connect)
Authors can publish directly to Apple Books through Apple's Books Connect portal, or use aggregators like Draft2Digital if they don't have a Mac or prefer a single dashboard.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an ISBN in book publishing?
- A unique 13-digit identifier that distinguishes a specific book edition and format for retail and library cataloging (Correct answer)
- An author identification number assigned by publishers
- A barcode used only for audiobook licensing
- A digital certificate proving a book's copyright registration
Correct answer: A unique 13-digit identifier that distinguishes a specific book edition and format for retail and library cataloging
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a globally unique 13-digit code that identifies a specific title, edition, and format for use by retailers, libraries, and distributors.
Question 5: What does 'expanded distribution' mean on Amazon KDP?
- Making a print book available through non-Amazon channels like bookstores and libraries via Ingram (Correct answer)
- Publishing your eBook in more countries than the standard plan
- Increasing page count limits beyond the default maximum
- Enabling large-print editions for vision-impaired readers
Correct answer: Making a print book available through non-Amazon channels like bookstores and libraries via Ingram
KDP's Expanded Distribution option makes a print book available to third-party retailers and libraries through Ingram, though at a lower royalty rate than direct Amazon sales.
Question 6: What is Kobo Writing Life?
- Kobo's self-publishing platform that allows direct eBook uploads to its global store (Correct answer)
- A writing software developed by Kobo for drafting manuscripts
- A newsletter for indie authors published by Rakuten Kobo
- A subscription coaching program for aspiring authors
Correct answer: Kobo's self-publishing platform that allows direct eBook uploads to its global store
Kobo Writing Life is Kobo's direct publishing portal enabling indie authors to upload, price, and sell eBooks directly in Kobo's global marketplace.
Book & eBook Writing Self-Publishing Platforms 2
What is Kindle Unlimited (KU) and how are authors compensated through it?