<![CDATA[Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before?]]>

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2114855\" time=\"1690525216\" user_id=\"3:

I thought it should be a straight forward process but my experience years ago keeps me wanting. It is possible to convert from PDF to EPUB but somehow, there is some PDF's that are pretty stubborn. Maybe you should keep your PDF very straight forward with no special characters, convert it to RTF, and then to EPUB. Don't know if it helps. :xedfingers:
PDFs have some additional formatting which shows up as funny additional characters etc. I don't have a PDF editor, and I'm not techie enough to want to fiddle with settings to exclude those. May have to consider the 2-step method. Or better still, find someone to do it (for a fee).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/93006/self-publishing-a-book-anyone-done-this-beforeRSS for NodeSun, 03 May 2026 06:10:41 GMTFri, 28 Jul 2023 07:16:11 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:20:16 GMT]]>

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2114811\" time=\"1690508631\" user_id=\"28674:

Has anyone here had experience of converting books from PDF to EPUB? Or DOCX to EPUB?

I have a book (written by someone else) in PDF format. I would like to get it into EPUB. Just doing a quick conversion using Calibre doesn't give a good result - any idea how I can easily get a clean EPUB copy? I don't want to spend a lot of time fiddling with formatting. Basically, I just want to get a decent table of contents, remove page nos and headers, and have the photos in the right places. One idea I have is to convert the PDF to Word (which I can edit more easily) and then to EPUB. Any other ways?

Alternatively, does anyone do this kind of job, and how much would they charge?

Please let me know!
I thought it should be a straight forward process but my experience years ago keeps me wanting. It is possible to convert from PDF to EPUB but somehow, there is some PDF's that are pretty stubborn. Maybe you should keep your PDF very straight forward with no special characters, convert it to RTF, and then to EPUB. Don't know if it helps. :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2114855https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2114855Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:20:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Fri, 28 Jul 2023 01:43:51 GMT]]>Has anyone here had experience of converting books from PDF to EPUB? Or DOCX to EPUB?


I have a book (written by someone else) in PDF format. I would like to get it into EPUB. Just doing a quick conversion using Calibre doesn’t give a good result - any idea how I can easily get a clean EPUB copy? I don’t want to spend a lot of time fiddling with formatting. Basically, I just want to get a decent table of contents, remove page nos and headers, and have the photos in the right places. One idea I have is to convert the PDF to Word (which I can edit more easily) and then to EPUB. Any other ways?

Alternatively, does anyone do this kind of job, and how much would they charge?

Please let me know!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2114811https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2114811Fri, 28 Jul 2023 01:43:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Tue, 23 Nov 2021 00:44:40 GMT]]>

manorway\" post_id=\"2047425\" time=\"1637610965\" user_id=\"9303:

sinkhoo, out of curiosity, can I ask when you want to publish niche books, is it because you just wanted to publish a book or because you have a message that you like to send out there or is it because you hope it will make some side income? If it is too sensitive to answer, it is Ok. I can understand too.

I was discussing with friends recently about this. Like we feel strongly about something but the idea of a book is great because we can get our voices out there. But the idea of writing a book is so scary! How long did it take you to write a book?
I didn't set out to make money from it, and I haven't! As you say, I had info I felt I wanted to gather into 1 place and put out to people who might find it useful. I funded it myself (very small print run!) and gave a lot away, and sold a bunch at just over cost price. It's a bit out of date in parts now, but I'm not sure I'll do another edition.

The book I wrote was non-fiction, and it was stuff I had already discussed with people for years, and gone over with others many times. So content wasn't an issue. It was only about 16K words (can't really remember - 80 pgs, moderate-sized font, A5 size) and I probably put it together in 3-4 months? I really can't remember now. No illustrations, so that saved time and cost, and I used a free photo for the cover. Doing the typesetting and file prep took almost as long as it was a first (and so far, only) time for me, but there's lots of info online about how to self-publish. If you find writing difficult, you could get a ghost writer - let them interview you to get the info, and write it for you. Or you could write a draft and let someone edit and polish. This could cost a bit depending on who you get, or you could find a friend to do it for free (maybe!). Typesetting will need some experience as well, though you can get a decent result just using Word. If you want illustrations, you will need to get them prepared, and may have to pay as well. Unless you are prepared to do a lot yourself, these initial costs can mount up.

I believe there are ways to generate a side income by self-publishing, but I'm not all that keen on writing, so I don't think I'll go down that route. I'm more an editor than a writer, and I really can't do the promotion side of things! I did take a Udemy course using my SkillsFuture credits about Kindle publishing which was interesting. You can try the course if you like, just to hear how he does it. It's called something like \"How to Publish on Kindle\". This guy gets people to write books, he buys over the copyright, edits and publishes the book, does the marketing, and collects the royalties! It's just one of many income streams, he says. Interesting idea, but not really for me.

One thing to note: if you just want to get your voice heard, it's very important to think about promotion. I didn't, and I found it very hard to promote the book myself (not my style to blow my own trumpet). I have helped others who self-published, and I observe that it's best to have a core group of supporters who will undertake to help promote the book - through contacts, on social media, at meetings and conferences, etc. It's rather awkward to try to do it yourself. For eg., my ex-pastor has published 2 books, and he has people who will buy a couple of hundred books to distribute to their contacts, or display and sell them at conferences (pre-Covid!), etc. If you want to earn from the book, then there's a whole lot of promotion/marketing/payment issues to think about as well.

Hope this helps!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047432https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047432Tue, 23 Nov 2021 00:44:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:56:05 GMT]]>

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1951521\" time=\"1575504463\" user_id=\"28674:

quotidianballet\" post_id=\"1951488\" time=\"1575462228\" user_id=\"182706:

[quote=slmkhoo post_id=1898415 time=1550149802 user_id=28674]Anyone self-published a book in print as well as ebook? Small, non-fiction book for a select audience. Any tips would be welcome.

Publishing with a publisher is better, as they can market the book for you and already have a customer base.

True, but they only accept books which have a fairly guaranteed appeal to large pool of potentional customers. For more niche books, self-publishing is probably the only way to do it.[/quote]sinkhoo, out of curiosity, can I ask when you want to publish niche books, is it because you just wanted to publish a book or because you have a message that you like to send out there or is it because you hope it will make some side income? If it is too sensitive to answer, it is Ok. I can understand too.

I was discussing with friends recently about this. Like we feel strongly about something but the idea of a book is great because we can get our voices out there. But the idea of writing a book is so scary! How long did it take you to write a book?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047425https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047425Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:56:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Sat, 20 Nov 2021 23:05:19 GMT]]>

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2040991\" time=\"1633479150\" user_id=\"28674:

Flowerhut\" post_id=\"2040929\" time=\"1633432756\" user_id=\"195269:

Hi iam struggling with the payment issues.

may I know how does kindle pay us? Since we are non US citizens, there is this tax W8ben thingy about 30% tax withholding we have to pay ? On top of Amazon own royalty deduction that means we are left with 40% of profits? Since we do not have US bank account how do kindle pay us?

Any kind souls can explain really many thanks

The information will be on the Kindle Create pages. As far as I know, because Singapore isn't one of the countries that Amazon will do bank transfers, they will send a cheque when the amount to be paid is over US$100. So unless you earn that amount, you won't get any payment.


My first payment was a Cheque (I sold about 50 copies) and dropped it with DBS, deducted a high fee. Using Payoneer now but there is also a minimum amount before you can withdraw but at least you can easily receive from there and other currencies as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047135https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047135Sat, 20 Nov 2021 23:05:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Sat, 20 Nov 2021 22:53:10 GMT]]>

Flowerhut\" post_id=\"2040929\" time=\"1633432756\" user_id=\"195269:

Hi iam struggling with the payment issues.

may I know how does kindle pay us? Since we are non US citizens, there is this tax W8ben thingy about 30% tax withholding we have to pay ? On top of Amazon own royalty deduction that means we are left with 40% of profits? Since we do not have US bank account how do kindle pay us?

Any kind souls can explain really many thanks
You have to sign up with payoneer

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047134https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2047134Sat, 20 Nov 2021 22:53:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:12:30 GMT]]>

Flowerhut\" post_id=\"2040929\" time=\"1633432756\" user_id=\"195269:

Hi iam struggling with the payment issues.

may I know how does kindle pay us? Since we are non US citizens, there is this tax W8ben thingy about 30% tax withholding we have to pay ? On top of Amazon own royalty deduction that means we are left with 40% of profits? Since we do not have US bank account how do kindle pay us?

Any kind souls can explain really many thanks
The information will be on the Kindle Create pages. As far as I know, because Singapore isn't one of the countries that Amazon will do bank transfers, they will send a cheque when the amount to be paid is over US$100. So unless you earn that amount, you won't get any payment.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040991https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040991Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:12:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:28:30 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2040957\" time=\"1633443653\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2040957 time=1633443653 user_id=53606]
ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2040956\" time=\"1633443377\" user_id=\"3:
Lol I haven’t been actively marketing it. I think SG parents have been somewhat too busy to read fiction anyways.
But... but... you published a book! That accomplishment alone is probably good enough reward. Well done!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040959https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040959Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:28:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:20:53 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2040956\" time=\"1633443377\" user_id=\"3:

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1967706\" time=\"1584597425\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1967706 time=1584597425 user_id=53606]Submitted via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform yesterday. The auto-acknowledgment indicated a 72-hour wait. But it’s already available today, that was pretty fast!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0862CF6V3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_CFWCEbR29XKW8

That’s not my real name by the way. A deliberate pseudonym.
Wow, interesting! First I heard of self publishing. So have you gotten paid for your efforts?[/quote]
Lol I haven’t been actively marketing it. I think SG parents have been somewhat too busy to read fiction anyways.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040957https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040957Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:20:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:16:17 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1967706\" time=\"1584597425\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1967706 time=1584597425 user_id=53606]
Submitted via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform yesterday. The auto-acknowledgment indicated a 72-hour wait. But it’s already available today, that was pretty fast!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0862CF6V3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_CFWCEbR29XKW8

That’s not my real name by the way. A deliberate pseudonym.[/quote]
Wow, interesting! First I heard of self publishing. So have you gotten paid for your efforts?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040956https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040956Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:16:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:19:16 GMT]]>Hi iam struggling with the payment issues.


may I know how does kindle pay us? Since we are non US citizens, there is this tax W8ben thingy about 30% tax withholding we have to pay ? On top of Amazon own royalty deduction that means we are left with 40% of profits? Since we do not have US bank account how do kindle pay us?

Any kind souls can explain really many thanks

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040929https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2040929Tue, 05 Oct 2021 11:19:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:03:14 GMT]]>Hello everyone, I am a self published children book author and I have sold about 100 copies in Amazon.


Didn’t know there is a topic about self publishing here and hope to learn more!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2036741https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2036741Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:03:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:43:21 GMT]]>

Melita\" post_id=\"2034367\" time=\"1628892089\" user_id=\"192666:

I am also interested to try this one too! I have worked as a ghostwriter for a Taiwanese fiction writer and the book that she published was a big hit in 2015. Finally, I have the courage to try this one out but I don't know where to start. I have finished several fiction stories that I have kept for years and I wanted to publish this and make an income out of it.
You can try looking at Amazon Kindle Create - lots of info and guides.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2034383https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2034383Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:43:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Sun, 24 May 2020 02:53:48 GMT]]>[quote]I did one picture book a few years back on KDP - was a challenging, eye-opening experience as everything needs to be done by yourself. But wasn't really marketing it; i used the self-prints on the family kids - the only readers i ever had. Yay 😂 [/quote]
Hi,
that should be one of the most interesting creations you have done. Would you like to provide more info of your creation for sharing purposes.

Regards :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1977438https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1977438Sun, 24 May 2020 02:53:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:47:54 GMT]]>It's Time to Write Your Book

To help celebrate 'World Book Day', all sessions on 23 April will be free
https://www.airbnb.com.sg/experiences/1672276?source=p2

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1972338https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1972338Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:47:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Mon, 06 Apr 2020 03:02:33 GMT]]>Congrats.. hope this will be well-received! I did one picture book a few years back on KDP - was a challenging, eye-opening experience as everything needs to be done by yourself. But wasn't really marketing it; i used the self-prints on the family kids - the only readers i ever had. Yay 😂

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1967706\" time=\"1584597425\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1967706 time=1584597425 user_id=53606]Submitted via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform yesterday. The auto-acknowledgment indicated a 72-hour wait. But it’s already available today, that was pretty fast!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0862CF6V3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_CFWCEbR29XKW8

That’s not my real name by the way. A deliberate pseudonym.[/quote]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1970097https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1970097Mon, 06 Apr 2020 03:02:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:24:23 GMT]]>Amazon (Kindle) has a wider reach than Rakuten (Kobo). Some readers prefer Kobo because they can borrow free library e-books from NLB that way.


Sales would depend on your target market, as well as your own marketing & promotional skills.

All the best!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969825https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969825Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:24:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Fri, 03 Apr 2020 13:30:01 GMT]]>Is Kindle, Amazon or Kobu the platform of choice? How are the sales like respectively? I can try writing since I’ll be spending the next month at home… but it will be a refreshing change from my usual editing/proofreading job.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969820https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1969820Fri, 03 Apr 2020 13:30:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:09:53 GMT]]>Submitted via Kobo Writing Life too. Also processed faster than expected.


https://www.kobo.com/sg/en/ebook/the-tuition-club

Cons: platform did not have cover templates for me to choose from. I had to make my own from PowerPoint and covert to .png or .jpg file and upload cover separately.

Pros: Lower minimum threshold of USD 50 before they will send the proceeds. AND the biggest pro: they can send funds directly via bank transfer to Singapore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967819https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967819Fri, 20 Mar 2020 00:09:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Thu, 19 Mar 2020 05:57:05 GMT]]>Submitted via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform yesterday. The auto-acknowledgment indicated a 72-hour wait. But it’s already available today, that was pretty fast!


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0862CF6V3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_CFWCEbR29XKW8

That’s not my real name by the way. A deliberate pseudonym.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967706https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967706Thu, 19 Mar 2020 05:57:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:16:55 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1967559\" time=\"1584512652\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1967559 time=1584512652 user_id=53606]
I am intending to sell mine as ebook version only. But will opt for hard copy book add-on, in order to get a free ISBN. It’s just a short story (fiction), not worth my time publishing in traditional book format. But I may need the ISBN for if I release a copy to NLB for loans.[/quote]
Check the printing costs and the cost to the purchasers - it's quite expensive to print hard copies on Kindle. Applying for ISBN in Singapore is also free, just an online form to fill in.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967589https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967589Wed, 18 Mar 2020 09:16:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Wed, 18 Mar 2020 06:24:12 GMT]]>Thanks dear for your reply.


I wish to support you! Pls PM me your book title and I will definitely go and buy to support my fellow KSP member!

I am intending to sell mine as ebook version only. But will opt for hard copy book add-on, in order to get a free ISBN. It’s just a short story (fiction), not worth my time publishing in traditional book format. But I may need the ISBN for if I release a copy to NLB for loans.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967559https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967559Wed, 18 Mar 2020 06:24:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Self-publishing a book: anyone done this before? on Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:11:33 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1967517\" time=\"1584497075\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1967517 time=1584497075 user_id=53606]
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1961919\" time=\"1580791631\" user_id=\"28674:
Another thing to consider when choosing a platform: if you're planning on selling the ebook, look at how and when the proceeds can be transferred to you. Amazon and Kobo have quite a high minimum before they will send the proceeds (US$100 or US$50?) but Google Play does it for smaller amounts.
Hi slmkhoo, you are right, Amazon has a minimum payment threshold of USD 100 before they will send the proceeds.

They do not have bank transfer facilities to Singapore. Did you opt for cheque payment? How did that work? Can the cheque be cashed in SG banks?[/quote]
I haven't earned enough in sales (only sold 2 books, and one was to myself to try!) to worry about that yet. I very much doubt I will ever get enough, so I'm not bothering. But I'm sure a USD cheque can be cashed in Singapore, but you will probably by charged some fee. You may be able to bank it in directly if you have a USD account or one of those multi-currency accounts.

Most of my books (only about 100 copies) have been given away or sold for cash in Singapore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967539https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1967539Wed, 18 Mar 2020 05:11:33 GMT