by Karmi Koen February 1, 2023
The popularity of self-publishing has grown in recent years, particularly among independent authors. The good news is, choosing to self-publish to Apple Books will provide a simple way for authors to get their work out there. In addition to being easy to use, it also offers several benefits for authors, including the ability to set their prices and receive a higher royalty rate than most other major retailers.
In this blog post, we will go over everything you need to know about publishing your work on Apple Books, from setting up an account to promoting and marketing your book. We’ll also provide some helpful tips along the way. So if you’re ready to get started, read on!
A Brief Overview
Like Barnes and Noble, Apple also offers an eBook reading platform called Apple Books (formerly named iBooks). Although Nook Press is Barnes and Noble’s child site, self-publish to Apple Books is just as easy to use. In addition, Apple Books provides various features that make it a desirable choice for readers. Users can search for specific genres, authors, and titles which interest them. They can also browse top lists to find new authors or stories that match their preferences. Additionally, your reader will be able to highlight text and take notes while they read. This is a handy tool when you want to give feedback on something in your book or when you want them to remember a scene with an important message that needs future reflection.
If you want to publish an eBook through Apple, you can take every step with the help of their tools, such as iTunes Producer and iBooks Author. iBooks Author is an app that allows you to create a book, while iTunes Producer is for uploading your book to Apple’s website. These tools can successfully publish your eBook on Apple’s platform.
Apple’s new Books app, announced at the 2018 WWDC keynote, introduces several changes to how users interact with ebooks and audiobooks on iOS. The most significant difference is the app’s focus on audiobooks. This shift reflects the growing popularity of audiobooks; when iBooks first launched in 2010, they were not nearly as popular as they are today.
Do You Need a Mac to Publish on Apple Books?
If you plan to self-publish to Apple Books, you will need a Mac computer. The iTunes Producer application, used to submit books and other content to the iTunes Store, is only available for download on Macs. However, if you use Windows, your option is to use an eBook distributor. eBook distributors provide a way for authors to upload their books in a format that can be read on any device, including Windows-based devices.
If you want to get your content onto Apple Books, another option is to hire an “Apple aggregator.” These are paid experts who will submit your content to Apple Books for you, making the process much easier. This is a great option if you don’t have the time or knowledge to do it yourself, and it will ensure that your content gets onto Apple Books quickly and easily.
Apple aggregators are different from eBook distributors in a few key ways. For one, they allow authors and publishers to directly upload their books onto the platform, whereas eBook distributors, typically have to go through a third-party vendor. Additionally, they take a smaller commission on sales, making them more favorable for authors and publishers.
If you choose to sell your book through a distributor like IngramSpark, you can sell it to a brick-and-mortar store. This can be a great way to reach more readers, as many people still prefer to buy books from physical stores. Plus, selling through a distributor gives you the benefit of having your book listed in their catalogs, which can help it reach a wider audience.
To log in to iTunes Connect, you will need an Apple ID. Not only do aggregators and distributors require an Apple ID, but anyone who wishes to use the iTunes Connect service.
Why Should You Publish on Apple Books?
- Once published, your eBook can be purchased on Apple Books and found in iTunes’ ‘Books’ section. Additionally, it can be read on any device with the iBooks app installed.
- This platform is now available in a total of 51 countries which includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and more.
- The ever-growing audience of Apple Book users provides ample opportunity for growth and expansion daily. With so many people constantly scrolling through the app, there is incredible potential to reach new readers and expand your audience base.
- Apple has created a user-friendly environment with tools like iBooks Author to assist writers at every stage of the writing and publishing process. This makes it easy for anyone to create high-quality books and share them with the world.
- This new option allows users to publish their work directly from Pages (Apple’s word processing tool) to Apple Books. This is a convenient way for users to get their work out there, and it also offers them more control over the look and feel of their book.
- Publishing your book on Apple Books is a quick and easy process that doesn’t cost anything. Although Apple does take a portion of your royalties from the publisher, you still receive the majority of the profits.
- You may create coupon codes for your titles to increase the interest in buying and possibly reviewing a book for readers. By providing a coupon code, you are giving readers an incentive to purchase your book and potentially write a review. This is a great way to generate excitement and interest in your book.
Royalties
After you have uploaded your book to the Apple Store, you will need to be aware of the royalty rates you will receive for your title. The type of royalty rate you receive will be based on the list price you’ve set for your book. Apple has a royalty rate of 70% for all, no matter the cost.
You will receive payment for your sales 32 days after the end of the month they occurred. Apple will send you the money via the method you selected when you set up your account. You may read further about this in the “Agreements, Tax, and Banking” section of the website. Here, you will find a list of all the agreements for running your business. This includes agreements such as the terms and conditions of use, the privacy policy, and the acceptable use policy.
If you self-publish to Apple Books, you won’t have any price-matching requirements. You can use this to price your book differently on various websites which can be helpful if you want to experiment with pricing or if you want to offer discounts on certain platforms.
Important Things to Note
- Before using iTunes Publisher, you’ll need to have your username and password ready. This way, you’ll be able to log in and access all of the features and tools that Publisher has to offer.
- Know which type of publication best suits your book. Depending on your content and genre, you may want to choose from Apple’s three publication options: Digital Only, New Release, or Other. New Release books are, as the name suggests, books that have been published within the last seven months.
- Understand the iBooks agreement if you want to sign up for an account on iTunes Connect. The agreement covers important topics like what you can and can’t do with iBooks, so carefully read it before agreeing to anything.
- Familiarize yourself with the requirements for each file type. If you want to upload your book to Apple, you need to make sure it is in the ePub file format. Additionally, your cover should be at least 1400 pixels wide.
- If unsure of the genre, ask a friend or look at similar books in the iTunes store for guidance. This information is essential to create a successful marketing strategy for your book.
The world of book publishing has changed dramatically in recent years, and opting to self-publish to Apple Books is quickly becoming popular. Many authors choose this platform as it provides them with a wide range of publishing tools that make it easy to produce and distribute digital books. These tools allow authors to reach a large audience of potential readers and control the distribution and sale of their books.
Karmi is a Client Services Specialist in the Washington D.C. area that helps coaches, business owners, and consultants create an exceptional client experience that keeps their businesses profitable. She works with authors at The Author Incubator to help them write their clients’ dream book.