Here we have answered some of your burning questions regarding Blogchatter’s Ebook Carnival:

Q1. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER.

Registrations for 2022 have begun. You can go here to register.

  • Last date to register: May 31
  • Last date of submitting your manuscript: Jun 6
  • Carnival dates: Jun 13 to Jul 17
  • First review to be up on your blog: Jun 25 
  • Second review to be up on your blog: Jul 10

Q2. WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR THE EBOOK CARNIVAL?

Here are some you should keep in mind:

  • You need not have participated in #BlogchatterA2Z or any other previous Blogchatter campaigns to be eligible to participate in ebook carnival
  • Each participant must review 2 books. This is a mandatory step. Of the 2 books you have to review, 1 will be recommended by us and 1 will be your choice. If you wish to review more, please go ahead. There will be Reward Points for those who review 2+ ebooks. Even if you're not a part of the carnival, you can still review the ebooks and be eligible for Reward Points. For T&C please check this.
  • Blogchatter has exclusive rights to the ebook until Jul 17 2022. You are free to use other avenues post that.

Q3. WILL BLOGCHATTER HELP ME MARKET THE BOOK?

Just like we have activities planned for every campaign track, we will have activities planned for the carnival as well. These will be shared with the registered participants as and when. The activities will help you create buzz online. It will continue for the one month of this campaign track i.e. till mid-July.

Q4. HOW CAN I GET REVIEWS FOR MY EBOOK?

The community will be your support, your beta readers with friendly feedback and a microcosm of the reaction you will get from the world. They will also provide your first reviews. Your early readership will build your confidence in your writing and help promote your book to a larger audience. You can also tap into your own networks and the marketing tips that we will be sharing with you should help as well.

Q5. DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CARNIVAL?

No. But an ebook is an excellent way to test waters, reach out to an audience other than bloggers, learn how to market your product and gain some confidence in general. It can also work well as a portfolio if you are planning to continue writing.

Q6. WHAT ARE THE COST FACTORS I NEED TO KEEP IN MIND?

Listing the book with Blogchatter is free. However if you choose to take the services of a professional editor or a book cover designer, then there will be additional costs as per your discussion with the professional. You do not need to take their services to participate in the carnival. It's entirely your call.

Q7. AFTER SUBMITTING A BOOK TO EBOOK CARNIVAL, CAN WE STILL MAKE CHANGES IN IT AND IMPROVE IT, BASED ON REVIEWS/FEEDBACK?

No. Once you have submitted your ebook and we have launched, you will not be able to make changes in the manuscript. 

Q8. WHAT DO I NEED TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE SENDING THE EBOOK?

Here are some of the things to keep in mind when you send us your manuscript:

  • The manuscript needs to be in PDF format only. Add your book cover to the manuscript before you save it as a PDF. If you need help structuring your ebook, check this. Make sure the size of the PDF does not go above 2 MB. Word or Google doc are the easiest tools for formatting your ebooks.
  • The book cover needs to be in JPEG or PNG format. Dimensions of the cover should be 1410 x 2250 px. If you're looking for tools to help you design your cover, check this.
  • Author photo in JPEG or PNG format. Please make sure it's a clear front shot of your face.
  • Book title and blurb (50-60 words) in email body.
  • Author bio in email body (50-60 words).

Q9. WHAT IS THE PERFECT LENGTH FOR AN EBOOK?

What you need is content that has some value to the reader. We expect the ebooks to have a minimum word count of 5000 words. There is no maximum limit.

Q10. DO I NEED TO ADD IMAGES TO MY EBOOK?

If yours is a food related book, we would recommend that you do. For other forms of writing, it is completely up to you. A good way to answer this question for yourself is to try to see the finished product from the point of view of the reader. If you think it’ll add to their reading experience, go ahead and add images.

Q11. WHAT TYPE OF CONTENT WORKS BEST FOR AN EBOOK?

All type of content works for the reader. What you have to remember is that if your reader is taking the time and effort to read you book, he or she gains something out of it whether intangible (emotions) or tangible (information). If people are reading your blog, then they will read your ebook also.

Q12. WHAT IS THE BEST TOOL TO FORMAT MY CONTENT?

Microsoft Word is the easiest to use. It also has that handy convert to PDF option. You can check out this post to help you structure your ebook better.

Q13. HOW TO DECIDE IF MY CONTENT IS GOOD FOR AN EBOOK?

  • Get beta readers, writers with experience, to read your book.
  • Research Amazon. Read the most popular books in your genre. Note what resonates with you, the keywords they use in the blurb, the look of the cover.
  • Don’t let anyone stop you from achieving your dream.

Q14. SHOULD WE TWEAK BLOG POSTS FOR THE EBOOK OR USE IT AS IT IS?

Blog content will have to be formatted for an ebook. Proper chapter headings, first paragraphs, etc. Plus front matter (copyright page, acknowledgements) and back copy (blurb, etc) will have to be added. Also, you need to realise what more will the reader gain from reading your ebook vis-a-vis reading your blog.

Q15. WHICH ONE IS A BETTER OPTION BETWEEN VANITY PUBLISHING AND SELF PUBLISHING AND WHY?

Vanity publishing is when you pay the publisher to publish your book. You choose services: printing, marketing, promotions and distribution. With self publishing, you do all this yourself (ebook or hard copy). In both scenarios, YOU will be the driver.

There is no alternative to expert guidance. Its a choice you will need to make. Just remember what’s written in the contract is what you will get. Nothing extra. No freebies. People have been successful in both modes of publishing. So it’s up to you.

Decide based on what you want to invest more of: money or time.
PS: You will still need to learn more about marketing and promoting your book in both scenarios

Registrations for #BlogchatterEbook Carnival 2022 are now open.

Q16. HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN KDP AND TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING?

KDP or traditional is a question all writers have to decide. Research, ask questions. KDP will surely help you know your reader base. Digital platforms definitely help to take risks too and one can make different pricing to the book and even give for free for building readers.

If you get a good publisher then go for both. KDP is something which you can do on your own and have full rights on the earning. Sometimes the rejection of publishers may let you down but with KDP, if you believe in your work then rejection of publishers doesn’t matter.

Q17. WILL YOU TAKE DOWN THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD MY EBOOK FROM YOUR SITE AFTER JUNE WHEN THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS END?

Yes – all you have to do is send us an email on hola@theblogchatter.com. Please note, if you remove the ebook from our platform, you will lose the rating, comments, and the Card that will be on your Public Profile.

Q18. WHAT DOES LISTING ON YOUR WEBSITE MEAN?

You can check out our Ebook Library to see exactly how your listing will appear. You will see that there is an option to leave comments and ratings as well.

Q19. DO YOU (AUTHOR) EARN THROUGH THE EBOOK CARNIVAL?

No you do not. Since the listing is free of charge, the books are available for free to the community (or anyone who wishes to read) for the duration the campaign is ongoing. Post that, you are free to do what you wish with your ebook.

In case you have any other questions, please email us on hola@theblogchatter.com