Tutorial: How to Convert & Sell an eBook in the Apple iBookstore

If you have a PDF E-Book you’re selling online, but would like to drastically increase your potential sales and exposure, it may be time for you to also publish to the Apple iBookstore. In the past it may have been enough to just sell your E-Book as a downloadable PDF file, but now people are leaning more towards digital book devices for reading. For example, Kindles, iPhones, iPads, Sony Readers and ViewSonic – are all popular E-Book reading devices on the market now. If you’re ready to turn your E-Book into the proper format to sell it in the Apple iBookstore, you have several options available to you.

Requirements

Although it’s no longer a requirement, it is useful if you have a Mac computer with operating system of 10.5 or greater. If not, you will still be able to create an EPUB file through the use of conversion software. If you have a Windows computer, this would be the best option for you. The next thing you’ll need is an actual product – a written E-Book that you would like to have converted into the acceptable format.

EPUB Explained

EPUB stands for Electronic Publication, and it is the standard and acceptable format for digital book publishing. There are many text formats that can be converted into an EPUB format.

• HTML, PDF, MOBI, LIT, ODT, PML, etc.

Conversion & Publishing Options

Option #1 – More Work & More Revenue (must have a Mac with OS 10.5 or greater)

• The first option would be for you to first convert your file into the EPUB format. A popularly used free software tool to convert files into EPUB is called Calibre. Download it here: http://calibre-ebook.com/download .
• Get an ISBN number for your book title. The cost for an ISBN number is $25. Get it here:http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/application.asp .
• Next, you need to have a valid iTunes account with a credit card on file. First download iTunes here: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/  and then open it up. Choose Store > Create Account.
• It is also required that you have a US tax ID (social security number or EIN) if you go through this method to sell your iBook. Anyone (including non-U.S. residents) can obtain a U.S. Tax ID by phone, fax, or mail. If you don’t have one, request one from the IRS .
• Lastly, signup to iTunes Connect to upload your iBook and sell it. You must be approved to sell – you can signup here:https://itunesconnect.apple.com/WebObjects/iTunesConnect.woa/wa/apply .

Option #2 – Much Less Work & a Little Less Revenue (any computer & OS are acceptable)

• Convert your E-Book to EPUB – same as option #1.
• With this option, you will need to go through one of the iBookstore Aggregators. The aggregator’s will do much of the work of getting ISBN numbers, converting documents and meeting all standards necessary to sell in the iBookstore. Here is a list of approved iBookstore Aggregators . Please note this page should be updated. As there are many more companies which have been recently added and approved Aggregators.
• From here you can continue on with the Aggregator of your choice, and they will guide you through the process. If you would like to continue on with me and the Self-Publishing Company I prefer to use, Lulu, then you can follow the steps below.

Converting & Publishing with Lulu

I’m excited to announce that Lulu, a major online print-on-demand self-publishing retailer, is now offering free services to convert your E-Book into the proper format to sell it in the Apple iBookstore. I’ve personally been selling my book, Honest Riches, in Paperback on Lulu for almost two years. I have had nothing but positive experiences and smooth transactions with Lulu, which is why I am recommending this as a great method to convert your product into an iBook.

Not only will Lulu distribute your product with all the major retailers, it also provides a free ISBN number, automated sales reporting and payments and conversion into the Apple-ready EPUB format. All payments earned through the Apple iBookstore, will be received through Lulu in your account area. Please note, Apple currently supports publishing to the iBookstore in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, and Germany.

Before you Begin – Things to Consider

Here are a few important facts to understand before you proceed. Apple retains 30% of all revenue from sales on the iBookstore. The author receives 80% of the remaining revenue and Lulu receives only 20%. So, when an eBook sells for $19.99 on the iBookstore, the author receives 56%, or $11.20. If this is not optimal for you, then you can go through another route of creating the EPUB file and submitting it directly to the Apple iBookstore.

Step #1 – Signup for Lulu if you don’t yet have an account.

Step #2 – Once logged in, then go here: http://www.lulu.com/apple-ipad-publishing# to the new Apple iPad Publishing Page. Click on “Publish an EPUB.”

Step #3 – Fill in a few details about the EPUB book.

Step #4 – After that you choose your ISBN option. Either use Lulu’s free ISBN service or use your own ISBN number. You can get one fromhttp://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/application.asp . If you choose Lulu’s ISBN, you get it right away.

Step #5 – Next you will need to upload your EPUB file.

Step #6 – You’ll be asked to design a cover for your EPUB book or upload an image of your own for it.

Lastly, it will take up to 30 before your EPUB book begin to show up in the Apple iBookstore. That’s it!