Amazon’s Digital Text Platform is a new self-publishing tool that lets you upload your books for sale in its Kindle Store.
This allows writers to sell any kind of document, whether it is a scientific report, technical document, case study, or other type of material that you feel people would pay money to read. The difference here is that the content will be delivered in digital format (mostly PDFs ad HTML files) to Amazon customers using the Kindle wireless reading device.
The Digital Text Platform service is free and the user interface really is a joy to use. The only downside is that the service is valid for US publishers only, as you need a US bank account to receive payment. Of course, you may be able to open an account online with a US bank or if they have a branch in your city. The forums provide a few tips and how to get around this.
There business driver behind this of course is the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device
reading device product. Amazon is moving from print to digital and has now the world’s largest Book Store with the Kindle Store selling more than 260,000 books as well as newspapers and magazines.
Amazon’s vision is to have “every book ever printed, in any language, all available in under 60 seconds on Kindle.”
Over 100 of the 111 books currently on the New York Times® Best Seller list are on Kindle. New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases are $9.99.
- At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines.
- Kindle is designed it with long-form reading in mind. Kindle’s page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position.
- The 5-way Controller enables on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words.
- Kindle is completely wireless and ready to use right out of the box. No setup, cables, or computer are required.
So let’s take a look at Adobe’s new publishing platform and see how you can make some money out of it.
Kindle wireless reader
What is Digital Text?
Digital text is text that exists in a “digital” electronic format, such as plain text files (.txt) and word processor files (.doc).
What is Digital Text Platform?
The Digital Text Platform let’s you publish digital text content for the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device
Once you log in, just upload your content, enter sales descriptions and pricing information, and then publish it.
How does the Digital Text Platform work?
You upload your Word or text files and the Digital Text Platform then converts it so that Kindle owners can download and read it. It collects basic details such as author, content type, cover image, and price.
Using graphics
Digital Text Platform can process graphics in .GIF, .PNG, .BMP, and .JPG formats.
Can customers download my published content to their computer?
Content purchased from the Kindle Store can only be downloaded to the Amazon Kindle wireless reading device. However, Amazon says that it may choose to offer your content through additional avenues in the future.
What percentage of the list price does the publisher get?
Publishers receive a set percentage of the list price that you set yourself. In the event that the Kindle Store opts to discount your title, you still receive that percentage of the list price, and the Kindle Store retains the remainder of the discounted price.
Requirements for publishing with Digital Text Platform
- Agree to and comply with the Digital Text Platform Terms and Conditions.
- Have a valid US bank account
- US Social Security Number (SSN), EIN or TIN.
Can I sell my title if it hasn’t been published yet?
Content becomes available on the Kindle Store when you publish it with Digital Text Platform. It usually takes around 12 hours for your content to become available in the Amazon Store.
How does the Kindle Store handle customer returns?
The Kindle Store provides refunds up to 7 days for customers unsatisfied with their ebook purchases. Refunds will appear as a negative transaction on your Transaction Report, and will be deducted from your payment amount.
What formats can I upload to Digital Text Platform?
Digital Text Platform accepts content in HTML, .mobi, Microsoft Word (.doc), Plain Text (.txt), Adobe PDF (.PDF), and Zipped HTML (.zip) formats.
Note: The preferred format for Amazon DTP content upload is HTML.
How can I format content (e.g., into bold, italics, headers)?
Digital Text Platform will handle most basic formatting for you as it converts your content. You can format your content in your source document (e.g. HTML) and DTP will convert that formatting.
Who and Where will be able to buy and read the content?
Amazon Kindle owners can purchase your content on the Kindle Store and Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device
How much does it cost to publish content?
There is no charge to publish your content on the Kindle Store with Digital Text Platform.
How you get paid?
As the Kindle Store is invoice-free, you will get paid automatically (if your account has a positive balance of $10 or more) approximately sixty days following the end of the calendar month during which applicable sales of your content occur. Payments are made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to a U.S. bank account.
Links
Learn more about Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device
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