1) Go online to the webpage CreateSpace
2) Sign up with CreateSpace
• Read the CreateSpace privacy policy
• Enter your e-mail address
• Enter a password
• Enter the password again
• Enter your first name
• Enter your last name
• Select your country
• Select the type of media you’re publishing
(Choices include: Book; Audio; Video)
• Press the Create My Account link
3) Log into your CreateSpace account
4) Begin publishing your book
• Press the Add New Title link
• Located under My Account, left of screen
5) Enter book title
• You may change the title anytime before the book publishing process is complete
6) Choose the type of media you wish to publish
• Select the paperback option located to the left
7) Choose guided step-by-step setup process
• Press the Get Started link within the guided section
8) Enter book title and legal information
• Enter the title of your book
• Enter the subtitle of your book (if needed)
• Enter the name of the primary author
• Enter any contributors to the book (if needed)
• Enter if the book is part of a series (select box if needed)
• Enter the book series title and volume number (if needed)
• Enter the edition number of the book (if needed)
• Choose the written language within the book
• Enter the date you are publishing the book (if left blank, section will auto-fill with the date you approve the book for distribution)
• Press the Save and Continue link
Notes about title and legal information
• I utilize the contributor option when I credit an editor or an artist.
• I use the edition option for all nonfiction books. If it is the first time I published the book I enter the number one (1).
• I always leave the date published section blank.
9) Choose an ISBN for book (4 options)
• 1) Free CreateSpace-Assigned ISBN
• 2) Custom ISBN
• 3) Custom Universal ISBN
• 4) Provide Your Own ISBN
Notes about ISBN
• Once you assign an ISBN, it may not be changed.
• ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
• ISBN is a unique number assigned to every published book.
• It is difficult to tell the difference between all of the ISBN options. The difference is a legal difference, not a visual difference. It took me over six years to learn how to notice the difference between the different ISBN options.
• For the books I publish through CreateSpace, I choose the Free CreateSpace-Assigned ISBN. That is the best option for me, which may not be the case for everyone. By choosing this option, if I ever sell my book to a publishing house I will have to retire the book and the next published version will be a second edition.
10) Format and upload interior book portion
• Choose Black & White or Full Color interior
• Choose White or Cream paper color
• Choose Trim Size (book size)
• Upload your print-ready file (PDF; DOC; DOCX; or RTF)
Notes about interior portion
• PDF means portable document format, DOC means Word document (older version), DOCX means Word document (newer version), and RTF means rich text file.
• I always choose Black & White interior. I would only choose Full Color if the book was under fifty pages because a Full Color book costs more to produce, I like to keep book prices low.
• I always choose Cream paper color for fiction books, and White paper color for nonfiction books.
• I choose a different Trim size (book size) depending on the type of book I’m publishing. I choose 5.5" x 8.5" for novel size juvenile books. I choose 5.25" x 8" for children, adult, and nonfiction books. I choose 5" x 8" when publishing special interest projects such as photo and poetry books.
• I always upload a print-ready PDF file. I save the manuscript that I type as a DOC file, and then convert the file to a PDF file.
11) Choose After or Before Bleed for book
• After means, print to the edge
• Before means, there is a boarder
Notes about Bleed
• For written text, I always choose Before.
• I only choose After when I’m uploading a picture book and I want the pictures to fill the entire page.
• If you choose the After option, you need to pay extra attention to your margin settings for both photos and words.
12) Review formatted book
• Press the Launch Interior Viewer link
• Review each page of your book for any errors
• Make a note of any errors
• Press the Save and Continue <or> Go Back and Make Changes link
Notes about reviewing your formatted book
• I always check each page of the final PDF file version several times before I upload my final draft.
• I always upload a PDF file because the file I upload always looks the exact same when opened.
13) Upload new interior file (if needed)
• Only if you found errors
• Make changes to the original Word file
• Edit again and check the formatting
• Press the Upload a different file link
• Upload your print-ready file (PDF, DOC, DOCX, or RTF)
• Press the Save link
14) Review formatted book (if needed)
• Press the Launch Interior Viewer link
• Review each page of your book
• Press the Save and Continue link
15) Press the Continue link
16) Choose Matte or Glossy book finish
• Matte is slightly course
• Glossy is completely smooth
Notes about finish
• I always choose a Matte finish.
• Every person that has touched a Matte finish book praises the feeling of the book.
• A Matte finish helps me feel my book is a work of art.
17) Choose how you wish to design book cover (3 choices)
• 1) Build Your Own Cover Online
• 2) Professional Cover Design
• 3) Upload a Print-Ready PDF Cover
Notes about submitting a book cover
• I always choose Build Your Own Cover Online.
• The free online tools provided by Create-Space are easy to use, and I create a product I would not have created without the free tools.
• Every cover I have designed has looked unique and visually stunning.
• If you Upload a Print-Ready PDF Cover be sure to read and follow every detail of the provided guidelines.
18) Press the Launch Cover Creator link
(only if you choose to Build Your Own Cover Online)
Notes about creating a book cover
• Only instructions to Build Your Own Cover Online have been included.
• If you choose to Upload a Print-Ready PDF Cover be sure to read and follow every detail of the provided guidelines.
19) Choose a cover design from templates
• You are only picking a design, which you can change at any time
• You will change the actual picture, color, and font later
• All templates allow you to upload a personal photo
• Templates with a solid color border only allow you to upload a personal photo
• Select a template and press the Ok link, or double click on the template
Notes about cover design
• If you choose to upload a personal photo the file must be a JPEG or TIFF file, a size of 5.75″ x 9.0″ (width x height), and at least 300 DPI.
• Any photo that is not at least 300 DPI will be denied.
• I never put a photograph of me on the back cover. I only put a picture of me on an about the author page within the print version of the book. I provide my photo inside the print book because I publish numerous books every year. I want people to associate my name with my photo so people are able to find my social media sites. I’m not a mainstream popular author. The average reader has no interest in seeing my photograph on the cover of a book, and my photo on the cover will not increase exposure or sales. A photograph of the author on the back cover is ideal for well-know author’s, and special interest books such as books published solely to share with family and friends. If I were to sell 500 copies of my books within a single month, I would include my photograph on the book cover. Instead of printing my photograph and bio on the back cover of the book, I print both my photo and bio inside the book. I provide the book synopsis and a list of books I have available for sale on the back of the book.
20) Design book cover
• Green dots show you that the section is complete
• The status bar at the top shows your progress
• Press the Submit Cover link when done
Notes about designing a cover
• This process may take a couple days. Never rush your cover design.
• Take your time and make your book cover perfect.
21) Complete book cover
• Select a Matte or Glossy finish
• Press the Save link
• Verify that your cover preview is accurate (you can change the cover design later if needed)
• Press the Complete Cover link
22) Press the Continue link
23) Complete setup process
(You can still go back and make changes after this step)
• Verify all of your information is correct
• Press the Submit Files for Review link
Note about completing the setup process
• After this step, CreateSpace will take twenty-four hours to review your files.
24) Press the Continue link
• Informs you that the files are under review
25) Order a proof of book
• Press the Order a Printed Proof link
• Press the Proceed to Cart link
Notes about ordering a print copy
• There is an option to View a Digital proof.
• I always view the digital proof, and then I order a print copy.
• You should always review a digital and print copy prior to approving your book.
• I check every detail of the digital copy prior to ordering the print copy.
26) Fill out the proof order payment and shipping information
• Verify Shopping Cart information is accurate
• Press the Check Out link
• Fill out your shipping address
• Choose a shipping speed and rate
• Press the Save & Continue link
• Add a billing payment and address profile
• Press the Use this Profile link
• Verify shipping speed, shipping address, billing address, and order amount
• Press the Confirm Order link
Notes about ordering a proof
• I never order more than one copy of my proof. The proof copy is to proof, not to distribute.
• I wait and order extra copies after I approve the book. The author pays only the print charges when purchasing the final published version.
27) Select a BISAC code
(located in Channels under Expanded Distribution)
• Press the Select a BISAC code here link
• Fill in each field
• Press the Save and Continue link when done
Note about BISAC code
• BISAC is a code applied to books that classifies the book by genre and sub-genre.
28) Choose distribution channels
• Choose as many channels as you wish
• Standard Distribution includes Amazon, Amazon Europe and CreateSpace eStore
• Expanded Distribution includes Book-stores, Online Retailers, Libraries, Academic Institutions and CreateSpace Direct
• Press the Save and Continue link when done
Note about choosing a distribution channel
• I select all available channels because I wish to reach as many viewers as possible.
29) Choose sale price of book
• Enter the amount you wish to charge for each sale of your book
• The minimum list price is your base price
• Press the Calculate link to view your royalties per distribution channel
• Press the Save and Continue link when done
30) Verify your book cover finish
• Choose Matte or Glossy finish
• Press the Save and Continue link
31) Verify book description information
• The fields were completed while selecting a BISAC code
• Verify all of the information is correct
• Press the Save and Continue link when done
32) Log into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and prepare e-book version
• Press the I want to publish my book on Kindle link
• Choose the Transfer and convert my CreateSpace interior file, or the I will upload a separate interior file on KDP link
• Press the Continue link when done
• Choose the publishing rights status and the digital rights management (DRM) option
• Press the Submit my files to KDP link
• Sign into Kindle Direct Publishing
(Sign up, if needed)
Notes about logging in to prepare your e-book
• I always choose to upload a separate interior file.
• You format a softback book and an e-book different.
• I upload a PDF file for the softback version, but a DOC file for the e-book.
• I always choose, this is not a public domain work, because I’m the original creator of the book I’m publishing.
• I always choose, do not enable digital rights management, because I don’t care if people that purchase my e-book share my book with a friend.
33) Enter e-book information
• Choose if you wish to enroll in KDP Select
• Enter the name of the book
• Enter the subtitle of the book (if needed)
• Select if the book is part of a series (if needed)
• Enter series title and volume number (if needed)
• Enter edition number (if needed)
• Enter publisher (if needed)
• Enter the description of the book
• Add contributor credit
• Select the written language of the book
• Enter ISBN (if needed)
• Verify your publishing rights: Public Domain, or Not Public Domain
• Select the Genre and Sub-genre
• Enter minimum and maximum age of readers (if needed)
• Enter U.S. grade range of readers (if needed)
• Enter up to seven internet search words
• Select if you wish to release your book for sale now, or make available for pre-order only. (If you enter available for pre-order, enter the date your book will be available for sale.)
• Upload or Create a book cover (if not transferred)
• Select Digital Rights Management (DRM)
• Upload your interior book file
• Press the Preview book link
• Press the Save and Continue link
Notes about e-book information
• I always choose to enroll each title in KDP Select. KDP Select means people pay based on the percentage of the book read. This option is not for everyone. The books I publish through CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing are books that I will never publish elsewhere. If a publishing house wanted to represent my books, they would have said yes when I was asking. I have plenty of unpublished books the publishing houses are welcome to represent. If I was posting and selling my books on websites other than Amazon and Amazon approved distributors I would not enroll in KDP Select. When I publish through Amazon, I choose all possible Amazon related programs. Amazon’s requirements are reasonable and guarantee a book reaches the most possible markets and readers, and both author and Amazon profit. I believe in Amazon, and I participate in the programs offered by Amazon.
• I leave the edition number blank for the first edition of all fiction books because I do not plan to publish additional editions. I always enter 1 for nonfiction.
• Add yourself as the author within the contributor section.
• I do not enter an ISBN. You do not require an ISBN for an e-book, especially if one already exists for a print edition.
• I always select Not Public Domain because everything I publish is a product of my mind. I never re-publish anyone’s creative work.
• I transfer the cover I created through CreateSpace, or choose to use the cover creator option and choose the same cover and design that I chose for the print edition. If I’m publishing the book as an e-book only, then I upload an image that I own.
• I never enable DRM because I don’t mind if readers share my books.
• I always upload a DOC file when uploading the interior of an e-book.
34) Choose distribution area and pricing
• Select Worldwide rights or Individual territories
• Select your book sale price and royalty amount
• Select if you wish to enroll in Kindle Bookmatch, and select the amount
• Select if you wish to enroll in Kindle Book Lending
• Select that your book complies with the Terms and Conditions
• Select the Save and Publish link
Notes about distribution area and pricing
• I always select Worldwide rights. I want my book available in every country.
• I choose 70% royalty for adult books and nonfiction books with a sale price of $2.99 - $9.99. I choose 35% royalty for children books and all books over $9.99.
• I always select to enroll in Kindle Bookmatch because I believe anyone that purchases the print copy of a book should have the option to purchase the e-book version at a discounted price. The choices include $2.99, $1.99, $.99 and free. I always choose the free option because I feel a free digital copy of a book should accompany all print copies. People should receive a free digital backup of every print book purchased.
• I always enroll in Kindle Book Lending because I believe in allowing people to lend my book to other people.
• I participate in all Kindle programs because I believe Kindle programs provide the best possible advantages for both author and customer. The more published books enrolled in Kindle programs will lead to more advertising, which will lead to greater income for the author.
