How to ePublish Books for an Indian Audience on Amazon’s CreateSpace

Book publishers and authors in India now have a fantastic platform to reach a wider audience and distribute their works globally through Amazon’s CreateSpace service. In this article, we will explore how to effectively use CreateSpace to ePublish books for an Indian audience. We will also discuss some alternative services that can be considered if you are unable to find the required options within CreateSpace for the Indian market.

Understanding Amazon’s CreateSpace

CreateSpace is a print-on-demand (POD) service offered by Amazon. It allows independent authors, small publishers, and businesses to publish paperback and hardcover books for a wide range of genres. The platform provides tools for editing, formatting, and designing books, as well as distribution and marketing services. For Indian authors and publishers, CreateSpace offers a cost-effective and straightforward way to launch their books in both e-book and print formats.

Setting Up Print on Demand for an Indian Audience

If you are looking to set up print on demand in India through CreateSpace, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Register Your Account

Begin by creating a CreateSpace publisher account. Go to the CreateSpace homepage and click on the "Sign up" button. Provide the necessary information such as your name, email address, and contact details. During the registration process, you might need to link your account to your Amazon account to facilitate transactions.

Step 2: Choose a Level of Publisher

CreateSpace offers different levels of publishing services, including Basic, Standard, and Professional. Consider your budget and the specific needs of your book when selecting the appropriate service level.

Step 3: Upload Your Manuscript

Once your account is set up, you can upload your manuscript. CreateSpace provides a detailed guide on formatting requirements and file formats acceptable for ebook and print submissions. Make sure your content meets these criteria to avoid any delays in the publishing process.

Step 4: Design and Edit Your Book

CreateSpace offers tools for cover design, interior layout, and editing support. Utilize these resources to bring your book to its best possible version. It is crucial to ensure that your book’s design and content are appealing to an Indian audience, including appropriate use of Hindi and other Indian languages where necessary.

Step 5: Set Up Distribution and Pricing

Set the distribution options for your book, including whether to distribute on Amazon and other retailers. Pricing your book correctly is also important; CreateSpace provides a pricing calculator to help you set competitive rates.

Step 6: Publish Your Book

After finalizing all the steps, you can publish your book. CreateSpace will review your book and, once approved, will make it available for purchase and download on Amazon and other platforms.

Alternative Services for Indian Publishers

While CreateSpace is a robust and cost-effective solution, there are other options that might be better suited for Indian audiences. Some publishers and authors might benefit from these alternative services:

1. Partridge Publishing

Partridge Publishing is a well-established Indian book publisher that offers e-publishing services. They cater specifically to Indian and global markets, providing a wide range of publication services including ebooks and print books. Their platform supports multiple languages and includes marketing and distribution services tailored to the Indian market.

2. Smashwords

Smashwords is another alternative that allows authors to publish their books in multiple formats, including ebook formats preferred by Indian readers such as EPUB and MOBI. Smashwords offers a global distribution network, and you can integrate your ebook with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) for wider reach.

3. IngramSpark

IngramSpark is a POD service that is widely used by indie authors and small publishers. They offer comprehensive services, including print and ebook publishing, and their platform supports multi-language formats. IngramSpark integrates with Amazon KDP and other major retailers, providing global distribution.

Conclusion

Creating and ePublishing books for an Indian audience involves careful consideration of the specific needs of the Indian market. Whether you choose to use Amazon’s CreateSpace or opt for one of the alternative services discussed, it is essential to tailor your book’s content and design to appeal to Indian readers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively leverage these platforms to reach a broader audience and expand your reach in the global book market.