Kategorie: Features & Updates
10 Questions to… Christopher Hoare
We are starting a new project on the blog. The goal of ’10 Questions to…’ is to present promising authors who have chosen to self-publish their books. Our first guest is Christopher Hoare, the author of Visiting Pemberly
About Christopher Hoare
I live with my wife, Shirley, and two shelter dogs, Coco and Emmie, in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. As a lad I lived, breathed, and dreamed aeroplanes; I won a place at RAE Farnborough learning to engineer them. But the reality didn’t fit my dream, so I took off into a stint in the army and then away to join the oil circus. Flying objects are tools when they now appear in my writing. I guess that’s the effect of maturity, but I hope, not a constricted, resigned, and unimaginative maturity. The mind still soars, even without wings, and the dream of carrying others to a better future is now on the page.
1. What attracted you to self-publishing?
In this instance I wanted to release a time sensitive novella—honouring the 200th anniversary of the publishing of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. I had no time to wait for decisions from any publisher and XinXii allowed me to have “Visiting Pemberly” running properly within a few days. I expect to use XinXii again to self publish a work that I have recovered the rights to, and feel sure their site will enable me to keep a close control on the new version.
2.What does it mean to you to be an indie-author?
All my prior publications have been with indies…by which I mean small independent publishers. Since over 99% of writers are effectively ‘on their own’ I feel a certain kinship with all of us paddling our own canoes.
3. What are the stumbling blocks on the road to success as an author?
There are many. Perhaps the earliest problem to strike can be called ‘hurry syndrome’ where a new writer is in such a hurry to place their words before readers that they do not have the control over their writing that professionals develop. They neglect to heed good advice about their work and do not take the trouble to have it edited. As a result they have crashed into the venture with something that will only retard their future prospects and give themselves a reputation as being amateurish and unreadable.
4. Have you tried other forms of publishing?
I have previously been published by two royalty paying e-book publishers and have just been contracted by an indie with a strong literary reputation. With care, one can gradually attain better representation as one writes, but it takes time. In my case, 7 years and 6 published novels.
5. How did you learn about XinXii?
A fellow member in a professional writing association sent me a link to see the novellas he had just published with XinXii.
6. What marketing tools do you use to promote your eBooks?
I have used most avenues, from blogs, to blog tours, twitter, to reviewing, and to convention going. Most have been too hard to evaluate, but the promotion I used with XinXii was evaluated promptly because visitor and sales numbers are available online within days.
7.Do you have some tips for fellow indie-authors?
Never publish without working to ensure your project is as excellent in quality as can be humanly achieved. Write diligently and daily until you have amassed a million words and then throw them away to start afresh from the level you have achieved.
8.You are on a lonely island with a solar charger. What eBooks would you have on your eReader?
Since a writer must work on craft above enjoying the reading experience I would probably have the works of fellow critique partners as most of the eBoooks to crit; since one must never neglect one’s own daily writing, there would be work in progress of my own; and then I would need other recent titles in the genre I am working in.
9. Which author would like to have dinner with?
I think it would be a toss up between Jane Austen, J.R.R Tolkien, and Isaac Asimov. But really, only one dinner date? One would want to engage the chosen one for a year.
10. What are your future projects?
I have one SF novel that has been with an indie publisher for a year—if they decide against it I will self publish. My current contract is for something I have not done before—I call it a Regency romance steampunk because I depict a Regency world where steam developments have advanced more than in the real world—and then I have plotted it around the conventions of the Regency marriage mart for a protagonist who must decide between three eligible bachelors.
Christopher Hoare’s Author Page on XinXii:
Christopher Hoare’s blog:
Christopher Hoare on Facebook:
Christopher Hoare on Twitter:
o2 with a separate eBook section “self-publishing/self-publishers”
As one of the first points of contact for self-publishers we work daily on establishing self-publishing in Europe. We are excited about every step in that direction and we are glad to receive support from the eBook shops we work with.
o2 has created a separate section called “self-publishing/self-
http://mobilefun.o2online.de/
Background information: Authors have the opportunity to upload their eBooks to XinXii and publish them on leading eBook shops. The advantages: your eBook is placed on the virtual shelves next to the eBooks written by bestselling authors, with only one registration on XinXii you cover all important eBook shops (which can be selected individually) and receive one financial statement for all shops you have chosen.
You can find more information about publishing with XinXii here: http://www.xinxii.com/gd_cms.php/en?page=publish_en
You can find more information about our partner shops here: http://www.xinxii.com/gd_cms.php?page=distribution_en
XinXii with a new distribution channel : o2 customers can now download self-published eBooks
Telefónica Germany operates a mobile phone network under the brand o2 – the company is the fourth largest mobile network operator in Germany in terms of subscribers. o2 customers have access to numerous download options suitable for mobile phones – music, games as well as eBooks.
o2 Apps and Entertainment online: http://www.o2online.de/more/mobile-services/apps-entertainment/
News from the XinXii distribution team
We would like to welcome Matthias as a new member of our distribution team. Matthias has studied Applied Literary Studies in Bochum and has been involved in the production of eBooks for several years. He is interested in all forms of cultural work, especially literature, photography and theater.
He would support us in dealing with the enormous number of eBooks which need to be converted and delivered. This issue would be resolved in the next weeks, so the submissions can be processed in 1-2 days as usual. At the moment we need more than 14 days to deliver the eBooks which is a very long period of time. We would like to apologize for the inconvenience! With Matthias on board we are on the right course. Thank you for your patience!
XinXii Enters the Russian Market
Berlin, 03.12.2012 –XinXii, a leading self-publishing and distribution platform of eBooks, continues its expansion and officially launches its Russian version today. Thus the company answers the needs of all Russian-speaking authors who have previously used the self-publishing platform in English. XinXii is the first platform of its kind on the Russian market.
„Russia is a very interesting market for self-publishing due to its culture and size“, says Dr. Andrea Schober, founder and CEO of XinXii. „The potential lies not just in the fact that we offer indie authors and self-publishers in Russia an unprecedented access to new opportunities and leading international eBook shops, but also an engine of exciting development. We are glad that we would be able to transfer the increasingly popular and successful model of self-publishing to Russia.”
With XinXii’s entry to the Russian market, we are systematically implementing our goal to promote self-publishing in Europe and support the distribution of quality indie literature. Thus XinXii further expands its position as the leading digital self-publishing and distribution platform in Europe.
The Russian version is available at http://www.xinxii.com/ru.
All in one with XinXii
XinXii was founded in 2008 with the aim to empower writers and provide them with the opportunity to publish their works of art instantly. At XinXii, we believe that artists should not be confined to limits. That’s why we created a fair platform for indie authors and publishers – authors are the ones who fix the price and decide on the format and layout of the eBook.
You can have it all! XinXii is the German pioneer in self-publishing. In addition to being Europe’s leading digital self-publishing and distribution-platform, XinXii distributes to international retailers. A single XinXii account gives indie authors full control over the distribution of their eBooks – you decide whether to sell your eBook on your own XinXii Author Page - or additionally on XinXii’s continuously growing number of distribution channels.
You can choose among Amazon Kindle Stores, Barnes & Noble’s online shop, Casa del Libro – the leading Spanish bookseller chain, Hugendubel – one of the leading companies in the German-speaking book market, the iBookstore, Kobo – a global eBook retailer, Weltbild – one of the largest Internet, book and media retail companies in Europe.
We are constantly expanding the list of distribution channels. Stay tuned.
Publishing with us is that easy:
1. Select your preferred distribution channels
At XinXii, you have the choice: In step 1 you click the “Publish” tab and decide, whether to still sell your publication on your XinXii author page, or to let us also distribute your eBook to major international eBook retailers – the ones you have chosen. With XinXii you have unparalleled market reach – for free.
2. Create an account and set up your author page
You now fill in the provided fields: category, title, summary, pages, keywords, your profile etc., enter the sales price and upload your eBook (in one or multiple formats).
3. Sell your book around the world
After having finished step 2, your eBook is available on your XinXii author page. If you have decided to distribute your eBook through us (see step 1), we will now go ahead and take care of the conversion and the shipment. You can modify your entries on XinXii and check your sales reports at any time.
iBookstore reaches Latin America: XinXii distributes to 18 additional countries
At the iPad Mini launch event, Apple officially announced the fantastic news: the iBookstore expands to Latin America and New Zealand.
This is not only exciting for the readers who live there but also for all self-publishers. We bring our eBooks to the shelves of 18 additional iBookstores: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela.
All indie authors, who would like to distribute their eBooks to the iBookstore through XinXii, would have their titles distributed to all iBookstores. All eBooks, which have already been distributed through us, would be added to the new 18 iBookstores.
Win new readers and true fans with coupon codes!
Authors, who sell their eBooks on XinXii, can offer them as an exclusive free download. Readers who are interested in the book enter the code when they check out and download it immediately without having to pay for it.
The generation of coupon codes is easy:
1. Click on the Coupon Manager in the user section “My XinXii”
2. Generate the code
3. Determine the period of the campaign and the number of downloads
4. Ready
When you have generated a coupon code you can additionally edit the information and view the number of the redeemed coupons.
The new feature opens new possibilities for book marketing
We all know the impact of coupon codes from personal experience: to receive something at a reduced price or (in contrast to other customers) for free has its own appeal and seduces us to give it a try. It works even more when the validity of the promotional offer is limited… Every author can use the new tool for book marketing: a coupon code is an unobtrusive marketing instrument to promote your book!
A coupon code achieves its aim when as many people as possible learn about it and redeem it. Not a single opportunity for its application should be missed:
Coupon codes for reviewers
There are bloggers that would exclusively designate a place for your book on their blogs. They present authors as well as publish interviews and reviews. We recommend that indie authors should contact them, introduce themselves and enclose a “XinXii coupon code” with the request for a review of the book. There are already such blogs in the USA, for instance IndieReader, Two Ends of a Pen or The IndieView, which are specialized in indie literature – we would be happy if there is a similar support on the blogger scene in Europe. There is a huge pool of undiscovered perls on XinXii which could be downloaded for free and reviewed through coupon codes. Our new tool gives a further reason for reviewers to register on XinXii, so they can find in their inboxes coupon codes from independent authors as of now 
eBook as a prize for a competition or give-away
Many bloggers advertise competitions. This is a great opportunity to offer your book as a prize! The authors could also start a campaign on their blogs offering the eBook as a free download for a limited time – so to speak as a special “freebie” for true fans. It is also possible to find bloggers in your circle of friends and acquaintances who would support the initiative. They could write an article about the eBook and publish the coupon code – adding a friendly request for a review.
Promotion campaign on forums
Book lovers rejoice at every tip! There are eBook communities and forums, for instance MobileRead, Kindle Boards, Nook Boards, E-Reader Forum, Lettern.de, Literatina.de or versalia.de, where advertising your own products is not only allowed but also desirable. Our tip: post a short description of your eBook and submit the coupon code for a free download on XinXii – with the hint that it is a limited time offer. Forums are ideal to place your book in the spotlight through the exclusive free downloads!
Entry on coupon sites
According to the study eBooks and eReader – purchase and use in Germany 2011/12 conducted by the University of Hamburg nearly every fourth reader has already read an eBook, while 9% of the people use free eBooks and samples. Coupon sites are another ideal place to reach the bargain-hunters among the eBook readers and suggest a free of charge eBook.
Self-advertising
… for example using your email signature and Facebook, Twitter and XING. You should not do more than just share the link to your eBook on XinXii together with the coupon code.
An additional stimulus for redeeming besides the short book description is the book cover – an eyecatcher always makes people curious.
When the eBook is free of charge: time is money – energy and creativity should be applied in order to persuade as many people as possible to read and review the eBook. When many people download and read – and every reader writes a review on XinXii or a blog article, the aim of the promotion campaign is reached!
Have fun sending your coupon codes – or redeeming them and discovering yet undiscovered indie literature!
Those experienced in self marketing are more than welcomed to add suggestions and tips as a comment. Thank you!
XinXii expands services with editing & proof-reading
XinXii offers a new service: editing & proof-reading of texts published on the XinXii platform. Authors can choose between proof-reading – orthography, grammar, punctuation, hyphenation – and editing with a stylistic review.
Authors who are interested in the service can upload a text on 
http://www.xinxii.com/services.php for a non-binding quote. The editing and proof-reading is carried out by qualified staff.
For now, the service is available for German texts, more languages would be supported in the future.
New payment method for XinXii authors
From today onward, authors on XinXii can use a bank transfer as a payment method for provisions – as an alternative to PayPal. When you want to choose that option – just have a look at the section My XinXii > Author: edit account information, there you can choose the option at the end of the page.
It is important to note that at the moment we perform transactions only in the European currency zone and in Euro (see SEPA* ). In order to identify your bank account and financial institution, your BIC (11-digit bank code number) and IBAN (22-digit account number) are needed. You can obtain them from your bank – and get accustomed to them: The new EU standard requires that from the 1st of February 2014 old national account information (account number, bank code number) would be deactivated and replaced by IBAN and BIC.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
