My first experience of using iTunes Producer wasn't just awful,
it was gawd-awful. I was scared half
to death to begin with, and what should have been a simple and easy process turned into
a nightmare. I'm sure my lack of techie-ness (is that a word?) had a lot to do
with my problems. But I learned a lot by plowing through the process, and all
the other books I uploaded to the iTunes iBook Store went very smoothly.
Because I'm sure I'm not the only tech-novice out there, I thought I would post
the steps I used in an attempt to turn your nightmare into a sweet dream.
I am going to assume a few things here. Firstly, that you own a
Mac computer (you need to use one in order to access iTunes Producer).
Secondly, that you have applied to iTunes for an account via
iTune Connect Online Application.
Thirdly, that you have purchased an ISBN from
Bowker (this company sells ISBNs
to US-based publishers…if you are uploading and selling your books, you're
considered a publisher). All of these things are necessary in order to upload
and sell your iBooks in the iTunes Store. Oh, and once you open an account to iTunes Connect, you'll have to sign in and download iTunes Producer.
Also before you begin uploading, make sure you have everything you’ll need at
hand. I store everything on the desktop, then I can drag it to where I need it:
ePub file, Cover, Blurb, ISBN.
1. Open iTunes Producer
2. Select
‘New Book’ - click ‘next’
3. Info
Page: Fill in all pertinent information, add blurb, don’t be afraid to leave some
spaces blank. Double check that you've filled in all info, then click ‘next’.
4. Categories
Page: Click the ‘add categories’ button. BISAC will show up in the box...use
that (there are a couple of other choices, but BISAC is what I used). Use the
pull down arrow in the bottom box to choose the category. Click ‘add category’
again and repeat. Add whichever categories fit you book. Make sure your
‘primary category’ check mark is next to the primary category. I added 3
categories to each of my books. Click ‘next’.
5. Author
Page: this one is easy. :) Click ‘add
author’, choose ‘author’ in the ‘role’ box, type in your name. If your book has
more than one author or an illustrator or an editor who needs recognition, add
them on this page. Click 'next'.
6. Target
Audience Page: Click ‘add criteria’. For most fiction authors: use the pull
down arrow in the first box and choose ‘Apple’, use the pull down arrow in the
next box and choose ‘General’. If you're uploading a text book or some other
type of book, choose the appropriate target audience from the available
choices. Click 'next'.
7. Related
Products Page: Use this page only if you have ‘related products’ (example:
paperback copy version of the same book).
8. Rights
and Pricing Page: This section will take a little doing, but you only have to
do it once. I had 2 computers going to do this...my Mac (working on iTunes
Producer) and my Dell (working with a money conversion site). I'm sure you
could do this with just your Mac…just have iTunes Producer open and a money
conversion site on the web using your browser. In iTunes Producer, click ‘add
territory’ and then choose a country. Then move down to Publication Type and
use the pull down menu to choose 'New Release'. Move down to 'Sales Start Date'
and type in the current date. I skipped the next box. In the 'Physical List
Price' box, add the price (this is where you’ll need to convert the chosen
country’s money to USD using a conversion website). Check ‘cleared for
sale’...check the DRM free box if you want to offer your books DRM free. When
you finish one country, click ‘add territory’ again and start all over...do
this for all 32 available countries. When you’re finished, click ‘make default’
and you won’t have to do this again. Click ‘next’.
9. Books
Page: This is where you drag your ePub file into the box marked ‘Publication’.
The first time I uploaded, I thought I needed to have preview, so I made an
ePub file of the first chapter of the book and dragged it into the box marked
‘Publication Preview’, but I left this box blank with the remaining books.
Click ‘cover art’.
10. Cover Art Page: Drag your cover into the box.
Easy! Click ‘screenshots’.
11. Screenshots Page: I ignored the Screenshots
page. I think this is where you can allow potential readers the chance to actually
see some of the images inside your book. Click 'next'.
12. Now
you’re on the Delivery Page. If you are missing any information, you’ll see red
x’s and messages regarding what you've missed. Read over the error messages and
go back to add/fix the errors. If you see no red x’s, your book should
automatically begin to upload to the iTunes iBook Store. You will hear a
wonderful trilling sound and a big green check when your book has successfully
uploaded. And it will be available for sale almost instantly.
Congratulations! You’ve published your first book to the iTunes
Store!
