SIMPLEST WAY TO GET YOUR BOOK ON THE NET - A BOOST FOR BOOK BOOSTER

IF YOU'RE A NEW AUTHOR OR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO READ SOMETHING DIFFERENT - BOOK BOOSTER COULD BE YOUR BAG. IT'S NOT JUST THE EASIEST WAY TO GET A BOOK ON THE NET. IT'S A PUBLISHING PLATFORM FOR BEGINNING AUTHORS AND A DISPLAY SITE FOR THE ODDEST INDIE BOOKS. WE ASKED BUZZWORD BOOKS COMMISSIONING EDITOR, DAN MILLS ABOUT THIS BUZZWORD BOOKS SPIN-OFF.

BUZZWORD BLOG: So, Dan, explain in three words what Book Booster does for readers.

DAN: It surprises them.

BUZZWORD BLOG: How?

DAN: With off-the-wall reads of all kinds. Because we don't edit the books on the site unless the authors ask us to. And we're happy to list anything that isn't pornographic or defamatory. So you'll find everything from family histories to political rants. From poetry to gut-turning horror. As well or badly written as it comes.

BUZZWORD BLOG: So you edit nothing?

DAN: We do minimum proof reading on some titles. We try to retain the vestiges of a house style. We're also happy to knock a book into shape if the author requests it for a small charge. We're not quite a charity.

BUZZWORD BLOG: So say I've written a book and all I have is the Word file. And I know nothing about getting a book on the net, how does Book Booster help me?

DAN: Depends on what you want.

BUZZWORD BLOG: Well say I want the full treatment.

DAN: Okay. We create a promotional page on the site with details about you and the book, together with any reviews available. We handle the design - and it appears at a generous size. We also design and produce your cover if you don't have one. We can add a Paypal 'buy now' shopping cart facility if you don't have your own. Or link your book to your email address, web page or even to another publisher. We don't take a royalty on sales because we  act simply as a showcase. The writer gets the full amount of any sales that come in.

BUZZWORD BLOG: Charges?

DAN: Depending how much help you want it will cost you anything from $10 to $50. The $10 lets you plonk your book on the site. The $50 is full silk department service.

BUZZWORD BLOG: How can you do all that for fifty dollars? Let alone ten!

DAN: We also have to format the books for the major viewing devices apart from designing the website listing for the particular book.

BUZZWORD BLOG: So there's no way you're making money.

DAN: We're losing money. If you work it out, We're probably clearing $5 an hour. Because most of it is coding drudgery - adjusting HTML and CSS.

BUZZWORD BLOG: What's the point?

DAN: Occasionally we strike someone who seriously wants to improve his book. We have excellent editors who are prepared to work for a going rate of $20 an hour. This is ridiculous, too, and we'll have to put our rates up eventually. We also have a small business building websites and website copywriting/SEO. That also costs $20 per hour.

BUZZWORD BLOG: So if an author wanted a website for a particular book, you could do it?

DAN: Yes. In fact, there are links to a couple we've done that you can visit on the site.

BUZZWORD BLOG: Do authors have to sign a book contract?

DAN: No. There are no restrictions at all. They can use the site simply as another billboard on the net, or link it to any other outlet they have. And, of course, the main advantage is, they can do all this even if they have no expertise with coding, constructing websites or formatting. In other words, complete newbies can get their books up - by providing nothing more than a Word file and a small one-off payment.

BUZZWORD BLOG: And do they have to resubscribe each year?

DAN: No. We tried the subscription model but it's a pain. So now there's just a token one off charge.

BUZZWORD BLOG: And they're on the net for ever!

DAN: As far as we're concerned. Or for as long as the site lasts.

BUZZWORD BLOG: Sounds too good to be true.

DAN: It's actually both good and true. Are we mad?

BUZZWORD BLOG: Er.... Yes!


YOU CAN FIND BOOK BOOSTER AT BOOKBOOSTER.COM