Ebook Publishing In Malaysia: A Complete Guide For Aspiring Authors
Self-publishing a book in a country like Malaysia can be a bit challenging because of the genres that are preferred and the variety of languages that are spoken. These factors can surely confuse a writer in estimating the number of sales, as per the preference of their targeted readers. Other challenges could be difficulty in finding the right marketing platform and the unavailability of online distributors like Amazon. In this article, we will be discussing some of the basic steps that you can follow for publishing an eBook in Malaysia.
Steps to Publish an Ebook in Malaysia
1. Choosing the right Audience and Genre
Your book can instantly be a make-or-break deal depending on the kind of genre you select and your targeted audience for that niche. The top genre choices of the Malaysian readers are romance, historical fiction, and horror. The writers writing in such a genre are more preferred than those going for other categories. You also need to consider, as a writer, that you cater to the right audience so that you reach the maximum number of reads and purchases. In our suggestion, if you are a beginner but still striving to reach a wider audience in Malaysia, you can start off writing for children and young adults, which are sold more than those from the other categories.
2. Writing and Editing Your Book
The second step is to write and edit your book. During the writing process, you need to recognise the number of pages your book will consist of, the number of drafts it will take to reach the final one, the amount of time it will take to complete the book, and the language that you should write in. Because of the cultural diversity in this region, you need to write your eBook in a language that sells the most. Furthermore, during the editing process, you need to find good book proofreading and editing services that can refine your content and check it for accuracy. It is also suggested that, as a reader, you should also be manually proofreading and revising the content while writing your manuscripts.
3. Designing the Cover of Your Book
After getting done with the writing process, the next process to head towards is designing the cover of the book. There is a variety of websites available online that primarily provide free features for creating customised eBook covers. Some of the most used ones by the writers there are Canva, Adobe Express, and Kittl, which mostly provide free access to the users, however, reserving some for the paid version. These platforms are one of the most convenient and cheap options to create customised covers for your eBooks as per your preference. Even if you do not have enough experience using these platforms, you can easily select the kind of images, background, the colours of the text, and the kind of typography that suitably fits with your cover. Furthermore, you can also hire expert designers and artists online to create the exterior of your manuscript.
4. Choosing the Right Online Publishing Platform
One of the major things to look for when publishing an eBook in Malaysia is the availability of online publication platforms. You can seek help from book publishing servicesto find the right publishing site. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), despite being one of the most famous and internationally recognised online platforms for eBook publishing, is ironically not the most popular one in countries like Malaysia. However, you can still go for this option if your targeted audience spans outside Malaysia. Other than Amazon, the dominant online platforms for eBook publishing include E-Central, Lulu, Reedsy, Smashwords, and IngramSpark. You need to go for the one that fits within your budget. Moreover, before choosing an online publishing platform, you may need to look for the number of services provided by them as well as their royalty charges.
5. Going for the ISBN
After getting half done with the book publishing process, you may be required to get the ISBN for your eBook. The ISBN works as an identifier for your book and the content, and you may also need to get different ISBNs for the different versions, including paperback, hardcover, and eBook. The local Malaysian publishing platforms and distributors like e-Central need to get the ISBN issued from the National Library of Malaysia (PNM), which has its special ISBN issuing process. If you are using the international distributors, then you might need to get involved in the whole hassle of getting the ISBN issued.
6. Marketing and Selling Your eBook
The next step to take is to market your book and sell it, after getting done with the process of ebook publishing. For this, you can use online social media platforms to market your eBook. On platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you can join various literary groups that are particularly meant for new and independent writers. You can join those groups and ask for reviews from the readers as well as the writers. To witness the surge in the sales of your books, you may need to create a fan base of readers by establishing yourself as a writer on social media. The process is undoubtedly protracted; however, it is still worth the wait. As a writer with a sufficient fan following, you can reach out to your family and friends on platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat, and Telegram to advertise your eBook and help it become popular through word of mouth.
FAQs
1. What are the popular genres for books in Malaysia?
Some of the popular genres among the readers of Malaysia are: historical fiction, romance, young adult, and thriller.
2. Do I need to get an ISBN for my eBook in Malaysia?
Yes, you may need to get an ISBN for your eBook in Malaysia. You need to contact Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia PNM, also known as the National Library of Malaysia. You may also be required to submit the details, like the author and title of the book.
3. What are some of the best online platforms to publish my eBook in Malaysia?
Some of the best online platforms include E-central, Reedsy and Lulu. However, you can also go for online distributors prominently; Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Apple Books, etc.
Final Thoughts
Publishing an eBook can be a bit hard, especially as a beginner and an emerging writer. You may initially get stuck on the cultural diversity in terms of the language. You may also need to be wary initially about the genre that sells the most. Other than this, the process of writing and editing itself is quite protracted and demanding, and if not done wisely, can be costly as well. The other things to look for are getting the ISBN and marketing your book. Marketing and selling your book in a country like Malaysia can require a lot of patience from the authors end due to its dwindling culture of reading and less competitive book market. This blog has enlisted some of the basic tips that you can follow to publish your eBook today as a writer in Malaysia.
