The Canadian author’s guide to self-publishing on Apple Books
The true key to success in the self-publishing world is getting your book in front of as many customers as possible, and in the complete guide to self-publishing on Apple Books, we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to successfully add another self-publishing platform to your list.
One of the most significant advantages Apple offers authors using its self-publishing platform is a built-in audience. When you buy an Apple iPhone or iPad, it comes pre-loaded with various apps, including Apple Books. Not only that, but Apple also uses its own operating system and app store, where users can only download specific apps, which pushes users towards its library, Apple iBooks.
In the Complete Guide to Self-Publishing on Apple Books for Authors, we’ll cover:
- What Is Apple Books? Understanding Apple Books Publishing for Canadian Authors
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Apple Books for Authors
- Step-By-Step Guide to Uploading Your Book on Apple Books
- Publishing on Apple Books FAQs
If you’re still considering which self-publishing platform is best for you, be sure to check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors, where we breakdown the pros and cons of different self-publishing platforms such as IngramSpark Publishing, Amazon Kindle Direct (KDP) Publishing, and many more.
What Is Apple Books? Understanding Apple Books Publishing for Canadian Authors
Apple Books, or iBooks as it used to be known, is Apple’s dedicated book platform for purchasing, reading, and downloading digital (ebooks) books. Currently, Apple reports over 2.2 billion active Apple products and devices. That’s millions of users with quick and easy access to a built-in ebook reading and purchasing platform.
When you purchase a new iPhone or iPad, it comes pre-loaded with the Apple Books app. If you want to read a book or purchase an ebook, it directs you to Apple Books, where you can buy, download, and read an ebook and have the purchase deducted from your nominated account. You don’t need to make a new account, put in payment information, or utilize multiple platforms or apps, making the process very fast, easy, and convenient. It also conveniently stores all your purchased books in the library, so you can return them anytime if you want to reread them.
Readers can also rate and review any of the books they purchase through Apple Books directly in their application. Apple Books originally launched in 2010 as iBooks but has since re-branded. Currently, Apple Books has over 100 million monthly users.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Apple Books for Authors
There are always pros and cons to any self-publishing platform, which is why we always advise new self-published authors to maximize their book distribution by using as many platforms as possible and offering a variety of different formats such as ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, and audiobooks.
For example, IngramSpark Publishing offers global book distribution to multiple platforms, including Apple Books. You can view a complete list of IngramSpark’s Distribution Channels here. Uploading your paperback and digital books to IngramSpark is a quick way to get a broad range of distribution channels without opening multiple accounts and individually uploading to each self-publishing platform.
The Advantages of Self-Publishing on Apple Books
- Effective Global Reach—Apple stores are available in over 50 countries, and uploading your book to Apple Books will give it immediate global reach.
- Seamless Integration – Your book will be available on all Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- Author–Friendly Terms and Conditions – Apple offers Canadian authors friendly and competitive terms and conditions, including fair pricing and royalties.
- Digital Formats – Apple supports various content formats, including fiction and non-fiction ebooks and audiobooks.
- Growing Market Share – In the United States, Apple Books has overtaken Barnes & Noble Books to take second place in the ebook market after Amazon Kindle.
- Ebook Boxsets—Apple Books offers authors the opportunity to publish ebook boxsets, which Amazon KDP does not offer. Authors who publish box sets exclusively on Apple Books receive a higher royalty.
The Disadvantages of Self-Publishing on Apple Books
- Smaller Market Share—Apple Books has a much smaller share of the global ebook market than Amazon KDP, at around 10%.
- Apple Books Are Only Available to Apple Users – If you only upload your book to Apple Books, you’re limiting exposure to users of Apple products.
- Uploading Process Can Be Difficult – Compared to other platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, the formatting and uploading requirements for Apple Books can be a lot harder to learn.
Step-By-Step Guide to Uploading Your Book on Apple Books
Step 1. Formatting and Preparation
Before you begin the uploading process, you need to ensure your book has been professionally edited and formatted and that your manuscript meets Apple Books formatting requirements. Your formatted book must be in an ePub format, and your cover files need to be sized correctly.
Step 2. Opening An Apple Books Account
Before you publish on Apple Books, you need an Apple ID. If you don’t already have an Apple ID, go to the Apple Books Author website and create one. Once you have your ID, you’ll be able to sign in. Once you sign in, complete your author account details and author bio. Remember, your author bio information will be displayed alongside your book’s page.
Step 3. Uploading Your Book
Now it’s time to upload your book to Apple Books.
First, visit iTunes Connect (https://itunesconnect.apple.com) and hit the + icon to add a new book and enter information such as book title, author name, language, book description, and other contributors such as illustrators and co-authors.
Next, upload your ePub file and add any additional information, including ISBNs, genre, and keywords/phrases. If you need help getting an ISBN, check out Do I Need An ISBN for My Book in Canada?
Step 4. Pricing, Royalties, and Distribution
Apple Books will allow you to set your eBook’s price and where it’s distributed, which gives Canadian authors a lot of flexibility. How you price your book can be crucial to its success, so don’t rush into pricing, and remember to evaluate and adjust your pricing regularly.
First, set the currency. Setting the currency in your local currency allows you to gauge different currencies and gives you a good baseline. When setting the price of your ebook, compare it to other books in the genre and try to keep it competitively priced, especially if you’re a new author.
You can set specific regions if you don’t want your book available globally.
Step 5. Final Review and Publishing
Now it’s time to do a final review before you hit the publish button. Be sure to check:
- Double-check all the book details, including the author’s name, title, and description.
- Preview your book using the preview book to ensure it’s displaying correctly.
- Submit your book for review. Apple will then review your book files again before approving your title.
Publishing on Apple Books FAQs
Below are some Apple Books Publishing FAQs. If you need assistance during the uploading process, contact the iTunes Connect Support page for more information. They have a wide range of helpful resources for self-published authors.
- What file format do I need to publish a book on Apple Books? – You will need an active Apple ID and book formatted using the ePub format.
- How do I validate my ePub? Simply work through the process in iBooks Author Pages, or you can use an ePub validation tool.
- How do I get an ISBN for my book? If you’re a Canadian author, you can obtain a free ISBN through Library Archives Canada.
- What royalties does Apple Books offer self-published authors? Apple Books provides a royalty of 70%, and royalties are paid 45 days after the end of each month.
The Complete Guide to Publishing on Apple Books for Canadian Authors | Conclusion
Publishing your book on Apple Books in 2024 will allow you to leverage an entirely new book market you may have previously missed out on. By utilizing the information, tips, tricks, and advice above, you’ll have your book available on Apple Books and in front of millions of readers worldwide in no time. We’ve covered the complete step-by-step process in our Guide to Self-Publishing on Apple Books.
At Indie Publishing Group, we’re proud to assist Canadian and North American authors in self-publishing their books, including assisting with self-publishing on various self-publishing platforms, such as Apple Books.
If you are writing a book and need assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, or uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
Our experienced and professional self-publishing team is standing by to assist you with your self-publishing dreams. Do you have any additional writing or self-publishing questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly. One of our friendly and professional team members will get back to you ASAP!
If you’re still considering which self-publishing platform is best for you as a Canadian author, read The Complete Guide to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors, where we cover everything you’ll need to know about getting started on Amazon KDP for the first time.
