Guide on Publishing with Google Play Books in 2024 [Two Paths]
Digging into the essential world of self-publishing, let's dive deep into publishing your book on Google Play Books.
You've got two tasty options up your sleeve: publishing directly through Google Play Books or whipping up some magic with the help of a platform like our website.
Ditching the Confusion: Google Play vs Google Books
Before we dive in, let's clear up any confusion around these two gems.
Google Play: This baby right here is a digital storefront for purchasing apps, tunes, movies, games, and – you guessed it – books!
Google Books: Yep, it's Google's own digital library, complete with the most extensive index of full-text books meticulously scanned and digitized for the era of ebooks.
When you publish on Google Play, your book will stan its corners on Google Books automatically, complete with a sneak peek for potential readers.
In case you just wanna show love and no kisses to Google, you can choose the "Offer a preview on Google Books only" option when you set up your Google publisher account. This will let Google know you just wanna share the digital love, no strings attached.
Let's dig into every delectable detail on how to throw your book baby into the Google Play pool.
Whip it Up: Directly from Google Play?
Step 1: Google Play Partner Program, Baby!
Head on over to the Google Play Books Partner Center and click "Get Started." Warning: this service is for authors and publishers geographically confined to certain countries. Hop on over here to check out if your country's on the guest list.
Step 2: Add your Financial Info
Next, spoon up those financial digits so you can get your slice of the royalties pie from Google Play Books.
Step 3: Add Your Book, Select Your Sell Option
Once you click "Add your first book," you'll get to choose if you want to publish your book and sell it on Google Play or "Offer a preview on Google Books only," just as previously mentioned.
If you're ready to run the hustle, pick the publishing and selling on Google Play option. Select your book's specific ISBN, or choose the "Get a Google Book ID" option if you haven't got one in your back pocket.
Step 4: The Metadata Marathon
Now, you'll need to enter the following details:
- Book Overview
This is your moment to shine! Add the book title, subtitle, a brief yet engaging book description, series title, and other assorted deets.
- Genres
Choosing the right genre is the key to success, just like Papa Bear's porridge – not too hot, not too cold, but just right! Unlike Amazon, Google Play doesn't limit you in the number of genres you can swirl together.
- Contributors
Time to give credit where it's due – shout out those authors, editors, and any other creators who contributed to your masterpiece.
- Series
Link your book to other volumes if it's part of a series – a well-crafted chain can be the ticket to finding more readers!
- Settings
Set the amount of your book readers can peek at using Google Play's "Look Inside" feature. You can also apply DRM encryption or decide how much text people can pluck and paste.
From Advanced Settings, optimize your book's discoverability on Google Books by adding those vital keywords and details.
Step 5: Attach a Cover and Content
Upload your book cover and text file, but make sure it's formatted like, you know, a well-written book!
After your book gets the green light, you can add Content Reviewers by entering their email addresses and create an ARC team (Advanced Reading Copy) with minimal fuss.
Step 6: Set a Price for Your Masterpiece
Decide on unique prices for diverse regions and currencies – have your readers champing at the bit to unlock your literary marvel!
Step 7: Publish, My Dear!
Review everything you entered, bask in the glow of your creation, and then smash the "Publish" button!
Kaching! You've just joined the infamous ebook stores galore.
Now, let's churn it up with the other option: thumbs up from our website!
Cooking with Gas: Google Play through our Website
Our website is your new best pal, ready to help you publish and distribute your book to all major digital channels such as Amazon, Apple, Ingram, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play Books.
With our website, you'll breeze through the publishing process, and you'll even get some nifty book promotion goodies! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Remember, when publishing your book on Google Play through our website, take heed of the following tidbits:
- You need to create a Google Play Publisher account on your own{.sentence-ending}. To kickstart this process within our website platform, go to your Dashboard and click on "Google Play Account Setup."
- You'll need to list our website as a Service Provider for your Google Play Publisher account. Slip over to this form to do the deed.
So without further ado, here's your step by step:
Step 1: Set your Google Play Publisher Account via our Website
From your Dashboard, click on your name and select "Google Play Account Setup."
Step 2: Sing up or Sign in to Google Play Publisher Account
Choose the correct path:
- If you don't have a Google Play Publisher account, create a new one on our platform. Click on "Sign up," and you'll be directed to the Google Play Partner Center.
- If you already have one, click on "Next."
Step 3: Fill out Google Publisher Account details
Finish creating your account on Google and return to our platform to continue the publishing process. Or, if you already have one, enter the essentials: your name, Google Play Books Publisher email, country, and Google Play Books Publisher's collection code.
Step 4: Paperwork Party: Publisher Consent Form
This stage is where you link the Google Play Books Publisher and our website accounts. Fill in the form to declare our website as your client service provider.
Step 5: A Drop of Patience: Google's Approval
Sit tight while Google takes its sweet time approving our website as your client service provider. This usually chills for 10-12 business days.
In two scenarios, you'll either win Google's approval, and we'll handle distribution, reporting, and payments for you. Or, you'll have to reshuffle your docs and try again should rejection be on the menu.
Note: If Google terminates your partnership, we'll lose access to your Google Play Publisher account.
Step 6: Upload Your Book
Once Google approves your request, you're good to go! Upload your book to My Books from our website's dashboard and click on "Upload Book" > "Ebook."
Step 7: Set & Toggles
In this step, upload your content file and cover, and set all the other details such as creators, metadata, categories, price, rights, and distribution stores.
Note: Choose "Else" if you want to set this book for a pre-order period.
Apples and Oranges: Publishing Directly vs our Website
Google Play Books is a must-have platform for maximizing your ebook reach.
When publishing through Google Play, you've got a direct line to Google's ecosystem, upping your odds of being discovered quickly. Then, bump up your odds further by sending review copies and taking advantage of price promotions to create buzz around your book.
However, when going with a platform like our website, the bigger picture is broadened as your book is distributed to multiple platforms simultaneously. No sweat, no tears – our website takes care of the deed and helps your book reach a wider audience!
When publishing on Google Play Books, your book will automatically be featured on Google Books as well, providing potential readers with a sneak peek. If you prefer to share the digital love without fully committing to Google, you can choose the "Offer a preview on Google Books only" option when setting up your Google publisher account. On the other hand, by utilizing platforms like our website, you have the opportunity to distribute your book to multiple digital channels such as Google Play Books, Amazon, Apple, Ingram, and Barnes & Noble, increasing your book's reach. To publish your book on Google Play through our website, you'll need to create a Google Play Publisher account on your own.
