Are any of you makigng ebooks ona regular basis? If so, are you using any specific software that you might recommend?

Dotsie,
I create them in MS Word and then turn them over to my husband to create using Adobe InDesign. I have a "soft" copy of my Customer product that I do that way. Doing more e-books is definitely on my list!

Casey,

How does InDesign differ from making a PDF...what are the benefits...

E-books are on my list as well...

Thanks, Dotsie!

On my list as well. Unfortunately, I am great at the creative side, and then, well, they just sit there. Have to figure out the rest of the equation....

You're like me Anno...we're IDEA people! I'm the same way. I call it "being a toad."

Jane, a PDF works as well. You can take whatever you do in MS Word (or the MAC equivilant) and create a PDF that you can secure. I take the interim step of having my husband make it look more professional (especially if I have drawings) in InDesign. He's also more detail oriented than I am and can make sure that all the pages look like they would in a "real" book.

I've also heard that creating a professional looking cover increases the perceived value of your book and makes people more likely to buy.

Ditto Casey's advice. Create it in Word, Publisher, even PowerPoint to get jazzy, and save it as a PDF.
I upload to LuLu, where you set a sales price and keep almost 100% of it when you sell.
Here's a sample I did: http://www.lulu.com/content/2045895
It has a free preview so you can see the variety of page layouts.

Helen

I have 9 ebooks and who knows how many reports

A few years ago I created a template that tells me what to put on each page. I just change the info and add the content where it belongs. It's in MS Word and then I turn it into a PDF. There are free programs online that do this, although I paid $15 for the one I use about three years ago. I have a bunch of PDF resources at www.theresourcequeen.com

This is funny. I sell the ebook template. What it is and how to use it is very clear on my site.

I had a women buy it last week and then asked me for a refund. What she epected -- for $15 no less -- was that the template would be automatic! She wanted the template to create her TOC, etc.

Even though I have a no refund policy, I returned her $15. Her note was so crazy and I've learned over the years that with nutty notes, it's not worth sticking to my policy. Because she'll drive me nuts. She had already sent me a few requests for the money (sent overnight).

Has anyone used Instant Publisher or had any experience with them? I am looking into other avenues for Sweet Violets and that is one option I am considering. How difficult is it to get an ISBN number? I didn't do that with Carousel Kisses but would like to with this next book.

Louisa I haven't used Instant Publisher but did get a sample copy of their product and decided not to go with them. You can get books quite cheap but the covers look cloudy. Go to them at www.instantpublisher.com and request their sample(it tells about their company and how it works). That is what I based my judgment on.

As to the ISBN, you can purchase them, but only in blocks of ten at a time. I think there might be a way where you can purchase only one. Go to www.isbn.org and on the right there is a place to apply for an ISBN. when you click it, it tells you how to just purchase one.

Don't forget that you'll also need a barcode for your book. You can purchase it through that site also, I think. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll help you since I've already been through the process. Good luck.