Welcome to the FAQ, if you have any questions about the usage of the site you can check here or check the 'CompletelyNovel FAQ' club.
Index
The Basics
Back to IndexWhat is CompletelyNovel?
CompletelyNovel is a new service which links all elements of the book industry together. It provides a central place for readers, writers, publishers, printers, illustrators, proofreaders and many more to read, share their work, find fresh new writers, collaborate with others in the industry and communicate directly with the people interested in their work.
I am a writer, but I don't write novels - can I post non-fiction work on CompletelyNovel?
Yes. We are called CompletelyNovel to emphasise the fact that our service is new...and it's a nice little play on words! But we would love to see non-fiction work on the website too. CompletelyNovel is a great place for books on niche subjects which have a small target audience - our online community provides an effective way to find books which are a bit specialist and different. These books may not make it onto the shelves of a bookshop, but they are perfect for an online environment.
I love books but I am not a writer - can I use CompletelyNovel?
Yes! There are lots of reasons why CompletelyNovel is great for readers. You can find and read fresh, new work from writers who are registered on CompletelyNovel for free. You can then give those writers your feedback by posting comments or writing reviews.
Another nice feature is our online library which allows you to share your book preferences with others. The library can include books that have been published anywhere as well as CompletelyNovel books. You can write reviews of the books you have read, start clubs on a particular writer, genre or classification of book, or get in touch with other people who like similar types of books.
You will soon be able to search for literature events in your area, find local bookshops and find local book clubs to join.
Is CompletelyNovel a publisher, a bookseller, a printer...what are you!?
CompletelyNovel is not trying to replace or replicate any element of the book industry. We are completely independent from the printers, publishers, booksellers and all of the other service providers that we connect. We are simply the platform that links everyone together and this has a couple of big advantages. Firstly, by being independent we can be accessible to everyone in the industry so that our users can make the most of all of the best services out there. We provide lots of different options for interacting, publishing, printing, promoting and collaborating for all of our users.
Secondly, coming from a strong background in web development, we are very open to lots of new ideas. We are constantly looking at ways we can use all of the tools that new technology and the internet have to offer to make a really useful and fun service.
The main thing is that we are passionate about books and finding ways to make reading, writing and collaboration easier for everyone in the book industry.
How much does it cost to use CompletelyNovel?
It's free! CompletelyNovel was founded to link people who like books together. There is a big movement on the internet to make services free and open to everyone and we are part of that movement. You don't have to pay anything to use the website, upload your work , share it online and have access to our service providers.
The services you obtain through CompletelyNovel are between you and the service provider. If you print a book through CompletelyNovel, you will pay the printer's price without any CompletelyNovel commission. CompletelyNovel is still in development but already the book upload, online publishing, print and distribution services are the cheapest available and are entirely commission free. Watch this space...there is plenty more to come.
Of course, if you would like to donate something for the services we offer, you are very very... very welcome! Any donations will help us to keep the service running smoothly and to develop all kinds of new functionality which will make it even more useful for you!
Reading
Back to IndexHow do I find good books to read online?
One way is to have a good browse around in the 'books' tab. You can find all of the CompletelyNovel books and will be able to see what rating they have been given by others in the online community.
If you have a particular area of interest, you can search by genre or classification and browse through the books in that topic.
Another good way is to visit the profiles of other people in the community and have a look at their work (if they are writers), their favourite books, or their reviews of the books they have found on CompletelyNovel.
We are currently working on a detailed points system which will help us to ensure that when we have lots of books on the site, the best of them are very easy to find.
What is my library?
This is the area where you can show others the books you have read, are currently reading or plan to read in the future. It gives people an idea of the kind of books you are into and the kind of person you are. There is no limit to the number of books you have in your library. You can start clubs based around people with similar interests.
What is a club?
Clubs can be found under the 'Community' Tab on CN. A club is a way to communicate with other members of the community to discuss books, writers, events or popular topics to do with books.
All you have to do is come up with a club name and write some information about the club - then you can go around telling people all about it!
How do I change the information in my 'Profile'?
In the 'My CN' tab, just click on the 'My Profile' button on the left and go to the 'Edit' button at the edge of each section of your profile.
You can also change your profile picture whenever you want.
How much work can I read for free online?
As much as you like. There is no limit on what you can read for free. All we ask is that you take the time to give the writer some constructive feedback.
Can I download any books as eBooks?
At the moment you can't download any of the books - you need to be online to read them. However, if you like the book, why not buy a paperback copy that you can read anywhere?
How much does it cost to buy a book on CompletelyNovel?
The price you pay for a book is set by the writer. When the writer uses CompletelyNovel to sell their work they will select a printer to user for their books. The printer will give them a price for printing the book and they will mark it up to give the final sale price.
How much does it cost to get my book printed?
The cost of each book will depend on the printing cost. This is calculated by adding together the following:
- price per page x no. of pages (price per page set by printer)
- standard cover and binding cost (price set by printer)
The price of printing a book will depend on the size of the pages, colour options and the printer you select.
As the writer and publishing right owner you can set your royalty amount to whatever you want, CompletelyNovel takes no commission.
When a reader buys your book it will be printed by your selected printer and sent directly to the reader who bought it. The printer will charge a postage and packing fee to the reader to have the book sent, make sure you check all the fees the reader sees before setting your price.
How do I pay for a book?
We use google checkout so that you can make safe online payments. Simply add the books you would like to buy to your cart and we will calculate the total cost, plus the cost of delivery. All you need is a credit or debit card and you can pay online. You will be sent a receipt to the email address that you provide.
How much do I need to write in a book review?
You can write as much or as little as you like. The more detailed the review is, the more useful it will be for the writer and the community as a whole. Whilst you are perfectly entitled to state that you did not like the book, we would urge you to be as constructive as possible with your comments. The more useful feedback a writer receives, the more likely they are to improve in the future. Also, if you are a writer and spend some time reading the work of other writers, and providing useful feedback, they are much more likely to do the same for you!
How do I know if I can trust the review?
Firstly, writers will not be able to review their own work (should they want to!). Secondly, we are currently working on a system which allows users to 'rate the reviewer'. Users will be able to say where they have found a review particularly useful. This means that by writing good, useful reviews which people can trust, you gain status as a CompletelyNovel 'expert'. As an 'expert', the rating that you give to books will carry more weight in our points system than other reviewers. If you have ever thought of being a critic, this is a great place to start! We'll let you know as soon as it's available.
Writing and Publishing
Why will readers buy the paperback if they can read it online?
This is a fairly common question but one which has a very good answer. Paper books have survived throughout the digital age simply because nothing beats a real book. For one thing, books don't run out of batteries. They are robust and very portable. I have yet to meet someone who will read an entire book from a monitor. People want to read books on the train, sitting outside on a sunny day or tucked up in bed. If you have ever watched people in a book shop, you will have noticed that nearly everybody spends at least 5 minutes browsing through a book before buying it. People decide to buy the book because they are confident that they will like it and want the convenience and experience of reading wherever they want.
By sharing your work online you are offering readers an experience which is more similar to that of browsing through a book shop.
CompletelyNovel also allows you to sell a 250 page paperback book for around £5 and still make over £1 out of it.
If I share my work on CompletelyNovel, can I still submit my work to publishers?
Yes. CompletelyNovel don't take away any of your rights of ownership of your work so you are free to submit your work to any other publisher at any time.
I am a self-published writer - can I put my books on CompletelyNovel?
Of course. It's a great way to promote your work and reach a wider audience. You can link to your existing website or blog to give people more information about yourself and your work.
I already have an agreement with a publisher. Am I able to share my work on CompletelyNovel?
You may be able to share your work but we advise that you check with your publisher first.
I am a publisher - can I put my published books on CompletelyNovel?
Absolutely. Provided that you have permission from the writer to put their work up on the website you are able to upload their work. We are currently working on a special publisher profile, which will allow you to instantly bring up all of your catalogue for our users to see. We will keep you updated!
Uploading Books
Back to IndexHow do I upload my book?
The first thing to do is to go and have a look on the publish tab. There are instructions there which will take you through the process, step by step.
What sort of books can I upload?
We accept all original manuscripts. They can be fiction or non-fiction. They can include illustrations, images and diagrams, provided that you have permission to use them.
What can't I upload?
You may not upload anything that you have not written yourself unless you are a publisher and have been given the agreement of the copyright owner to publish and distribute their work in this format. We do not accept fan fiction (manuscripts which include locations or characters from work that is copyrighted).
Can I upload a book if it's not finished yet?
Yes. At the moment, you will need to upload it as if it was a completed book. We would recommend that you add something in your 'writer's comment' box to explain what stage the book is at. People will then be able to give you feedback which is appropriate to the stage of the book.
We will soon be adding in an area of the website dedicated to work in progress, which allows you to quickly upload new pieces you are working on, without creating a whole book.
Can I use a pen name?
Yes. Simply sign up using your pen-name instead of your real name and this is the name that will appear on your profile.
How do I upload an image for my front cover?
This is all dealt with in the 'Share and Publish' tab, where you can either upload your own cover image or use our book cover creator. All the instructions are there to help you. You can change your book cover by going to 'My Work' and clicking on the Edit button of the book you would like to alter.
What should I put in my synopsis?
This is the text on the back of the book and in the book's summary on line. It will need to grab the reader's attention as soon as they see it. If it is for a work of fiction it shouldn't simply describe what happens in the book. It needs to evoke the atmosphere and feeling of the book without giving away the plot...and most importantly, leave the reader hungry for more. If it is a non-fiction book, this is your opportunity to let the reader know how interesting/useful/accurate the content of your book is. If you are stuck for where to start, just browse your bookshelves and have a look at what you think works best!
What should I put in the 'Writer's Comment' box?
You can use this box to explain a bit more about the book in relation to you. What inspired you to write it? Is it your first book? Are you an expert in the field that you are writing about? Are there any parts of the book which you would particularly like comments on?
Basically, include whatever you think might help the reader get a better sense of where you are coming from and what stage you are at with your writing.
My book is online - can I change its content?
Yes - Under 'My CN' click the 'My Work' button on the left. Go to the 'Edit' button and you can upload a new version for everyone to read...just follow the instructions.
Can I take my book off the website?
You can stop your work being available to read online at any point. Simply go to 'Edit' the book that you want to take offline and change the visibility settings. You can stop the book being listed in the index and stop it being read online. However, the book entry itself will still exist on our system as there may still be a number of comments and reviews attached to it. It will also still show up on your profile.
Can I buy a number of copies myself?
Of course. If you would like to take advantage of the low printing costs to print out your books and use other channels to distribute them, you are very welcome. You will only have to pay the printing and delivery cost.
Promoting and Selling Books
Back to IndexHow can I encourage people to read my book, leave reviews and buy a copy?
Ensure that you follow the upload process correctly. Fill in all of the details about your book and make sure that your synopsis is as good as it can possibly be as this will be the first taste the reader has of what your book will be like.
It will also help if you are active within the CompletelyNovel community. Have a look at other writers' work, give them some feedback and start clubs. The more presence you have on the website, the more likely it is that people will look at your work.
How can I send people directly to my work on CompletelyNovel?
When you go through the sign-up process, you will be asked to provide a web address. This will be the website address which anyone can type into their browser to access your personal profile. We recommend that you use your name (real or otherwise) so that it is easy for people to remember, but you can use anything you like. You can link to your personal web address from any other website or blog so people can instantly find and view your work.
How will I receive the money from the books I sell?
Any money you make from book sales will instantly be available in your online CompletelyNovel account. You can use this money to purchase other books or merchandise on CompletelyNovel. CompletelyNovel will credit you with the money you have made from selling your books at the end of each quarter. If the amount is less than £50, we will automatically roll it over to the next quarter. However, if at the end of the quarter you would like to receive an amount which is less than £50 all you have to do is email us at info@completelynovel.com to request payment.
How much should I sell my book for?
It is up to you what price you set for your book. As a writer you will be keeping all of the proceeds from the sale of your book so it is easier to make it more affordable to the reader. If you are a new writer then you should probably take this into account when setting the price, as readers may be a little more wary about spending larger amounts on an author that is so far relatively unknown. Have a look at the retail price of work which is similar to yours and put yourself in the shoes of the reader - how much would they be prepared to pay for your book?
Concerns
Back to IndexHow do I copyright my work?
In the UK and many other countries, you own the copyright of your work as soon as you create it. This can be in written form, or saved in electronic format. You do not, therefore, need to do anything to 'register' your copyright if you are in the UK - this is done automatically. If you are worried about people copying your work without your permission, you can take some steps which could help you to prove that you were the first person to produce the work, should it be disputed in the future. For example, you could post yourself a sealed and dated copy of the work as soon as you have written it. For more information you can contact the Intellectual Property Office in the UK - www.ipo/gov.uk/copy
If you are in the US, the US Copyright Office advises that you register your work with them as proof that you created the work.
Will sharing my work on CompletelyNovel affect my copyright?
If you share your work and sell it through CompletelyNovel, you grant us a specific license to display and sell your book on or website . You will also grant a specific license to the printer you use to reproduce your work when you sell a paperback copy. However, you will retain the right to be recognised as the copyright owner of the work and no-one can use your work without your permission.
What about piracy?
We have taken appropriate measures to prevent anyone from pirating your book. Each file is presented online in a way which means that the user cannot download it, cannot select the text from it, copy it or print it.
However, given the sheer number of manuscripts being produced out there, one of the greatest risks to a new author is not piracy but anonymity. You could have an amazing book but if no one ever sees it, then it is far less likely that the right people will ever hear about it. We believe that you can be far more successful, and find writing a much more rewarding endeavour if you share your work with the world. Not only are you more likely to receive encouragement, useful comments and recommendations from readers and writers, you are also more likely to get the attention of literary agents and publishers. CompletelyNovel gives you a chance to prove that there are people who enjoy reading your work, and even buying it, which makes it a lot less risky for any publisher to take on.
As a writer, you should also consider the pirate's reason for copying the work, if your work is free to view online then there is little reason why anyone would want to pirate it. Other writers are probably far too busy working on their own books to copy yours and publishers have a large volume of manuscripts delivered to them by agents so are unlikely to need to resort to stealing work!
What if someone steals my idea?
Ideas alone not protected by copyright. It is the expression of those ideas that can be protected. In order to determine whether your copyright has been infringed, it will have to be shown that whatever part has been copied was sufficiently substantial and sufficiently original to warrant legal protection. This means that general ideas regarding plots, characters and concepts are unlikely to be protected.