Has anyone ever written and promoted their own ebook?

What steps, software, etc? Might write "legal issues for web" ebook.

[Webwork]

I can happily write and format documents using MS Word but I've never come near writing an ebook for web distribution.

My background is law. Though this place is called WW legal issues come up repeatedly and I find myself addressing those issues - in general terms since not the same rules apply to all jurisdictions.

I'm thinking of writing an ebook covering general legal issues relating to ecommerce, being a webmaster, etc. - but - I really don't know "how to". What software to create it. What software/system to distribute it. How to best promote it.

I've done a bit of research, but still I'd like to ask here, in this web savvy world: What's your version of a "10 steps to writing and promoting an ebook?"

I keep notes on those who have been helpful so don't be surprised if you someday receive an offer for a free ebook ..;-)

Jeff Esq.

[LiteraryThug]

eBook Edit Pro and some other free-to-try-money-to-buy programs walk you through the process. A search on download.com will turn up others. From what I've read, most people design their books as multiple webpages (ie. a page per chapter) first, then the program groups them together into an executable file. .pdf files are also an option since they can be read by most (all?) platforms. Adobe.com will convert your fist couple of files for free (there are also free programs that will convert files to .pdf).

Depending on how much work you're going to put into this project, it might be worth your time to seek out a publisher. I could see that topic combined with your expertise getting you a publishing deal, and if it didn't you could go with a POD publisher (the basic iUniverse package isn't too expensive) and then market the book yourself.

I bring up the latter track because most of the ebooks I've seen have been poorly put together shameless get-rich-quick deals (even "free-to-download" books will be full of affilate links), so I don't take e-books seriously. However, I'd pay for a print copy of a book on that subject matter.

Just a few thoughts for you. Goodluck with the project!