What is a custom sample?
Answer: A custom sample is a highly curated excerpt selected by you to give readers the opportunity to try before they buy—just like they would when paging through titles at the bookstore.
Why should I create a custom sample?
Answer: No one knows your book better than you, and with the custom sample option, you have total control over what your readers see before they buy your book. You can skip over any front matter you feel doesn’t aid in selling your book to potential customers and hone in on particular sections you think best represent your title.
Do I need to upload a separate ePub or Word file for custom samples?
Answer: Yes, you will upload a separate file—just like you do for the full manuscript—containing only the sample you would like to be available to readers.
How many pages should my custom sample be?
Answer: The length of the custom sample is totally up to you. But be careful when selecting your file—if you upload the full manuscript, it will be available for potential customers to read for free.
What are some ways authors can use samples to sell more books?
Answer: There’s no limit to what you can include in your custom sample—authors can add a special note to readers, exclusive content, coupon codes, and more.
How can readers find my custom samples?
Answer: Customers can find your sample by going to your book’s detail page on BN.com, on a NOOK device, or within the NOOK app. On BN.com, the sample can be accessed by clicking on the arrow icon on the lower right corner of the book’s image. From a NOOK device or within the NOOK app, readers can download the sample by clicking the FREE SAMPLE button. If they choose to purchase the full title, the free sample will be replaced with the full version of the book.
Desktop Browser NOOK eReader, Tablet, and App
What will my readers see if I opt for the default sample?
Answer: The first 5% of your book is the default option when a custom sample is not uploaded. It’s important to remember that this includes all of your book’s front matter like the title page, copyright page, preface, and foreword.
Can I switch from a custom sample to the default sample or vice versa at any time?
Answer: Yes, you can switch during the book creation process or even after the book goes on sale. For a book that is already on sale, it does not need to come off sale first. After you change your sample, you can expect the new file to show up on BN.com and NOOK within 24 hours.
