With so much competition on eBay for selling previously loved books, you really need to make your listings stand out more, to make that sale.   Even though it takes a bit more from you, I think it's worth it to use these hints to go the extra mile to make that sale.
  
There is a lot of information here so read slowly and consider this information.   At the bottom will be an example of what I personally do, for my book listings.   In turn I hope my customers appreciate what I have done to make things easier for them.

Here are a few tricks that I have figured out. 

You really need to think from the perspective of the buyer and what the buyer is looking for when they peek at your listings.

First of all never, and I mean never use the stock picture that eBay offers you to use.   Buyers don't want to see stock pictures; they want to see the real picture of the item they are buying.   A picture is worth a thousands words, and this will really help out your customer to see the actual condition of the book.

When taking your pictures, it's best to have only one book per photograph.  While your taking your pictures, take several of each cover so you have a few to choose from just in case one doesn't turn out, or is blurry.  Use a solid background.   Such as paper or fabric to put your book on while you take the pictures.   A good rule of thumb is 1 book to 1 picture.   But if you're listing many books in one listing, then 2-3 books per picture is good as well.   Then be sure to crop the photo's before you upload them into your photo host.    Don't leave much of the background visible.
 
I've seen people just toss the books on the floor and take a picture of all them them, one on top of each other.  Like in a jumbled mess.   I've seen only photograph the spine of the books.  Both are not good ideas.  The covers is what people want to see.   Not only for the condition, but it might help jog their memory to see if they have read the book or not before.

Because ebay charges you to insert extra pictures….   Remember there are a few loop-holes to avoid those extra fee's and still add your pictures. 

Google "Auctivia" or "eBay Auctivia" and use this FREE program for your listings.   The program also includes a photo host and you can in include several pictures at no extra charge.

You can also google "photobucket" for that free photo host as well.

I personally use the "sellers sourcebook" and just love it.

But the main thing, is to include the number of pictures that you need without paying ebay for each additional extra picture.

But be sure to upload that one picture that ebay allows you for free.   If you don't it may look as though you don't have any pictures and people might completely look over your listing.

Another important factor is to also include the write up found on the back of the book.   Yes this does add up in extra typing, but you may snag a few buyers because they really want to know more than just the title and the author before they buy.  This is very important.  I feel it's even more important that pictures. 

Another issue that I see often is people use either huge fonts or small ones.  (the size of the letters)   Both are hard on the eyes for reading, so keep this in mind.    And use spaces and paragraphs.   Don't run everything together into one paragraph.   That will turn people away in a heart beat as well.

See end of this guide for a sample of how I list my books.

I also personally add the number of pages in the book as well.   This helps the buyer know exactly what they are getting for their buck.

Since I also buy books on ebay to support my reading habit, I can't count the listings I don't look twice at because they failed to tell me more about the book, other than the title and the author.   Since I don't get into one particular author, what the book is about is more important to me.   And ultimately it will make or break the deal.  And I'm sure I'm not the only reader who feels this way.

I have also found that selling several books in a lot will sell much better than an individual book.   It also saves on listing fees and will make the most of the buyers shipping cost as well.  This is especially true for older books or previously loved (used) books.

If you are selling more than one book don't forget to use the words "lot of " or "lot " then the number of books in the title as well.

sample : "Lot of 6 Contemporary Romance Books"

The reason this can be very important to you is that people often do searches for "lot" of books.   Another important thing to add if you have space is adding a bit more about the category.   I personally sell "historical romance" and "contemporary romance" books so you can see why these words would be important for the title.   They might be missed if someone was doing a search for "lot historical romance".   Does that make sense to you?   So make the most of your title space to describe what you're selling.

When it comes to adding a gallery picture, I normally say yes to add it.   But in the books category I say it's not worth the expense.  Since there are only a few sellers who use them, most people read the titles instead of looking at the pictures.    And the prices are usually much lower, in the books category, so put that money in your pocket instead of wasting your money on the gallery picture.

And as a general rule, those small gallery pictures are really too small to show the buyer the exact book that is being sold, or if your selling a "lot" of books.   It's not like when you're looking at new bedding, where it's important in that category.   Where people want to know a general look or color before they click to look at an item.

Another important issue that I see all the time on ebay is the fact that buyers are being over charged for shipping.  Yes this even happens in the section for books.

Please look at my other guide on figuring shipping and handling fees, for more details on how to set fair shipping and handling fees.

http://reviews.ebay.com/Shipping-amp-Handling-don-apos-t-over-charge-buyers_W0QQugidZ10000000002164262

Don't lower the price of your item, to pay lower seller fee's and then increase the shipping fee.   Even though it all balances out, your still violating ebay's rules on this topic.   And can be held accountable for it.   So be fair when figuring your shipping costs and the costs of your items.

Just to let you know that as of the current postal rates on October 29th, 2006 here are the current rates for Media Mail.
1 oz TO 1 lb = $1.59
1 lb 1 oz TO 2 lb = $1.07
2 lb 1 oz TO 3 lb = $2.55
3 lb 1 oz TO 4 lb = $3.03
4 lb 1 oz TO 5 lb = $3.51
5 lb 1 oz TO 6 lb = $3.99
6 lb 1 oz TO 7 lb = $4.47
7 lb 1 oz TO 8 lb = $4.81
8 lb 1 oz TO 9 lb = $5.15
9 lb 1 oz TO 10 lb = $5.49
10 lb 1 oz TO 11 lb = $5.83
11 lb 1 oz TO 12 lb = $6.17

So keep those prices and weights in mind when you buy from a seller to decide if they are inflating their shipping rates.

Here is a sample of how I personally list my books.  I have decided to do it this way, so the readers can see the book cover, then read what the write up is on the back of the book.  Then as they scroll down to the next book, it continues the same pattern.  As you can see I use the spaces as needed so things are easy on the eyes for reading.

Lover's Knot
Louise Clark
392 pages

DECEPTION AND DESIRE

Dashing Sir Philip Hamilton swept into Alysa Leighton's life like the fashionable royalist gentleman he appeared to be, and the peer aroused in her a passion she couldn't resist.

But despite his polished facade, she suspected that Philip was a ruthless spy bent on betraying her family.

Drawn to his powerful body, yet wary of the treason that might lie in his soul, Alysa dared not surrender her heart to Philip until she had unraveled the lover's knot that would bring her bitter remorse or blistering ecstasy.

Courting Eden
by Elizabeth Graham
316 pages

Courting Trouble
The war had left Eden Clayborne penniless and pregnant. All she had left was the Yankee pride that had driven her to defy her family and marry a despised Southerner. Now he was dead, and Eden blamed the man who had sent him into battle: Major Jesse Bainbridge.

Courting Love...
Badly wounded, Jesse rode into North Carolina hills to find Eden and beg her forgiveness. When he collapsed at her door he thought he was seeing an angel. And the stronger he became, the less Jesse could fight his attraction to her. Would his powerful emotion destroy them both.... or burn away the pain of the past with the healing power of a wondrous love?

 
So I hope I've helped you to be a better book seller.  
(and maybe I'll be buying my books from YOU!!!)
~kris