Authoring Ebooks: Start to
Finish
Amanda Gomm
@agomm
amanda@digitalbindery.com
Tools
Software
Assets
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Web browser
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Notepad++ (PC)
BBEdit (Mac)
Image Editor
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Open Office Math
Amaya
Text Editor
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Word
Open Office
MathML Editor
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authoring-ebooks.zip
Word Processing Software
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Firefox
Photoshop
Gimp
Ebook Reader
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Adobe Digital Editions
Readium
Azardi
Kindle Previewer
www.digitalbindery.com/authoring-ebooks
An introduction to
DIGITAL PUBLISHING
Practical Definitions
Ebook
A long form digital publication in a selfcontained package that includes all of the
content, styling, and metadata for a specific
title
Practical Definitions
Ereader
A device that using ereading software to interpret the
ebook package. Examples: cellphone, tablet, laptop,
desktop, Kindle, Nook, etc.
Dedicated ereader
A device designed specifically for reading books. It may
contain other functionality. Examples: Kindle, Nook,
Kobo, Sony Reader, etc.
Practical Definitions
Practical Definitions
Reflowable Ebook
Similar to a webpage, the text and images reflow in
response to screen size, orientation, font-size, lineheight, and user intervention
Fixed Layout Ebook
Similar to a PDF, fixed layout is intended for graphically
complex books like children’s picture books or graphic
novels. Elements are fixed in place and do not
respond to user intervention
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
Fixed Layout
Reflowable
Practical Definitions
EPUB
An open standard developed by the IDPF (International
Digital Publishing Forum)it is the most broadly
adopted format.
MOBI
A proprietary format used only for Kindle devices and
Kindle software. It is slowly adopting the same
standards as the EPUB. This format, though less
broadly supported, still represents the largest market
of ebooks purchased
Practical Definitions
Practical Definitions
Metadata
Information about the book (data about data). It
includes information the reading system will use
like chapter play-order and media-type
definitions, information the retailer will use to
categorize and sell the book like ISBN and BISAC
code, and information the reader will use to
discover the title like author name and
description.
Ebook Limitations
• Unreliable standards adoption
– Think browser wars of the 1990s
• Advanced features can be used if you can
target a specific device
– MathML: iPad, Readium, Azardi
– Audio: iPad, Nook tablet, Kindle Fire, Kobo tablet,
Readium, Azardi
– Video: iPad, Readium
– Javascript: iPad, Readium
Ebook Limitations
• Lack of design control
• Good semantic markup is essential
• Quality Assurance
– Test on as many devices as possible
– In as many configurations as possible
• CSS3 not fully supported
– Adobe Digital Editions is probably a year
behind browser adoption
Questions?
Moving on…
PATHS TO PUBLICATION
4 Paths to Publication
1.
2.
3.
4.
Traditional
Partnership
Assisted
DIY
Choose Your Path
• What can I do?
– Do I already have the skills to do this job?
• What can I learn to do?
– Do I have the resources to develop these
skills?
• What can I pay someone else to do?
– Do I have a budget?
Start to finish
THE PUBLISHING PROCESS
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
Generate Content
Syllabus details
Study guides
Test Reviews
Email
Generate Content
Collect Existing Knowledge
Interview Experts
Ask Your Colleagues
Invite Guest Writers
Select, organize, present
Add your own insights
Curate
Generate Content
Book-i-fication of non-words
Slide decks
Illustrations
Infographics
Lecture video/audio
Generate Content
Write something (gasp)
From scratch (gross)
With a giant typewriter (obviously)
Generate Content
Generate Content: Tools
•
Open Office
– Free
– Math Editor exports directly as MathML
– Writer exports math as images
•
BlueGriffon
– Mostly Free
– MathML add-on is only 5€
– EPUB version is 195€ (academic pricing available)
•
Microsoft Word
– Equation editor interface is easy to use
– Can be exported to something that can, with about 4 strange
steps, be converted into MathML
– Filtered HTML version saves the math as images
•
Other
Generating Content
DISCUSSION
1. How will you generate content?
3. What tools will you use?
2. What will you
do about math?
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
Editing
Developmental
Substantive
Copyedit
Proofread
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• After book design
• Checking for
mechanical errors
introduced during
the design process
• No. More. Changes.
Document Level
Full draft re-writes
Focus and direction
Logical development
Sentence complexity
Clarity of language
Jargon and voice
Fact checking
Nouns and verbs
Spelling
Nitpicky
What we normally
mean when we say
proofread
Editing: Tools
• Local Resources
– Portland Creative List
– Indigo Editing
– Evil Genius Communications
• Web Resources
– Guru.com
– Writer.ly
– Elance.com
• Other Resources
– Technical writing programs
– Referrals
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
Design
Design
• Cover
– Front
– Back
– Spine
• Interior
– Print: PDF
– Ebook: HTML/CSS
Manuscript
PDF
Book
Manuscript
HTML/CSS
Ebook
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Design
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
1. Decide what kind of ebook
• PDF
– Self-distribute
– Sell online
• EPUB
– Apple, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo
• MOBI or KF8
– Amazon Kindle
2. Prepare the manuscript
• Keep formatting very simple
• Use styles
• Use built in footnote and hyperlink
functionality
3. Convert the manuscript
• Online resources for direct conversion do
a quick and dirty job
Lulu
Smashwords
Kindle Direct Publishing
BookBaby
Ebook Production
• Epublishing Specific Programs
– Designed specifically to be easy to use
– Lots of online tutorials
– More formatting control
Pressbooks
Pressbooks
Pressbooks
Pressbooks
Sigil
Sigil
Sigil
Sigil
Kindle Previewer
Kindle Previewer
Kindle Previewer
Kindle Previewer
Ebook Production
Ebook Production
Ebook Production
Ebook Production
• Pressbooks
– http://pressbooks.com/
• Sigil
– https://code.google.com/p/sigil/
• Kindle Previewer
– http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=U
TF8&docId=1000765261
• iBooks Author (Mac only)
– http://www.apple.com/ibooks-author/
Let’s make ebooks
READY, SET, GO!
Acquisition
• Generate Content
Editing
• Refine the Content
Design
• Prepare the Presentation
Production
• Produce the Product
Distribution
• Sell the book
Distribution
• DIY
– Retailers
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Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing
Barnes & Noble’s PubIt!
Kobo Writing Life
Apple’s iBookstore
– Website
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Gumroad
Ganxy
Payloadz
WooCommerce
– Email
• Assisted
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CreateSpace
Lulu
Smashwords
BookBaby
A word on
COVER DESIGN
Design
Design
Design
Design