If nothing happens, download github desktop and try again. We at bb ebooks are firm believers in the culture of fostering open standards to bring about a new paradigm in the way we write and read. If the suspense is killing you, check out how to make an ebook with sigil, by. What not to do on createspace celebrating independent. Finally, you can include the guide1 in your ncx file to indicate things like the cover, the start of the main content, and so on. You can do this by splitting up the content into different html files if you are using an epub editor like sigil or you are designing your ebook by hand in a text editor. In this post i wanted to give you a round up of other posts that have addressed poetry formatting issues in epubs. The author,paul salvette,was born and raised in the u. He is a professional ebook designer and helps independent authors and small presses. Paul salvette is an author who lives in bangkok, thailand. Best practices for putting together your digital book by.
Your next step in producing an epub is to style your ebook in sigil, using sigils toolbar. May 20, 2014 im a geek i handcode my ebook version in html, for maximum control and minimum formatting issues. Paul salvette is an author who lives in bangkok, thailand, with his wife, bee, and newborn daughter, monica. Paul salvette is a small businessman and author living in bangkok, thailand. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the ebook design and development guide. Part 1 focused on basics of getting poetry indents right on multiple devices. Css boilerplate stylesheets for epub and mobikf8 that you are free to utilize and modify. Paul salvette was raised in the detroit, michigan, area of the united states of america. The international digital publishing forum idpf has an epub validator beta which can be used to test files under 10mb. Using an ipad to read epub and mobi ebooks youtube. His day job involves designing ebooks and helping independent authors and small presses. He works at his wifes small business, bb ebooks, dedicated to ebook services and technology. Use kindlegen on your epub file to produce your ebook for.
The big news in the ebook world today was the launch announcement of apple ibooks author and an update to the apple ibooks ereader app. He provides ebook design and conversion services for authors and small presses. The ebook design and development guide kindle edition by salvette, paul. Paul salvette is an author living in bangkok, thailand. Paul salvette managing director bb ebooks linkedin. Paul salvette bangkok, thailand paul salvette is an author living in bangkok, thailand. There have been some bumps along the road and i think ive found a workflow that will be perfect for me. While calibre makes life easier, it is not intended to be an ebook production tool rather, its a content management library.
Written by guido henkel, a writer and an experienced programmer, for writers. Today i wanted to talk about the tools you will need to. Some use a separate kindle css file, while others just combine everything into one generic file. A tool overview for technical writers keith soltys 07032012 ebooks ebooks epub specification help authoring tool xml as ebooks become another option for publishing technical content, writers are faced with more choices among the tools to produce them. While many tools will generate html, few of them generate the html and css necessary for. His technical knowledge of ebooks somewhat surpasses his mediocre writing capabilities, so he decided to dabble in that aspect of the publishing process. For authors who are interested in making their own books, heres a. Oct 07, 2011 im delighted to present a first part of a tutorial on how to create epub ebooks, written by paul salvette. However, you need to convert the epub format into mobi format by using.
Best practices for putting together your digital book by paul salvette. Nov 28, 2012 where do you think an ebook should start. Sep 15, 2011 epub, epub everywhere, whats a blogger to do. You dont have to be a tech wizard to create an ebook in sigil. Now that you understand whats under the hood of an epub file, you can either modify the calibre conversion or create your own. Ebooks are also the easiest way for indie authors to sell their work. Dec 31, 2012 im one of those who will be looking forward to when you accept pdf files through smashwords direct, and id still love to have html be a submission format because thats the format in which my ebooks start, and my other distributors are able to handle html as a submission format, saving me the trouble of having to create epub files for them. So you are interested in going the diy routemaking your own ebooks and not having to pay bb ebooks for the service. The zen of ebook formatting is a book for writers who want to know how to format and create ebooks. Command line scripts commands for ebook packaging epub and mobikf8.
This book provides a step by step guide on how to correctly format and produce your own ebooks. I will discuss the ins and outs of styling an ebook in sigil in a future post. Purpose of this project creating a general boilerplate for epub creation. Paul salvette lieutenant nixon is a bitter, frustrated naval officer serving his time as a staff weenie in the international zone.
Lets all learn from each other to make ebooks a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Most publishers use the epub file as input to generate a kindle file, so there are usually conditional kindle adjustments to make. Aug 21, 2011 paul salvette bangkok, thailand paul salvette is an author living in bangkok, thailand. If you want to use a word processor similar to microsoft word but without the cost try the free openoffice writer. Jun 05, 20 an ipad and an iphone can be used to read epub, epub3, and mobi type ebooks. To be honest, when i have time, i use calibre to \explode\ epub files, fix them to start on page 1, then convert back into a devicespecific nook touch epub. Blank book a free, fixedlayout, read aloud epub template jason hibbs jason mervyn hibbs. Software toolkit for designing epub and kindle files. As ebooks become another option for publishing technical content, writers are faced with more choices among the tools to produce them. Angie, going the pure epub route is definitely more professional than calibre. Aug 25, 2011 ebook formatting with xhtml and calibre by paul salvette posted on august 25, 2011 by lindsay last week, we had a guest post on a simple way to get your ebook formatted without worrying about dinking around with html or special software tools. This book helped me understand the exact structure of epub and mobi ebooks. Sep 03, 2012 this video shows you how to download the software to read epub and mobi files on your pc, without using an ereader. Email yourself the ebook, open your mail app, and double click on the attachment.
There are more and more tools to create epub files. Introduction if you dont care much for my story, download blank book here. However, these guidelines are not so practical as a means to actually learn how to produce epubcompliant files as a novice. Just the thought of putting my createspace pdf into kindle makes me want to run screaming. You can open and inspect css any epub file which is not protected from drm.
Ebook formatting with xhtml and calibre by paul salvette posted on august 25, 2011 by lindsay last week, we had a guest post on a simple way to get your ebook formatted without worrying about dinking around with html or special software tools. In regards to page breaks in single html files, im having some trouble on the kindle fire forcing spacing between the top of the viewport and the first heading after a page break. That way, i can always click through the toc if i do have a strange urge to. I keep a clean text source file and base my other files on that. In my previous articles on ebook readers and formats, i noted the similarities between ebook formats and the online help formats that technical writers have been using for many years. I totally agree with the importance of having a good cover, i too would be looking at or for the cover first thing before reading the book. Free software for indie authors publish your own ebooks. Publish and distribute your ebook using amazon and smashwords. Creating epubs that work in multiple readers can be painful. It should be noted that smashwords is a special beast, because it requires that you upload a document in microsoft word for their meatgrinder, which converts your manuscript.
I bought paul salvettes the ebook design and development. The ebook design and development guide by paul salvette. But after reading this page of pauls, i got an idea that there is an easier way for me, which is converting html files into a mobi file. Join facebook to connect with paul salvette and others you may know. Paul salvette wrote an ebook formatting guide which i recommend. I bought paul salvettes the ebook design and development guide. Bb ebooks provides ebook design and technical services for small presses and independent authors.
Calibre adds a lot of unnecessary metadata into the epub files that you can delete. Ive designed quite a few ebooks delivered in pdf format. It also generates its own css stylesheet based on the xhtml code you put through the conversion. My ebook build process and some pdf, epub and mobi tips pat. From the ebook design and development guide by paul salvette. Paul salvette is an author who lives in bangkok, thailand with his wife, lisa, and newborn daughter, monica. Creating your own epub files and prepping for mobi conversion. Paul salvette author of the ebook design and development. It also requires some knowledge of htmlcss, along with a good understanding of how an epub file is packaged. Best practices for putting together your digital book by paul. Smashwords formatting tutorial paul salvette in bangkok.
Smashwords about paul salvette, author of raid on soi 5. Mangled formatting, defective images, and nonreflowable content are just a few symptoms of the problem. Their primary target at the launch is textbooks, and textbooks are a pretty big, juicy target. Paul is also an avid reader and occasionally forays into writing. Some of them are free software, others are commercial programs, and still others are browserbased software or services. You can carry around as many with you as youd like at one time, and you can easily share what youre reading with friends.
Consider this a cautionary tale for both readers and authors. The playorder attribute in the ncx is not needed, and in fact in epub 3. I got stuck trying to convert my html files into an epub folder, and then zip it to enable me to upload my. How to design an ebook for the kindle fire paul salvette.
Paul and his wife decided to found a company in 20 dedicated to ebook technology for authors and publishersbb ebooksso that paul could get a work permit. Basically, you have to upload a microsoft word 2003. How to make an amazon kindle book using html and css. Epub and mobi file formats that i learned along the way. Digital pubbing tools and resources for creating ebooks.
While many tools will generate html, few of them generate the html and css necessary for well formatted epub or mobi files. While amazons kindle fire 8 format is not epub of any kind, amazon does take epub, and now epub 3, for conversion through their site and through kindlegen. If the suspense is killing you, check out how to make an ebook with sigil, by paul salvette. His day job involves working at a thai foundation that. Ebook formatting with xhtml and calibre by paul salvette. These new products are squarely aimed at ebook creation. Dec 27, 2011 ebook formats are similar in many respects to the common online help formats, but with one crucial difference. Recently ive been looking at releasing some ebooks in epub andor kindle formats. This video shows you how to download the software to read epub and mobi files on your pc, without using an ereader. Mar 07, 20 best practices for putting together your digital book by paul salvette. Aug 08, 2011 paul salvettes excellent guides to formatting mobiepub files and formatting for smashwords. You can read and save files in multiple formats including openoffices format as well as word format. Paul salvette is the managing director of bb ebooks, a small business dedicated to ebook design and development in bangkok, thailand, founded in june 2012.
Smashwords about paul salvette, author of front matter. Paul salvettes excellent guides to formatting mobiepub files and formatting for smashwords. After more than a month of waiting, amazon has finally announced the release of its guidelines for their new format, kindle fire 8 kf8 today. He grew up in the states and is married to lisa salvette from nakhon ratchasima province in northeastern thailand. I save my word file in html, import it into calibre, and convert it there into mobi and epub files. Im delighted to present a first part of a tutorial on how to create epub ebooks, written by paul salvette. Although modern ereaders and tablets can display several common file formats, ebooks are usually distributed in one of three formats. What not to do on createspace celebrating independent authors. Css boilerplate stylesheets for epub and mobikf8 that you. Oct 15, 2016 however, these guidelines are not so practical as a means to actually learn how to produce epubcompliant files as a novice. You can do this by splitting up the content into different html files if you are using an epub editor like sigil or you are designing your ebook by. Not only does file splitting improve response and loading time in an ebook, it looks absolutely. Nook doesnt play nice with epub format teleread news. My process is a welloiled machine and ive been very happy with the resulting publications.
Learning raw epub can be challenging, but its worth your time if your looking to do it well. The first way is to test the epub file technically and this can be achieved in two ways. His day job involves being the managing director at bb ebooks, a startup company focused on providing ebook design services for independent authors and small presses. Unfortunately every main ebookreader platform has its own vendorspecific way to displaying epubfiles. It goes into great detail and covers so much more than i could in one short post. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Paul also served in the us navy from 20022009 with some time in iraq. Dec 19, 2017 how to make an amazon kindle book using html and css. Bored with the monotony of war, he ventures to a secret bunker below one of saddam husseins former palaces with a quirky german named hans. Readers, if a book doesnt display well on your nook, dont automatically blame the authorpublisher for being sloppy. The ebook design and development guide kindle edition by. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Unless youre producing epub files for a specific device such as the ipad, the best option for your book cover is 800 x 600 pixels. Bb ebooks provides design and formatting services for small presses and indie authors.
Formatting files for digital distribution might look difficult, but its good to give it a try and sigil seems to be the best tool available. To fill this gap i bought a copy of paul salvettes the ebook design and development guide, which is very much a handson manual, informative and well laid. Ebook formats are similar in many respects to the common online help formats, but with one crucial difference. However, i myself really dont care too much about the authors name or other stuff like acknowledgements. When not conducting business he enjoys watching tv, reminiscing on his younger years, and spending time with his family. How to create an ebook with sigil tech tools for writers. He grew up in the united states and served in the navy from 2002 to 2009, with some time in iraq. Ebook formats overview for technical writers techwhirl. This new capability allows our authors and publishers to upload their own professionally formatted epub files for sale at the. Head to the amazon kindle direct publishing site and go through the twopage wizard that leads you through uploading the mobi file, the cover art, and inputting your chosen categories, keywords, sales price, etc. If anyone would like actual code or more technical detail about my build process, or if theres any other way i can help you selfpublish something, please let me know. Today we fulfilled that commitment with the launch of smashwords direct. By paul salvette the ebook design and development guide by paul salvette while ebook sales continue to increase around the world, the actual layout and presentation of ebooks is in a sorry state. My ebook build process and some pdf, epub and mobi tips.