Authoring Ebooks: Start to Finish Amanda

Tools Software Web browser –Firefox Word Processing Software –Word –Open Office MathML Editor –Open Office Math –Amaya Text Editor –Notepad++ (PC) –BBEdit (Mac) Image Editor –Photoshop –Gimp Ebook Reader –Adobe Digital Editions –Readium –Azardi –Kindle Previewer Assets authoring-ebooks.zip

D IGITAL P UBLISHING An introduction to

Practical Definitions Ebook A long form digital publication in a self- contained 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

Reflowable Ebook Similar to a webpage, the text and images reflow in response to screen size, orientation, font-size, line- height, and user intervention Fixed Layout Ebook Similar to a PDF, fixed layout is intended for graphically complex books like childrens picture books or graphic novels. Elements are fixed in place and do not respond to user intervention

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

Practical Definitions Fixed LayoutReflowable

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

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?

P ATHS TO P UBLICATION Moving on…

4 Paths to Publication 1.Traditional 2.Partnership 3.Assisted 4.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?

T HE P UBLISHING PROCESS Start to finish

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

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

D ISCUSSION Generating Content

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 Document Level Full draft re-writes Focus and direction Logical development Substantive Sentence complexity Clarity of language Jargon and voice Fact checking Copyedit Nouns and verbs Spelling Nitpicky What we normally mean when we say proofread Proofread After book design Checking for mechanical errors introduced during the design process No. More. Changes.

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

Cover –Front –Back –Spine Interior –Print: PDF –Ebook: HTML/CSS ManuscriptPDFBook ManuscriptHTML/CSSEbook

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

Sigil

Kindle Previewer

Ebook Production

Pressbooks – Sigil – Kindle Previewer – TF8&docId= http:// TF8&docId= iBooks Author (Mac only) –

R EADY, S ET, G O ! Lets make ebooks

Acquisition Generate Content Editing Refine the Content Design Prepare the Presentation Production Produce the Product Distribution Sell the book

Distribution DIY –Retailers Amazons Kindle Direct Publishing Barnes & Nobles PubIt! Kobo Writing Life Apples iBookstore –Website Gumroad Ganxy Payloadz WooCommerce – Assisted –CreateSpace –Lulu –Smashwords –BookBaby

C OVER D ESIGN A word on

Design