Best way .....?

1eduard · 06-01-2022, 09:51 AM

What is the best way to write an e-book ?

The first thing I've to learn is what an epub file exactly is? Then learning Sigil?

But after: first write the text on paper or using Sigil?

(Sorry, I didn't have internet for 2 weeks!)

KevinH · 06-01-2022, 10:01 AM

If starting from scratch, use Word, or OpenOffice, or LibreOffice to create your text. But first learn how to use and apply style rules properly in whatever word processor you choose.

Then you can use Sigil plugins to import the Word doc, properly keeping your styles.

DiapDealer · 06-01-2022, 10:04 AM

Some people seem to use Sigil as an authorial tool to write their book. I certainly don't recommend it. I agree with Kevin completely about where to start.

1eduard · 06-01-2022, 01:47 PM

Ok, many thanks!

1eduard · 06-01-2022, 01:53 PM

If I've written the text (in LibreOffice) then export the files to Sigil?

JSWolf · 06-01-2022, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1eduard

If I've written the text (in LibreOffice) then export the files to Sigil?

Did you use styles? If not, you can expect rather messy code that will need a lot of fixing by hand.

KevinH · 06-01-2022, 03:15 PM

And you instead use a Sigil plugin to import directly from the Word or docx

1eduard · 06-02-2022, 05:05 AM

Is the Sigil plugin able to import LINUX (.odt) files?

patrik · 06-02-2022, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1eduard

Is the Sigil plugin able to import LINUX (.odt) files?

Yes, but the docx-importer is much better. So write in libreoffice, and when you're done, save as docx, which you import into Sigil.

That creates the cleanest code from my experience.

(And yes, make sure you use styles!!!!!!)

1eduard · 06-02-2022, 05:57 AM

Ok, thanks!

1eduard · 06-03-2022, 05:28 AM

So, I now can start writing my e-book (using styles).

The only thing I've to find out what is here in The Netherlands the most used reader?

JSWolf · 06-03-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1eduard

So, I now can start writing my e-book (using styles).

The only thing I've to find out what is here in The Netherlands the most used reader?

You really do need to test on both a Kobo and a Kindle as they are completely different and your eBook should look good on both.

patrik · 06-03-2022, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1eduard

The only thing I've to find out what is here in The Netherlands the most used reader?

Maybe contact https://www.ereaders.nl/

Or check some sort of pricerunner-site that compares prices and see what e-readers are in the top searches.

1eduard · 06-03-2022, 11:51 AM

That's a very good idea!

Thanks!

JSWolf · 06-03-2022, 03:19 PM

Is the layout for your eBook going to be complex or is it a simple layout?

One program I suggest you install is Adobe Digital Editions 2.0. I know it's an old version, but if your eBooks looks good there, it will most likely look good in a lot of other programs or Readers.

https://adobe-digital-editions.softw...r.com/versions

Some quick tips.

Do not set an overall Left/Right margin. Leave it at 0.
Do not set a line height.
Do not set a font size for the main body text.
Do not have so much wasted space for chapter headers.
Do not have paragraph spaces except where needed such as section breaks and offset text.
When having offset text, do not make it a smaller font size then the main body text.
Do not use embedded fonts unless needed and not for the main text.
Do not set the main text to any specific font or font type.
Do use indents and set them between 1.2em and 1.5em (I prefer 1.2em).
At the beginning of the chapter and section breaks, the first line of the first paragraph should not be indented.

06-01-2022, 09:51 AM	#1
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	Best way .....? What is the best way to write an e-book ? The first thing I've to learn is what an epub file exactly is? Then learning Sigil? But after: first write the text on paper or using Sigil? (Sorry, I didn't have internet for 2 weeks!)

06-01-2022, 10:01 AM	#2
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 7,645 Karma: 5433388 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	If starting from scratch, use Word, or OpenOffice, or LibreOffice to create your text. But first learn how to use and apply style rules properly in whatever word processor you choose. Then you can use Sigil plugins to import the Word doc, properly keeping your styles. Last edited by KevinH; 06-01-2022 at 10:03 AM.

06-03-2022, 03:19 PM	#15
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,998 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Is the layout for your eBook going to be complex or is it a simple layout? One program I suggest you install is Adobe Digital Editions 2.0. I know it's an old version, but if your eBooks looks good there, it will most likely look good in a lot of other programs or Readers. https://adobe-digital-editions.softw...r.com/versions Some quick tips. Do not set an overall Left/Right margin. Leave it at 0. Do not set a line height. Do not set a font size for the main body text. Do not have so much wasted space for chapter headers. Do not have paragraph spaces except where needed such as section breaks and offset text. When having offset text, do not make it a smaller font size then the main body text. Do not use embedded fonts unless needed and not for the main text. Do not set the main text to any specific font or font type. Do use indents and set them between 1.2em and 1.5em (I prefer 1.2em). At the beginning of the chapter and section breaks, the first line of the first paragraph should not be indented.

06-01-2022, 10:04 AM	#3
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Some people seem to use Sigil as an authorial tool to write their book. I certainly don't recommend it. I agree with Kevin completely about where to start.

06-01-2022, 01:47 PM	#4
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	Ok, many thanks!

06-01-2022, 01:53 PM	#5
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	If I've written the text (in LibreOffice) then export the files to Sigil?

06-01-2022, 03:15 PM	#7
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 7,645 Karma: 5433388 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	And you instead use a Sigil plugin to import directly from the Word or docx

06-02-2022, 05:05 AM	#8
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	Is the Sigil plugin able to import LINUX (.odt) files?

06-02-2022, 05:57 AM	#10
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	Ok, thanks!

06-03-2022, 05:28 AM	#11
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	So, I now can start writing my e-book (using styles). The only thing I've to find out what is here in The Netherlands the most used reader?

06-03-2022, 11:51 AM	#14
1eduard Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2022 Device: none	That's a very good idea! Thanks!

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