Quote:
Originally Posted by rhadin
It isn't more work (or not a great deal more) than creating the paper version, it is the the same (or some more) but it is different so it is nearly like starting with raw manuscript again. No matter how it is done, it isn't as easy as simply choosing a convert-to-ebook option in a dropdown menu. It may be less complex with a straight-text novel, but it is certainly neither quick nor easy for nonfiction books.
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I think the formatting of a real book takes much more time than formatting an ebook!
Pictures, text they all have to fit on the paper size, while an ebook device generally makes use of as much space they have on the 800x600 screen; and some ebook formats don't even support "picture left,center, or right of text".
So unless pictures are small they generally are maximized (shrunk to screen size).
The layout is easier.
With a Pbook author also needs to format the book.
Then it goes to the publisher which uses a program that will physically show every page on the screen.
Sometimes an author may want to edit the text in order for the last line of a paragraph to fit on the page.
An extra page over 5.000 pbooks is a lot of money for 1 sentence.
On an ebook it really does not matter if a paragraph ends with 1 line on a page; it is even desired when a new chapter begins!(to see some whitespace).
So in both cases there is a program used to 'format' the book to fit the reader/pbook's physical viewing area's dimensions.
If an error happens, on an ebook it's a matter of minutes to correct and publish a new version. It will change almost immediately to the customer who buys the book online.
On a pbook, a new print needs to be developed, printed again, stock needs to be supplied, and what to do with the (say) 600 first edition prints that have this error?
If it's a minor error they'll be sold with a little loss (say $1off).
If it's a real big error overlooked when the first print was printed, it'll probably be sold for many $$ less, or be recycled into a new book.