ePub - Where do you buy your e-books?

[Ron.]

According to the stats they release .pdf is their most popular format, maybe it's problematic to convert epub to pdf, so word works out to be the best format for them to covert too the various types...

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Ron.

According to the stats they release .pdf is their most popular format, maybe it's problematic to convert epub to pdf, so word works out to be the best format for them to covert too the various types...

Calibre can convert ePub to PDF with zero (AFAICT) loss, so I doubt it's that. Actually, anything to PDF is usually pretty easy. It's getting it back OUT of PDF that's the hard part.

If they're optimizing the Word files to custom sizes for PDF transformation (i.e., ideal 6" size), then that *might* be something easier to do in Word, but..... I'd be surprised if they're going to that much trouble.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

That's a terrible system. Smashwords shouldn't be assuming that the authors can't do good epubs.

Yes, it'd be nice if they'd allow file formats other than MS Word to be uploaded! I already have HTML (with OPF and NCX) that I used to create the .prc I uploaded to Amazon for the Kindle version, and I could provide .mobi, ePub, and PDF if Smashwords would allow it. But I do understand that their system is automated, and changing things would require a major overhaul there.

I have quite a few .mobi books from Smashwords, and the quality's too variable. Apparently, some authors can't get the MS Word file right either.

I am glad that Smashwords is available, however. I love that you can easily make coupons and gift books there, for example. And they are an option to get your book into some of the more difficult ePub stores.

[Elfwreck]

I buy epubs from Smashwords and Fictionwise. (And publishing-house stores: Samhain, Baen, etc.) I don't buy from Kobo or B&N because I won't do DRM, and I won't buy books that won't tell me whether or not they're DRM'd.

What I've heard about Smashwords' conversion is:
Follow the style guide. Follow the style guide religiously; follow it all the way through; yes, this will take some hours *in addition* to all the other formatting you want to do; do it anyway.

Oh, and accept that the RTF output will be borked, despite starting with a .doc file. No idea why; it just is. The RTF version of the Style Guide instructions is borked, and I assume that's as good as it's ever going to get.

(While I can understand the desire to get SW to accept user-generated .epubs, I can also understand SW not wanting to increase the number of *botched* .epubs caused by people who think they know how to format them, and don't. Starting with Word, even if the style guide is ignored, gets you a usable ebook. Starting with user-generated .epub may result in a book that won't open on any current device. And yes, SW could install an epub-checker for user submissions... and I'm sure if anyone wants to write that code & turn it over to them, they'd be happy to implement it.)

[anamardoll]

I'm not surprised that authors can't get Word files right -- Word has a lot of stuff in the background that is tricky to edit, even for veterans.

I've been using Word all my life almost and I'm VERY good with it, but today I kept having an issue with a reference link not behaving correctly. It was eventually easier to delete the link and redo it from scratch than try to modify it.

I also have "smart quotes" turned off in Word, but noticed yesterday that when it corrects wans't to wasn't for me, it uses a curved apostrophe. The program is powerful, but so very much NOT perfect and can be very hard to edit to perfection.

ePub is quite simple with Sigil and a touch of HTML/CSS learning, I've found.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Ron.

According to the stats they release .pdf is their most popular format, maybe it's problematic to convert epub to pdf, so word works out to be the best format for them to covert too the various types...

PDF is the most popular format at Smashwords? That's surprising!

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

What I've heard about Smashwords' conversion is:
Follow the style guide. Follow the style guide religiously; follow it all the way through; yes, this will take some hours *in addition* to all the other formatting you want to do; do it anyway.

Do you know if the style guide deals with pictures inserted between chapters?

Although, really, without getting off my butt and looking, I have a hard time believing the style guide supports all possible things you might want to do in a book.

EDIT: DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, THE "STYLE GUIDE" IS A BOOK. An actual one. That you have to "buy" (it's free) and read. You have to buy and read a book to get your eBook on their site. Despite the fact that ePub has been around for awhile and is VASTLY easier than Word to create to the point where I'm actually writing in Sigil directly these days rather than fussing with Word and... My head. It explodes.

This is all kinds of sad to me.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

PDF is the most popular format at Smashwords? That's surprising!

I thought that was odd myself. Maybe a lot of users download every format their device supports?

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Do you know if the style guide deals with pictures inserted between chapters?

Yes, that's on page 38 of the Style Guide PDF: Step 13 (of 28 steps), "Working with Images." You can insert either .jpg or .png, but they recommend .png. The .jpgs look great in the Kindle version of my husband's book, so now I have to decide if I want to convert them to .png for Smashwords.

EDIT: DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, THE "STYLE GUIDE" IS A BOOK.... My head. It explodes.

Sorry, but I laughed out loud when I read this! That's how I've been feeling. Last month we published the Kindle version, earlier this month we published the paperback at Amazon, and my husband's been working on another book too. It may be time for a break from things book-related, methinks...

Once we work through the Smashwords formatting process, step by step, I'm sure it won't be as overwhelming at it appears now. I just hope that the results are excellent because formatting is important to me.

[JSWolf]

I do sometimes shop at Sony.

I read that direct ePub upload to Smashwords is a highly wanted feature. Given that it is so wanted, why not implement it? ePub > Mobi is better then Word > Mobi. Basically, ePub > most formats is better then Word to all formats.

If we could get direct ePub upload, then Smashwords would be awesome instead of so-so.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If we could get direct ePub upload, then Smashwords would be awesome instead of so-so.

I couldn't agree more—if that ePub file is done correctly. But, I think Elfwreck has a valid point:

While I can understand the desire to get SW to accept user-generated .epubs, I can also understand SW not wanting to increase the number of *botched* .epubs caused by people who think they know how to format them, and don't.

From what I've seen, they have enough of a challenge just getting MS Word files submitted correctly. Allowing ePub submissions would probably greatly increase their workload for the reason mentioned by Elfwreck.

I certainly would like to see better quality and more consistent formatting of e-books, but I think that Mark Coker has done an excellent job in creating Smashwords. I suppose he had to consider how most authors write their books (with MS Word) when he originally set things up. There are probably only a small percentage of authors who could create a properly formatted ePub or .mobi for submission. It'd be nice to at least have that option, but sometimes you can't cater to the minority in business.

[TheSFReader]

Short answer : I buy mostly at Smashwords

Lengthy answer : My blog (http://bit.ly/n3Yqo8 )
Copied here (but formatting may vary) :

Now, the first step when considering buying an ebook is to check it's presence on Smashwords. If present, that's one major good point. And with a few exceptions, when buying there, I buy from the Smashwords website.

Why ?

"Ideological reasons" :
I don't like "monopolies", hence I prefer my money going in "smaller players" pockets. I know Amazon is no monopoly, but it has a dominant position, and I think everyone benefits if it's kept from becoming one. Each ebook cent I put in Smashwords pocket is one less in Amazon's, and one more in its opposition's.
I don't like DRMs (reasons explained in THIS OTHER POST http://readingandraytracing.blogspot...nd-ebooks.html), and Smashwords is clearly opposed to them as seen in the FAQ).
It has no geo-restrictions, either hard (as B&N does, which prohibits me from buying ANY books for my Nook from them), or soft (like Amazon's International $2 surcharge).
It "benefits" writers due to it's high royalties rate (for direct selling) : 85% regardless of the price/geo-location (I'm pointing at you Amazon), except if the sell is through an affiliate in which case it's 70.5%, 11% going to the affiliate.
Multi-format (Kindle/azw, epub, pdf, text,html) downloads enable users to use whichever reading device/software they want.
Smashwords as a company has stated AND SHOWN that it follows a few goals that coincide with my "ethics".

"Practical reasons"
It has a Cloud-like library (see my related post http://readingandraytracing.blogspot...-in-cloud.html)
It's an "easy way" for writers to distribute to high number of retailers (except Amazon) without having to negotiate/register at each one.
Coupons allow writers lots of marketing promotions and to "gift" books without having to pay. Wide range of coupons.Since I can't use any "direct" buying from my reader (a Nook, abroad), I have to sideload anyway. Not a reason per se, but an acknowledgement that if I had an ereader-included 1 click buying app I would be tempted to use it instead.

Mixed :
I'm mixed on the "reviewing" system : Only people having "bought" the book can review it. On one hand, this "ensures" that people having it have at least access to it to review. This of course makes sure that Hordes of non-readers are unable to post bad reviews, but on the other hand with coupons an author can still ensure "hordes" of good reviews. It also limits the number of reviews, since readers having read a non-smashwords version are unable to post on SW. The small number of reviews in turn diminishes the "legitimacy" of the reviews. Amazon, with its two classes of reviews manages it best I think.
A mitigating way to manage that (and maybe a smart way to help readers regarding "portability") can be to add in your Amazon/Kindle book a coupon for acquiring the book at Smashwords too...

What I don't like :
The Smashwords formatting and MeatGrinder seem difficult for authors, and doesn't necessarily allow them to format the final files as they want, hence discouraging authors to publish through them.
There is no integrated easy way to organize the library. Only a pseudo Wish-List (books you've added) and a purchased list : "Books I've purchased".
The "search" is quite dumb and not sophisticated enough.
Likewise some kind of "also bought" like feature, and other "curation" would be appreciated.
While addressing remarkably well international authors, the website is only available in English (minor) but misses a "language" filter, which could allow easier access to non-English content.
The Meatgrinder uses Word as input. I understand that an other format (such as ODT) would force writers still an other tool to write, the Word format is NOT standardized, not standard, and belongs to the Microsoft monopoly.
There is no fully integrated "1 click" buying software that I know of, but I may be wrong here. (Stanza anyone ?)
(Stanza seems to be one such application, but is restricted to Apple hardware, Aldiko on Android seems also to allow 'inside app browsing')
There is not enough content/customer. One being the consequence of the other.
For writer, strategy-wise, putting the book in numerous stores, it dilutes the sells between stores, hence the "top100 effect", unless everyone does the same.
Free books in the library can't be "bought" for free hence are "lost" when becoming paying.

Enhancements :
In addition to finding solutions to the above problems, there are a few enhancements that I think would improve the Smashwords website:

Proposing to remove books from the library when they are bought, hence having no dupes between the two "shelves" of the Library
Having something like "MicroPay" (Webscription) would go some way to help "impulse buying" (instead of the whole Paypal shebang).
Finding (perhaps negociating) a way to get/use reviews/ratings from retailers, which could be used to improve the "reviews" part of the website for example: 3stars at B&N (50 reviews) , 3.5 at AppleStore (20 reviews) --> ponderated at 3.2

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

From what I've seen, they have enough of a challenge just getting MS Word files submitted correctly. Allowing ePub submissions would probably greatly increase their workload for the reason mentioned by Elfwreck.

I cannot -- CANNOT -- believe that checking epubs for Does-It-Work-edness would be harder or more time consuming than checking WORD DOCUMENTS for Does-It-Work-edness.

Saying "they have enough of a challenge getting good Word files" is...is... I can't even come up with a comparable analogy that isn't scatalogical. I'm not surprised getting a clear Word file is hard -- Word makes it hard! Word is NOT designed to allow the user to tweak all the crappy background code out. If you ever copy-and-paste from Word into Sigil directly, it's amazing to see all the potentially unwanted tags that come over with the text.

I'm not ragging on Word -- I like Word fine enough for what I use it for -- but it's NOT the ideal format with which to convert to epub/mobi.

I can't even imagine submitting to Smashwords unless they change this policy. I'd be far too afraid that they'd screw my book up, and I don't mean that in a slathering narcissist way, I swear.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

I couldn't agree more—if that ePub file is done correctly. But, I think Elfwreck has a valid point:


From what I've seen, they have enough of a challenge just getting MS Word files submitted correctly. Allowing ePub submissions would probably greatly increase their workload for the reason mentioned by Elfwreck.

There's no reason SW cannot keep accepting MS Word like they do now or ePub. So the person submitting has the choice. And as long as it's noted which form of upload it was, the customer would then have a choice. I know I'd buy more from SW if I saw that books I was interested in weren't meatground.

I certainly would like to see better quality and more consistent formatting of e-books, but I think that Mark Coker has done an excellent job in creating Smashwords. I suppose he had to consider how most authors write their books (with MS Word) when he originally set things up. There are probably only a small percentage of authors who could create a properly formatted ePub or .mobi for submission. It'd be nice to at least have that option, but sometimes you can't cater to the minority in business.

Yes, Mark has done a good job. But it's time to move forward. And moving forward is allowing authors to upload an already created eBook. Sure, it means the author's learning how to create ePub, but once they dom it will be better for them and better for the readers. We could have things like drop caps, embedded fonts, neat code, and whatever else can't be done via Word.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by TheSFReader

Short answer : I buy mostly at Smashwords

Lengthy answer : My blog (http://bit.ly/n3Yqo8 )

Please post the full link. I don't click on hidden URL redirection links. Thanks.