need help with ebook formatting

parrafo175 · 11-02-2011, 10:22 AM

Hello,

I am very new to ebook formatting. I have good knowledge of HTML and CSS but so far I have only tried a few things like write2pub for Open Office, SIgil and Calibre.

Any advice on any other software (preferably free) that I could play with?

Any rules for creating good ebooks out there?

Thank you
Eleni

dwig · 11-02-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrafo175

...
Any advice on any other software (preferably free) that I could play with?

Any rules for creating good ebooks out there?

Thank you
Eleni

I find Notpad++ useful once you add the WebEdit plugin and customize it with appropriate tags.

There is a lot of info on formatting in MR's ePub and Kindle forums.

parrafo175 · 11-04-2011, 05:29 AM

Thanks dwig for the information. I will try out Notepad++

Do you think it is a good idea to create a template css that I can use with epubs, so I only make little changes here and there?

AlexBell · 11-05-2011, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrafo175

Thanks dwig for the information. I will try out Notepad++

Do you think it is a good idea to create a template css that I can use with epubs, so I only make little changes here and there?

Well, for what it's worth that's what I do - I have two templates, one for MobileRead library and one for Circaidy Gregory Press for whom I'm doing some conversions from print to ePub. If some ebooks have special needs I just fiddle with the template.

In fact I use a template for the whole ePub, and just change or overwrite the files in it. It's pretty basic, but if it's of any interest to you I could send it.

Toxaris · 11-05-2011, 07:05 AM

That is what I do too. I have a core epub with pages for covers and so on and a CSS stylesheet. I upload the book in the core and change what needs to be changed.

parrafo175 · 11-09-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

In fact I use a template for the whole ePub, and just change or overwrite the files in it. It's pretty basic, but if it's of any interest to you I could send it.

Hello,

It would be great if you can send it.

Thank you

parrafo175 · 11-09-2011, 01:58 PM

Hi Toxaris,

thanks for your comment. What toold do you use?

Toxaris · 11-09-2011, 02:12 PM

I use primarily Word and Sigil. Sometimes Notepad++, but that is rare.

AlexBell · 11-10-2011, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrafo175

Hello,

It would be great if you can send it.

Thank you

Here's the one for Circaidy Gregory Press. It validates with ePubCheck and FlightCrew.

roger64 · 11-10-2011, 09:04 AM

Hi

You can use LibreOffice or OpenOffice with writer2xhtml extension. Totally free and multi-platform.

You'll find a guidebook with my signature. It's been published on MobileRead but it's in French.

The software itself can be used of course in English.

parrafo175 · 11-11-2011, 04:27 AM

Thank you Alex. I am going to try and do something this weekend and post it back here for your feedback, if that´s ok.

Cheers

parrafo175 · 11-11-2011, 04:30 AM

I currently use Open Office with writer2epub extension but I will try the writer2xhtml extension too. Thanks

AlexBell · 11-13-2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrafo175

Thank you Alex. I am going to try and do something this weekend and post it back here for your feedback, if that´s ok.

Cheers

Fine, or you could send me a private message with your email address, and I'll respond to it with mine.

opitzs · 11-14-2011, 01:35 PM

Hi Alex,

thanks from me for the template, too! I took away some nice ideas.

Thank you
Sven

AlexBell · 11-18-2011, 03:54 AM

You're very welcome, Sven. I have had a lot of help from people on these forums, and its nice to be able to help someone else.

11-02-2011, 10:22 AM	#1
parrafo175 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 7584 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Barcelona, Spain Device: kindle	need help with ebook formatting Hello, I am very new to ebook formatting. I have good knowledge of HTML and CSS but so far I have only tried a few things like write2pub for Open Office, SIgil and Calibre. Any advice on any other software (preferably free) that I could play with? Any rules for creating good ebooks out there? Thank you Eleni

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11-04-2011, 05:29 AM	#3
parrafo175 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 7584 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Barcelona, Spain Device: kindle	Thanks dwig for the information. I will try out Notepad++ Do you think it is a good idea to create a template css that I can use with epubs, so I only make little changes here and there?

11-05-2011, 07:05 AM	#5
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	That is what I do too. I have a core epub with pages for covers and so on and a CSS stylesheet. I upload the book in the core and change what needs to be changed.

11-09-2011, 01:58 PM	#7
parrafo175 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 7584 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Barcelona, Spain Device: kindle	Hi Toxaris, thanks for your comment. What toold do you use?

11-09-2011, 02:12 PM	#8
Toxaris Wizard Posts: 4,520 Karma: 121692313 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Heemskerk, NL Device: PRS-T1, Kobo Touch, Kobo Aura	I use primarily Word and Sigil. Sometimes Notepad++, but that is rare.

11-10-2011, 09:04 AM	#10
roger64 Wizard Posts: 2,625 Karma: 3120635 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle PW3 (wifi)	Hi You can use LibreOffice or OpenOffice with writer2xhtml extension. Totally free and multi-platform. You'll find a guidebook with my signature. It's been published on MobileRead but it's in French. The software itself can be used of course in English.

11-11-2011, 04:27 AM	#11
parrafo175 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 7584 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Barcelona, Spain Device: kindle	Thank you Alex. I am going to try and do something this weekend and post it back here for your feedback, if that´s ok. Cheers

11-11-2011, 04:30 AM	#12
parrafo175 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 7584 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Barcelona, Spain Device: kindle	I currently use Open Office with writer2epub extension but I will try the writer2xhtml extension too. Thanks

11-14-2011, 01:35 PM	#14
opitzs Avid Reader Posts: 161 Karma: 36472 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Look for rain, hail and snow... Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, PRS T1, Kobo Glo	Hi Alex, thanks from me for the template, too! I took away some nice ideas. Thank you Sven

11-18-2011, 03:54 AM	#15
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	You're very welcome, Sven. I have had a lot of help from people on these forums, and its nice to be able to help someone else.