New EBOOK Creation Process

VydorScope · 05-14-2013, 08:45 PM

So... up till umm 48 hours ago, this is how I made clean EBooks:

* Write in Word for Mac. When complete save as HTML
* Load in To Calibre and fill out Metadata, then convert to EPUB.
* Export from Calibre and open in Sigil.
* Let Sigil run amok with TinyHTML and stuff.
* * Use Find/Replace to remove what is left of Word Dropings
* * Rename file as Calibre makes filenames with spaces
* * Remove cover completely. Add full Res cover back via the "Add Cover" tool
* * Run EPUB Flight Check - Fix anything it finds
* * * Repeat until clean
* * Run EPUB Validator - Fix anything it finds
* * * Repeat until clean
* Remove all prior versions from Calibre and import the new EPUB
* Convert To MOBI
* Upload MOBI To Amazon, upload EPUB to Kobo,B&N, and Smashwords

That process got me good results, but.....

* Write in Word
* Import the .DOC into Scrivener
* * Set Section Breaks (aka Chapters)
* * Compile to EPUB, and MOBI
* Check EPUB against EPUB Validator - Always perfect so far!
* Upload MOBI To Amazon, upload EPUB to Kobo,B&N, and Smashwords

Dang. WAAAAAAAAY better.

I suspect next royalty check that comes in and I am buying Scrivener. The only thing is I am fixing the cover still in Sigil, I need to figure out what setting to tweak in Scrivener to get the cover right, cause it does not get the HTML quite right on it. Everything else about the files is good. I can even tell it to compile a PDF for CreateSpace, but that will wait for my next book to test with. It uses Amazon's official KindleGen for MOBI creation, so that should help with compatibility.

Since I do not write in it, I never thought of just using it for its compile tools.

owly · 05-15-2013, 02:51 AM

So you can compile the file to epub in Scrivener?

gmw · 05-15-2013, 05:09 AM

Thanks for sharing that VydorScope, I might give it a go at some point. I am not too upset with LibreOffice and the writer2xhtml plugin - but there are still some "droppings" that I have to clean up in Sigil (and the cover page always has to be done - I don't even try to get that done outside Sigil).

Nancy Fulda · 05-15-2013, 05:21 AM

Ooh, very intriguing. Especially since I DO write in Scrivener.

orlok · 05-15-2013, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy Fulda

Ooh, very intriguing. Especially since I DO write in Scrivener.

Me too. Thanks for this VydorScope.

VydorScope · 05-15-2013, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owly

So you can compile the file to epub in Scrivener?

EPUB, MOBI, PDF, and several other formats. To do MOBI you need to download KindleGen which is free from Amazon, but Scrivener has the links and directions right in the compile screen for you. Really easy.

Nice to have one source file for all formats instead of chaining them up in a conversion process.

BeccaPrice · 05-15-2013, 11:05 AM

I've just ordered Scrivener - I figure it'll be easier than trying to get my husband to find the time to code my stories for me. I hope it'll work as well for me as it does for you. I'm not sure about using it as a writing environment - I mostly don't have problems writing in Word (but then, I mostly write short stories). But for the conversion process, I'm looking forward to using it.

I also ordered their how to use Scrivener book, but the download link they sent me didn't work - grump. I've written them a note to that effect, and hope they'll send me a link that does work.

I'm a bit concerned about using Scrivener to attach the cover, however. It sounds like that's a bit more complex, and I don't want to have to figure out how to do this ins Sigil or another program (I suppose I can always use Calibre to attach the cover, though.)

morriss003 · 05-15-2013, 07:46 PM

I get that a lot of you do this, but I don't really see the point. I published my latest book to Smashwords and Amazon this morning, and I did it right from Word 10. When I look at the epub, the pdf, or the mobi they look fine.

owly · 05-16-2013, 04:16 AM

I'm interested in it as an easier way of converting books that are in the public domain.

teh603 · 05-16-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morriss003

I get that a lot of you do this, but I don't really see the point. I published my latest book to Smashwords and Amazon this morning, and I did it right from Word 10. When I look at the epub, the pdf, or the mobi they look fine.

Same here, but using LO. I can understand wanting to upload a custom font for the headings and stuff, but that's really about the only thing I'd use Sigil for, and I don't see the need for yet another app.

That, and I'm *really* used to writing in notepad.

VydorScope · 05-16-2013, 10:13 AM

Well a couple-few reasons...

First not everywhere I submit accepts word docs. I need the EPUB for them.

Second, I have not been happy with the results I get from Amazon's DOC->MOBI creation on upload.

Third I like having 1 source doc to work from, regardless if the out put is PDF, Mobi, EPUB, etc.

Forth, I feel like I am getting better resulting files this way then using the DOC at Smash.

Fifth, using the "compile" tool in Scrivener allows me to have different front/back matter added in the making of the file. So for example Smashwords has specific things it needs in the title page that Amazon does not. My one source doc can power both.

So ok, that was more then a couple-few... guess I will stop now.

05-14-2013, 08:45 PM	#1
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	New EBOOK Creation Process So... up till umm 48 hours ago, this is how I made clean EBooks: * Write in Word for Mac. When complete save as HTML * Load in To Calibre and fill out Metadata, then convert to EPUB. * Export from Calibre and open in Sigil. * Let Sigil run amok with TinyHTML and stuff. * * Use Find/Replace to remove what is left of Word Dropings * * Rename file as Calibre makes filenames with spaces * * Remove cover completely. Add full Res cover back via the "Add Cover" tool * * Run EPUB Flight Check - Fix anything it finds * * * Repeat until clean * * Run EPUB Validator - Fix anything it finds * * * Repeat until clean * Remove all prior versions from Calibre and import the new EPUB * Convert To MOBI * Upload MOBI To Amazon, upload EPUB to Kobo,B&N, and Smashwords That process got me good results, but..... * Write in Word * Import the .DOC into Scrivener * * Set Section Breaks (aka Chapters) * * Compile to EPUB, and MOBI * Check EPUB against EPUB Validator - Always perfect so far! * Upload MOBI To Amazon, upload EPUB to Kobo,B&N, and Smashwords Dang. WAAAAAAAAY better. I suspect next royalty check that comes in and I am buying Scrivener. The only thing is I am fixing the cover still in Sigil, I need to figure out what setting to tweak in Scrivener to get the cover right, cause it does not get the HTML quite right on it. Everything else about the files is good. I can even tell it to compile a PDF for CreateSpace, but that will wait for my next book to test with. It uses Amazon's official KindleGen for MOBI creation, so that should help with compatibility. Since I do not write in it, I never thought of just using it for its compile tools.

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05-15-2013, 02:51 AM	#2
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	So you can compile the file to epub in Scrivener?

05-15-2013, 05:09 AM	#3
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	Thanks for sharing that VydorScope, I might give it a go at some point. I am not too upset with LibreOffice and the writer2xhtml plugin - but there are still some "droppings" that I have to clean up in Sigil (and the cover page always has to be done - I don't even try to get that done outside Sigil).

05-15-2013, 05:21 AM	#4
Nancy Fulda I write stories. Posts: 700 Karma: 16437432 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Germany Device: kindle	Ooh, very intriguing. Especially since I DO write in Scrivener.

05-15-2013, 11:05 AM	#7
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,145 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	I've just ordered Scrivener - I figure it'll be easier than trying to get my husband to find the time to code my stories for me. I hope it'll work as well for me as it does for you. I'm not sure about using it as a writing environment - I mostly don't have problems writing in Word (but then, I mostly write short stories). But for the conversion process, I'm looking forward to using it. I also ordered their how to use Scrivener book, but the download link they sent me didn't work - grump. I've written them a note to that effect, and hope they'll send me a link that does work. I'm a bit concerned about using Scrivener to attach the cover, however. It sounds like that's a bit more complex, and I don't want to have to figure out how to do this ins Sigil or another program (I suppose I can always use Calibre to attach the cover, though.)

05-15-2013, 07:46 PM	#8
morriss003 Evangelist Posts: 438 Karma: 3409790 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maui Device: kindle	I get that a lot of you do this, but I don't really see the point. I published my latest book to Smashwords and Amazon this morning, and I did it right from Word 10. When I look at the epub, the pdf, or the mobi they look fine.

05-16-2013, 04:16 AM	#9
owly Guru Posts: 729 Karma: 3822612 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Paperwhite 2, Kobo Aura H2O	I'm interested in it as an easier way of converting books that are in the public domain.

05-16-2013, 10:13 AM	#11
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Well a couple-few reasons... First not everywhere I submit accepts word docs. I need the EPUB for them. Second, I have not been happy with the results I get from Amazon's DOC->MOBI creation on upload. Third I like having 1 source doc to work from, regardless if the out put is PDF, Mobi, EPUB, etc. Forth, I feel like I am getting better resulting files this way then using the DOC at Smash. Fifth, using the "compile" tool in Scrivener allows me to have different front/back matter added in the making of the file. So for example Smashwords has specific things it needs in the title page that Amazon does not. My one source doc can power both. So ok, that was more then a couple-few... guess I will stop now.

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