Just because you can download software applications without paying in advance doesn’t mean they’re free. The web is loaded with “free” software offers and some of it is actually quite good. Unfortunately, many free software applications come with hidden dangers including Trojans that can damage and even take over your computer. Even some good software that can be obtain for free may be problematic if you download it from the wrong source.
You can definitely download free software for self publishing but it’s critical to download only from safe locations on the web. There are quite a few such locations but my two favorites are two are CNET and SourceForge and their main web sites are listed below.
http://www.cnet.com/ - this is the main site so just click the Download tab.
http://sourceforge.net/ - this is the main site where you just select your category and find free software.
As a writer and publisher I have used many excellent free products and have a list of favorites that I share with all my associates. These are all excellent software applications just be sure to download them either from safe download sites like the two listed here or from the company’s own web site. Other sites may make the software available but also add their own extra tools that may or may not be beneficial. The four free applications listed below will help you manage the four main aspects of publishing your own book. Open Office can be used for the writing and even for producing the final PDF file. GIMP can be used for creating an excellent cover and for preparing graphics for other uses. Scribus is an excellent layout and formatting application for creating print ready files for your printer. And, NVU is an excellent application for creating a good web site for your book including publicity pages. These are all excellent applications that are completely free.
Open Office For Office Productivity and Writing
Open Office is an excellent office productivity suite that is comparable to MS Office and capable of doing anything necessary to produce an outline and a draft manuscript. It is an easy download from the following web site:
http://download.openoffice.org/
OpenOffice is open source software making it completely free and the web site contains a great deal of valuable how-to information and a community of users that participate actively.
Gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Gimp is an excellent graphics application with many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, and much more.
Gimp seems to have all the advantages of Photoshop without the high price tag. I have used Gimp many times but am still in a learning phase. Since I own Photoshop and PhotoPlus X4, there isn’t much motivation to learn a new graphics program. However, for those willing to meet the challenge of a lengthy learning curve, Gimp is the best deal around. It is another one of those applications I will get around to learning when time permits and I definitely recommend it to anyone.
Gimp can be downloaded free at:
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
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Scribus
This is a page layout and publishing software that can be used to produce excellent print ready files for books. I have been interested in Scribus for a long time because it is an excellent free application. Although I plan to learn how to use it, I have been too lazy to start because I own an excellent layout and publishing software that works well for all my books. I have played around with it and it seems to be a great application with infinite potential and, most importantly, it is open source and therefore completely free. The application can be used for both formatting and layout but is also an excellent tool for creating book covers. As a good, all-in-one tool it merits the time to undergo its significant learning curve. I definitely view that as a worthwhile effort and in time it may replace the publishing application I now use in my publishing business.
Scribus can be downloaded free at: http://www.scribus.net/canvas/Scribus
NVU
This is an excellent WYSIWYG web site creation software. The publisher accurately describes it as: “Nvu (pronounced N-view, for a "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a web site with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML. Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users.”
I used NVU for years and still manage some of my web sites with this easy to use application. Admittedly, I now use Serif’s WebPlus for many of my web sites because, like PagePlus and PhotoPlus, I find it easy to use and enjoy good support for the product. However, I highly recommend NVU as an excellent, free web creation application.
NVU can be downloaded free at:
http://download.cnet.com/Nvu/3000-10247_4-10412423.html
