On its release date Ron Hull left a review of the 202 page book, “How to Design and Publish Your First eBook”.
Ron raises several key points.
- MS Word
- Format to pdf
- Conversion to epub3
- Cost verses time
- Copyrights
- Advances
MS Word:
Microsoft Word (MS Word) is what most writers use. Some may use other programs such as Open Office by Apache. But MS Word is actually the worse format for epub3 conversation. Too many random elements. You will need to save your completed manuscript as both a .docx and .txt format. The .txt file is the one you will use. It's a clean copy. Don't worry about the loss formatting. You will use Sigil, a free open source software to get your formatting back. You will be amazed at what you can do.
PDF/X format:
All of this is covered in detail in the book. The first has to do with a print book. This book only covers how to convert your book onto an ebook. What Ron is referring to is a PDF/X format file which is required by your publishers. Adobe Acrobat Distiller (Comes with Adobe Reader) is the easiest way to validate this sort of a file. It ensures the file meets the printer's system requirements.
epub3 conversion and validation:
A simple pdf format will work as a digital format, but not as a epub3 validated format title. Which brings use to epub3 conversion. Yes, you can let someone else have control over your formatting. I did some research. Ron's latest book is published by Blockbuster.com, Inc. (Source: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1644385465/authorsdencom20191708). This isn't a traditional publisher. Yes, they have you submit your manuscript. They then charge you to publish it. The site lists three package options. The first option where they convert your file into a epub3, mobi is listed at $875.00 (Source: https://publishing.booklocker.com 20191708).
This is actually a good price for a self-publishing company. Conversion rates can go as high as $1,900. or more. You didn't write your book in one day. The time you spend doing the conversion and validation yourself is control over formatting. How to Design and Publish Your First eBook shows you how to have total control over formatting (fonts, photos, audio and video) in a validated epub3 format. You can't get that for $875.00. That price is for text only.
Cost versus time:
You format and validate in epub3 format once. The cost is zero, unless you use commercial software and images). You will learn how to use Free Open Source Software. You will get professional results.
Copyrights:
You as the author need to file your own copyright. If the publisher files it, you will be listed as the writer, but they can actually retain some form of ownership over your title. I stress again, you the writer need to file for copyright protection, not your self-publishing firm.
Advances:
No self-publishing firm give advances. If you have an agent whom, is sending you to self-publishing firms, it's time to get a new agent.
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