Re: Re: Newbie question on making-editing ebooks

I use Notepad ++ to create the XHTML, CSS and other files necessary for the
ePub.  I do some of the initial formatting in Word because my authors send
me their manuscripts in .RTF format and that is the program I have on hand.
 I learned how to create the ePub and what the various files (content.opf,
toc.ncx, etc.) from the book EPUB Straight to the Point (
http://www.elizabethcastro.com/epub/).

I also rely heavily on the advice laid out in here:
http://guidohenkel.com/2010/12/take-pride-in-your-ebook-formatting/ which
you might find helpful.

Raechel


On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 8:16 PM, <jrswebhome-/[email protected]> wrote:

>
>
> I have had a chance to review the Smashwords guide this afternoon.
>
>
> Does everyone use Word or Open Office to create ebooks?
>
>
> I had just never thought about how manuscripts are created.
>
> I just thought I would flow the text into some HTML document and then
> insert styles and CSS. Guess that's a beginner's thought.
>
>
> I do see Smashword's insistence upon stripping everything out, then going
> back into simplifying the format and styles. Also the insistence upon
> either a block paragraph style or paragraph indent, but not both.
>
>
> ---In [email protected], <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>  On 04/11/2013 16:59, jrswebhome@... wrote:
>
> ����
>
> If I look in the coding of an ebook converted to a Calibre ebook, I see
> "Calibre" named headings, etc. Are you sure it is not a Calibre ebook after
> the conversion? Why would all the headings change names if it is not a
> conversion?
>
> To understand further, patience please:
>
> 1. Calibre is only used to convert between different ebook formats?
>
> 2. The coding within ebooks is html and css?
>
> 3. What is the difference in html and css?
>
> Just trying to understand how to change the insides from such ugly
> designs.
>
>
> John,
>
> If you leave the css to Calibre [or Sigil or other converters] it will use
> its own progam name; but there is no such thing as a calibre ebook - it
> converts between formats - there is���� drop down list showing how many
> formats���� there are.
> 2... yes, html and css are the major coding needs for users, and the core
> of making ebooks.
> 3... html is the code,while css is the shaping of that code. e.g The Book
> might be <heading1> in html, and the size and colour and case [capitals,
> lower case or usually mixed] in css.
>
> I recommend Mark Coker's guide [free] on Smashwords to explain the process
> as your first step to understanding. Changing appearance should be done in
> Sigil. Later you might develop more skill [depending on how much of this
> you do] and use more specialised programs. Generally ebooks should be
> designed simply. You may not be able to achieve what you want. Coker's book
> will show something of how to do it and what those limitations are.
>
> Joseph Harris
>
>   
>



-- 
Raechel Henderson
Publisher / Editor
Eggplant Literary Productions
Website:  eggplantproductions.com
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