How To Format Your Ebook
Posted by admin | Posted in How to | Posted on 05-07-2009
Tags: About Ebooks, Ebook, how to ebooks
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There are two common ebook formats, EXE and PDF. These formats refer to the type of electronic file your ebook will be. One type has .exe after the filename, and the other has .pdf after the filename.
If your ghostwriter already put your ebook into one of these formats, then you are all set. If your ebook was delivered in a word processing file, then you’ll need to convert it to either EXE or PDF. You can buy software that will make an .exe file, or you can purchase or use free software to convert the text to a .pdf file.
I recommend the .pdf approach for several reasons. First, of the two options, .pdf results in a smaller file. This will allow buyers to have a faster download of your book. Secondly, .pdf files can be read easily with free software on either a PC or a Mac. Thirdly, .pdf conversion software is not terribly expensive and there are even free versions you can use.
Most of the free versions work really well if all your ebook contains is text. However, the free converters tend to contain popup advertising.
One free, ad-free, basic converter is the create Adobe pdf online service directly from Adobe, the father of .pdf generators and readers. There are others you can find by web search.
For a modest fee in the $20 range, you can have advertising eliminated from some of the free .pdf conversion services and programs. To me, it’s worth it. But if you don’t mind one or two pop-ups each time you convert a file to .pdf, you can save a few bucks by using free services.
To be able to convert every bell and whistle in your ebook to .pdf, you can purchase Adobe’s program to do so at a cost of over $200. This may be necessary if your ebook is unusual, containing animated film clips or other technically unusual features. Free or cheap converters will convert your text. Basically, your .pdf file will end up looking like what your printed pages would look like. Converters abound, and therefore you can use free or buy a converter that will only do what you need for a fraction of the $200 you would pay to get every bell and whistle.
