![]() We use a special script that removes unnecessary white space. However, things like random tabs, double spaces, blank lines (except for scene breaks as mentioned below) have got to go since they will wreak havoc on most eBook reading software, causing an undesirable reading experience. Most editors and authors don’t pay too much attention to unnecessary white space-nor should they because writing and editing use completely different parts of the brain than formatting. Many formatters use programs like Jutoh and Sigil to apply markup, but we go with a text editor because it allows us to run complex scripts on the content. This ensures 100% compliance with our stringent quality control measures and avoids the hidden quirks of word processing and DTP software. Since word processing and DTP (Desktop publishing) programs are not suitable for properly adding XHTML markup, we need to get everything into a text editor. Hyperlinks are injected with the proper URLs as well. italics, strikethrough, bolded, hyperlinked, etc.) to ensure that this is preserved as the author and editor intended in the final eBooks. Using a script we made, we tag all specialized inline text (e.g. Additionally, if the author wishes to use special fonts on certain types of content, we make sure to tag for further action. Text messages, emails, love letters, and other types of content that must stand out from the narrative are properly tagged in Word by our team. Our team goes into Word and properly tags all headings. This step is critical and will determine how the final eBook is packaged. For non-fiction, it gets a bit more complex with different levels of subheads. For novels this is typically chapters, plus major headings in the front and back matter (About the Author, Acknowledgments, etc.). ![]() Establishing Structure in the ManuscriptĪll books, even simple novels, must have some underlying structure. We’ll examine the intake of a standard novel, written and edited in Word, and the final product will be EPUB and MOBI eBooks for various vendors. ![]() Inspired by Jaye Manus’ excellent discussions of workflow, I decided to post a simplified version of what we do in our shop. If making eBooks was as simple as a one-click solution, I would have a 4-hour work week instead of an 80-hour one (that would be sweet). Some folks, particularly hobbyists looking to publish one novel, prefer the DIY approach, but the fact of the matter is most successful people will hire other people to do work for them due to time constraints and their desire to focus on more important business matters within the industry. There is some software on the market (both free and commercial) you can use to make eBooks such as Calibre and Vellum. This attitude has been around since when I started learning formatting in 2011, and I don’t stress about it too much-honestly the loss of author income due to Kindle Unlimited is a much more serious threat to our business model. However, if it weren’t for professional authors hiring out contractors, BB eBooks would be operating a roller-skating disco in Bangkok or something instead of doing formatting work. Nothing wrong with this-many people prefer to do things themselves. It has recently come to our attention from fellow formatters about comments within the indie community that formatting is easy and should be done yourself. ![]()
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