How to Create an HTML eBook

HTML code is the standard language of computers using Windows, which means that a book published in this way can be read in any Microsoft compatible browser.

Which, put simply, means that if you are using Windows you can read it.

However Apple Mac users need a special program in order to do this, which is one of the drawbacks of the system.

Another is that people are often reluctant to download an .exe file, particularly when they get the standard Windows warning "files of this type can harm your computer".

The reason behind this is that viruses also come in the form of .exe files, so it's important to reassure your potential readers that you have taken the necessary precautions.

There are two ways to do this.

First, make sure you scan all your ebook files using a top class anti-virus program. You can download a free one, which is the one I use, from AVG at this address.

Next, convert your completed ebook into a zip file using zip995, also a free download, which allows your readers to scan the files before opening them.

These are simple precautions which not only protect against possible viral contamination, they also increase your credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of your potential customers. An important point.

There are two principal elements to your HTML ebook.

One is the files themselves, which are your chapters, pages, graphics and so on. These can all be produced using a standard WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. I use software from Coffee Cup for this and most other html programming I need to do.

The second element is compilation, for which you need an ebook compiler. What this does is bring all the files together and compress them into book form, complete with index, page numbering and so on.

The one I used before I updated my system is called Ebook Compiler and you'll find more details about it in the section on ebook compilers. I highly recommend it for a budget first attempt.

However this is not how I achieved the clever 'book' effects you'll see in the html.exe version of First Aid in the Kitchen.

That was done using a great piece of ebook software designed by Shelley Lowery, herself a writer of ebooks. I've added some more details about it which you'll also find in the ebook compiling section.