Publishing Formats
When talking about e-books in terms of formats, we're really talking about the programming process by which the book is produced, plus its final appearance.
There are really only two formats to consider: HTML, which produces a book in the form of an executable file (.exe), and PDF which effectively 'prints' the book to the computer screen.
Both types are stored on and read from your computer. Both can be printed out using a standard printer.
Each has its merits and drawbacks, which I'll deal with below. But before I do, let me just say that personally I don't see this as an either/or situation.
I publish my books in both formats and let the readers decide which they want to download.
So that you can see this process in action I've provided free copies of my book on First Aid in the Kitchen, which you can download here.
Downloading both versions will give you the opportunity to see the difference between the formats, both of which have been produced from exactly the same source files.
It will also give you some handy hints on first aid :0)
Now let's take a closer look at the two systems.
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're 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 book 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 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.
Anyone who has a computer can read PDF format files. It's the standard method used, for example, by big businesses to circulate and exchange documents of all kinds.
What's more, you can compile your files from MS Word documents, plain text, rich format and so on. You don't need an html editor.
On top of that, you can do it all for nothing (unless you want a cover for your book) and if you nip across to the ebook compilers page I'll show you how.
So what are the disadvantages?
For one thing you need a reader. Fortunately you can get an excellent free one from Software995, but you need to remind your readers of that and some people are reluctant to download the software, even though it's free.
Secondly, to achieve even half the presentation effects of the html version you'll need to spend quite a bit of money on an upmarket conversion program plus some sort of software to create your ebook covers.
Remember this: all PDF programs really do is print your files to your computer screen and add in some navigation features to assist the reader in accessing the documents.
Any refinements on this original premise will cost money, which is why the PDF version of my first aid book is a lot plainer than the html copy. BUT, it delivers exactly the same information and pretty much in the same way. So you could simply use this format if you wanted to.
Plenty of people do. After all, it's the information that people are paying for, rather than the presentation.
Having said that, a good presentation nevertheless lets people know that you are serious and that you take a good deal of pride in your work.
Bear in mind that, for all the bells and whistles, both versions of First Aid in the Kitchen are completely free - but I still consider it more than worthwhile to present them as professionally as possible.
You will find that most ebook writers take the same approach. The successful ones, anyway :0)
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