Difference between revisions of "2014 Pre-Meeting Workshop: Advice for Ebooks"

Latest revision as of 14:58, 8 August 2014

Creating EPUB files can be frustrating work. Sometimes the process works and you can push out a file with little or no hassle, but other times you spend hours banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why that table just won't behave.

In this workshop, we will talk about some of the most frustrating and confusing aspects of ebook development. You will walk away with solid, practical information about:

• When an ebook design might need to deviate from the print design, and when it can be the same.

• Handling images in ebook files, including advice on file type, size, dimensions, and more.

• Designing tables to look good and function properly across devices.

• Working with foreign languages, and getting special characters to behave on different systems.

• When to consider fixed layout and iBooks Author as opposed to (or in addition to) reflowable ebooks.

• Workflow adjustments you can make for digital-first and digital-only books.

• Considerations when choosing between EPUB 2 and EPUB 3, and advice on converting to Kindle Format 8.

• Quality control steps and tools that actually work.

Come prepared to learn about the deeper side of ebook production. Participants are asked to bring a laptop computer if they wish to try their hand at various techniques. It is recommended that all participants be comfortable with creating, opening, and manipulating EPUB files.

Organizers: AAUP Design and Production Committee

Carol Stein, ASCSA, chair

Kenneth Reed, Princeton

Speaker: Joshua Tallent, Chief eBook Architect, Firebrand Technologies

Please feel free to add notes or responses to the session in this section. You can also post presentation files. Find out how.

Resources and Tools Handout, Joshua Tallent

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