The .ePub file format: Cheers!
I figured that understanding the .epub format would be a simple thing after all my effort with the .mobi file format. I was wrong. It’s like trying to understand a cat by playing catch with my dog. While the similarities are many, the DNA is fundamentally different.
Most of the rest of the epublishing world uses the .epub format. Even Apple. Of course their acceptance rules are slightly more stringent. The 3LIES.epub file I created for Barnes and Noble’s Pubit site required very minor changes to make iBooks happy.
The .epub file format is essentially a .zip file. A .zip file is a collection of files which are stored together. In this case, as an ebook file. Consequently, each one of my ninety– repeat ninety–chapters had to have its own file. Sigh. I expected that some of the work on the .mobi would be reusable. Not. So. Much.
Before I could upload any .epub file, especially at Apple, I needed to make sure that it passed inspection. Inspection entails running it through EPubCheck to validate my .epub file. Basically it makes certain I haven’t made any blundering errors that would prevent my file from uploading to the site. This check will not ensure that I’m going to be satisfied with the results.
I checked out the instructions to run the validator, and saw a pile of homework. Since I needed entirely new tools to tame this beast, I decided to use a free (donations encouraged) piece of software named Sigil. All output from the Sigil program will be compliant with the EPubCheck validator. Amen.
Sigil helps you create the file and see the output. I also wanted to see the appearance on another reader. These readers are notoriously inconsistent in their display. So I downloaded yet another free piece of software called Adobe Digital Editions. Oh. And Nook for PC, since I don’t own one.
Now, all the players are on stage. When I revisit this topic, I’ll start walking through the process I used to format my novel. Please, jump in if you have a comment or question.
And if this series has made the formatting process easier for you, please consider purchasing one of my novels for yourself or a thriller lover in your life. Here are the links:
iBookstore - Amazon - Barnes & Noble
Amazon UK - Amazon DE - XinXii
Other Posts in This Series:
Part 1 – .Mobi File v.s .Epub File Format Overview
.ePub File Formatting – Part 3
Photo by CleverCupCakes