How to Format Ebooks – Part 2

The freeware is out there — use it!



In part 1 of this blog, I talked about the incredibly wide variety of filetypes out there that each of the big platforms are using. Now I'll tell you how to you get your manuscript formatted and converted to those filetypes so you can sell it as an ebook. Some very enterprising people have written incredibly useful guides on how to manually convert your work into these filetypes, for which I applaud them. If, however, you weren't born already typing code, I suggest an alternative. Not surprisingly, an entire industry of freeware has sprung up over the last few years that will do the heavy lifting of conversion for you. Below are some of the best.


Calibre — a free tool for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux, Calibre can take just about any starting filetype (though not Word, apparently) and convert it into ePub, FB2, OEB, LIT, LRF, MOBI, HTMLZ, PDB, PML, RB, PDF, SNB, TCR, TXT, or TXTZ — basically whatever you need.



Feedbooks — a website where you can login and use their formatting software to create your own content, which will be made available in ePub, PDF, and Kindle formats among others. Their software is designed for you to actually write your book on the site, but you can just as easily copy and paste from a previously created Word or Text file.


eCub – with eCub, you can import text and XHTML files and create all the necessary components of an EPUB file.


Mobipocket — using this you can create Mobipocket or Kindle books from a variety of filetypes including Word, Excel, PDF, RTF, HTML, XML, and more.


CutePDF — thought I'd add this one in as something that might be familiar to all of us. If you just need to create a PDF file for your ebook, CutePDF is great for "printing" pretty much anything to PDF, including all of Microsoft Office and even web pages. You've likely used this program or one like it already and it's as simple as clicking print and saving the file.


Now, there are numerous other programs out there, some with incredible features that this software can't touch, but I wanted to stick to freeware only — no paying if you don't have to! — and programs that would convert from common, easy-to-use filetypes. Listen, it's great that BookGlutton can convert HTML into ePubs, but for those who don't know coding, that's an added layer of complication to learn basic HTML. Why bother with it if you don't have to?


Of course, there are many smart people out there who have good answers to that mostly hypothetical question, which is why I'm going to leave you with a couple of links to some very in-depth DIY guides to ebook formatting and conversion. Hope this was helpful!


A step-by-step look at how to create an ePub file by hand.


Screenwriter John August's quick Kindle publishing guide.


Joshua Tallent's incredibly detailed guide to Kindle formatting.

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Published on May 25, 2011 10:51
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message 1: by Bridgette (new)

Bridgette S. Great information.


message 2: by Linda (new)

Linda Black Thanks!


message 3: by Gwendolyn (new)

Gwendolyn Washington What valuable information. Wish I would have known before my first novel. I will use one now as I am working on book 2.


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