Epub is a free and open ebook standard for
formatting ebooks.
The name Epub comes from
"electronic publication".
Epub became an official standard of the International
Digital Publishing Forum in September 2007, superseding the
Open eBook standard.
Epub files have the extension .epub.
Ebooks in the epub format are readable on many ebook readers
including Android devices, Apple iOS Devices, Barnes & Noble
Nook, Kobo eReader, and Sony Reader. However epub files are
not automatically readable on the Kindle and need to be
converted, e.g. to Mobi format which the Kindle can read.
The key features of ePub format include:
- Free and open standard
- Re-flowable (word wrap) and re-sizable text
- Inline raster and vector images
- Embedded metadata
- DRM support
- CSS styling
Because Epub is designed for reflowable content, the text
display can easily be optimized depending upon the display
device used. By comparison, with some PDF documents -
especially those created several years ago - the text cannot
easily be wrapped to fit smaller screens on mobile devices.
What is in an epub file?
An epub file is essentially a zipped file containing a
combination of xhtml documents, packaging files (including
information about the individual files and sequence, and the
author and publisher) and container files for encryption and
digital rights management.
How to get your ebook into epub format?
1. Some publishers, including Smashwords, convert your ebook
into
epub format after you upload it.
2. Free online conversion tools such as those at:
http://www.2epub.com
http://www.web-books.com/Publishing/Word2EPUB.htm
3. Calibre is free software that will convert to and from
epub
format as well as many other formats.
http://calibre-ebook.com
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BoxShot3D
If you want to make your own
professional looking ebook covers, then BoxShot3D is our best
recommendation. We use it ourselves.
Virtual Cover
Creator
This software costs $89.99 and comes with more than 100 ready-to-use templates.
It costs less than you'd pay a graphic designer to create just one cover!
Ebook Graphics and Images
Using images within your ebooks will give them
a more professional look. The best way is to use Royalty Free images.
That doesn't mean free, by the way, it means "free of royalties". You still
pay for a license to use the photos in your ebook, sometimes for less than
$1 each!
Get your royalty free images from:
iStockPhoto -
Shutterstock -
Fotolia
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