Ebook Inner Circle
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Don Peek
dpeek@ebookinnercircle.com
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Ebook Compilers
Quite a few different types of software are out there for sale that you can use to write your ebook. I'll give you a short list of the best ones and what they have to offer at the end of this chapter.
I'll be quite honest here. I don't use any of them. I write my ebooks using Microsoft Word 2003 on one computer, Microsoft Word 2007 on my other computer, and I also sometimes use Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 that I had to purchase separately.
Basically, I write my ebooks in Word. When I get everything exactly the way I want it in an ebook, I save it as a PDF file. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This format was developed by the Adobe Corporation. It is important to ebook writers because it allows you to transfer you ebook file from one computer to another.
The software which allows this transfer is called Acrobat. In order to view and print a PDF file, the reader must download and install a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most people already have this on their computers, but it's a free, easy, safe download if they don't have it.
It's important to convert your book into a PDF file because it allows the reader to read and/or print your ebook, but it does not allow your customer to change anything in your ebook. All of your links remain live in PDF document, so your customer can go directly to sites that you recommend. Be sure to always have these links open in a new browser window, so it is easy for your customer to get back to your ebook.
If you're worried about people stealing your ebook and publishing it as their own, you can use some of the ebook software I'll recommend below. The truth is, though, that if someone really wants to steal your ideas, that person will find a way to do it.
If you do not have a reasonably recent version of Word on your computer, you can download and use similar free software at: http://www.openoffice.org. This software works almost exactly like Word and also lets you convert and save your ebook in PDF.
One other alternative you always have available is to produce a live ebook on the Internet. You simply paste your entire book, page by page, onto your website. You give your customers login information, and they actually read your ebook on their computer screen.
This is good for you because you can now put Google Adsense on each page and even put other banners and affiliate links on the page. Make sure these ads always open a new browser window when the reader clicks on them so you don't accidentally lose your reader.
When you publish your ebook in this way, you can constantly update your book rather than emailing all of your customers updated PDF files each time you update your ebook. You can also keep your links fresh this way by replacing any broken or outdated links on your website.
While this seems like an outstanding way to deliver an ebook, not everyone is going to want to read your ebook on line. I recommend that you put a link in your on-line ebook within the first ten pages that allows your customers to download a PDF file of the book if they want to. Also, let them know they will find the PDF link within the first ten pages.
Many people will print your ebook from a PDF file and read it in their easy chairs or in bed. While giving them the option of reading your book on line with live links, make sure you give them other options as well.
Other Ebook Software
Click on the links below to read the different types of help and protection you can get from these ebook software vendors.
Ebook Starter
Easy Ebook Pro
Ebook Compiler
Even if you originally write your book in Microsoft Word, you may want to export your manuscript into an ebook compiler to publish it.
I'll be quite honest here. I don't use any of them. I write my ebooks using Microsoft Word 2003 on one computer, Microsoft Word 2007 on my other computer, and I also sometimes use Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 that I had to purchase separately.
Basically, I write my ebooks in Word. When I get everything exactly the way I want it in an ebook, I save it as a PDF file. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. This format was developed by the Adobe Corporation. It is important to ebook writers because it allows you to transfer you ebook file from one computer to another.
The software which allows this transfer is called Acrobat. In order to view and print a PDF file, the reader must download and install a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most people already have this on their computers, but it's a free, easy, safe download if they don't have it.
It's important to convert your book into a PDF file because it allows the reader to read and/or print your ebook, but it does not allow your customer to change anything in your ebook. All of your links remain live in PDF document, so your customer can go directly to sites that you recommend. Be sure to always have these links open in a new browser window, so it is easy for your customer to get back to your ebook.
If you're worried about people stealing your ebook and publishing it as their own, you can use some of the ebook software I'll recommend below. The truth is, though, that if someone really wants to steal your ideas, that person will find a way to do it.
If you do not have a reasonably recent version of Word on your computer, you can download and use similar free software at: http://www.openoffice.org. This software works almost exactly like Word and also lets you convert and save your ebook in PDF.
One other alternative you always have available is to produce a live ebook on the Internet. You simply paste your entire book, page by page, onto your website. You give your customers login information, and they actually read your ebook on their computer screen.
This is good for you because you can now put Google Adsense on each page and even put other banners and affiliate links on the page. Make sure these ads always open a new browser window when the reader clicks on them so you don't accidentally lose your reader.
When you publish your ebook in this way, you can constantly update your book rather than emailing all of your customers updated PDF files each time you update your ebook. You can also keep your links fresh this way by replacing any broken or outdated links on your website.
While this seems like an outstanding way to deliver an ebook, not everyone is going to want to read your ebook on line. I recommend that you put a link in your on-line ebook within the first ten pages that allows your customers to download a PDF file of the book if they want to. Also, let them know they will find the PDF link within the first ten pages.
Many people will print your ebook from a PDF file and read it in their easy chairs or in bed. While giving them the option of reading your book on line with live links, make sure you give them other options as well.
Other Ebook Software
Click on the links below to read the different types of help and protection you can get from these ebook software vendors.
Ebook Starter
Easy Ebook Pro
Ebook Compiler
Even if you originally write your book in Microsoft Word, you may want to export your manuscript into an ebook compiler to publish it.