zippywings | Publishing with Google Play Books, Part 1: Using Calibre to Prepare Your Google Play Books E-Book @zippywings | Uploaded May 2020 | Updated October 2024, 7 hours ago.
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
Now that Google Play Books has reopened its service to all independent publishers, it’s a good idea to publish your books there and expand your audience reach. But how do you do that? This five-part series will walk you through the basic steps to get up and running.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Google Play Books requires at least one of two formats to get your e-book online and available for consumption: EPUB and PDF. It recommends you upload both. Part 1 of the “Publishing with Google Play Books Series” covers the basics for getting an EPUB ready for the service, using a free EPUB creation tool, Calibre.
Note: This episode covers the simplest method for getting an EPUB built on Calibre and ready for Google Play Books. You’ll need to learn CSS and HTML to develop a more specialized or attractive EPUB file, which this video will not cover. I’ve listed two great resources below to help you take these basics to the professional-level.
RESOURCES:
Google Play Books Partner Center:
play.google.com/books/publish
Calibre Web Page:
calibre-ebook.com
Calibre User Manual:
manual.calibre-ebook.com/edit.html
The Book Designer Guest Writer, David Kudler:
thebookdesigner.com/author/davidkudler
The eBook Design and Development Guide by Paul Salvette:
amazon.com/gp/product/B009G2JMRK
CHECKLIST:
1. Convert source document to DOCX format.
2. Check and fix broken bookmarks.
3. Delete drop caps unless you know how to format them properly for EPUB.
4. Optional: Convert Small Caps to All Caps to ensure all e-readers show compatible formatting (but don’t do this for section headings—just words that characters “see”).
5. Download Calibre (See Resources for Web link).
6. Create blank EPUB file.
7. Fill in title, author name, and whatever else you think is important.
8. Select proper JPEG image for cover.
9. Check document conversion attributes.
10. Check EPUB file type (2 or 3).
11. Verify table of contents.
12. Validate external links.
13. Open file in e-reader to check conversion state (“Click to Path”).
14. Upload to Google Play Books if happy with results; fix HTML, CSS, or content errors if not.
Thanks for watching. Leave a comment with your e-book formatting tips if you have any.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
Did you enjoy this video or find it useful? Would you like to see more like it? Then like or subscribe and ring the bell. (As far as I know, ringing the bell won’t summon any spooky butlers asking, “You rang?” But you never know.)
Would you like to support this channel further? Well, I don’t have a Patreon Account, but you can help another way: Download or purchase one of my books and leave a review on Goodreads and/or wherever you buy it. Details at the link below.
zippywings.wordpress.com/my-books
SERIES DESCRIPTION:
Now that Google Play Books has reopened its service to all independent publishers, it’s a good idea to publish your books there and expand your audience reach. But how do you do that? This five-part series will walk you through the basic steps to get up and running.
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Google Play Books requires at least one of two formats to get your e-book online and available for consumption: EPUB and PDF. It recommends you upload both. Part 1 of the “Publishing with Google Play Books Series” covers the basics for getting an EPUB ready for the service, using a free EPUB creation tool, Calibre.
Note: This episode covers the simplest method for getting an EPUB built on Calibre and ready for Google Play Books. You’ll need to learn CSS and HTML to develop a more specialized or attractive EPUB file, which this video will not cover. I’ve listed two great resources below to help you take these basics to the professional-level.
RESOURCES:
Google Play Books Partner Center:
play.google.com/books/publish
Calibre Web Page:
calibre-ebook.com
Calibre User Manual:
manual.calibre-ebook.com/edit.html
The Book Designer Guest Writer, David Kudler:
thebookdesigner.com/author/davidkudler
The eBook Design and Development Guide by Paul Salvette:
amazon.com/gp/product/B009G2JMRK
CHECKLIST:
1. Convert source document to DOCX format.
2. Check and fix broken bookmarks.
3. Delete drop caps unless you know how to format them properly for EPUB.
4. Optional: Convert Small Caps to All Caps to ensure all e-readers show compatible formatting (but don’t do this for section headings—just words that characters “see”).
5. Download Calibre (See Resources for Web link).
6. Create blank EPUB file.
7. Fill in title, author name, and whatever else you think is important.
8. Select proper JPEG image for cover.
9. Check document conversion attributes.
10. Check EPUB file type (2 or 3).
11. Verify table of contents.
12. Validate external links.
13. Open file in e-reader to check conversion state (“Click to Path”).
14. Upload to Google Play Books if happy with results; fix HTML, CSS, or content errors if not.
Thanks for watching. Leave a comment with your e-book formatting tips if you have any.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:
Did you enjoy this video or find it useful? Would you like to see more like it? Then like or subscribe and ring the bell. (As far as I know, ringing the bell won’t summon any spooky butlers asking, “You rang?” But you never know.)
Would you like to support this channel further? Well, I don’t have a Patreon Account, but you can help another way: Download or purchase one of my books and leave a review on Goodreads and/or wherever you buy it. Details at the link below.
zippywings.wordpress.com/my-books
