Resources for E-Book Authors and Marketers

Basics

E-Book Basics FAQ from HarperCollins PerfectBound.com, http://us.perfectbound.com/F4A5A23B-D4D8-48E6-9F12-E9106BBC50BC/10/1/en/FAQs.htm

eBook Formats Compared, ePublishing Marketing Associates. Gives pros and cons of 13 e-book formats: Adobe Acrobat (PDF), Adobe eBook (PDF). Embiid, Gemstar eBook, hiebook, HTML, Instant eBook (et. al.), Microsoft Reader, Microsoft Word, Mobipocket, Palm Doc, Palm Reader, and Plain Text. http://www.epmassoc.com/compare.php?sp=1

Adobe eBook

Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader 2.2 (free download for Windows and Mac). http://www.adobe.com/products/ebookreader/register.html

How to Create Adobe PDF eBooks. 66-page PDF document which explains how best to format an e-book for reading on a variety of formats. Explains how to use Adobe Acrobat and Distiller to produce the desired format. Sections on converting to Adobe PDF format from FrameMaker, PageMaker, MS Word, QuarkXPress, and PostScript formats. http://www.adobe.com/epaper/tips/acr5ebook/pdfs/eBook.pdf

Adobe PDF

Create Adobe PDF files online now. ASP service allows you to convert a variety of documents (including MS Word) into Adobe PDF files. You can create up to 5 documents in a free trial. Unlimited use available for $9.99 per month ($99.99/year) for users in the US and Canada. https://createpdf.adobe.com

PDF Link Changer (www.reprint-rights-marketing.com/pdfchanger/). Changes all links within an e-book to a customer's affiliate links, if desired. $19.

Planet PDF Tools List. Hundreds of tools to format, convert, extract, and create PDF files. http://www.planetpdf.com/tools

Gemstar

Gemstar Ebook Devices. A dedicated e-book reading device currently supported by bookstores. Smaller version (GEB 1150, $199, b/w) is about the size of a paperback with rechargeable batteries up to 20 hours of reading. Larger version (GEB 2150, $349, color) is the size of a hardback with reading up to 10 hours before recharging. Both have built-in modems. Before investing in this technology, check to see the current manufacturing status of the product. http://www.gemstar-ebook.com/ebcontent/devices/default.asp

RocketWriter and RocketLibrarian (http://www.rocket-ebook.com/RocketWriter/). Free download of Windows programs that allow you to make e-books for the Gemstar format (formerly Rocket ebook).

Palm Reader

Make Your Own Books. Free software to create Palm Reader (.pbd) files that can be read on Palm OS handheld devices. Explains Palm Markup Language. http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/makebook/

Microsoft Reader

Overdrive ReaderWorks. Suite of eBook authoring and conversion tools for creating Microsoft® Reader eBooks with ClearType. ReaderWorks Standard is free. ReaderWorks Publisher is $119. http://www.overdrive.com/readerworks/

E-Book Author Resource Sites

Ken Silver Online Ebook Marketing and Publishing Forum (http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/11488) Helpful forum with credible people participating.

Planet eBook - eBooks Community. http://www.digitalworm.com/

Mind Like Water Ebooks Directory (http://www.mindlikewater.com) Free e-book directory listings for authors, plus PPC or monthly ads to get top position.

ePublishing Network (http://www.epublishingnetwork.com). Lists online stores that sell e-books and provides a directory and links to resources for authors.

ebook.com (http://ebook.com/). Some support and resources for e-book authors

KnowBetter.com Ebook Bookstores (http://www.knowbetter.com). Site by Kelly Ford provides forums that discuss the e-book business, various formats and software, e-book news, and e-book announcements. Some info on the Rocket format.

e-book.com.au -- Bruce's Australian E-Book Newsletter. News items of interest on e-book publishing. http://www.e-book.com.au/main.html

"E-Book Publishing vs. Print Publishing: A Look at the Pos and Cons," by Linda Pendleton. http://www.todancewithangels.com/ebookvsprintpage.html

eBooks and ePublishing section of Publishing in About.com (http://publishing.about.com/cs/ebooks/). A comprehensive collection of links, articles and information about electronic publishing and digital books.

Books on E-booking

Poor Richard's Creating Electronic eBooks: How Author's Publishers, and Corporations Can Get Into Digital Print, by Christopher Van Buren, Matt Wagner, Jeff Cogswell (Top Floor Publishing; 2001) ISBN: B00005S8S0. 336 pages. Adobe eBook Reader format only.

E-Book Covers

KillerCovers (www.wilsonweb.com/afd/killercovers.htm), Vaughn Davidson. Excellent covers from artist experienced with marketing and advertising. Recommended by people I trust. $117. Credit card.

New Vision Graphics (www.newvisiongraphics.com), Lori Taylor-Hutcherson. Sharp looking and recommended by people I trust. Single cover $70, 2 for $125. Takes PayPal.

E-Commerce Resources

See companion articles that appear in Web Commerce Today, Issue 66, 1/15/03 for my paid subscribers:

"Internet Marketplaces Where You Can Sell Your E-Book" (http://www.wilsonweb.com/wct6/ebook_marketplaces.cfm)

"Shopping Carts that Support E-Book and Digital Download Sales" (http://www.wilsonweb.com/wct6/ebooks_carts.cfm)

"Digital Download Tools for ClickBank and PayPal Merchants" (www.wilsonweb.com/wct6/ebooks_clickbank_paypal.htm)