Research: Formatted for e-Book

I asked Copilot a series of questions about formatting a book for e-book publication.

Me: For e-book publishing, should printing style headers, footers, and page numbers be included?

Copilot: For e-book publishing, it’s generally best to avoid including printing style headers, footers, and page numbers. E-books are designed to be flexible and adapt to different screen sizes and reader preferences, which can make fixed elements like headers and footers problematic. Here are a few reasons why:

Dynamic Layouts: E-books adjust to various devices and screen sizes, so fixed headers and footers can disrupt the flow of text.

Reader Preferences: Many e-readers allow users to customize font size, style, and spacing, which can make fixed elements appear out of place.

Navigation: E-books often include interactive elements like a table of contents and hyperlinks, which provide more efficient navigation than traditional page numbers.

Instead, focus on a clean, adaptable layout that enhances the reading experience. If you need to include navigational aids, consider using internal links and a well-organized table of contents.

Are you planning to publish your story as an e-book? It sounds like a compelling narrative with rich, complex characters!

Me: For publishing would an author create different versions of a book with different document settings tuned for print, bound print, and e-book format to turn on or off settings like page size, margins, header, footer, page numbering?

Copilot: Yes, authors often create different versions of their books tailored to each format—print, bound print, and e-book. Each format has unique requirements and best practices:

Print Books:

Page Size and Margins: Standard sizes like 6″x9″ or 5.5″x8.5″ with appropriate margins for binding.

Headers and Footers: Typically include the book title, author name, and page numbers.

Page Numbers: Essential for navigation in physical books.

Bound Print Books:

Similar to print books but may have additional considerations for binding types (e.g., hardcover vs. paperback).

Gutter Margins: Extra space on the inner margins to account for binding.

E-Books:

Flexible Layout: Avoid fixed headers, footers, and page numbers as e-books adapt to various screen sizes.

Interactive Elements: Use hyperlinks and a table of contents for navigation.

Reflowable Text: Ensures text adjusts to different devices and reader settings.

Creating separate versions ensures that each format provides the best reading experience. Tools like Adobe InDesign, Scrivener, or even Microsoft Word can help manage these different settings efficiently.

Me: If using MS Word, would it be beneficial to use macros to adjust document settings based upon the target media, print vs e-book?

Copilot: Yes, using macros in MS Word can be very beneficial for adjusting document settings based on the target media. Macros can automate repetitive tasks and ensure consistency across different versions of your document. Here are some ways macros can help:

Page Size and Margins:

Automatically set the page size and margins for print and e-book formats.

Adjust gutter margins for bound print books.

Headers and Footers:

Toggle headers and footers on or off depending on the format.

Customize the content of headers and footers for print versions.

Page Numbers:

Add or remove page numbers as needed.

Format page numbers differently for print and e-book versions.

Styles and Formatting:

Apply different styles for headings, paragraphs, and other elements to suit each format.

Ensure consistent formatting across all versions.

Export Settings:

Automate the export process to different file formats (e.g., PDF for print, EPUB for e-books).

Here’s a simple example of a macro that adjusts page size and margins for a print version:

vba

Copy

Sub SetPrintFormat()

With ActiveDocument.PageSetup

.PageWidth = InchesToPoints(6)

.PageHeight = InchesToPoints(9)

.TopMargin = InchesToPoints(1)

.BottomMargin = InchesToPoints(1)

.LeftMargin = InchesToPoints(0.75)

.RightMargin = InchesToPoints(0.75)

.Gutter = InchesToPoints(0.5)

End With

End Sub

And for an e-book version:

vba

Copy

Sub SetEbookFormat()

With ActiveDocument.PageSetup

.PageWidth = InchesToPoints(8.5)

.PageHeight = InchesToPoints(11)

.TopMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)

.BottomMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)

.LeftMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)

.RightMargin = InchesToPoints(0.5)

.Gutter = InchesToPoints(0)

End With

‘ Remove headers and footers

ActiveDocument.Sections(1).Headers(wdHeaderFooterPrimary).Range.Text = “”

ActiveDocument.Sections(1).Footers(wdHeaderFooterPrimary).Range.Text = “”

End Sub

Using macros can save you a lot of time and ensure that each version of your book is formatted correctly. If you need help writing specific macros or have other questions about using MS Word for your publishing needs, feel free to ask!

Me: Seems like I should maintain a print version as my main working document, then use macro to SaveAs different target media then adapt the settings for that target media. Reasonable?

Copilot: Yes, that sounds like a very reasonable and efficient approach! Maintaining a print version as your main working document ensures you have a high-quality, formatted base to work from. Then, using macros to save and adapt the document for different target media can streamline the process and ensure consistency across all versions. Here’s a quick outline of how you can manage this:

Main Working Document:

Keep your print version as the primary document.

Ensure it has all the necessary formatting for print, including headers, footers, page numbers, and appropriate margins.

Macros for Different Formats:

SaveAs E-Book: Use a macro to save the document as an e-book format (e.g., EPUB or MOBI) and adjust settings like removing headers, footers, and page numbers.

SaveAs Bound Print: Use another macro to save the document for bound print, adjusting gutter margins and any specific binding requirements.

Automation:

Automate repetitive tasks like adjusting page sizes, margins, and other formatting elements.

Ensure each version is tailored to its specific format requirements.

This method will save you time and help maintain a consistent look and feel across all formats. If you need any help writing specific macros or have other questions about the process, feel free to ask! Happy writing and publishing! 📚✨

Me: Within MS Word how to I output in e-pub format? Is it simply save as and select type?

Copilot: Unfortunately, MS Word doesn’t natively support saving directly as an EPUB file. However, you can still convert your Word document to EPUB format using a few different methods:

Using Calibre:

Save your Word document as an HTML file.

Open Calibre (a free e-book management tool) and add your HTML file.

Use Calibre’s conversion feature to convert the HTML file to EPUB1.

Using Online Converters:

Websites like FreeConvert.com allow you to upload your Word document and convert it to EPUB2.

Simply upload your file, select EPUB as the output format, and download the converted file.

Using Dedicated Software:

Some software like Adobe InDesign or Scrivener can export directly to EPUB, but these are more advanced tools and may require a learning curve.

Here’s a quick example of how to use Calibre for conversion:

Save your Word document as an HTML file.

Open Calibre and click on “Add books” to add your HTML file.

Click on “Convert books” and select EPUB as the output format.

Adjust any settings as needed and click “OK” to start the conversion.

This method ensures that your formatting is preserved and the resulting EPUB file is optimized for e-readers.

Me: If I am targeting KDP as the publisher, can I simply save the e-book version without headers and footers to a PDF file that is uploaded to KDP?

Copilot: For Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s best to use the EPUB format for e-books rather than PDF. While KDP does accept PDF files, EPUB is more suitable for e-books because it allows for reflowable text, which adjusts to different screen sizes and reader preferences.

Here’s a quick guide on how to prepare your e-book for KDP:

Format Your Manuscript:

Remove headers, footers, and page numbers.

Ensure consistent formatting and use styles for headings and paragraphs.

Save as EPUB:

Since MS Word doesn’t natively save as EPUB, you can use a tool like Calibre to convert your Word document to EPUB.

Alternatively, you can use online converters to change your Word document to EPUB.

Upload to KDP:

Select “Create a New Title” and choose “eBook.”

Upload your EPUB file when prompted. Using EPUB ensures that your e-book will provide a better reading experience on Kindle devices and apps. If you need any help with the conversion process or have other questions about publishing on KDP, feel free to ask!