EPUB conversion and formatting services
This is a service for writers who want to self-publish their book.
EPUB is an ebook format that allows the text of the ebook to be free-flowing. This is quite different from the fixed-page ebook such as a PDF, where the text is fixed to a location on a page.
Even though a PDF is quicker and cheaper to create from a Microsoft Word document, the EPUB format has several advantages. These advantages are explained in All about ebooks.
What you need
If you would like me to convert your publication or book to an EPUB ebook, you need to provide me with:
- your final edited and proofed text in a Microsoft Word document
- your guarantee that you own the full copyright to all the content (i.e. text, images, logo, etc.)
- a designed book cover image at 300 ppi resolution and 1410 px by 2250 px
- your publishing details
- a one-page (or less) blurb about your book
- your author biography (with or without an image).
If applicable, I may also need:
- the non-embedded images at 300 ppi resolution at the maximum width of 1400 px and maximum height of 2250 px
- your logo at 75-100 pixels maximum height or width
- a selection of recommended keywords for your ebook.
Cost
Cost to convert your publication into an EPUB ebook will depend on the complexity of your publication’s structure, the number of illustrations, the number of hyperlinks and if there is an index.
I do not use an automated EPUB conversion platform, but convert all books myself. This takes time, but delivers higher quality documents. The price is calculated at an hourly rate. Contact me for a quote.
When submitting your document for conversion, please make sure your Word file complies with the requirements listed under ‘What you need’ above.
What you get
An EPUB ebook file, suitable for submission to many online publishing platforms and directly usable on popular ebook readers. Note that the EPUB format file, when submitted to Amazon, can be converted to Amazon Kindle format.
Publish with Rubida ePress
If your book has a scientific or naturalistic subject, you can apply to publish under Rubida ePress.
If you are accepted for publication under Rubida ePress, you will also receive:
- free ISBN number
- sales spot on Rubida ePress website
- an annual sales report
- 70% of royalty payments returned from sales, paid annually.
Preview an ebook example
The ebook A voyage to New South Wales has been converted using a standard template.
You can view it by clicking on the cover image below or download it from the shop for free.
Note that the font and background colour for ebooks can be changed by the reader on the ebook device.
For more information, read my blog All about ebooks.
Advantages of the EPUB format over a PDF
Especially on small-screen devices such as smart phones and tablets, a PDF fixed-page ebook is more difficult to read than a free-flowing EPUB ebook. This is because a PDF mostly has fixed pages in A4-size, which are too large to be read on a small screen.
Hence, on a small screen, these pages require the reader to zoom into the document before they can read the text. This means they have to scroll to read the other text on the remaining part of the page that is outside their view. This makes scrolling, page turning and image viewing irritating and time-consuming on a PDF.
An EPUB format works very differently. Text in an EPUB format will automatically adjust to the size of the screen on which it is viewed. The reader also has control of the size of the font, which makes reading an EPUB very easy for anyone.
See also: All about ebooks
