Digital Publishing Series: ePUB Technology & Workflow Workshop (340)

The ePUB format is changing the face of publishing: an open standard for reflowable book content, that can be optimized for a wide variety of display devices and viewer preferences. This workshop will make you familiar with the technology: its hardware and software, file formats, production tools, validation procedures, internal details, and challenges.

• When ePUB format is appropriate and where it can be used to best advantage
• eBook file format options and capabilities
• eReader hardware and software options and capabilities
• Production workflow: exporting to ePUB and Kindle format
• Previewing ePUBs
• Validating ePUB correctness
• Understanding ePUB internals
• Tools for editing and fine tuning ePUB documents
• Best practices for setting up ePUBs using InDesign
• What works well, what doesn’t and what to do about it

Devices that your ePUB training will work with include:

• Apple iBooks (iPad, iPhone and Touch)
• Amazon Kindle
• Barnes & Noble nook and nookCOLOR
• Adobe Digital Editions
• Motorola Xoom
• Google eReader and Android
• Samsung Galaxy Tab
• Dell Streak
• Sony Reader Touch Edition
• and many more

ePUB (short for electronic publication) is a free and open e-book standard by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). Files have the extension .epub. ePUB is designed for reflowable content, meaning that the text display can be optimized for the particular display device. The format is meant to function as a single format that publishers and conversion houses can use in-house, as well as for distribution and sale. It supersedes the Open eBook standard. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB

Amazon reported that its e-book sales outnumbered sales of hardcover books during the second quarter of 2010.

Further Reading:

No prerequisite:

This workshop is part of a series which can be taken in any order. Though, this is a good place to start.