4 replies to this topic

[hippiechyck]

This is probably because I just do not know how to correctly format in ANY platform, but Smashwords drives me to tears!

https://www.smashwor...ooks/view/81251

If you download the preview, you'll see what I mean

If I transfer the whole kaboodle to Storyist, can I fix it do you think? I would need very clear, step-by-step instructions

[Orren]

Hi Barbara,

I also self-published my novel The Deviant on Smashwords: https://www.smashwor...ooks/view/48401

I'm afraid that Storyist won't help you with Smashwords formatting. It's not Storyist's fault, however. Smashwords made a choice, and it requires a very specific set of steps. Smashwords, in order to create a single application that can convert books into dozens of formats, requires everything to be in an extremely specific Word format. It's so specific, that no "Word compatible" application can really get it right—your only real bet is to procure a copy of Microsoft Word itself. The reason is that they tie the Smashbooks format to the specific way Word Ruler handles tabs/indents, and stuff like that. It's possible that another application may work, but I've never been able to make it work myself.

The good news is that Smashwords does have a pretty complete, step-by-step walkthrough in their style guide that will walk you through it: http://www.smashword...m/books/view/52 It's a free book and you can follow step by step with the PDF open in Preview, and your manuscript in Word, and just do each thing it tells you as it tells you to do it. It's style is generic and ugly, but once they convert your book it looks...fine.

Anyway, Storyist is a great app for planning, organizing, plotting, and writing your manuscript, but for very finicky custom style formatting and stuff like Smashwords, you have to follow their rules to the letter if you want to get it right.

For ePub books for the iBookstore and Nookstore, for Kindle books, etc. Storyist's exporters work great, however!

Hope that helps,
Orren

[hippiechyck]

Thanks Orren, I appreciate the thoughts! Is there a way to publish in iBooks without going through Smashwords? I hate the thought of it not being available on iPads/Pods

[Orren]

hippiechyck, on 13 October 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

Thanks Orren, I appreciate the thoughts! Is there a way to publish in iBooks without going through Smashwords? I hate the thought of it not being available on iPads/Pods

Just go directly through iTunes. https://itunesconnec...a/wa/bookSignup

You need to have an ePub file that formatted the way you want it to be (in other words, with a cover, ISBN (if you want), front matter, Table of Contents/Index if applicable, and so on) and then upload it through Apple's free uploader application. You don't need to go through any sort of aggregator at all.

BTW, if you prefer going through an aggregator simply because you want all your sales data in one place, one of my author friends who has a number of eBooks recommends bookbaby: http://www.bookbaby.com/default1.aspx it is more expensive (they take a fee to aggregate you everywhere) but I know from my friend that they're very effective. I use the music version of the service, CD Baby, to distribute my music (I have an industrial metal project called Ember After) and I have had very good experiences with them.

Hope that gives you some ideas,
Orren

[hippiechyck]

oh that is awesome, thanks! I didn't know you could publish right to iBooks!

hmm, now can i convert it? i will keep you posted!