It appears as though Apple has made it even easier to get into the self-publishing game. According to MacRumors, the just released update to Pages will allow users to export files to the ePub format. This is a welcome addition to any writer’s toolset. Now, instead of using InDesign CS5 or some unknown upload service, you can write, edit and create your own iBooks compatible ePub documents. Bravo Apple!
I just read the latest post from a self-styled newbie book writer and found his thoughts interesting (Changing Face of Publishing). While I can’t comment from his perspective, I can certainly offer my thoughts as a book reader. He believes the new electronic publishing wave will eventually eclipse traditional paper printing.
I wouldn’t say so.
From my perspective, the reason traditional books are suffering a lag in sales is because most folks (even voracious readers) consider the price of new books to be too high. $29.99 for hardback or wait until next year and pay $19.99 for paperback. Still a lot of money when you consider the monthly $100 cable and $50 Internet bills. Add to that the growth of pad devices after you have purchased a gaming console and most families today do not want to spend more money on entertainment. We live in a fast paced world. Personal time needed for reading is scarce and precious. If you have kids like I do, your reading time will be limited to late evening and very early mornings (read post below). When you consider the time and expense of reading a book, it’s just easier to do something else.
I assume we’ll eventually reach some compromise that allows us to have both paper and electronic formats of books. You can’t lend or check out electronic books, but they can be distributed cheaper. Once publishers make their peace with the market’s desire for lower prices, we may move in that direction. Unless that happens, we will continue to see a volatile electronic marketplace struggling to carve our space.
How to publish an Apple iBook: Nice so see someone has followed up on additional resources for publishing an eBook.
(Via TUAW.)
It appears as though Barnes & Noble is getting into the self-publishing business with their Pubit! product. Coming this summer (2010), they will be offering a service to help you create an electronic format of your book. In addition, they will help get it distributed to several platforms, including the iPhone OS and their Nook product. It looks promising for all those future novelists, my wife included.
In her former life, my wife was a state champion news writer. She prepared her high school and college careers for an eventual life as a reporter. Along the way, she took a detour, obtained a Master’s in Urban Administration and now does economic development. However, she is still a good writer. With that in mind, I asked if she ever planned on leaving her day job for the life and adventure of a starving writer. She replied that while it was enticing, it did not pay the bills. It seems as though real life intruded on her girlhood dreams.
As her husband, I could not let this come to pass. So, this is my first entry into getting my wife’s dreams come true. I hope to encourage, edit and eventually self-publish her writing. Even if I weren’t her husband, I still think this is a worthwhile effort. You only have to meet my wife one time to know this woman is wonderful.
So far, this is what I know.
I hope it will be possible to create your own ePub file and offer it via the iBookstore. Those trials and tribulations will be chronicled here in the time to come. Until then, here are some observations from others intrepid enough to try the same thing:
iBooks and ePub
iBooks on the iPad, a first glance
Update: I received more information from a knowledgeable person via my Twitter feed:
Current aggregators:
Read the original posting on Spannet.
