Give Readers What They Want: Producing Better Ebooks

PANELISTS

Joshua TallentPresident/CEO, eBook Architects | @jtallent

Anne KostickPartner, Foxpath IND | @bklynanne

MODERATOR

Matt MullinCommunity Relations Manager, Digital Book World | @mrmullin

Give the Readers What They Want: Producing Better Ebooks

PublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbw | WebcastPIA11

The Publishing Innovation Awards


Honoring the best in ebooks, enhanced ebooks, and book apps

Deadline for entries is Nov. 1st – use code WebcastPIA11 to save 10%

http://www.publishinginnovationawards.com/wp-content/uploads/qed-emblem.jpg

Mastering theQED Checklist

Joshua Tallent

Founder/CEO

Copyright © 2011 eBook Architects LLC. All rights Reserved.PublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbwPublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbw | WebcastPIA11

1. Front matter:The title does not open on a blank page.

Copyright © 2011 eBook Architects LLC. All rights Reserved.

2. Information hierarchy:

Content is arranged in such a way that the relative importance of the content (heads, text, sidebars, etc) are visually presented clearly.

Copyright © 2011 eBook Architects LLC. All rights Reserved.PublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbw | WebcastPIA11

2. Information hierarchy:


3. Order of content:

Check of the content to be sure that none of it is missing or rearranged.


4. Consistency of font treatment:Consistent application of styles and white space.

Look at:

• Headings• Lists• Poetry• Index• Images

• etc.Copyright © 2011 eBook Architects LLC. All rights Reserved.


5. Links:Hyperlinks to the web, cross references to other sections in the book, and the table of contents all work and point to the right areas. If the title

has an index, it should be linked.


6. Cover:The cover does not refer to any print edition

only related content.


7. Consumable Content:The title does not contain any fill‐in content,

such as workbooks and puzzle books, unless the content has been re‐crafted to direct the reader on how to approach using the fill‐in content.


8. Print References:Content does not contain cross references to un‐hyperlinked, static print page numbers (unless the ebook is intentionally mimicking its print counterpart for reference).


9. Breaks:New sections break and/or start at logical

places.


10. Images:

Art is appropriately sized, is in color where appropriate, loads relatively quickly, and if it contains text is legible. If images are removed for rights reasons, that portion is disclaimed or

all references to that image are removed.


11. Tables:Table text fits the screen comfortably, and if

rendered as art is legible.


12. Symbols:Text does not contain odd characters.


13. Metadata:Basic metadata for the title (author, title, etc.) is

in place and accurate.


Other Best Practices


NCX CapitalizationUse correct capitalization, not all‐caps


Data and StructureInclude all book sections in NavMap

Include PageList and NavLists in NCX

Include more metadata when possible

Remove CIP data and other print references


FormattingUse correct and semantic XHTML

Link indexes and footnotes

Apply formatting in CSS file, not inline

Test in all devices and applications


Good samples from:

Finance Without Fear

by William S. Hettinger

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFRLHY/

Sweeten It With Agave

by Jen Baccellieri

http://www.sweetenitwithagave.com/


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HFRLHY/

http://www.sweetenitwithagave.com/

Q & A

Joshua Tallent

Founder/CEO

[email protected]

512‐939‐3466

www.ebookarchitects.com

www.kindleformatting.com

@jtallent // @ebookarchitects

Copyright © 2011 eBook Architects LLC. All rights Reserved.PublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbwPublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbw | WebcastPIA11

Making the Reader Happy

Tips for Improving User Experience in Digital Reading

Foxpath IND :: Anne Kostick

Make an Autonomous Product

• Treat the e‐book version as its own species, not just an automated export of the print edition.


Custom Front Matter

• Use templates to create front matter specific to the e‐ version.

• Think of front matter as

advertising for the book,

author and publisher.


Surface All Parts

• Use a detailed, hyperlinked Table of Contents to reveal the book to the reader.


Adjust for Every Platform and Device

• Understand each platform’s strengths and

weaknesses and

modify your files

accordingly.


Think Digital• Take advantage of digital’s ability to link, jump, highlight, etc.

• Exceed users’ expectations.


Afford QA

• Understand that digital does require special handling.

• Work the cost of QA on all devices into your budget.

• Take pride in your digital products.


PANELISTS

Joshua TallentPresident/CEO, eBook Architects | @jtallent

Anne KostickPartner, Foxpath IND | @bklynanne

MODERATOR

Matt MullinCommunity Relations Manager, Digital Book World | @mrmullin

Give the Readers What They Want: Producing Better Ebooks: Q & A

PublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbwPublishingInnovationAwards.com | @digibookworld | #dbw | WebcastPIA11

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Education

Give Readers What They Want: Producing Better Ebooks