It wasn’t hard to predict that ePub would start to become a common output option on more and more consumer-level software programs.
As it is, there are word processors and layout programs that convert your documents to ePub books, complete with linked table of contents.
Now, the promise is becoming a reality. There are more and more tools to create ePub files. Some of them are free software, others are commercial programs, and still others are browser-based software or services.
A Growing Tide of Options
Here are some of the programs I’ve been wanting to evaluate:
Apple’s Pages
I did a brief test of this software when Apple first integrated the ePub export, and it worked pretty well. But I’d really like to do a longer and more demanding test of this software. Pages is a capable and enjoyable program, and I’d like to explore how good it is at ePub books.
Legendmaker e-Book Builder for Mac
Here’s a blurb from the company’s website: “Are you looking for an easy way to create ePub books for your iPad? Are you trying to make your books available for the Kindle? Are you spending too much time trying to properly format your books instead of focusing on writing? Legend Maker for Mac OS X takes all the hassle, confusion, and mystery out of creating perfectly formed ePub and Kindle books so you can do what you do best, write!”
I’d love to try this software out as well and evaluate it for use by new self-publishers.
iStudioPublisher
Another Mac-specific program, iStudioPublisher is an inexpensive ($49) desktop publishing or layout program that will export ePub files. I have no idea how well it works, or if it’s a common tool for e-publishers, but it would be great to find a capable layout program at that price that will create good looking e-books.
PDF to ePub Converter
Another Mac-specific program, this one promises “Aiseesoft PDF to ePub Converter can convert PDF files to ePub file easily and quickly. So you can read eBooks more easily on your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Sony Reader or other eBook Readers. In addition, The best PDF to ePub Conversion program supports batch conversion, very simple settings. And the user-friendly interface of the PDF to ePub Converter makes the operation quite easy for both beginners and advanced users. Just free download the PDF to ePub Converter to experience more colorful multimedia life!”
Seems like it’s worth an evaluation, and it looks like there’s a free download version.
More Coming
Tomorrow will see the release of an app I’ve been looking forward to, BookCreator for iPad.
Would you like to use the iPad’s touchscreen interface, fluid controls and connectivity to put together your ePub book right on the screen? That’s the promise of BookCreator. Forget all those e-book formatting nightmares, “Simply arrange pictures and words using your fingers, and tap to edit. Book Creator is simple to use, leaving you to get on with making great books.”
I plan to review this one myself.
Calling All Reviewers
I need some of you smart e-book publishers to write reviews of the programs mentioned above. It will be great to bring this information to readers, and you’ll get a link back to your own site. Everybody wins. I can’t wait to read your reviews. And if I’ve missed something fantastic that you know about, please let me know in the comments.
Photo by ceslava.com
