More Hearts Pre-Pub Related Stuff…
Catchy title, huh? Worked on it for hours.
(Grammar Police Alert: Originally, in the second sentence, I wrote, “Worked on it for awhile,” instead of, “for hours.” Then, I couldn’t decided if was “awhile” or, “a while”—even after I looked it up! Sad, huh? Well, that’s what you get here on Imagineering Fiction, the scalding truth served straight up.)
Uh, what was I going to say…oh yes. So, this week, I “volunteered”…sorta…to help my publisher format my book for e-publication. She’ll format the print version.
NOTE: I’m hoping I “volunteered” to work on just my book. I’m fearful, however, she doesn’t see it that way. I may have become my publisher’s e-format tsar. Sigh. Don’t even ask how this happened.
As “comfort,” she informs me, “It’s not difficult…just time consuming.” Well, that’s great consolation. We’ll see how it goes. As I told her—and I meant it—”What’s good for my publisher is good for me.” Remember, I’m the guy who thought he had a lifetime home with my prior publisher, only to find those folks closed shop one day without warning…and owing me a few hundred bucks, I might add. But, I’m passed that…see: 
Christian charity and all, you know.
However, there is good news, and it’s the point of this post. Specifically, it will be neat to learn how to format a book for e-publication. Plus, if it’s my book, maybe I can secretly revisit some of those edits I didn’t concur with the first time around. He, he, he. Naw, I wouldn’t do that….would I?
Anyway, I had to download Open Office…a free MS Word look-alike, and Mobi-Pocket something-or-the-other…Creator, maybe. I think what happens is I move the RTF document into Open Office–because it has fewer formatting characters–then convert that file to Mobi whatever using the Creator software. From there, other magic happens and then file goes wherever e-book files go to become, well, e-books.
You can see I don’t know much about the process. I’m sure there’s more to it, because just that little bit doesn’t meet the, “time consuming” criteria.
Nonetheless, I’ll get educated and bore you with share the process with you. If you ever have the need to format something for e-publication (Think Kindle which you can do for free, by the way)…you’ll have a template of how to go about it. All, of course, at no extra charge. Just another benefit of hanging around, right here, on good old Imagineering Fiction. My illiteracy not withstanding.
Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you again on Monday! Have a safe and happy weekend. Hug those you love. Galen.
Themocracy
As you stated, at least you will learn something!
Better you than me, Galen! That’s really generous of you to help out your publisher that way. Hope it’s not as time-consuming as she thought!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
It’s not! You’ll master it in no time.
Despite the fact that you’re going to be possibly working hard, this is interesting so thanks for sharing. Hopefully it’s not too arduous.
Good luck, Galen. I always get stuck right around the “other magic happens” part.
I’d be interested to find out how ‘easy’ it really is – however you seem to have a gift for these things. A further report from the front would be appreciated. Have a great weekend, Galen.
“Remember, I’m the guy who thought he had a lifetime home with my prior publisher, only to find those folks closed shop one day without warning…and owing me a few hundred bucks”
Yikes – I had forgotten that happened to you. But thank god for good ol’ Christian charity, hmm? lol
The Old Silly
I’d also like to know if is it “a while” or “awhile.”
I hope this is not a new trend for publishers to have the authors do their own ebooks. Formatting a regular manuscript is challenging enough for me. Good luck with the project.
I hope you have fun with this. I think my brain doesn’t enjoy those kinds of things.
Share all you want. You for sure are never boring. I learn.
Can’t wait to hear about it- the ebook. We like…when you do it first…and teach us.
Hey Galen, that whole formatting thing is really a chore. I had to do it with iUniverse and it was challenging to say the least. Good luck with yours. Still reading your MS. Half way through it. Today its raining so I’ll hop back into it. I love reading when its raining. If only it could thunder.
Stephen Tremp
Better you than me, buddy! Lucky you like learning that stuff – I’d be more likely to say that I’d set up the book tour – call the bookstores, find local presenters etc…good to work to your strengths and impress the hell out of them! I know you will.