from xml to ebooks part 1: overview
DESCRIPTION
This LavaCon 2012 presentation is an overview of the steps XML Press uses to go from DocBook XML to eBook formats (ePub and mobi). There is a companion presentation (From XML to eBooks Part 2: The Details) that describes the process in depth.TRANSCRIPT
Nobody Knows AnythingWilliam Goldman, screenwriter
Why eBooks
Formats
Distribution
XML process} A
Manager'sPerspective
Agenda
Follow the MoneyWilliam Goldman, screenwriter
All the President's Men
● Internal or external audience?● Objective:
● Support/Marketing?● Revenue?
● How/Where will you distribute?
Questions you need to ask
● Which output formats?● Which hw/sw e-readers?● Which XML schema?
Questions you shouldn'tneed to ask
Why not?
eBook Market
Types of Devices
Kindle Devices ePub DevicesKindle Devices
Market Share (sales)
All OthersKindle60% (2010)Dozens<10
FormatsBad News
Dozens of eReaders, both hardware and software
Good News
Only 2 really matter:ePub and Kindle
Better News
If you can get to either one, you can easily
convert to the other
But...
If you need really close control of presentation, you still need to know
your devices.
Abandon hope of ever completely controlling presentation
Kindle Touch Original KindleSame content
Abandon hope of ever completely controlling presentation
● Device and PC screen sizes vary widely● Rendering software varies widely● Font support varies widely● Users can change text point size at will● Standard allows for variation in rendering● Detailed control hard to attain and hard to
maintain across devices
Amazon/KindleBarnes and Noble/NookApple/iBookstoreDirect (through your own website)Others.... too many to mention
Retail Distribution Channels
Distribution
●Amazon, Pubit (Barnes & Noble), and Apple are all easy to use.
●Each has variations, but they're small; mostly image specifications.
Amazon: kdp.amazon.comBarnes and Noble: pubit.bn.comApple: iTunes Producer (Mac specific)Direct: we use gumroad.com
Retail Distribution Setup
All are easy and fast to use, but...each has its idiosyncrasies
Authoring: XML or anything that gets us thereSchema: DocBook or DITAToolchain: DocBook: std stylesheets for ePub3 DITA: OT + DITA for Publishers
XML Press Toolchain
Toolchain
AuthoringAuthoring ProductionProductionRepositoryRepository
●Direct XML●Word●HTML●Wiki-based
DB (ePub3)●DB style.●Filters●Kindlegen●Amazon
DITA (ePub2)●OT●D4Pub●Kindlegen●Amazon
SVN} XML
Wiki XML
