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Karen Prince

(Covering both the Windows and the Mac versions of Scrivener)

In this course for self-published authors I am going to show you how to format your own eBook in Scrivener ready to upload it to each of the major online stores.

If you know the very basics of Scrivener you will be able to follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to help you produce a professional quality ebook that meets the requirements of major ebook retailers.

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(Covering both the Windows and the Mac versions of Scrivener)

In this course for self-published authors I am going to show you how to format your own eBook in Scrivener ready to upload it to each of the major online stores.

If you know the very basics of Scrivener you will be able to follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to help you produce a professional quality ebook that meets the requirements of major ebook retailers.

Even if you plan to hire out the formatting of your books, it is important for every author to at least know how to do it, incase you ever want to make a simple change or update to your book after publishing — like adding links to your new books or website.

You don't want to wait days for someone else to schedule you in and charge you for each minor update.

First we're going to go over the specifications for the book cover images that you have to provide for display on the catalogue page on your retailer's website as well as for your internal ebook cover.

Then I'm going to take you step by step through the process of formatting specifically for ebooks — which is somewhat different from formatting for output as a physical document.

You'll learn how to generate a clickable table of contents and how to insert external links to your important places online like your other books and your website.

I'll also cover best practices for inserting images so that your file size does not exceed the limit imposed by some of the retailers.

Once your Scrivener document is nicely formatted I'll show you how to convert it to an ebook using Scrivener’s Compile menu.

Then I'll show you how to download Amazon Kindle Previewer and preview your .mobi file and Adobe Digital Editions to preview your .epub file before you upload them to any of the online stores.

If you're ready to format and convert your own manuscript into an eBook right inside your Scrivener software, go ahead and sign up and I will walk you through the entire process step by step so that you end up with a great eBook — but if you want to check out my teaching style before you decide, feel free to watch a couple of the free previews in the curriculum outline below.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand the fundamental differences between formatting for an ebook and formatting for hard copy.
  • What file size, aspect ratio and file type you will need for your book cover images.
  • Step by step instructions for formatting and compiling an ebook in scrivener on both the windows platform and mac.
  • How to download applications to preview your ebook and preview your .epub and .mobi files on them
  • How to add a prologue and epilogue to your compilation
  • How to bundle several books together for export as a single ebook
  • How to manually generate a clickable table of contents for your book

Syllabus

A quick welcome, and a synopsis of what will be covered in this course.

A quick overview of the Udemy interface showing you short cuts to the curriculum so that you can skip to particular lectures, where to adjust the speed and volume of your videos, and how to download videos to your computer for offline viewing.

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A quick welcome, and a synopsis of what will be covered in this course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Well-suited for self-published authors seeking to format their own ebooks using Scrivener
Covers aspects highly relevant to ebook creation, including generating a table of contents and handling image optimization
Provides step-by-step guidance on converting a Scrivener document into both .mobi and .epub formats for different ebook platforms
Includes useful tips for best practices when inserting images to comply with file size restrictions imposed by retailers
May be particularly beneficial for authors who plan to independently manage their ebook formatting in the future
Recommended for individuals with basic knowledge of Scrivener who want to enhance their ebook formatting skills

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Reviews summary

Scrivener ebook compilation mastery

According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide for self-published authors compiling eBooks in Scrivener. Students consistently praise the clear, step-by-step instructions, applicable to both Windows and Mac versions. The content focuses on creating a professional quality eBook, detailing clickable table of contents, external links, and image handling. Guidance on using Kindle Previewer and Adobe Digital Editions is also highly valued. Reviews suggest the course has stood the test of time, empowering authors to publish independently.
Assumes learners have foundational familiarity with Scrivener software.
"While excellent, I recommend having a basic understanding of Scrivener's interface before starting this course."
"I found it helpful that I already knew the very basics of Scrivener, as the course jumps right into compilation."
"This course is ideal if you're already comfortable navigating Scrivener for writing."
Covers essential features for eBook export on both Windows and Mac.
"It was great to see both Mac and Windows versions covered, ensuring the instructions were relevant to my setup."
"I appreciated the detailed sections on clickable TOCs, external links, and proper image insertion."
"The instructor did a thorough job explaining how to use Kindle Previewer and Adobe Digital Editions effectively."
Directly addresses the needs of self-published authors compiling eBooks.
"This course is invaluable for any self-published author using Scrivener; it fills a critical knowledge gap."
"I learned exactly what I needed to format my book professionally without having to hire someone else."
"The content is highly practical, providing all the essential information to get my ebook ready for market."
Provides easy-to-follow, practical guidance for eBook compilation.
"This course delivers clear, step-by-step instructions that made the daunting task of compiling my ebook manageable."
"I really appreciate how the instructor breaks down complex Scrivener features into simple, actionable steps."
"Everything was explained clearly and concisely, making the compiling process less intimidating for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Scrivener | Compiling Your eBook for Export in Scrivener with these activities:
Review basic typography and design principles
Refreshing your basic typography and design principles will enhance your formatting decisions and the visual appeal of your ebooks.
Browse courses on Typography
Show steps
  • Review the principles of typography, including font selection, size, and layout.
  • Explore basic design elements such as color theory, composition, and white space.
  • Apply these principles to mock up a sample ebook cover or interior page.
Review course materials
Compile all of the materials, notes, and presentations from the course to improve your understanding.
Show steps
  • Gather all course materials
  • Review materials
  • Take notes
Practice creating and managing cover images
Practice creating and managing cover images to solidify your understanding of the specifications and best practices for cover image creation.
Browse courses on Book Cover Design
Show steps
  • Review the cover image specifications for the different online stores.
  • Use a graphic design tool or template to create a cover image that meets the required dimensions and file types.
Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Scrivener | Compiling Your eBook for Export in Scrivener will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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