Format in Microsoft Word and Convert to eBook in Calibre
In this course for self-published authors I am going to show you how to format your own eBook in Microsoft Word ready to upload it to each of the major online stores. I will be demonstrating in Microsoft Word 2016 on a Mac. Most people should be able to follow along in Windows or in previous versions of Microsoft Word but if you struggle with instructions that do not exactly match your particular version of software this is not the course for you.
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In this course for self-published authors I am going to show you how to format your own eBook in Microsoft Word ready to upload it to each of the major online stores. I will be demonstrating in Microsoft Word 2016 on a Mac. Most people should be able to follow along in Windows or in previous versions of Microsoft Word but if you struggle with instructions that do not exactly match your particular version of software this is not the course for you.
In this course for self-published authors I am going to show you how to format your own eBook in Microsoft Word ready to upload it to each of the major online stores. I will be demonstrating in Microsoft Word 2016 on a Mac. Most people should be able to follow along in Windows or in previous versions of Microsoft Word but if you struggle with instructions that do not exactly match your particular version of software this is not the course for you.
No prior experience is assumed or required. I present 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.
And 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 both ways 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 and compressing them so that your file size does not exceed the limit imposed by some of the retailers.
Once your Microsoft Word document is nicely formatted I'll show you how to convert it to an ebook file in Calibre.
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 from a Microsoft Word document into an eBook, 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.
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 an ebook in microsoft word.
- How to convert a microsoft word document into an ebook using the calibre conversion tool.
- How to download applications to preview your ebook and preview your .epub and .mobi files on them
- 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 an ebook in microsoft word.
- How to convert a microsoft word document into an ebook using the calibre conversion tool.
- How to download applications to preview your ebook and preview your .epub and .mobi files on them
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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Syllabus
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.
How to generate a table of contents the quick and easy way that works on Amazon and the more thorough way that works on all the other online stores. As well as how to place bookmarks in your ebook that take the reader to specific places like the beginning of the book.
How to download Calibre, choose the correct file format for a conversion to eBook and convert your Microsoft Word document to a .Mobi for Kindle and an .ePub for all the other online stores.
Good to know
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Activities
Read 'The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing' by Joel Friedlander
Show steps
Gain insights into the self-publishing process from an experienced author.
Show steps
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Purchase the book from Amazon.
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Read and take notes on the chapters relevant to eBook formatting.
Review the basics of Microsoft Word
Show steps
Refresh your knowledge of Microsoft Word to ensure you're comfortable with the basics before diving into the course.
Show steps
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Open a blank document in Microsoft Word.
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Explore the different formatting options in the ribbon.
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Practice creating and editing text, paragraphs, and headings.
Watch tutorials on eBook formatting best practices
Show steps
Learn from experts in the field to enhance your eBook formatting skills.
Show steps
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Search for tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
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Watch tutorials covering topics such as formatting for different devices and optimizing for accessibility.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Design a book cover for your eBook
Show steps
Create a visually appealing book cover that meets the requirements of the online bookstores.
Show steps
-
Choose a design concept that aligns with your book's genre and theme.
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Select appropriate images and graphics.
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Use a design tool (e.g., Canva, Photoshop) to create the cover.
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Ensure the cover meets the size and file type specifications of the online bookstores.
Create a sample eBook using the steps in the course
Show steps
Practice formatting an eBook by following the steps outlined in the course.
Show steps
-
Start with a blank Microsoft Word document.
-
Apply the formatting options covered in the course.
-
Convert the document to an eBook file using Calibre.
-
Preview the eBook file in Amazon Kindle Previewer and Adobe Digital Editions.
Join a peer support group for self-published authors
Show steps
Connect with other self-published authors to share experiences and insights.
Show steps
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Search for peer support groups on social media or online forums.
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Join a group that aligns with your interests and goals.
Contribute to an open-source eBook formatting tool
Show steps
Gain advanced skills and give back to the community by contributing to an open-source project.
Show steps
-
Identify an open-source eBook formatting tool.
-
Review the project's documentation and code.
-
Suggest improvements or bug fixes.
Read 'The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing' by Joel Friedlander
Show steps
Gain insights into the self-publishing process from an experienced author.
Show steps
- Purchase the book from Amazon.
- Read and take notes on the chapters relevant to eBook formatting.
Review the basics of Microsoft Word
Show steps
Refresh your knowledge of Microsoft Word to ensure you're comfortable with the basics before diving into the course.
Show steps
- Open a blank document in Microsoft Word.
- Explore the different formatting options in the ribbon.
- Practice creating and editing text, paragraphs, and headings.
Watch tutorials on eBook formatting best practices
Show steps
Learn from experts in the field to enhance your eBook formatting skills.
Show steps
- Search for tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms.
- Watch tutorials covering topics such as formatting for different devices and optimizing for accessibility.
Design a book cover for your eBook
Show steps
Create a visually appealing book cover that meets the requirements of the online bookstores.
Show steps
- Choose a design concept that aligns with your book's genre and theme.
- Select appropriate images and graphics.
- Use a design tool (e.g., Canva, Photoshop) to create the cover.
- Ensure the cover meets the size and file type specifications of the online bookstores.
Create a sample eBook using the steps in the course
Show steps
Practice formatting an eBook by following the steps outlined in the course.
Show steps
- Start with a blank Microsoft Word document.
- Apply the formatting options covered in the course.
- Convert the document to an eBook file using Calibre.
- Preview the eBook file in Amazon Kindle Previewer and Adobe Digital Editions.
Join a peer support group for self-published authors
Show steps
Connect with other self-published authors to share experiences and insights.
Show steps
- Search for peer support groups on social media or online forums.
- Join a group that aligns with your interests and goals.
Contribute to an open-source eBook formatting tool
Show steps
Gain advanced skills and give back to the community by contributing to an open-source project.
Show steps
- Identify an open-source eBook formatting tool.
- Review the project's documentation and code.
- Suggest improvements or bug fixes.
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