Total Read Time: 2 minutes
2 weeks ago, I wrote about how to check your ebook formatting on your Kindle, which is an important step for previewing how your file will actually look on the device when customers buy it. If you are also using Smashwords to publish your ebook for other ereader devices, you will want to check the output files there as well.
Most of the file types available from Smashwords are easy to download and check right on your computer (HTML, PDF, RTF, and Plain Text), but ePub is a bit of a black box. You can test the ePub file online to see if there are any fundamental errors that will cause it to be rejected, but you can’t view the actual text output.
Since the ePub format is used by most major ereaders (Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo, Apple devices, etc.) the output file is worth taking a look at. Although Smashwords’ Meatgrinder tool is handy for converting your Word document into all the various ereader formats, the final product isn’t always what you would expect. Some file formats may look just the way you wanted them to, while others for the same book might have issues.
1. Download and install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer (works on Mac and PC):
2. Go to Smashwords and log in to your account
3. Click on the Dashboard link at the top of the page and select one of your ebooks from the list:
4. On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom to the Available Ebook reading formats
5. Click the Download link beside the ePub format and save it to your computer:
6. Launch Adobe Digital Editions on your computer (if not launched already)
7. Click the dropdown arrow beside the word ‘Library’ and select Add Item to Library:
8. Browse for your downloaded ePub file and select it
9. The cover of your book should appear in the main window of Adobe Digital Editions once it has been successfully added to your library. Double-click on it to start reading. Your table of contents will be listed on the left side of the window below a thumbnail image of your cover.
Be sure to check your text alignment, font, and test out any inserted links. You will also want to make sure that all the links in the table of contents work correctly.
If you have any questions or tips for this topic, please let me know. :)
Hi Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You made some very good points.
I use both Adobe Digital & Nook PC to check my e-pub files. Adobe is much easier to work with.
Jodie
http://sidhinews.blogspot.com/
@Jodie B. Cooper
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jodie :)
I've never tried Nook PC. I don't think I can do anything directly Nook-related here in Canada... Good to know Adobe is at least as useful. :)
Helpful article!
ReplyDeleteI've been using the Nook Mac app (it crashes periodically but it's enough for looking at ePub files), but I'm planning to get an iPad someday so I can really see what those files look like. (And possibly play with all the other iPad stuff too.)
Great Blog!!! Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteLola x
http://lola-x.blogspot.com
@Lindsay: I've figured out how to view my ePub files on my iPod Touch with the iBooks app. (Should work for iPhone and iPad as well.) Planning to do a post on it this week. ;)
ReplyDelete@Lola X: Thanks!