Editing Ebooks

1h 39mIntermediate2019-09-20

Authors

Laura Brady

Ebook Developer

Course details

The independent ebook market is growing, and in this course you’ll explore the steps to editing the components of an ebook file with a view to publishing an EPUB (electronic publication) or MOBI (Mobipocket), formats supported by many ereaders and compatible apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers. The course begins with an exploration of EPUB structure and delves into the basics of HTML and CSS for editing EPUB files. Instructor Laura Brady then dives deeply into the tools and techniques for editing, validating, and repacking an EPUB file.

Learning objectives
EPUB file structure
Editing with HTML and CSS
Opening an EPUB and extracting the pieces
Editing with HTML and CSS
Editing the OPF (open package format)
Editing the navigation
Adding semantic information
Running RegEx searches
Using validation tools
Repacking the EPUB

Skills covered

Digital PublishingInDesignGraphic DesignAdobeDeep Dive (X:Y)

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Introduction to editing EPUBs
02 - What you need to know

1. Understanding the Basics

03 - EPUB structure - What's required and what isn't
04 - The OPF file
05 - Brief principles of HTML and CSS
06 - Tour of available tools - oXygen
07 - Tour of available tools - Sigil
08 - Tour of available tools - Other text editors

2. Getting Started

09 - Opening an EPUB and extracting the pieces
10 - Demo of the live validation tools in oXygen
11 - Editing HTML
12 - Editing CSS
13 - Editing the OPF
14 - Editing the NCX
15 - Editing the nav

3. The Finishing Touches and QA

16 - Adding semantic information
17 - Running regex searches
18 - Using validation tools
19 - Final editing touches

Conclusion

20 - Final thoughts