As is I suspect apparent, I have begun winding down for Christmas. I did not intend to do so as early as this, but it occurred to me that I was exhausted. So it makes sense to wind down before Christmas and then work afterwards, if I feel like it.
I suspect I will feel like it, as I almost invariably find the time between Christmas and New Year an occasion to explore new ideas.
This year I know that I am quite keen to explore e-book production. So a quick request, if I might. Has anyone who has actually tried doing such a thing got any suggestions on e-book software that a) works, b) has not too steep a learning curve, c) has a good range of templates and d) is reasonably priced. Free is not essential.
In the meantime, sporadic blogging will continue, but moderation delays might reflect the fact that I am taking time off.
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Good for you – I have no idea about the e-book business however.
Let’s hope that the callousness and stupidity of this Government cannot get worse over the Xmas and New Year period.
If you are a user of Apple devices (Mac or iOS) then the writing application Ulysses is a possibility. I use it to write things for many different destinations and have created one ebook with it. A good place to start would be Matt Gemmell’s blog (https://mattgemmell.com/blog/ ) where he shares his workflow for writing and publishing novels using Ulysses.
One feature of Ulysses is its ability to export the same words in different formats. Hence, Matt Gemmell can publish a book as an ePub file (http://mattgemmell.com/beautiful-ebook-novels-with-ulysses/) or as a PDF for creating a paperback book (http://mattgemmell.com/beautiful-paperback-novels-with-ulysses/).
I will take a look…thanks
I had not heard of it
I probably should have given you the URL to the app’s website, too: https://ulysses.app/
Enjoy the break Richard, relax some, you deserve it. Thanks for all your hard work. Peace and good health. Mel.
Thanks
Have you used Scrivener? Again you would have to check it has ae ebook export option but it sounds like Ulysses and I have always found the level of support excellent.
Have a relaxing Christmas Richard and many thanks for the thought and amazing effort you have put into this excellent blog through this ‘tipping point’ year . Here’s to 2021
I tried it and never much liked it….
Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview), for Windows or Mac, is quite straightforward, you can export to epub, kindle, pdf or word, and there are plenty tutorials around.
Jutoh (http://www.jutoh.com/) seems very similar, but I’ve never used it.
Thabnks
I must also look at Scrivener again then…
Hi Richard – Take a well-earned break. You’ll need all your puff for what’s coming next year!
On e-books I have no personal experience, but an old friend and former colleague, Dr Richard Gravil, set up some years ago a rather effective e-book operation “Humanities E-Books” – mainly Eng Lit and Philosophy with a little History – and their website also provides some starter stuff. Find it at http://www.humanities-ebooks.co.uk/ Richard was a bit of an enthusiast for the whole e-book concept and would, I’m sure, be a good chap to talk with. He’s also a thoroughly nice guy. Hope that might help.
Thanks
And I am really taking that break – last meeting has been done and the follow up will have to wait now…
Jesus all this “well earned break” stuff.. there are people out there doing real jobs, real graft.. an honest days work for an honest days pay… not quite the same as tap away on a keyboard and rely on donations..
Dammit, education and research are such non-occupations, of course
Silly me….
“Dammit, education and research are such non-occupations, of course”
No spending the majority of your time blogging in an echo chamber is not a proper job..
Most of this blog is written before 9 in the morning, when the day job begins
Now very politely, please note you have overstayed your welcome
Thank you for your prodigous output here in 2020 Richard, as a result of which I have learned a great deal about P and P as well as E. The blogs are always a good read, and the debates always stimulating and enlightening. And I do like to watch a good fight now and again. Enjoy your Christmas as best as you can in the circumstances.
Thanks jeff
So the Duracell Bunny is finally taking a wee break? Hope you get your batteries recharged, and have a nice, restful holiday. Hint: Turn Off The News!
I doubt I will be able to ignore the news, but I may ignore any serious writing now…
Just have a rest.
Take the remainder of the year off.
You are at the time of life when, if things go wrong [health-wise], it is hard to recover.
If you’re still in Norfolk, there are plenty of places where you can relax.
Tier 4 means I cannot get there this Christmas.
There’s a lot more to work than sweat, as one of your correspondents obviously does not understand.
Today is the first of no work….
I intend to keep it that way for more than a week
I am in Ely – walking the local rivers (there are many) is a current favourite way to relax – and very few people visit most of them
Christmas Joke time?
“Home Secretary and empathy black hole Priti Patel has got a future career in stand up off to a cracking start after delivering a splendid gag on the radio.
Speaking on the Today programme this morning about the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, she brilliantly quipped, “The government has consistently, throughout this year, been ahead of the curve in terms of proactive measures”, thereby paving the way for a career in stand up, and providing a contender for the funniest joke of the year, second to the concept of Matt Hancock being Health Secretary.
https://newsthump.com/2020/12/22/priti-patel-launches-stand-up-career-with-hilarious-gag-about-government-being-ahead-of-the-curve/
🙂
Try designrr.io
I am…..it is cheap, but at the price offered (if all the add ins are ignored) looks like an option
I am going to try it
Ulysses is in the background though
Richard, why not go for a mainstream publisher again? Your credentials are impeccable, you’re a gifted writer and with your help MMT can be the issue of the decade. It would stop Stephanie Kelton being a lone voice and she could give YOUR book a review in return for yours in hers! (Sorry about the comments by ‘Ben’. He really has no idea about your work and its importance. Clearly a sad case!)
I merely wanted to put recent tweets together….I have several publishers asking for a book on MMT
The trouble is there is no money in writing and I still need to make some
A friend who is a keen amateur author says “Easiest for me has been Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) which is Amazon. It’s free, easy to use, and gives help with publicity and special offers. You get to control as much or as little as you want in the cover design, markets etc and there’s also an online community that helps with any problems you come across. https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/“.
I hope this is of use to you.
David
Thanks – but it is Amazon….and I try to avoid it
Sorry
Richard
Jan Foley says:
December 23 2020 at 8:13 am
So the Duracell Bunny is finally taking a wee break
LOL!
The original quote is about me from Kevin Maguire of the Mirror
Understood Richard. I may hear of some alternatives in which case I’ll pass them on quantum valeat (as the lawyers say).
Thanks
Richard, I hope you have a very enjoyable and well earned break with your real life friends and family.
Honestly, I have no idea how you manage your output without burning out, I’m exhausted just trying to keep up with reading your blog (let’s keep quiet about how much I actually understand).
I do very much more than the blog – much of the 2020 output yet to be published….
Have a good Christmas, and thanks
Richard, I know that you will take advantage of the magic of the holiday season.
Thank you for all your challenging posts during 2020 … May 2021 be also filled with interesting moments
This review might be useful:
https://kitaboo.com/best-ebook-hosting-platforms-for-digital-publishing/
Thanks