You can create ebooks if you have knowledge about the best software for creating them. Recently, there are a lot of software’s for creating your own ebooks that are available at less cost. This article talks in detail about different types of software, with review of each type and well as some good tips while using them.
I talk about Calibre and Sigil two software options for creating ebooks from word files. Both software require downloading to your computer and a bit of tinkering but the results are worth it. If you want to create ebooks or convert word files (.docx, .doc) into epubs for the Kindle this is a good option, If you just want to read ebooks on your computer without paying for programs like Inkitt.com look into alternative website which allow you access tons of free books .
Authoring software converts text, graphics and other files into ebooks. The software allows you to create Kindle books, Nook books, Kobo books and other ebooks. Learn how to use Word or HTML to convert your manuscript into a book using the best freeware and shareware for creating ebooks.
Have you ever wondered how Ebooks are created? In this article, I show how a software program called Sigil is used to parse out the book, how it can be edited, how to get the various versions, and how to upload it into Amazon.
Which is the best format for eBooks?
1. PDF (Portable Document Format)
The most common ebook format is the PDF. Go to any website offering a free ebook, and you’d usually get the freebie in PDF form. Most computers and even mobile devices can open PDF files with a pre-installed PDF reader, so it’s the most user-friendly format you can have for an e-book.
2. MOBI (Mobipocket)
Originally used by the Mobipocket e-reader, the .mobi format is now used by more popular e-book readers, including Amazon Kindle and the Kindle apps for iOs and Android devices. This format is visually appealing, as it gives readers similar behaviors to physical books, such as swiping to turn a page and earmarking a page.
3. EPUB (ePublication)
The .epub format is similar to .mobi, but it’s a free, open-source standard for e-book publishing. Because of this, almost all e-readers support .epub including Amazon Kindle Fire, Apple iBooks and Google Books.
4. iBook (Apple iBooks)
This is an exclusive format for all e-books sold on the Apple iBooks store. It is built using the EPUB standard, but adds restrictions so it can only be sold and consumed within the Apple iBooks realm. Because of this, iBook formats are incompatible with readers which can read the standard .epub format.
Once you are familiar with these formats, you can now decide which one you want to have for your e-book. If you plan on selling it on Amazon, then the .epub format is the best option. If you’re making a quick e-book that you want to offer for free on your website, then it’s best to make it as a PDF. Ultimately, you need to think about which format might work best for your target audience.
Making your e-book
Once you know what kind of format you want for your e-book, you’re now ready to begin its production. There are two ways to do this: creating it with a software you can use independently or without connecting to the Internet, or creating it with a web-based app.
Web-based e-book apps tend to have simpler, user-friendly features as opposed to offline software which are mostly used for designing graphically intense content. If you’re looking to create a quick e-book without breaking the bank, there are lots of free online software available. On the other hand, if you have a budget to spend on software for creating a professional e-book, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go for a more advanced tool.
Pressbooks
Pressbooks looks a lot like WordPress, but it’s run from an entirely different site. If you’re familiar with WordPress, then you shouldn’t have a hard time figuring out how everything works. You can add and edit chapters, change or add sections, and so on. Remember that Pressbooks is free to use, but to remove the watermark that will show on the e-book, you need to upgrade to a paid version (starts with a one-time payment of $19.99).
Beacon (WordPress plugin)
Beacon is a plugin for WordPress that turns your blog posts into e-books. You can choose which articles to include or filter them by category. The plugin converts blog posts into HTML5 or PDF format. Layout features are also included and you can design the ebook cover from within the Beacon dashboard. This plugin is free to use and requires a free account at beacon.by.
Google Docs
A simple way of writing and converting content into PDF online for free is by using Google Docs. Type in your content and have all the Google Fonts available for you to choose from all inside the Google Docs window.
It syncs with your Google Drive account, so you can work on it from any device as long as you’re online.
Zinepal
Similar to Papyrus but with a dated interface, Zinepal also allows you to turn blog posts into content for your e-book. You can also start from scratch. Just note that the free account will put a Zinepal link on the bottom of each page of your book. A Zinepal Pro account starts at $5 for a single e-book without the Zinepal branding and other added features like publishing to Scribd.
Designrr
BEST TOOL TO CREATE EBOOK FROM YOUR EXISTING CONTENT
Designrr is the most popular eBook creator software with over 100000+ users around the world.
It’s a powerful tool to convert your existing blog posts, podcasts, videos and PDFs into eBooks, show notes, dynamic flipbooks, transcripts, PDFs and web pages.
With Designrr, you don’t have to create fresh new content for your eBook.
You can easily and quickly repurpose the content you already have and boost your traffic and leads by reaching new audiences.
And believe me, all these are done right inside the Designrr tool without requiring you to know any designing or technical skills.
The existing content you can convert into an eBook with Designrr are:
- Blog post. You can convert your blog articles into eBook that can be used as a lead magnet to grow your email list faster.
- YouTube videos. Auto-transcription and screen capture editor by Designrr can easily videos into eBooks.
- Facebook post. Import your social content from Facebook Page to create a eBook.
- Podcast. Easily convert your podcast into eBooks or Show Notes.
- Old PDFs
- Microsoft Word document
- Google Docs and many more
Features of Designrr
- Import your existing content to create your eBook
- Over 100 project templates
- Create unlimited eBooks
- Unlimited use of copyright free images
- 922 Google fonts
- Supports WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify & Hubspot blog
- Supports all publishing formats – ePub, Mobi, and Kindle
- Easily transcribe a video or audio file
- All data is stored on secure servers behind SSL encryption
- Tutorials on how to write or create an eBook
To create an eBook in Designrr, follow the below mentioned steps:
- Sign in to your Designrr account.
- Go to My Projects and select New Project.
- Under Select Import Option, select any one of these options – 1. Import from blog posts, 2. Import from word, 3. Import from PDF, 4. Import from Facebook page or 5. Start from scratch.
- Let’s say you have selected – Import from blog posts. In the next step, enter the URL of your blog post and select Fetch.
- Within a few seconds, it will fetch the URL. Here you have the option to enter another URL if you want to import content from multiple blog posts. Click on Next to continue.
- In this step, Designrr will present you lots of attractive and professionally designed templates for your eBook. Select any one template that you like. Some examples of templates offered by Designrr are given below.
7. Once you choose the template of your choice, it will take you the Designrr Editor where you can customize each and every elements of the templates – add text, background color, font type, font color, font size, table of content, padding, margin, image, shape, header & footer and more.
8. When you’re ready with your eBook, select the Publish button. Here it will ask you to select the format for your eBook – PDF, Mobi, ePub, Flipbook and more. And select Export to download the eBook to your computer.
Designrr Pricing & Plans
Designrr comes with the following paid plans – Standard, Pro, Premium and Business.
Each of the plans of Designrr comes with a free 7-day trial to try all of its features. Once you’re satisfied with the features and performance of Designrr during the trial period, you can easily upgrade to the paid plan.
Start using Designrr to create a stylish and beautifully designed eBook ready for you to use them to sell or collect leads. If you want to learn more, check out the Designrr review.
Special Offer: For limited time, you can get started with Designer Starter Plan for one-time fee of only $27 (Regular Price – $29 per month).
Canva
Another great book maker to create an eBook for free is Canva.
Canva is an all-in-one platform for creating visually attractive banners, ads, reports, infographics, post for Facebook or Instagram, presentations and of course eBooks.
It has a library of templates that are easily customizable. With the help of its easy, drag-and-drop tools, you can create a professional looking and eye-catching eBooks within a few minutes.
Canva offers an amazing library of templates and easy, drag-and-drop tools to create a professional looking eBooks.
Features of Canva
- Hundreds of pre-designed but customizable templates
- Cloud storage for every design
- Easy collaboration with team
- Ability to add your own images
- Library of over 1 million images, graphics and illustrations
- Download your design as an image or PDF
- 800k+ icons and illustrations
- 700+ fonts
Canva editor allows you to easily customize eBook templates. If you use any premium images or icons or any other graphics it would cost you $1 per item.
However, if you don’t want to pay, you would be happy to know that there are thousands of images/icons/graphics that are completely free to use.
To create an eBook in Canva for free, follow the below mentioned steps:
- Sign up for a free account at Canva – https://canva.com
- Now in the Canva Home Page, search for “ebooks” or click here – https://www.canva.com/create/ebooks/
- Under eBook area, select any eBook template of your choice. You can check for front, inside and back cover pages for each templates.
- Customize the eBook template using high-quality stock photos, images, illustrations, icons and other graphics. Most of them are completely free to use.
- Use the drag and drop tool offered by Canva to move icons and graphics around and customize the template as per your requirements.
- Once you’re finished with your eBook, download and save your eBook pages as PDF or PNG/JPG images.
For compete tutorial visit my blog post – How to Create an eBook in Canva for Free. In this article, I have explained in detail each step required to create a professional looking eBook.
If you want to create a lead magnet in the form of an eBook for your blog or business and build your email list or make an extra income selling your eBook, Canva can be a perfect tool for you.
Conclusion
Ebooks are the wave of the future. People want to be able to read their books on a computer, a tablet, or even a small phone. Many people think writing an ebook is difficult and time consuming. Learning how to create an ebook doesn’t have to be complicated.
Take the mystery out of finding the best balance between cost and features. In this article you will discover all about the top ebook software, so you can create your own ebooks quickly, easily and affordably. Learn how to easily convert files from your desktop and other sources into ebooks that look great on all sorts of devices, whether you are creating a product for Amazon Kindle or another online marketplace.