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A linux users guide to formatting ebooks part i

As a Linux user, you may be wondering how to format your ebooks for publication. While there are many options available, the following guide will provide you with a step-by-step process to format your ebook using the Linux command line.

PS. There are easier ways to format ebooks than using Linux. You can use word or open office templates; software like Atticus or Vellum, or in some cases just upload your manuscript directly to kindle (which used to use .mobi, but now uses .epub).

Formatting tutorials and book design templates

Step 1: Install pandoc

Pandoc is a universal document converter that can convert files from one markup format to another. It can be used to convert a manuscript written in a plain text format, such as Markdown or AsciiDoc, to an ebook format, such as EPUB or MOBI. To install pandoc on your Linux system, open a terminal window and enter the following command:

sudo apt-get install pandoc

This command will install pandoc and any required dependencies on your system.

Step 2: Convert your manuscript to HTML

Before you can convert your manuscript to an ebook format, you must first convert it to HTML. This can be done using pandoc by entering the following command in a terminal window:

pandoc -s -o output.html input.md

In this command, replace “input.md” with the name of your manuscript file and “output.html” with the desired name of your HTML file. This command will convert your manuscript to HTML format and save it as a separate file.

Step 3: Format your HTML file

Once your manuscript has been converted to HTML format, you can edit the HTML file to format it according to your preferences. You can use any text editor to edit the file, such as Vim or Emacs. In general, you will want to format your HTML file with headings, paragraphs, and other HTML tags to create a visually appealing ebook.

Step 4: Convert your HTML file to an ebook format

After you have formatted your HTML file, you can convert it to an ebook format using pandoc. To convert your HTML file to EPUB format, enter the following command in a terminal window:

pandoc -o output.epub input.html

In this command, replace “input.html” with the name of your HTML file and “output.epub” with the desired name of your EPUB file. This command will convert your HTML file to EPUB format and save it as a separate file.

If you prefer to convert your HTML file to MOBI format, you will need to install the KindleGen software from Amazon. KindleGen can be downloaded from the Amazon website and installed on your Linux system. Once you have installed KindleGen, you can use the following command to convert your HTML file to MOBI format:

kindlegen input.html -o output.mobi

In this command, replace “input.html” with the name of your HTML file and “output.mobi” with the desired name of your MOBI file. This command will convert your HTML file to MOBI format and save it as a separate file.

Step 5: Verify your ebook

Once you have converted your HTML file to an ebook format, you should verify that it looks and works as expected. You can use an ebook reader software, such as Calibre, to open and view your ebook. Make sure that all of the formatting and content is correct, and that there are no errors or issues.

In conclusion, formatting your ebook on Linux can be done using pandoc and the command line. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can convert your manuscript to HTML format, format it as desired, and convert it to an ebook format for publication.

Written by: selfpublish

Derek is a book cover designer finishing a PhD in Literature. These days he spends his time building tools and resources to help indie authors publish better on his blog, www.creativindie.com. Read More

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