Upcoming Events

Joshua speaks at and attends eBook and publishing events every year. You are welcome to chat with him anytime at these events, or you can set up a time to consult with him about your eBook needs in person. Please see our Consultations page for more details about consulting fees, and drop Joshua a line to set up an appointment.

eBound Canada

November 30, 2011, 2:00PM-3:00PM
Online

HTML5 and CSS3 Basics Webinar

As the eBook world continues to mature, we are seeing more adoption of HTML5 and CSS3 in eBook formats like ePUB3 and Kindle Format 8. This webinar will take you through the essential differences between the older and newer versions of HTML and CSS, with an emphasis on the new features that are being used in eBooks. We will talk about how to structure content, how to code semantically, how new CSS3 rules work, and how to code new features like video, audio, canvas, etc. This webinar will require some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS. It will not get into the details of the new Kindle and ePub formats, but the information you learn will be a useful tool as you navigate those new formats.

Register

Publishing App Expo

December 7-8, 2011
New York

eBooks vs. Apps: When Apps Are Not Necessary

Some projects just call out for an app, but for many publishers are not sure when an app is needed and when it is not. As eBook formats become more robust, the line between apps and eBooks is shifting. This session will show you what eBooks can do, the limitations they have, and the costs and benefits of choosing an eBook over an App.

Register with the code PAXSPKR for a 15% discount!

http://www.mediabistro.com/publishingappexpo/

Digital Book World

January 23-25, 2012
New York

Future-Proofing Your eBooks on Multiple Platforms

As the number of eBook devices and apps increases, and as new eBook formats are developed, many publishers and authors are concerned that their eBook files will not work properly for more than a few years. Is it possible to "future-proof" your eBook files so that you will not need to return to them in a few years for an update? Yes! Even with the changes happening across the eBook industry it is still possible to make files today that work great tomorrow.

This workshop will teach you:

• How to create ePub files that work across multiple eBook platforms
• Quirks and bugs in all the major devices and platforms, as well as ways to fix or hack those issues with future-thinking code
• Strategies for creating and styling one ePub file for use across the major platforms and graceful degradation techniques that will help you retain styling in less robust systems
• A practical Kindle workflow that will help you create better Kindle files
• Techniques for automated ePub to Kindle conversions and thoughts on limitations to that approach

This workshop will be a code-heavy experience with lots of examples and practical advice. It is intended for eBook developers, designers, and management interested in the topic. A base knowledge of HTML, CSS, and ePub coding is recommended.

http://www.digitalbookworldconference.com/ehome/24240/47585/?&#a2

Tools of Change for Publishing

February 13-15, 2012
New York

Kindle eBooks from ePub: Automated or Manual

ePub files can be beautifully designed, especially on devices like the iPad, but if you send that beautiful ePub to Amazon or through KindleGen for auto-conversion into the Kindle format you risk losing all of your hard work. This session will cover two ways of approaching Kindle eBook creation.

First, we will talk about best practices you can use when creating your ePub files that will allow them to auto-convert to the Kindle format through KindleGen with ease. This is not as easy as it might sound, since there are still some major differences between the two formats. We will talk about both basic and complex formatting, with ideas on making the content look good both in your ePub and in the auto-converted Kindle file.

Second, we will walk you through the process of creating a native Kindle file based on your ePub source. This is helpful when you do plan to upload a Kindle file directly to Amazon, and especially when you have complex formatting like poetry, sidebars, tables, etc. The Kindle format has some unique tricks and special formatting capabilities for complex titles that you just can’t do in a single-source ePub workflow. You will learn all of those tricks, and become an expert Kindle eBook creator.

This workshop is geared toward designers and developers who are working on eBooks regularly, and a foundational knowledge of the ePub format and its files is recommended. Managers and other non-techies are also welcome, and the information presented should be helpful for anyone who is tasked with developing in-house eBook workflows.

http://www.toccon.com/toc2012/public/schedule/detail/21844

WritersUA Conference for Software User Assistance

March 11-14, 2012
Memphis, TN

eBook Production Workflows

Developing an eBook Workflow is a challenging endeavor. Every publisher is different, working with different tools and capabilities, and dealing with a wide range of limitations. The goal is, as much as possible, to create a single source and create the different print and eBook formats from that one file. The current limitations in software like InDesign can make that very difficult, but there are some ways to make the process less painfull. There are also techniques you can use to implement XML into your workflows, allowing more stuctured data and allowing some additional single-sourcing options.

— YOU WILL LEARN —

• Kindle and ePub workflow solutions
• Limitations of automated workflows in eBook design
• Usable eBook and print workflows for InDesign and XML

http://www.writersua.com/conference/track3.htm#session29

The Current State of Foreign Language Text in eBooks

As eBooks go international, the need for foreign language support is increasing at a dramatic pace. New formats like ePub3 and Kindle Format 8 allow much more foreign language support than older eBook formats, but support for foreign languages can vary widely from device to device. Whether you are publishing eBooks in the US or elsewhere, you are likely to run into some issues making sure your foreign language text works properly across the range of eBook devices. This session will show you solid examples from all of the major devices, with expert instructions on getting your foreign language to work in eBooks.

— YOU WILL LEARN —

• How well current eBook devices and apps support foreign languages
• How to make your foreign languages work better in all of the major eBook platforms
• Information on embedding fonts, including suggestions for the best fonts for specific languages

http://www.writersua.com/conference/track3.htm#session29

Publishing Business Conference and Expo

March 19-21, 2012
New York

eBook Conversion Workshop

More to come...

http://www.publishingbusiness.com

Recorded Workshops

Did you miss a chance to see Joshua speak? Too expensive to go to a conference? Check out these online workshops and sessions to learn more about eBooks from the chief eBook Ninja.

eBooks In House Series: The Complete Guide to Optimizing Your eBooks

This series of WEBcasts is perfect for design and production professionals working in publishing. If you are responsible for ebook creation, quality assurance, or clean up from outsourced conversions, this series was created for you.

eBooks In House includes three on-demand WEBcasts that will strengthen your skills, improve your publisher's practices, and delight your readers. The WEBcasts Series includes:

eBooks In House: ePub Basics for Publishers
Learn how to improve your InDesign to ePub export, get better metadata, and make your basic ePub titles look great across multiple devices and reader apps.

eBooks In House: ePub QA, Complex Styling, and Enhancements
Make your Quality Assurance (QA) top notch with an overview of the important retailer specific requirements and enrich your title with enhancements like audio, video, drop caps, maps, and tables.

eBooks In House: Producing Clean Kindle Files from ePub
Elevate your eBooks on the industry's dominant device format, Amazon's Kindle, by planning for format limitations, fixing common errors, and creating a useable workflow that starts with ePub.

Watch a teaser of the second WEBcast:

http://store.digitalbookworld.com/category/ebooks-in-house