Ebook format
While you have come to this page it is important that the end of this information you get to learn what ebook format entails.
And the objectives of this post is that readers are taken through on knowing;
• What is ebook format?
• What are the ways to format an ebook?
• How to format an ebook;
• Ebook formatting services;
• Different ebook formats.
What is ebook format?
The simple word for ebook is “electronic book”. And at times, it may be referred to as digital books because they are electronic or digitally developed from software capable of creating soft copy books, reading text, images, and even sound.
By that, e-books are designed software/or digital books that can be generated on software applications like the Microsoft Word Doc., Pdf readers, Rich text format, EPUB, Google Chrome reader, Microsoft Edge etc.
From the above, it is possible to get either producing, reading or opening a typical ebook if such software/ebook reader format supports it. This gradually leads us to ebook format – which can mean a standard design, the developed layout (format) that helps an ebook reader turns ebook text, and image into an acceptable requirement, format, design or layout following reader’s suits or needs.
Therefore, when considering the ebook formats – they may come as .TXT (.txt), .EPUB (.epub), .MOBI, .AZW (.azw) and .PDF (.pdf) and are the most commonly formats for ebooks. That means, ebook document can be appended after been converted to any of the file formats above (for example, an ebook document can be saved or produced as .pdf. or type of file document such as .txt (such as ebook with a title, as, "the rich also cry" => can be saved as, converted, format or produce in these formats => "the rich also cry.pdf" or "the rich also cry.txt" etc.
From the above simply let's look at each of them for fuller understanding about each and how they may be use.
1. .TXT (.txt) ebook format:
It is simply a text file format that comes or uses the appendage of (.txt) format without the braces.
Ebook that has a bunch or few of text to pass its message or information to the reader(s) will be suitable for this purpose, but without images, charts, or graphs presentation in it.
So this type of ebook format does not support any images but text only. So by their simplicity, it does not go beyond the basic styles, and fonts and well-designed for format of ebooks bearing bunch of much text. E.g ebooks such as research documentations, thesis, reports and so on may be presented in this format.
2. .EPUB (.epub) format:
It is majorly a supported ebook format that can be used or read as a format ebook on variety of microcomputing devices such as – the computer desktop, android and apple phones, tablets, or PDA’s. this format files are reflowable. There is the fixed layouts and Reflowable file format, but reflowable file formats are designed in such a way that allows the text and images reflow in all of the different devices to fit to different screen sizes. And with their linear design, images flow along with the text and not resulting to overlap or text being garbled.
With that, this type for ebooks format are used for text and bunch of text ebooks.
This reflowable EPUB are now widely used and still the widest distribution among e-readers because it is more popular to many users.
Not that only, the fixed layout EPUB book format, have more developed designs. So whatever layout effects for text reading or/and images viewing you have in the program will be stored as default in its fixed layout.
However, EPUB supports JavaScript which accepts for interactivity and animations. Not only that again, it has another attractive feature which is the read out or read aloud feature (text being dictated into sound) and where word or text on the display screen gets highlighted while it reads out, and this a cool feature for reading EPUB ebook format for children and those who prefer sound or voiceover reading.
3. .Mobi (.mobi) format:
This ebook format may be called Mobipocket ebook file, was firstly used by Amazon when launched on Amazon Kindle book format and publishing. Afterwards, support for mobi format did not go from there right from 2011, and was substituted for another file format known as – AZW file format. Still, Amazon Kindle devices (ebook reader) use MOBI file structure, but have now a different DRM (Digital Right Management) protection and has the file extension of AZW file. i.e. (.azw). And because of that, MOBI file are still widely popular for devices with low bandwidth, except Nooks and Sony readers.
4. AZW (.azw) and AZW3 (.azw3) format:
AZW file formats, may be called as Amazon Kindle files, which have been developed by Amazon for its Kindle device or e-readers which get to replace MOBI files/format. This file format can be accessible form the Amazon online bookstore. Files of this were further developed and able to store complex contents – in form of bookmarks, highlights and annotations. While AZW3 file format is currently being used and now taken as the next generation version of Amazon kindle’s ebook which add support for (HTML) and (CSS) to the existing Amazon Kindle format such to give more features such as layouts, font styles, appearance and styles.
5. .PDF (.pdf):
The acronym for “pdf” is portable document format, but technically, not a true ebook file format due to non-reflow ability just as described earlier. As of today, (.pdf), remains the essential ebook format people all over the world are really familiar with. This is a common ebook format (i.e. Adobe Acrobat Reader) that was created by Adobe and due to its ease of use, people, and other people like online marketers are well familiar with it as a lot of ebooks are being produced with this format due to its accepted standard and as most supported ebook reader.
However, they only have the basic copy protection, and they may be downloaded easily or distributed freely to others. PDFs books unlike .MOBI) and (. AZW) is not permissible for sale in bookstore like IBOOKSTORE or Amazon Kindle bookstore but may be read on any digital device like Pc, phone etc.
In summary, the types of ebook file format you may want to use to create (or publish) your ebook will determine your choice of the right file format and other factors such as:
1. Who will be buying or reading your ebook and where will you be distributing the ebook, on what platforms?
2. What is your idea of cross using the different e-book formats to sell or create your ebook?
3. What will be the content of your ebook (in regards to images, animation, sound and or only text?)
In having answers to those questions you will know what to do next in creating your ebook and what file format.
Who will be buying or reading your ebook and Where will you be distributing the ebook, on what platforms?
The ebooks nowadays are either best traded on major online retailing stores or writer/publisher’s blog or website. Possibly if your ebook is a self-published and looking for wider range of (audience) readers, then one of the best online retail store like Amazon (Amazon Kindle platform) can be your publishing platform.
However, if your ebook is to be marketed with the other option then marketing and linking it on your website could be the cool style to reach or serve your audience. So before you finalize where to sell/ distribute your ebook consider who you are trying to reach. And possibly if you may want to take the option of using online ebook retailers like Amazon KDP store, you should have your ebook formats in either – AZW, AZW3, or MOBI as discussed earlier. The reason is because these ebook formats or files are Amazon Kindle compatible.
But if you may reconsider to sell or distribute your ebook on platforms or online bookstores/retailer like Apple, Barnes and Nobles, Nook or Kobo for instance you will want to choose either a reflowable .EPUB or a fixed layout .EPUB. EPUB being the most widely used ebook file format are not sold in the Kindle store. Gumroad goes usually with the .PDF file extension.
May be still if you want to distribute your hardwork published ebook directly on your website, what is recommended to be used is a reflowable EPUB, a fixed layout EPUB, a PDF or a MOBI format, as all or either of them can be sold with control and security from your site. But EPUBs and PDFs are made easy to be used and for your customers or audience to handle and to know what to do immediately after they get it downloaded.
What is your idea of cross using different e-book formats to sell or create your ebook?
Based on your tastes and following the (1) above and (3) below, you may sell or distribute on your website and what your customers might be suitable with in variety formats can get your ebook in different ebook file format being sold widely. But however you may still consider for copy protection level on all these file formats before you do so and yet depending on you. Furthermore, if versatility is your publishing idea, then you can choose the EPUB version or format for ebook if possible, since it’s much more compatible or suitable on all devices but will still never work on the Kindle device or platform unless it is converted to MOBI or AZW version(s) which are all Kindle’s format.
What will be the content of your ebook (in regards to images, animation, sound and/or only text?)
Possibly when your ebook is bunchy text based and no visual such as graphics, visual descriptions, picture or diagrams then {.TXTs) or (PDFs) will get your format suited except you don’t feel it is. However, if your ebook is containing a lot of visuals and graphics or interactivity setup, at this point you can choose PDF format or a fixed layout of EPUB and not the reflowable.
However, at any time, Files can be converted from EPUB to MOBI format with a free online file converter like DOCSpal.
Also with the whole of this information, it is right to know of what file types or formats will be recommended for devices – some certain devices will not be able to open or read specific ebook formats, but having the right information of what devices to get may also determine what are the ebook content and format is your choice.
Micro Devices and Ebook format (files)
PC or Mac:- EPUB, PDF, TXT
IPad, IPhone, IPod touch:- EPUB, PDF, TXT
Kindle Devices and Kindle Fire:-
MOBI, PDF, AZW, AZW3
Andriod Devices:-
EPUB, PDF, TXT
Nook, Nook Colour, and Tablet:-
EPUB
Sony reader and other E-readers:- EPUB
Addendum:
EPUB = “Electronic Publication”, MOBI = it was originally a Mobipocket Reader format. Amazon purchased Mobipocket in 2005, and dropped it the MOBI format in 2011. It could be DRM or copyright protection, to prevent copying and illegal viewing.
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