We're aware of an issue with converting some DOC, DOCX, ODT, and RTF files to EPUB through our Ebook Wizard.
We've created this Forum Thread with some workarounds and advice to assist you in publishing you ebook.
We've created this Forum Thread with some workarounds and advice to assist you in publishing you ebook.
Problems uploading and downloading files
Hallo, I am trying to produce an Ebook and a print book.
The Ebook was uploaded six months ago and is on sale but I cannot get the revised version to convert to PDF on the system. The Lulu system won't tell me what the problem with this file is.
I have sent in several requests for help but got no response so far.
With the print version, the proof copy is tiny, far smaller than I specified. I thought chose a standard size.
I would like to know what I can do about this.
Also - is it possible to download my own MS Word file again from the Lulu site, as a Word file?
Thanks!
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Do you not have the Word file on your computer? If you don't have it (and you really should save your manuscript on your computer) see if you can copy the text out of the ebook by highlighting it and the copying and pasting it into Notepad, to strip out any formatting. Then copy the text out of Notepad and into Word. You might not be able to copy the text out of the ebook.
I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do but the best way to produce a PDF from a Word document is to use a program such as doPDF, which is free to download. If you are making a print book remember to specify the size of your book in the PDF software so that the PDF is the correct size. For example, if your book is 6 x 9 inches then your PDF must be too and you have to select this size when making the PDF by going to the properties dialogue box and specifying 6 x 9.
It is always best to upload a PDF to Lulu for a print book. If your ebook is a PDF then upload a PDF too instead of relying on the converter to convert your document to a PDF.
Please note that whatever I tell you a certain gentleman will be along to refute what I have said and offer different advice. It will be up to you to decide which advise to follow.Is the Lulu site still unable to upload and convert any wordfiles at all? Or is this a specific problem with my own file that I am having.
So I conclude that my file was refused because of a specific fault, which can be fixed my end - as soon as I know what it is!
Funnily enough, I am transferring files over to a new PC, but very strangely some of the docx files (and the docx files for Kindle!) for uploading to Lulu's ePub Wizard have vanished from my previous PC, so cannot be transferred (they are not even on my backup HD!)
I had used them to create ePubs here, so I thought, OK, the docx will be in my Lulu My Files like all other files used in and to create a project are, and I can download them. But they are not there, only the Wizard created ePubs are listed. Another strange thing is new Marketing images are also not in My files, just the older ones.
(BTW: To the left of the My files list is a massive list of Project names, but including ones deleted years ago (such as jpgs from when it was possible to sell downloadable art here.) What's the point of that? It's confusing.)
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
This is very frustrating.
Incidentally I was trying on a different computer so it's nothing to do with my laptop.
And 9 times out of ten when I attempt to use these forums or to ask for help on Lulu I find that I am automatically logged out. You go to Forums when already logged in and it says-
Howdy stranger! You have been logged out. So you log back in and try again - Howdy Stranger!!! Why does it do this? It's happened to me on three different computers using three different browsers.
I have asked Lulu help for an explanation of why the Word file won't convert and I don't get any reply. It's a MS Word 2007 file and i did give it headings and I did embed the fonts.
All I get in my inbox is messages asking me for feedback on the help that I asked for. I will be happy to give the feedback AFTER I have had some help.
Why won't the file convert?
http://www.lulu.com/shop/li-jung-yuen/kung-fu-scholar-methods-internal-strikes-in-100-days/paperback/product-23908600.html
Ninja Mind: Ninjutsu Training for Danger Prevention
http://www.lulu.com/shop/li-jing-yuen/ninja-mind-ninjutsu-training-for-danger-prevention/paperback/product-23923459.html
I notice that in the guide to preparing a file for publication it says
"NOTE: The steps described below are specific to MS Word 2007 or later versions. If you are using an earlier version or a different word processing program, refer to your software’s Help files to complete these steps."
Does that mean that we don't actually have to use Microsoft Word 2007 or later to create our files?
Thanks.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/li-jung-yuen/kung-fu-scholar-methods-internal-strikes-in-100-days/paperback/product-23908600.html
Ninja Mind: Ninjutsu Training for Danger Prevention
http://www.lulu.com/shop/li-jing-yuen/ninja-mind-ninjutsu-training-for-danger-prevention/paperback/product-23923459.html
We're aware of an issue with converting some DOC, DOCX, ODT, and RTF files to EPUB through our Ebook Wizard.
We've created this Forum Thread with some workarounds and advice to assist you in publishing you ebook.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
I really doubt Lulu will allow a Mobi to be uploaded to Lulu, never-mind to the ePub Wizard here, that I would think would not even know what to do with it. Mobis are exclusive to Amazon.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
What about Apache?
I will explore Libre Office and check that it can do headings, sub-headings and a prepared index as required by Lulu in future.
I will also check whether my Word software can convert a text into PDF.
MS 2007 may sound old to you, but in fact for a writer's purpose, the far older versions from the 1990s are preferable, That's because they are less complicated. The half dozen main features you use all the time are quick and easy to operate.
So the most convenient way to write a book is to write it using Word from c.1995, then convert the whole book into Word 2007 format just before uploading.
Thank you for all this help!
Why wouldn't that work in order to create an E-publishable file?
When I come to think about it, Lulu's ePub Wizard broke around the same time I started to be unable to upload or paste things to the forum from my PC. (I am on a new one now, I will see if that can.)
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
What about Apache?
I will explore Libre Office and check that it can do headings, sub-headings and a prepared index as required by Lulu in future.
In theory, anything that can create a docx file should be OK. But is it some random docx the converter is having problems with, no matter what software created it?
I will also check whether my Word software can convert a text into PDF.
I know my Word 10 can, but aren't people also have trouble uploading some PDFs to the convertor also? (There's also an MS app for Word that will convert to epub. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/word-to-epub-converter/9nr7rm5fv3sx?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
MS 2007 may sound old to you, but in fact for a writer's purpose, the far older versions from the 1990s are preferable, That's because they are less complicated. The half dozen main features you use all the time are quick and easy to operate.
I agree. Prior to Windows XP I used to use a very lesser known DTP prog that was far far better than Word, it was so simple to use, but could actually do complex things! but it would not Save As a Doc (or in fact any known suffix! It was a print out only thing!) Anyway, should a doc or docx not be the same no matter what version of Word they are created on?
So the most convenient way to write a book is to write it using Word from c.1995, then convert the whole book into Word 2007 format just before uploading.
Not to Word 19?
Anyway, I hope it's sorted out soon because it would be a shame to have to only use Kindle.
Thank you for all this help!
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kevinlomas
I was told that files for uploading to Lulu needed to be in MS Word 2007 or later, and the explanation given was that the later versions enabled us to format headings and sub-headings to create an index, also the option to "embed your fonts".
However, the earlier versions also can set headings and sub-headings and make them distinct.
I never did understand what embedding fonts meant though I did it for the purpose of a print book. The book came out very small.
Next Ebook I will just try to make a PDF file, There has to be some way of doing it.
It would be helpful to know whether Lulu can upload or process an Open Office file. I have used Open Office and found it pretty much the same as MS Word.
Could this be the answer to many conversion problems? Once the document is made into a PDF file presumably Lulu would be able to turn it into an E-book without major conversion issues?