Can anyone top my epub formatting incompetence?

[Gregory Wheeler]

Just a few minutes ago, I attempted to upload the epub file for my novel The Land Beyond. Sadly, the endeavor was unsuccessful, likely for similar reasons others struggle with the process. Out of curiosity, I went to an epub conversion site (http://www.epubconversion.com/ePub-validator-iBook.jsp) which will check your document to determine whether it passes epubcheck 1.0.5. The result of this check? I apparently have 1,579 errors in my book. I'd like to think that's a new record, but can anyone top that? (The print version, by the way, is fine. http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1268368)

Pity. Basking in my success at getting the book on Kindle, I was thinking this epub stuff wasn't so difficult after all. Speaking of which, considering Lulu has nothing to do with Kindle, it would probably be wrong for me to mention that a search for "Greg Wheeler" on Amazon will link to the Kindle page for The Land Beyond. So I'll be sure not to do that.

I don't imagine the PDF epub books are actually the real thing, but that may be the way to go for the time being. With a little luck, I'll have those epub errors down to triple figures within my lifetime.

[Mrokii]

The thing with these kinds of formats is that if there is a bug somewhere in the document, subsequent-errors might show up which aren't actual errors, but caused because of just one bug alone.

Anyhow, how did you try to convert the book? Have you tried "Calibre"? It seems to run on Windows, OS X and Linux as well and looks pretty reliable. It can convert various formats into ePub (though I haven't tried to upload one of them here, yet).

[Gregory Wheeler]

Mrokii, sadly the file I tested had indeed been converted by Calibre. I have no idea what the errors could be--looking at on my Calibre site, it looks fine. It's a completely text file with one font throughout (Times-Roman). It is, in fact, about as simple and unformatted a document as possible. As you wrote, it's mostly one error that is repeated numerous times. The trick, I suppose, is trying to figure out what the error is!

[Mrokii]

I have just begun to explore the epub-format, but I suspect it's a common tag that is used throughout all (or most) of your pages. I am also a new lulu-member, so I don't know if it's possible to contact another member directly. If it is, you can send me an email with the error-messages attached and I will see if I can help you. I know a little bit about (x)html, so I may be able to give you a hint on what could be wrong.

[Gregory Wheeler]

Progress! I've done a bit of tinkering and the ePub file has now apparently met Lulu standards (i.e., it was not rejected when uploaded).

Having reviewed the interior, a couple of questions emerge. One, there are a huge amount of words on each line. The print version is about 280 pages; the ePub is listed at 105. Is this a matter of concern, or on actual readers, will the spacing be quite differet? Two, for some reason, the very first word at the top of each page--even those that come in the middle of a sentence--is treated as if it were the start of a new paragraph and indented as such. Again, I'm not sure if this is something to worry about, or if these somewhat odd indentions will show up on actual readers.

Apologies for my ignorance concerning such matters (and many thanks to Mrokii for the patience with my novice questions), but I would be grateful for any possible information.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1268368 

[Gregory Wheeler]

Erhhhhhhh....disregard previous post; there's been no success at all. It wasn't the Epub file I uploaded at all. Rather, it was the PDF. Epub continues to baffle.

Must not tear my hair out. Please, please, please let these ebooks be a passing fad, and see everyone return to real books in the near future....

[sofyia]

Hello Greg,

Have you tried Smashwords.com? I am a real techni phobe but I took myself off to their site and after a good free of their free book I did it! I converted my books and was accepted on their site.

To get rid of all the formatting quickly I took my work to notepad and it stripped it. I then reformatted my books to their guidelines. They have a machine called the meatgrinder which converts your books for you.

Anyway you might all ready have done this.

I have tried a couple of time to upload my books to lulu's ebooks and decided not to bother in the end. Smashwords and Kindle are fine by me. Carol

[Gregory Wheeler]

Hi Sofyia,

Thanks for the suggestion, and it's encouraging to hear there are techniphobes who have experienced "e-success."

My books are indeed on smashwords; one has been accepted into its "Premier Catalogue," the other not yet, simply because I haven't given it a cover (copyright issues). There are Kindle versions as well, and apparently they are ok (according to a few people who have purchased them). Lulu, however, remains a struggle. Not just Lulu, actually. I've been to a number of online validation sites, and the books have not passed the checks there either.

I'd like to be on Lulu as well as smashwords mainly because I've heard that with the latter, the appearance of books on the various readers leaves something to be desired. (The company proudly calling its conversion system the "meatgrinder" gives me some pause as well, but that's probably just me!)

Ah, technology. I'd love to settle for the traditional printed version, but the future appears to have an "e" fixed squarely in front of every noun. Moreover, despite often posting self-deprecatory comments, all modesty aside, I think the novels are decently written and fairly entertaining, and actually would like for them to sell a bit. As such, ePub seems to be way to go....<Shrugs>

[sofyia]

Well done Greg. Hmmm when you solve the ebook problem please give me a shout! I've given up for now or I'll lose the will to live! I will return to it though because I hate to be beaten.

I removed my books from Smashwords simply because I was worried about the payment method here in the UK. The green form business worries me. I have no idea how it works. If you know Greg I would like to know.

Best wishes Carol

[Gregory Wheeler]

The payment system at Smashwords does seem to have a few kinks, especially if you don't happen to reside in the US. In my case (a US citizen living in Japan), when providing details of my location, the moment I enter "Japan," I get the notice and links for the IRS forms I need to send in order to receive full payment for sales. However, the IRS specifies on those forms that they are only for non-US citizens, and as a US citizen, I should fill out a different one (which Smashwords makes no mention of on its cite). All very odd....