Downer publishes his book! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 02-06-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I did think it was a fat lot of good telling me now......

It's just minor grammatical errors we both missed while proofreading and preparing the ebook Also, I had to take Mark's original file, convert it into a different file type in order to turn it into an ebook (.epub file) and then convert that file into a .mobi file format version to upload to kindle. I suspect that errors may have occurred during the conversion process - or were possibly due to drunkenness.

davem · 02-06-2012, 04:49 PM

And of course, the other good thing is that if anyone spots any errors we miss you can let us know and we can fix them

Mithalwen · 02-06-2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davem

Also, I had to take Mark's original file, convert it into a different file type in order to turn it into an ebook (.epub file) and then convert that file into a .mobi file format version to upload to kindle.

Nods as if I understand any of that.... but I wish who ever prepped the free classic I downloaded yesterday would do some corrections .. not everyone has Project Gutenberg standards *sniff*

davem · 02-07-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Nods as if I understand any of that.... but I wish who ever prepped the free classic I downloaded yesterday would do some corrections .. not everyone has Project Gutenberg standards *sniff*

It's just that Amazon use a file type (.mobi or.azw) which isn't the industry standard (.epub) - so that you don't go buying books from other suppliers like Waterstones, Smiths or Barnes & Noble, etc. Problem is the program I use (Sigil - which is free to download) for creating ebooks produces them in .epub format so they have to be converted on another program Calibre, into .mobi to upload to Amazon. You can lose commas, speech marks & stuff, or be so concerned with the little things like that that you end up not spotting things like 'that very next day' not being corrected to 'the very next day'. It's all minor stuff like that which Mark is sorting. He missed some things as well because he's so focussed on getting part two ready. We did put a lot of effort into getting it right, and they're the kind of thing you find in a lot of paper books - but at least we can correct them and you'll get the corrected text sent through as soon as it's done.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-07-2012, 04:19 AM

Is anyone else smiling over the fact that davem's signature contrasts vividly with the subject of this thread and his involvement in the project?

I am amused. Nevertheless, I applaud both of you for bringing this book to the light of the public eye and for the work you put into it. This just may be the straw that breaks the camel's back of my resistance and gets me to buy a Kindle...

Galadriel55 · 02-07-2012, 06:28 AM

All hail Narfforc and Davem, the Lords of the Grins!

Way to go!

Like Esty, I don't have a Kindle...

Quote:

Is anyone else smiling over the fact that davem's signature contrasts vividly with the subject of this thread and his involvement in the project?

Mithalwen · 02-07-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davem

It's just that Amazon use a file type (.mobi or.azw) which isn't the industry standard (.epub) - so that you don't go buying books from other suppliers like Waterstones, Smiths or Barnes & Noble, etc. Problem is the program I use (Sigil - which is free to download) for creating ebooks produces them in .epub format so they have to be converted on another program Calibre, into .mobi to upload to Amazon. You can lose commas, speech marks & stuff, or be so concerned with the little things like that that you end up not spotting things like 'that very next day' not being corrected to 'the very next day'. It's all minor stuff like that which Mark is sorting. He missed some things as well because he's so focussed on getting part two ready. We did put a lot of effort into getting it right, and they're the kind of thing you find in a lot of paper books - but at least we can correct them and you'll get the corrected text sent through as soon as it's done.

You say that and I still hear lalalalal Amazon lalalalala Barnes and Noble lalala Amazon...

My problem with my other e book is that Chapter 1 has become Chapter L !!! and they haven't taken the zero-tolerance approach to extraneaous spaces PG insist on... and they haven't removed the page headings so the chapter title and page number interrupt sentences !!! But I have waited decades to get my hands on this particular volume so I will forgive it.

davem · 02-07-2012, 10:13 AM

It was a learning experience for me. Sounds like the ebook you bought was done with zero concern for the reader's experience. We both put real effort into getting it right and making it as' professional' looking as possible. I think Mark can rightly feel proud of what he's produced, and I hope as many people as possible give it a go. And remember, you don't need a kindle- just download the free app

Mithalwen · 02-07-2012, 01:56 PM

To be fair it didn't cost me anything but it has clearly hasn't been through the rigourous procedure that PG use for their e publications.

davem · 02-07-2012, 02:36 PM

And please remember everybody-you can download the free Kindle app to your computer or smartphone and a free sample of the book if you don't want to risk your hard earned cash.

02-06-2012, 04:49 PM	#2
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	And of course, the other good thing is that if anyone spots any errors we miss you can let us know and we can fix them __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

02-07-2012, 04:19 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Is anyone else smiling over the fact that davem's signature contrasts vividly with the subject of this thread and his involvement in the project? I am amused. Nevertheless, I applaud both of you for bringing this book to the light of the public eye and for the work you put into it. This just may be the straw that breaks the camel's back of my resistance and gets me to buy a Kindle... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-07-2012, 10:13 AM	#8
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	It was a learning experience for me. Sounds like the ebook you bought was done with zero concern for the reader's experience. We both put real effort into getting it right and making it as' professional' looking as possible. I think Mark can rightly feel proud of what he's produced, and I hope as many people as possible give it a go. And remember, you don't need a kindle- just download the free app __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

02-07-2012, 01:56 PM	#9
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	To be fair it didn't cost me anything but it has clearly hasn't been through the rigourous procedure that PG use for their e publications. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-07-2012, 02:36 PM	#10
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	And please remember everybody-you can download the free Kindle app to your computer or smartphone and a free sample of the book if you don't want to risk your hard earned cash. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."