In a recent post I talked about how all of you would-be eBook authors should know your file formats, or at least be somewhat familiar with the most commonly used ones.  As an author, you want to make your work as accessible as possible, which means making your content able to be read on as many devices as you can.  Since it is Read an eBook Week, and Lulu is giving away three Apple iPads, I thought it might be useful to provide a how-to tutorial for the most universal eBook format: ePub.

Many new authors might make the mistake of thinking that if they have a portable document format (PDF) of their book it means that it can be read on an e-reader or other mobile device.  While in many cases the PDF can be opened, the text is far too small because it is a static or unchangeable image.  ePub makes it so your text is resized to fit the screen of any given device.  Since the text in ePub format can be changed in terms of size, font and color, reading an ePub book becomes a much more personal experience for the reader.  Sounds great right?  But how do you make an ePub book?

You really have three options:  let Lulu do the work for you with our conversion services, use a conversion program like (Adobe InDesign, eCub, Calibre, Google ePub Toolkit, etc.), or you can do-it-yourself.  If you decide to do-it-yourself, I’ve added some great directions I found over at jedisaber.com.

What You’ll Need:

* A text editor (like Text Edit or Notepad) that can edit text files, HTML, and XML.
* A program that can create .zip files (which should be built into OS X or Windows).

Alright, first you’ll need to get all of the files together that you will later put into your master .zip file (called a container).

A Closer look at ePub files (*Be aware that file names are case sensitive*):

A .epub file has at least the following files/folders in it to function:

* mimetype – Typically a plain ASCII text file that has the line “application/epub+zip” in it.  This file tells a reader/operating system what’s in the .ePub file. This file must be the first line in the zip file, and cannot be compressed.
* META-INF folder – Contains at least the container.xml file, which tells the reader software where to find the book in the container (typically in the content.opf file detailed below).
* OEBPS folder – Recommended location for the book’s actual content

* toc.ncx  file – Table of contents arranged with navpoint tags.  Make sure the UID matches whatever is in your content.opf file because some readers won’t display your book properly if it doesn’t.  The play order values found in this file must also be in order and will return an error if the order skips over a number.
* XHTML files – The book’s literal contents are listed in these files which are like HTML files with closing tags associated with each element.  It is up to you how you arrange your content but having a separate .xhtml file for each chapter tends to look better on e-readers.

Now that you have all your files in order, you can make the .epub container that houses all of them.

How to Make the Container File

* First create a new .zip file
* Copy the uncompressed mimetype file into the .zip file.
* Copy all of your other files (which should all be located in an OEBPS file) into the .zip file.

* Change the .zip file extension to .epub.

Once you are done with these steps, you should have a readable eBook in a format that works on most readers.  Now, all you should have to do is upload your work to Lulu.

Making Your eBook Available for Download

• In the Publish section, click the ‘eBooks’ button.
• Click the ‘Start your eBook‘ button.
• Enter a title and author name. Select your project’s availability.  Click the ‘Save &
• Continue’ button (any of these options can be changed at anytime).
• Upload the file you want to use by clicking the ‘browse’ button, searching your computer for the file you want to use and then clicking the ‘Upload’ button.
• If you upload multiple files to create an eBook, you will have to select a size for Lulu to create your eBook.
• Click the ‘Make Download-Ready File’ button to convert your file into an eBook.
• Download and preview your file and then click the ‘Save & Continue’ button.
• Create your cover and click the ‘Make Cover’ button. Then click the ‘Save & Continue’ button after the page reloads. Learn how to create a cover here and see What the eBook cover for.
• Fill in the Description fields and click the ‘Save & Continue’ button
• Set the price for your eBook and click the ‘Review Project’ button (eBooks with DRM cannot be offered for free).
• Review your project. Click the ‘Change’ button for any section that needs adjustment. If everything is to your liking click the ‘Save & Finish’ button.

Once you click the ‘Save & Finish’ button you should have a book that is ready to share with the world in cutting-edge fashion – something any reader on the go will appreciate.

Cyber Monday, the first weekday after Thanksgiving, is considered the busiest online shopping day of the year. We’re pulling out all the stops this year by providing the best deal we’ve done all year and save you some money.

30% off any order
Max savings: $300.00
Coupon code: CYBERMONDAY

35% off $750 or more
Save up to $750
Coupon code: MORECYBERMONDAY

Coupons cannot be applied to  taxes or shipping and handling charges or previous orders.  Only one valid promotional code may be used per account.  Orders must be in U.S.  Dollar currency. Offer ends today 11/28/11 at 11:59 PM GMT.

If this holiday season is

Still on the fence? Well, we’re decking the halls early at Lulu this year and slashing our industry-best 80/20 revenue split on eBooks so you can reach more readers, sell more books,
and earn even more revenue this holiday than
ever before – tis the season right?

For a limited time, all creators publishing new eBook projects will receive 90 percent of the revenue from those projects through January 31st, 2012.

In an industry where most companies work off a 70/30 split or more, we take pride in being a publishing solution built entirely towards author success and freedom.  We want you to be able to share your stories and ideas with the world and, more importantly, make money while you do it.  You pick the price.  You keep the profit.  Just like it should be.

So spread some joy this holiday season by publishing an eBook.  You can sell it to all those folks who got a shiny new iPad® or Barnes & Noble’s NOOK and your tree won’t be the only green you see.

FAQs:

Q: What is a new Publication?

A: New publications are defined as a new project in your “My Lulu” account with a new ISBN.  This also applies to any conversion of an existing print title into an eBook.

Q:  How long will this offer last?

A: This limited time offer ends on January 31, 2012. Once you publish your eBook, you’ll continue to earn 90% of the Suggested Retail price through January 31, 2012. Please note that Lulu reserves the right to end this promotion at any time.

Q:  How do I make my paperback book into an eBook?

A:  We have provided you with step-by-step directions to convert your existing DOC, DOCX, RTF, and ODF document into an EPUB here or you can take advantage of one of our handy conversion services.

Q:  What is the Suggested Retail Price?

A: The Suggested Retail Price is the price at which you want to sell your eBook.  You set the price. We provide you with some guidelines but the decision is yours.  All eBooks set at a price of $1.24 or higher earn royalty; you keep 90% of all amounts earned, after retailer commission.

Q:  Can I sell my book anywhere and still get the 90% or is it for sales on Lulu only?

A: When you publish your title with Lulu, any newly published eBook qualifies to earn 90% royalty regardless of where it sells.   You can choose to distribute your eBook through one of our distribution services or sell it only on Lulu.com.  If you choose to make your eBook available for distribution, you will receive 90% of the Suggested Retail Price after the retailer’s commission.

Q: Can’t I just sell my eBook on the Lulu Marketplace?

A:  Of course! All your sales on Lulu earn you even more since we cut out the middleman.  You can change the price of your eBook or choose to sell through one of our retail partners at anytime.

Q:  Why does my book have to be priced higher than $1.24 to qualify for the 90% royalty?

A: At Lulu, you’re in control of your works and can even give away your eBook for free if you want.  For authors who want to sell and collect creator royalties on eBooks, we’ve added a $0.99 base price to cover our credit card processing and hosting expenses.  Applying Digital Rights Management (DRM) is optional and adds an additional $0.25 to the base price to offset the licensing fees Lulu is charged by our DRM provider.  To reiterate, authors never pay to publish, these fees are reflected in the list price and are only charged to the purchaser when they buy your work.

Q:  What is “retailer’s commission?”

A: If you choose to make your eBook available in the iBookstore ℠, on Barnes& Noble’s NOOK, or other retailers, the retailer earns a commission on the sale of each eBook.   The commission varies by retailer but it is generally 30% of the Suggested Retail Price.  Your royalty will be calculated based on the Suggested Retail Price after any retail channel commission.

Q: Do all eBooks qualify for distribution?

A:  No, not all eBooks qualify for distribution. Each retail channel has its own set of guidelines for accepting content.  To make sure your title qualifies please review the distribution requirements here. You may revise your eBook to meet the guidelines at any time.

Q:  May I reuse an existing ISBN?

A: No, your eBook must have a unique ISBN. ISBNs may not be reused as they identify each title and version available for sale.  Each version (print, eBook, or edition) must have its own unique ISBN.

Terms and Conditions for Limited time promotion

Lulu is offering a limited time offer for all new eBook publications (some limitations apply).  All new eBooks with an ISBN published after September 6, 2011 will earn 90% of the Suggested Retail Price, after retailer’s commission, if any.  Your eBook must meet the following requirements:

• Your eBook must be a new publication.  It may be a revision of a previously published eBook or printed title.
• Your eBook must have an ISBN
• Your eBook must be priced in higher than  $1.24
• Your eBook must meet all distribution guidelines, if you choose to make eBook available for distribution.

Lulu reserves the right to end this promotion at any time.

Lulu and retail channels may reject titles for distribution for any reason.

For authors who want to sell and collect creator royalties on eBooks, pricing must include $0.99 base price to cover our credit card processing and hosting expenses.   Applying DRM is optional but highly recommended, and adds an additional $.25 to the base price to offset the licensing fees Lulu is charged by our DRM provider.

Need incentive to help you finish up your latest book?  How about if it’s on the house?

That’s right, between June 14 and July 31, 2011, Lulu is providing all authors with a free copy of any newly published book.  To get started, just visit lulu.com/publish.

Already published a book? Well, we’ve got you covered too.  Here are some ideas we’ve come up with for you to take advantage of this offer too.

• Create a hardcover version of your book – If you haven’t done so already, it’s never too late to turn your paperback book into a hardcover or vice-versa. The process is simple, and if we don’t already offer a hardcover size of your paperback, you can always reformat it for the new version.
• Make a special version of your book. For example, you could add photos or illustrations to the book that help highlight the chapters.  Or, you could take a note from author Cory Doctorow, who recently published his book With a Little Help with four different cover illustrations.
• Challenge yourself. Who says you can’t finish a whole new book by July 31st?  I don’t know about you, but I do my best work when it’s crunch time and a deadline is fast approaching. Your reward is a free copy of your brand new book. You can do it!
• Collaborate with a friend on a book. You can either write something new together or work on finishing up a book one of you has already started. Either way you get to create something together!

Just remember, this promotion is for newly published or newly formatted books and does not apply to book revisions.  Whatever you decide, we want to help. So get started!

Terms and Conditions:
Promotion runs from 6/14 – 7/31. Creators are eligible for a free proof copy of a newly published work at www.lulu.com up to a value of $25. Photo books, calendars, and eBooks are not eligible for this offer. Shipping is not included in the offer. Creator will receive a coupon code by email once the new work is published.

Close your eyes and make a wish, because today is Lulu’s birthday!

That’s right, Lulu is officially nine years old and we want you to help us celebrate.

I’m sure you’ve seen the banners around the site for 20% off any order (Coupon code: HAPPY) and for 25% off a bulk order of 500 books or more (Coupon code: BIRTHDAY), but while we were pulling out the party hats and putting up the streamers, we decided to extend the sale – just for our big day.

Lulu started back in 2002, after our CEO and Founder Bob Young experienced his own frustrations with publishing his book Under the Radar. Having founded open-source software company Red Hat in the past, Bob thought of ways he could apply to the open-source mentality to publishing, thus Lulu, and our our new model of open-publishing, was born.

Nine years later, we’ve helped over 1 million creators in over 200 countries and territories publish their works and gain equal footing in the industry.

So take a big breath and help us blow out our candles because it wouldn’t be a Lulu birthday without you – our remarkable customers.

Cyber Monday, the first weekday after Thanksgiving, is considered the busiest online shopping day of the year. To mark the occasion and do our part to save you a little time and money, we’ve put together these special offers good for today only.

25% off any order
Save up to $185.
Coupon code: CYBER25

30% off $750 or more
Save up to $750.
Coupon code: CYBER30

Coupons cannot be applied to  taxes or shipping and handling charges or previous orders.  Only one valid promotional code may be used per account.  Orders must be in U.S.  Dollar currency. Offer ends today 11/29/09 at 11:59 PM PST.

Still feeling a bit lazy after preparing that turkey?  Dreading the crowds of people at the stores and traffic on the roads? How does free delivery of your next book order sound?

• Add $50 worth of books, photo books or calendars to your cart
• Select ground shipping
• Enter code GROUNDFREE at checkout
• We’ll pick up the shipping charge - up to $100!

A few months back, we announced that we’d be offering FREE Shipping for the entire summer. You may be thinking, “that’s great and all, but my shelves are packed.” Well, if you’ve recently published with Lulu, now is the perfect time to tell your readers. Create a press release and let your fans know they can get your book this summer with FREE shipping. There’s no better time.

If you need help creating your own press release, we’ve got you covered.

With Lulu, rest assured that this year it’ll be easier than ever to create your very own personalized Father’s Day photo book or calendar. Using your favorite digital photos of Dad and the family, you can make a photo book or calendar quickly and affordably with our free online Studio tool. With a wide range of options to choose from, you can make your DIY Father’s Day gift as unique as you like.

Create your photo book or calendar and Save 25% with code FORDAD at checkout. Offer ends 6/20/10.