What Do I Do If I Have InDesign Files?

Well, the best alternative is to have us take a look at them, to see if we can give you the benefits of Conversion from InDesign.  However, for some folks, that's not a possibility--their print layout people won't give them the source files, for whatever reason. They'll only output a PDF.  If that's the case, keep reading:  

Conversion to ebook from any word-processing format is less expensive, by far, than converting from PDF.  If your PDF was made with InDesign, visit the following link for exporting RTF (Rich Text Format, a word-processing format that is compatible with every type of word-processor in existence) from the final print file (PDF):  http://adobe.ly/Ujw1wn .

This is NOT the same as "Save as....RTF" in InDesign or Adobe Acrobat. This process, at the link, gives you a much better output to be used for eBook conversion and formatting.

Use the instructions in the first section "Export Text."  You can even use the Indesign Tagged Text option, which will retain all formatting.  The regular export option will retain all normal formatting, like bold, italics, etc.

Sending us, or any conversion house, a word-processing file (Word, Open Office, Libre Office, Word Perfect, Scrivener, etc.) will save you a lot of money.

If you have a PDF, but either don't have the InDesign Files, there isn't a good way to turn it into a word-processed file, that's usable by the normal, non-geeky person.  Those online "convert your PDF to Word!" websites do not work. While what comes out from those online sites looks okay, it's a mess "underneath," in the code, which is what we use to make your book. 

If you do have the InDesign files, or your designer does, use the information at that link to obtain a good source file for your conversion.  Make sure, however, before your InDesigner sends them, that s/he concatenates them, so that the file we get is a single file, in the right order.   This is important; if we have to take the time to sort the files out and concatenate them in the correct order, we'll have to charge for the clerical time required to do this work. 

But seriously:  if you have access to your InDesign files, the BEST alternative is to have us make the book from those files.  It's a lot less expensive than conversion from PDF, and you get an eBook product that looks a lot like your print book.

 

T'was the Night Before Christmas... 

 (With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, may he forgive my doggerel...)

...and all through the shop,
all we minions were working,
   until ready to drop.

The ebooks were flying,
the covers were spare,
The edits were crazy,
   with "one more thing I must share!"

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old Saint Nick,
But Hitch made us work,
   Waving 'round an old stick!

So slave we all did,
And made all your books,
So that Hitch would say now,
   that we're off the hook.

Come today we're off,
to rest up our fingers,
Our hats we will doff,
   No books they do linger.

But we'll all be back,
Don't give it a thought,
for like all wage slaves,
   we're easily bought.

We'll be back on the fifth,
all eager and fresh,
All ready for you,
   after a well-deserved rest.

So Hitch wants to say,
very strongly and loud,
THANKS ALL YOU GUYS,
  you're the best type of crowd.

Indy and Len and Hitch and the gang,
will be back on the 5th,
to do books with a BANG!

In the meantime don't worry,
if you're in a hurry,
'cuz some poor guy got stuck
   sitting here like a duck.

Your emails we'll receive,
so no need to grieve.
We'll be a bit slow,
but we're raring to go.

Your books will be worked on,
your edits still made,
we're just resting a bit,
   before we all fade.

So please excuse the delays;
It won't be for days;
we'll jump on your queries,
   for your wondrous new series.

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old St. Nick,
And sure 'nuff he came,
   It wasn't a trick.

And as he rode off,
into the night,
I could swear I heard Hitch yell,
   "That Edit's Not Right!"

~~~~~~~~~~

We'll be back on the morning of January 5th; we'll be here parttime between now and then, thanks.