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.