pmcoz
New Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 10, 2012 15:19:53 GMT -8
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Post by pmcoz on Apr 10, 2012 15:37:17 GMT -8
I'm happy to accept the trial-and-error nature of AutoVetting and MeatGrinding, but it concerns me that every attempt is actually published (until superseded by the next trial). Doesn't this result in Smashwords considering trial conversions for Premium distribution, and automatically sending the probably-defective work to distributors and (possibly) customers?
Is there a way to experiment with the Smashwords conversion process without actually publishing each experiment? I really don't want each attempt to go live. I'd prefer to get the conversions done correctly (using as many attempts as is necessary), and THEN publish the final result.
(I was going to title this thread 'Avoiding Premature Ejaculation' but I thought that might result in rapid deletion.)
And thanks for creating this forum. I'm sure there's a need for something like this; I'm surprised Smashwords doesn't run one as part of their site.
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Post by Ted on Apr 10, 2012 15:59:37 GMT -8
Quote: "...but it concerns me that every attempt is actually published (until superseded by the next trial)." Endquote
Converting ebooks isn't for experimentation or checking your formatting a multitude of times. It's for authors who have followed the Style Guide, checked the formatting, and are ready to publish.
If you've uploaded more than twice and are still getting errors then you should re-read the Style Guide or hire an editor.
When you've made corrections, click on Upload new version next to your book on your Dashboard.
Click on the Unpublish link on your Dashboard to unpublish your work so it won't be viewed by the public.
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murray
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Posts: 2
Joined: Apr 25, 2012 18:33:01 GMT -8
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Post by murray on Apr 25, 2012 21:29:27 GMT -8
I too wondered about how to generate ebooks without publishing. I'm a web designer and iterative testing is how web designers tend to test web pages that they're making to ensure the formatting is correct, I just assumed that Smashwords would also allow iterative testing (ie upload Word doc, generate ebooks, check the formatting, make a change to the Word doc, go back to step 1).
I emailed Smashwords and their reply was:
"If you want to test your book, you could upload your title then unpublish it immediately, as your title will become available for downloading/purchasing once it's published. When you are ready to actually publish, use Dashboard > Upload New Version. The publishing date will be the date you uploaded your title the first time, this can not be changed."
Simply following the Smashwords Style Guide isn't enough as meatgrinder isn't perfect and can generate files with errors in them (ie Mobi format looks different to ePub format). It did this for me when I tried to create bullet lists and numbered lists. The Style Guide says nothing about bullet and number lists.
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Post by Ted on Apr 26, 2012 4:15:34 GMT -8
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janrssor
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Posts: 1
Joined: May 15, 2012 13:56:10 GMT -8
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Post by janrssor on May 15, 2012 14:10:45 GMT -8
There should definitely be a test conversion tool.
Even if it only creates the "critical" epub file Smashwords requires. Microsoft Word, at times, does weird stuff that fails Vetting. Many of us write without Word and then decide to have Word read and convert the text for Word formatting so we can upload to Smashwords. This creates even more problems. It is NOT always easy to use Word as every computer may not have it. Word 2000, did really weird stuff and I had to buy a new version of Word just to finally fix my document.
If you are concerned about having Smashwords used as a conversion tool for other marketing sites, then do the following: Have the conversion process insert the words "Tested By Smashwords" on ever page (replacing some of the authors text). This will make it unlikely to be used for other purposes.
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Post by Ted on May 15, 2012 16:20:11 GMT -8
There should definitely be a test conversion tool. If you are concerned about having Smashwords used as a conversion tool for other marketing sites, then do the following: Have the conversion process insert the words "Tested By Smashwords" on ever page (replacing some of the authors text). This will make it unlikely to be used for other purposes. Bad idea to use Smashwords as a conversion tool for other marketing sites. Read the TOS for Smashwords. If an author needs a conversion tool he/she can use any of the free ebook converters like sigil or Calibre. |
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eskimo
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Posts: 11
Joined: May 21, 2012 11:45:05 GMT -8
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Post by eskimo on May 22, 2012 0:56:56 GMT -8
I had the same problem with a couple of photographs, which were fine on Kindle, but blanked out on e-pub. Only found the problem by checking on both after downloading. Ended up having to remove the photographs and re-editing. Had passed through the Meatgrinder without errors.
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Post by Ted on May 24, 2012 3:50:01 GMT -8
I had the same problem with a couple of photographs, which were fine on Kindle, but blanked out on e-pub. Only found the problem by checking on both after downloading. Ended up having to remove the photographs and re-editing. Had passed through the Meatgrinder without errors. Yeah, the Style Guide advises checking mobi and epub files after going through the meatgrinder. You might try using Calibre as a pre-check prior to uploading to Smashwords to catch that & other little formatting issues. |
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