Exploring Booktype: A complete e-book publishing environment
Publishing with Booktype
When the book is finished, you can publish it in a variety of formats targeting different platforms (Figure 8). To generate a publishable file, open the book for editing and switch to the Publish tab. Assuming that you want to publish the book as an e-book, select the Ebook option and press the Settings button next to it. This step opens the Ebook Settings dialog where you can adjust the default options (Figure 9). Here, you can pick the target platform, add a book cover, adjust the default font settings, and specify custom styles. The latter option gives you complete control over the book's styling and appearance. In fact, you can override all default settings with custom CSS by ticking the appropriate button.
To get the most out of this functionality, however, you need to have a working knowledge of CSS. When you're done tweaking the settings, press the Submit button to save the changes and return to the Publish section. Press Publish this book to generate an EPUB file.
In addition to publishing functionality, Booktype has a hidden export feature, which can come in handy if you want to keep backup copies of your book projects outside Booktype. To export a book project, you need to modify the book's URL. For example, the export URL of the http://username.booktype.pro/my-book/ link will be http://username.booktype.pro/export/my-book/export/.
When you type the export URL into the address bar of your browser and hit Enter, Booktype automatically generates a ZIP archive containing an HTML file for each chapter, all of the images used in the book, and a JSON file with Booktype-related data. Note, though, that although you can export any book project using the described hack, there is no direct way to import the backup copy back into Booktype.
Final Word
Booktype is probably overkill for working on a single-author book, but the application's writing, editing, and collaboration capabilities can be indispensable for managing complex book projects involving multiple contributors. Using the Booktype Pro service, you can start using the platform in a matter of minutes. If you prefer to host Booktype on your own server, you can do that, too.
Infos
- Booktype: http://www.sourcefabric.org/en/booktype
- Booktype Pro service: http://www.sourcefabric.org/en/booktype/booktypepro
- Booktype installation instructions: http://sourcefabric.booktype.pro/booktype-16-for-authors-and-publishers/installation-on-gnulinux
- Booktype demo: http://booktype-demo.sourcefabric.org
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.