e-books - a sudden realisation!

It suddenly all became clear to me recently when someone described the creation of e-books as similar to the printing process in traditional publishing.

In traditional publishing the steps in the chain are:

• Author ... Editor ... Designer ... Publisher ... Printer ... Distributor

In e-book publishing the steps in the chain are:

• Author ... Editor ... Designer ... Publisher ... e-book creator (or file converter) ... Distributor

The only real difference between the publication of printed books and electronic books is the number of electronic versions that are required.

There are a number of e-book 'readers' or 'devices' (Kindle, I-Pad etc) and these devices all require e-book files to be created in a specific format. So, whereas a printed book is just the same regardless of where you buy it and where you read it, behind the scenes of an e-book the programming code differs depending on the type of device you are reading the book on.

Simple isn't it!

So simple, in fact, that the Green Olive Press is shortly due to launch its own range of e-books.

Watch this space!