eBook Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What is an eBook?

• eBooks are content delivered in electronic form, be they fiction or non-fiction books, annual reports, dissertations, conference materials, training manuals, etc.

2.  Why do I need an eBook?

• eBook sales increased 165.6% in 2010
• in July of 2010, eBook sales for the Kindle outnumbered sales of hardcover books on Amazon
• at least 5 major manufacturers are releasing electronic tablets to compete with the Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes & Noble Nook and Sony Reader
• downloaded eBooks travel with the reader they are stored on, wherever the user may go
• conversion of documents is faster and less expensive than traditional printing
• once your material is converted, it is yours to distribute as needed
• to save the trees!

3.  How do I know what format my eBook needs to be in?

• this will depend on where you are distributing your eBook, as well as the features and formatting you need to retain
• Disc, Inc. can convert to ebook into multiple formats:  the widely used epub format (for the iPad, Nook, and others), the mobi format for the Kindle, or to a PDF for broader distribution
• In our general information for loading files on to your Sony eReader, Barnes & Noble NOOK, Amazon Kindle, and iPhone /iPad you will also find a list of compatible files formats for each device.

4.  Why would I want a PDF instead of an ePub?

• PDF's retain their layout, formatting and page numbering system, maintaining their original design; this may be the best option for corporate materials
• with the exception of the Amazon Kindle 1, most e-readers can also view PDF's
• ePub documents allow for page reflow, so when the user adjusts font size or page view, pages renumber accordingly
• of course, if you already have an PDF, we can convert to ePub

5.  Will my eBook include my cover design, images, tables & footnotes?

• while some reformatting will occur to accomodate the electronic format, all of your elements will be included
• please see our eBook pricing guide for additional details

6.  I want to convert to epub. How do I submit my book?

• we accept books in most electronic formats, including plain text, MS Word or PDF; however, our conversion technology allows us to read most formats and media
• electronic copies can be uploaded to our website as one zipped file or to our ftpsite (contact us for a username and password)
• if your electronic document does not reflect accurate formatting, please provide a hard copy for reference
• printed copies can be delivered to our location (please note - conversion from a hard copy print will incur additional fees, please contact us for a custom quote)

7.  What is the turn time to convert to eBook?

• turn time is based on a per project basis, depending on the length of the book and number of formatting considerations
• once we have reviewed your document, we can provide an estimated completion time