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https://github.com/javierarce/epub-boilerplate

A simple template to help you create ePub-formatted books.
https://github.com/javierarce/epub-boilerplate

epub epub-boilerplate epub-validation epubcheck

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A simple template to help you create ePub-formatted books.

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README

        

ePub Boilerplate
================

A simple template that helps you build ePub-formatted books.

## How to use the template

1. Clone the repo:

$ git clone [email protected]:javierarce/epub-boilerplate.git

2. Edit the contents of the ``book`` directory1.

3. Run the publish script to generate and validate the book:

$ ./publish book

1: You'll find comments inside several files to guide you.

## Structure of a book

Here's the structure of the sample book included in the repo:

▾ book/
▾ META-INF/
com.apple.ibooks.display-options.xml
container.xml
▾ OEBPS/
▾ Images/
cover.jpg
image-01.jpg
image-02.png
▾ Styles/
style.css
▾ Text/
acknowledgements.xhtml
chapter01.xhtml
chapter02.xhtml
chapter03.xhtml
cover.xhtml
dedication.xhtml
endnotes.xhtml
foreword.xhtml
frontmatter.xhtml
introduction.xhtml
toc.xhtml
content.opf
toc.ncx
mimetype

## ePub validation

This project uses [epubcheck](https://github.com/IDPF/epubcheck) to validate the generated ePubs. If the ``build.sh`` script complains when running ``epubcheck``, make sure you have java installed and it's in your ``PATH``.

If you need help running ``epubcheck`` read this step-by-step guide.

## How to check your ebook

It's super easy. Just do:

$ ./check book.epub

This project currently uses EpubCheck version 4.0.

## Style

*Caveat lector*: currently there aren't any defined styles. While I add a basic layout have a look at the ePub CSS Starter Kit.

## ePub → mobi

If you want to transform your ``.epub`` file to ``.mobi`` do this:

1. Download [KindleGen](http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000765211).
2. Uncompress the file.
3. Copy the ``kindlegen`` executable to the ``bin`` folder.
4. Run ``./bin/kindlegen book.epub``.

## Useful resources

#### EPUB 3
* [EPUB 3.0 spec](http://idpf.org/epub/30)
* [What Is EPUB 3? An Introduction to the EPUB Specification for Multimedia Publishing](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920022442.do)

#### Metadata
* [UUID generator](http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen)
* [BISAC Subject Headings List](http://bisg.org/?page=BISACFaQ)
* [Practical ePub metadata: Authorship](http://blog.threepress.org/2009/11/27/practical-epub-metadata-authorship/)
* [MARC Code List for Relators](http://www.loc.gov/marc/relators)

#### Styling
* [ePub CSS Starter Kit](https://github.com/mattharrison/epub-css-starter-kit)

#### Validation
* [ePub Validator](https://github.com/IDPF/epubcheck)

#### Compatibility and rendering issues
* [Device compatibilty chart](http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Device_Compatibility)
* [99problems: A global list of e-reader rendering bugs](https://github.com/dvschultz/99problems)