Before a book can appear in printed or electronic form at a book supplier, it must go through several steps. To begin, the process requires a manuscript; the author creates the book using a text editor that later becomes the basis for publication. Next, submitting the manuscript as a file to a publishing house involves the time-consuming work of an editor to create a well-formatted and publishable document from the writer's jumble of text.

If you prefer to self-publish with Amazon's CreateSpace [1] and Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) [2], however, the editing work is up to you. In practice, the free office packages LibreOffice [3] and OpenOffice [4] are available as extremely powerful tools for this purpose.

The publishable files – not to be confused with the raw manuscript – make up the published book, now completely formatted in an acceptable way. In the case of CreateSpace, these are PDF files, whereas KDP works primarily in the HTML format. Again, LibreOffice and OpenOffice are especially well-suited here, because they can export manuscripts to PDF or HTML. (See the "Error Correction" box for more information.)

Additionally, exotic contents, such as tables, images, and formulas, are not lost in the process. The office packages export these with cross-references so that CreateSpace and KDP can correctly process them. But, more on that later.

Creating the Manuscript

Make sure that your office suite is installed with all its components. Many of the leaner Linux distributions dispense with a large office package or leave off seldom used components such as formula editors. You can get these through the package manager later on. Creating a manuscript begins with a fresh ODT document in Writer for which you define the page style (Format | Page | Page ) in your desired format. With the proper format, the final printed book will look it does on the computer monitor.

When choosing a page format, it's important to follow the guidelines of CreateSpace or another self-publishing platform. In Figure 1, you can view the page format the author selected for his books. Equally important is the choice of fonts and font sizes for different parts of the text. Here's where your personal preference prevails. Beginners are best off keeping with Writer's default format settings.

Figure 1: Setting the page format is the first step in creating a successful manuscript.

Be careful when formatting with Format | Styles and Formatting that you don't use too many fonts (Figure 2). A rule of thumb is to have a maximum of two different fonts, or the reader's eye may find the text too chaotic.

Figure 2: With help from F11, LibreOffice and OpenOffice show the current format templates for your document.

To change the format settings or create a new style, right-click the entry to change and choose Modify… . To create a new paragraph style, right-click the desired style and choose New… .

Figure 3 shows the choice of fonts for the Heading 1 , used for chapter titles. A chapter section title would then be Heading 2 and a subsection title would be Heading 3 . Be sure that the heading styles follow the format hierarchy, so that a Heading 2 doesn't have a larger font size than a Heading 1 , for example.

Figure 3: After choosing a format template, determine the font type, style, and size as you wish.

Paragraph text should be in Default format, which should be activated automatically when pressing Enter after a heading style. You can ensure this by setting the Next Style on the Organizer tab to Default (Figure 4). Keeping the paragraph format clean lets you fix any poorly chosen styles without having to reformat the entire document.

Figure 4: In defining a heading paragraph style, you can set what the style that follows it should be.

Important Rules

Following the basic format settings, a few conditions should apply:

• Make no more manual changes to the formats.
• Use only the defined styles in the book.
• If the result is not how you imagined it, adjust the corresponding styles as appropriate.

References to page numbers, figures, tables, numbered equations, or other manuscript elements should always be done through the automatically updating cross-references you create with Insert | Cross-reference . The resulting dialog (Figure 5) lets you choose the type, its corresponding selection element, and the data type of the cross-referencing text (page, number, or reference text).

Figure 5: Cross-references are automatically updated with changes.

Never add page or figure numbers manually or as cross-references in the body text. All too often, changes in the manuscript totally reorganize the document. Use the cross-reference method at all times, which automatically adjusts the references for you.

Customizing Images

To avoid copyright problems, add only your own graphics and photos. In general, other people's works are acceptable only when they're under Creative Commons licensing [5]. Be careful to abide by the conditions in naming the source and its reproduction rights under the same license (or that prohibit commercial use entirely).

If you want to create your own images or add content to existing ones, Libre/OpenOffice Draw provides a powerful option. For a smooth workflow, add an empty image frame with Draw in the Writer document that you can later populate while writing the document. The format of the file inserted in the Draw document doesn't matter, because the image will become embedded as an Office document in the manuscript later on. (See the Manual Page Breaks box for more.)

Using a separate Draw file for each manuscript has the advantage that all the illustrations for the book are in one place. You may also want to use parts of images in another book, which is easy to do in Draw. You'll also need additional graphic elements in the images such as text, arrows, and frames. Simply import the desired image in a Draw page and add the required elements. Figure 6 shows a Draw file with many images that later become figures in the document.

Figure 6: For meaningful illustrations, add arrows and text to images using Draw.

If the figure exists, choose all the elements on the sheet and copy it using Edit | Copy or Ctrl+C to the clipboard. Then, go to the manuscript file opened in Writer and add the figure to the desired location using Edit | Paste or the usual Ctrl+V keyboard combination.

If you choose Insert content… from the menu instead, Office lets you choose the data type. Content in the standard Draw 8 format can be edited directly in Writer. With Drawing format , Writer allows adding text labels only in layers. The vector information is maintained in a GDI Metafile so that the image scaling is lossless – which doesn't work with bitmap images – thereby avoiding problems with distorted content.

After inserting image content, you must still anchor the image and flow text around it. Right-click the image and select Anchor | To Paragraph . Then, Wrap | No Wrap ensures that the text does not wrap around the image, which is suitable only for smaller image formats. Next, choose Caption from the context menu and determine the image category (Figure 7). Each category numbering initializes to 1. If a category is missing, simply add its name. Then, enter the caption text in the upper field. The lower field indicates what the caption will look like.

Figure 7: For new images, add a caption and choose a category. Writer takes care of the rest.

Don't concern yourself with the image number; the captioning function adjusts it once you click OK to insert the caption. The image now has a frame around it with the caption. To add a cross-reference to the image in the text, the image number, page number, or caption can be used as selection elements.

Inserting Tables

You can embed tables in text as you would images. With Insert | Table or Ctrl+F12, you open the required dialog, where you enter the size and general information such as its name or a heading. You then set the anchoring and wrapping, again with Anchor | To Paragraph . Again, Wrap | No Wrap the preferred solution.

Format the table heading as Table Heading and the table content as Table Contents . Here the same rules apply: Maintain the paragraph styles as cleanly as possible, and you'll never need to change text passages after text passages when format or layout changes occur. As with images, you finally add a caption with its applicable numbering, being sure to select Table as the category.

Saving

If you've been following this article closely, you now have two files, a manuscript file in Writer and a graphics file in Draw. Always save these files in ODF format. Writing a book can be an ordeal, so you'll be opening and closing these two files frequently, which can only occur in the native format.

The motto "save early, save often" is particularly applicable here. Few things cause more frustration than losing work because of a simple mistake. A total data loss is not something you would expect from Libre/OpenOffice, but don't rely on the autosave function, which is basically every 15 minutes – a thought flash can be lost in much less time.

References

Every non-fiction book needs a good list of references, which is best placed in a separate chapter at the end of the book. Each reference is numbered in square brackets. You use the same numbering in the body text, which you can easily automate. This involves inserting all references as a bulleted list in the index. You can set the bullet style using Bullets and Numbering on the Options tab, where you specify setting a left square bracket before the number and a right square bracket after it (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Create references using the numbering function in a separate chapter.

Inserting references in text uses cross-references as usual. Select the Numbered Paragraphs type and the corresponding selection element. For the insert reference, specify Number , which inserts the number along with the square brackets in text. However, this method provides no real advantage over manual reference insertion, in that Writer doesn't update the cross-reference with changes.

Reorganizing or subsequently inserting references is discouraged. In practice, it's better simply to append the added reference to the end of the list. In this way the existing linkage is maintained, and only a new reference needs to be added.

In this first section, I covered preparing the manuscript using LibreOffice or OpenOffice. This resulted in two files: a manuscript file created with Writer in ODT format and an ODG image file created in Draw. Successfully saving these two files completes this part of the process. Next, I'll explain how to prepare the manuscript file for publication as a printed book with CreateSpace and as an e-book with KDP.

Export

If you have followed the recommenda-tions so far, then the next steps will be straightforward. Both Office packages can handle the export to the formats you will need. CreateSpace requires PDF files, and Amazon's eBook platform requires HTML files.

Because the Office solutions export things like tables, images, and formulas with cross-reference information, you don't need to worry about having CreateSpace and KDP possibly hang due to complex content. This aspect is addressed in more detail later. For now, it is important to learn about how to get your book to the online publishers.

Printing with CreateSpace

You should thoroughly review your formatted manuscript before submission. Are all of the graphics in the right place? Are there any spelling mistakes? Has the table of contents been brought up to date? If everything is okay, then you can export the book via File | Export as PDF into PDF format. You should also check the PDF file for mistakes. Anything you overlook will end up in the printed version of the book.

You will need a CreateSpace [6] account to start your book printing project. Registration requirements include filling in the usual name, email address, and country of origin. Additionally, CreateSpace wants to know what type of media will be produced. For a book project, you should of course select the Book option. After confirming the account, you will need to start a new project (Figure 9). For the format, you should select Paperback and as a beginner, it is a good idea to take advantage of the Guided option.

Figure 9: CreateSpace lets you print a book and immediately release it over Amazon and other online book dealers.

In the next step, CreateSpace asks for detailed information about the book. The entries for Title , Subtitle , and Primary Author should be clearly stated. You will need to provide the names of other persons who have contributed to the book under Add Contributors . The fields for book series should only be filled out if you want to compete with the likes of J.K. Rowling and other series writers. The final points to address include entering the language for your book and the publication date.

Because you are publishing a book in print, you will need to have an international standard book number (ISBN). CreateSpace takes care of this detail for free. Otherwise, you can apply for an ISBN through the agency itself [7]. Note that an application will cost about $125.

Next, you need to consider preferences for form and layout (Figure 10). CreateSpace lets you choose between color and black and white print on various types of paper and in a variety of formats. Once you have made your selections, the final step is to load the PDF document to the CreateSpace site.

Figure 10: CreateSpace offers a variety of types of paper and printing methods for printing a book.

Next, CreateSpace will want to find out what kind of binding should be provided. Based on my experience with this provider, I recommend not changing anything here. The standard settings always deliver a good result. At the same time, CreateSpace will run a check on the PDF file you have uploaded and share the results in a control window.

When there are errors, go to Launch Interior Reviewer to find an analytics tool (Figure 11). This tool will help you determine whether the messages are pertinent by simulating the appearance of the printed version of the book and marking potential issues with the text and suggesting possible solutions.

Figure 11: The review assistant helps prevent errors like undersized images or running over page margins.

Depending on the type of error that appears, you may need to correct the manuscript file and create and upload a new PDF. You should repeat the procedures until no errors are reported by the reviewer, or until you don't consider a particular error to be of any significance.

Designing the Book Cover

Once the analytics tool no longer returns any errors, you can give the book a title page. A CreateSpace assistant helps with this task, too. However, you also have the possibility of uploading your own title. Naturally, it has to first be put into PDF format. For now, you can rely on the Cover Creator .

The assistant guides you step by step, beginning with the type of book cover. Should the print be matte or glossy? You can choose the design you like best for the book cover from a series of templates. The choice of design only determines the type of cover, and not any illustrations or text. You can gradually adapt the design to your personal preferences by going through the options in a series of menus (see Figure 12).

Figure 12: You can design a cover for your book step by step without image editing by using the cover expert.

With the book cover in place, CreateSpace indicates the status of the book project in an overview. Tasks that have been completed are shown with a green checkmark. A red circle indicates where work still needs to be done. Using the Complete Setup command shuts down the first phase of the book printing assistant and sends the book to the review process.

Submission

CreateSpace does not specifically explain what happens once the user clicks Submit Files for Review . For the most part, the service provider checks the book project over for compliance with technical requirements.

The service usually sends an email within 24 hours to inform the user that the review is complete so the process of designating distribution channels and pricing can begin.

CreateSpace offers distribution channels that include Amazon.com, Amazon Europe, and the CreateSpace estore. At no extra cost, you can also choose to place your book in US libraries and academic institutions. Likewise, it is possible to place the book in conventional book stores and online dealers with CreateSpace Direct. You will need a Book Industry Subject and Category (BISAC) code [8] for the latter. This is a code consisting of a number like COM051390 which refers to applicable subject headings, which for this example might include COMPUTERS | Programming | Open Source .

Prices are set in US dollars, and CreateSpace sets the lowest price you are permitted to charge. It is possible to set a price for each market region. The assistant automatically computes how much you can earn from each book sold.

The option of offering the book as an e-book on Kindle entails an entirely different process, which I will address later.

Quality Matters

Your book is now included as an entry in the Amazon catalog and in the other distribution channels you have chosen even though you have not spent one single cent. Helpful assistance options are available through the service, but remember that the quality of the finished product depends almost entirely on the quality of work you put into the project.

Next, I will address the specific characteristics of works including mathematical and chemical formulas and the successful conversion of scientific texts. Additionally, I will take a look at publishing works as e-books on Kindle Direct Publishing. This approach to publishing includes several issues that require careful attention.

Exporting Manuscripts

To begin, you should check over your formatted manuscript one more time in LibreOffice or OpenOffice Writer. This step could include looking for possible errors in spelling, formatting, page layout, and the table of contents.

Next, you should save the manuscript in HTML format (Figure 13). Current versions of LibreOffice and OpenOffice will create just one large HTML file in which all of the illustrations are encoded in Base 64.

Figure 13: You should let LibreOffice or OpenOffice save the export of the manuscript in their own folders.

Older versions of LibreOffice and OpenOffice are different in that they deliver numerous images along with the HTML file. It is a good idea to select a subdirectory of the manuscript folder as the location for the HTML export. To prepare the data for transmission, you should compress the files to be exported into a ZIP file.

Kindle Direct Publishing

You will first need access to Amazon's eBook publishing platform. If you are an Amazon customer, you can simply log in with your Amazon account. Otherwise, KDP will ask for the usual type of contact information. Then, you can begin with your e-book project. Fortunately, you will find assistance along the way.

The book printing assistant in CreateSpace asked you at the conclusion of that process whether you wanted to publish the book with KDP. You should return to this point and transfer the book project to KDP. The advantage of this method as opposed to starting out fresh with KDP is that you don't need to do anything more about the book cover and the book data.

You should ignore the option of generating and sending a PDF file. Instead, you should retroactively carry over the actual book content manually from the file that was exported in HTML format.

Based on personal experience, I recommend that users avoid a PDF transfer if their book includes formulas and tables. This is because transfers from CreateSpace to KDP can hang up.

Back to the Printed Version

Therefore, you should first log in again to CreateSpace and re-open the book project you have published. You will find the Publish on Kindle entry waiting (Figure 14).

Figure 14: CreateSpace makes it possible to immediately export a completed book project to Kindle Direct Publishing.

This link leads to the website for the Kindle publishing service. As it turns out, the publication process for KDP is also an option in CreateSpace when the book project is in the proofreading stage. At this point, you can simply select Take me to Kindle Direct Publishing now .

Next, you will need to tell CreateSpace how it should transfer the content of the book. The service provides an explicit warning that the PDF file format is not optimal. Therefore, you should select the I will upload a separate interior file to KDP alternative and then upload the HTML data which has been exported from LibreOffice.

Before the actual publication process on KDP begins, you will need to establish the rights to your book and decide whether the book should be protected with digital rights management. Following this, CreateSpace transfers the book as a new e-book project to KDP, where it will instantly appear in your KDP account tagged with a CreateSpace icon.

Now you can click on the new book title and start making the e-book come alive. Amazon should report that the cover was successfully transferred from CreateSpace and that the process of uploading the file containing the contents can begin. For this, select the Zip file created from the Office export and upload it.

Amazon offers a preview once the upload is complete to show how the e-book looks on various versions of Kindle e-book readers (Figure 15). For the foreseeable future, Amazon will only be supporting Kindle devices. Nonetheless, it is possible to download and test the e-book file on other readers or in e-book software like Calibre.

Figure 15: After the data import, Amazon provides a preview showing how the book looks on various Kindle devices.

If you like the results of the preview, the next step is for Amazon to again make sure that you have the necessary publication rights. Then, as with CreateSpace, you will see the option for setting up the royalties. Amazon then takes over, vets the book, and usually within 24 hours puts it on a virtual sales rack.

Tips and Tricks

Combining the LibreOffice and OpenOffice programs Writer and Draw provides many capabilities that can be put to good use. In the course of publishing, you will need various formats, each of which have associated requirements. For example, page numbers can't be missing from the table of contents in a printed book. E-book readers, however, will be looking for links to the book chapters.

These types of issues can be dealt with by including page numbers in the table of contents for the manuscript file. When exporting the e-book files, there are then two possible ways to separately prepare the content.

• Purists can save a second manuscript file in which the page numbers are removed from the table of contents. Once this manuscript file gets exported to HTML, the page numbers will be missing but the links remain.
• Practical types can open the exported HTML file in Writer. There, you can simply remove page numbers at the end of every line of the table of contents by hand. This method is usually quicker unless you have written something along the lines of War and Peace .

As authors of publications in the natural sciences can attest, setting up mathematical and chemistry formulas for printing is not much fun. Math formulas and equations usually cause the least problems because they can be put together with the internal formula editor of the LibreOffice and OpenOffice packages.

The editor simply embeds the formula as an image when exporting to PDF and HTML format, and it continues to be possible to edit the formulas at any time.

Chemistry formulas cause many more difficulties when setting them up for printing. To create these, you will need to use special programs like GChemPaint [9] from the Gnome Chemistry Utils [10] or programs that let you draw the structures and then export them as images (Figure 16).

Figure 16: GChemPaint which is part of Gnome Chemistry Utils makes it possible to construct elaborate structural formulas with ease.

LibreOffice and OpenOffice can handle the export of tables to PDF or HTML without any problems. However, with embedded elements such as formulas, tables, or images, you will need to make sure that these objects are anchored to a paragraph and that text does not flow around the images.

The export process offers the last chance for exercising vigilance to prevent unpleasant surprises down the road.

Conclusions

After following all the steps outlined in this article, your book should have found a place in the Amazon e-book catalog. Optimizing the table of contents and careful anchoring of images, formulas, and tables to the relevant book sections will provide maximum reading enjoyment on an e-book reader. You save time, and your reading audience will be happy.

Remember that writing the manuscript will be the most time-consuming part of this project, and a well-structured manuscript file increases your chances of having a successful book. It takes approximately one day to convert a finished manuscript and publish it with CreateSpace and KPD. Typically, your work will have found its way onto the digital sales shelf less than 24 hours later.