Parson Place eBook Conversion Services

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Do you have a manuscript that you want converted into eBook format? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading to learn your next step.

There are two main options for you to consider:

1. Do you desire only one format? For instance, the most popular format is Kindle, and the vast majority of people prefer and use that format, or
2. Do you desire multiple formats? For instance, the next two most popular formats are Nook and Adobe PDF, and it is generally a good idea to offer eBooks in more than one format for those folks who prefer having alternatives. Plus, you can maximize your sales income by offering multiple formats.

Making your eBook available in multiple formats is usually the better way to go, but if you’re on a tight budget or just plain stingy with your money, perhaps choosing only the most popular format will suffice. It’s really a personal choice.

So, how much does it cost for eBook conversion? Prices vary among eBook conversion providers, so you will need to do your research and compare and contrast the variety of offerings available. Parson Place fees are as follows:

• For single format eBook conversion: $49.95.
• For multiple format eBook conversion: $99.95.

Next, you may be wondering how long the conversion process takes. Well, it depends. For instance, if your book contains numerous graphical images (i.e., photos, charts, etc.), the conversion time will take longer than a strictly textual content manuscript, since each of these images needs to be specially inserted and encoded during the conversion process. This is done by hand for a more precise display. Even so, a strictly textual content manuscript will still require a fair amount of time, because the manuscript must first be designed with a professional layout in order to display a header for each page containing either the book’s title or chapter name and its author’s name, as well as a footer for the pagination number, although the pagination number may also be placed in the header. To do all of this right and well, we should allow approximately one week for each format. It may take a little more or less time (depending on the length of the manuscript, number of graphics, etc.), but this is a rough estimate.

Now, we come to the question of what is needed to convert your manuscript into an eBook format. Listed below are the necessary files to complete this process:

• A high resolution image file of your book’s cover (any image file format is acceptable, but .JPG/JPEG or .PNG are preferred (suggested pixel dimensions should be in the range of 1200 x 1700; larger is better than smaller, because images usually reduce well, but they tend to pixelate when enlarged)
• The manuscript file should be in MS Word 2010 or later and should include the following:
  • A publisher’s page, even if you are publishing it independently without a third party publisher
  • A copyright page, listing the title and subtitle of the book with the author’s byline, the name of the person or entity who owns the copyright (whether or not it is officially registered with your government’s national copyright office) and the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) assigned to each format of your eBook, if you choose to buy this. READ THE NEXT POINT FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT INCLUDING AN ISBN.
  • The BISG (Book Industry Study Group), the organization which issues the official guidelines for authors, publishers, and retailers of books, requires that a unique ISBN be assigned for every unique publication for sale of a written work, i.e., every different printed edition (such as first and subsequent editions, each individual volume in a series, and even both paperback and hard cover publications of the same title) as well as every different format of eBook produced under the same title (such as Kindle, Nook, PDF, etc.). This is because each ISBN identifies each unique product for sale in the marketplace. However, an ISBN for eBooks is not required for sale via the most popular retail platforms of Amazon, Barnes and Noble and perhaps a few others, because they will assign their own unique product ID code once you create an account with them. Furthermore, the ISBN is not required if you will be selling your eBook via your own website ONLY, because you will be the only retailer who needs to separate each of your products from one another. Basically, you are not required to purchase an ISBN for each format of your eBook, unless the retailer where you wish to sell your eBook requires you to have one to sell on their platform
  • Following the Copyright page, you will need a Contents page, whether fiction or nonfiction
  • An Acknowledgements page, if you wish to thank anyone for helping with the researching, writing, editing and proofing of your nonfiction work (this is not required for fiction, and it may even be omitted for nonfiction works, if the author chooses)
  • An About the Author page (also optional, but you may include a small headshot photo of the author on the About the Author page, if you wish one; just make sure the image is clear and at least five megapixels in quality)
  • The full text of your book
  • If your book is a nonfiction work containing references to other sources, an Endnotes page is required for any references to or quotes by other authors or individuals you have noted in your book; if the author wishes to make each of the notes hyperlinked for quick jumping back and forth between the in-line notes and the corresponding notes on the Endnotes page, this will also require extra time to convert
• A high resolution image file in either .JPG/JPEG or .PNG format for each graphic you wish to include in your book, if any

If you still have questions, you may contact the parson of Parson Place, Michael White, and he will respond as promptly as possible. Please be patient, however, since there may be numerous other inquiries claiming his time.

Finally, if you are ready to take the next step, you may engage Parson Place’s services to convert your book into an eBook now. Just package all of your files into one tidy compressed file for easy emailing. The best option for compressing your files is to use the built-in feature in MS Windows Explorer by group-selecting the files you wish to compress, right-clicking your mouse button, and then choosing “Compress to ZIP file” from the context menu. Next, name your compressed file, attach it to an email and send it to Michael White for review. Michael will reply to you as soon as possible to confirm receipt of your submission, the successful decompression of the files for conversion, and the estimated time to complete the conversion process. If your email service provider has restrictions on either including file attachments or on the size of a file attachment, contact Michael via email for instructions on using an alternative method for transporting your compressed file.

Payment must be received PRIOR TO DELIVERY of the converted eBook format(s). Payment may be accepted by credit card, debit card, Google Pay, or Pay Pal. The converted eBook file(s) will be delivered via download from the Parson Place site, and the download link will be provided at the time of delivery.

If the patron expresses any dissatisfaction with the final product, Michael White will make every effort to correct whatever problem(s) the patron identifies and endeavor to earn, insofar as possible, his/her complete satisfaction.