File Structure Of An Ebook

So, you are not an author...this guide will assist you while you start "writing your first eBook". The file structure of an eBook is provided for you below; use it as your outline. Well, let's get started with the basic details about eBooks.

1. First of all, you do not have to write well...if this scares you, consider hiring a copywriter like Elance, or purchase a software program for only $67.00 like "Instant Article Wizard" (IAW) to write your articles for you.

2. You want enough content for your eBook...determine what information is relevant, or get ideas from "free" articles located at Articlesbase.

3. Do not worry about the small things like kind of fonts, color of fonts, number of pages, title, cover, etc...just concentrate on the file structure of an eBook.

File Structure Of An Ebook:

eBooks
  - ebook
      - images
               pic1.jpg
               pic2.gif
      - leftpanel
               index.html
      - protected
               chapter4.html
               chapter5.html
  chapter1.html
  chapter2.html
  chapter3.html

Writing your first eBook can consist of 5-10-15 pages...this is considered a "Mini-Ebook" and can sell anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00. If you are able to put 500 plus words into an article on a piece of paper, you can write your own Mini-Ebook. Create an outline for your eBook...these will be your chapters.

To make your eBook, you will need to create HTML documents. If you do not know HTML codes and HTML tags, you can use an HTML editor. You will need an HTML editor to format your text, insert images (if needed), and create your navigation links for chapter pages. Download CoffeeCup HTML Editor - Click Here.

1. Create a folder (this folder will contain all your HTML files, images and other files that you want to insert into your eBook). You will compile this folder later using an eBook compiler software program. Give it a filename such as “ebook”.

2. If your eBook contains images, create a sub-folder within the "ebook" folder (copy all your .jpg images to this folder). Give it a filename such as “images”.

3. If you are creating a commercial eBook for resell, and want to require registration for accessing the “paid part” of the eBook…create a new sub-folder within the "ebook" folder (save the protected chapters that are available after registration to this folder). Give it a filename such as “protected”.

*** Save each eBook HTML file (page) as a chapter (chapter1.html, chapter2.html, etc).

*** Add links to each page for moving to the “next” and “previous” chapters for easy navigation.

*** Add a table of contents (displayed on the left side of your eBook). Create a sub-folder within the "ebook" folder. Give it a filename such as: left panel. Save the HTML file with the table of contents pointing to eBook chapters. Type the table of contents and add hyperlinks to HTML chapter pages of your eBook. When you compile the eBook, the page with the table of contents will be displayed in the left panel, and clicks on the links in the table of contents will open the corresponding chapter page in your eBook.

4. Now, create an HTML page - format the text; insert images; add hyperlinks for moving between your chapter pages at the bottom of the page - save it to the "ebook" folder with a filename “chapter1.html”. Repeat the same steps to prepare all your HTML files for each chapter of your eBook.

When you are finished writing your HTML pages, they are ready to be converted into an electronic book using an eBook compiler. Click on image below to visit Ebook Maestro and see a "live" demonstration.

After reading this topic on "Writing Your First Ebook", you will need to know how to compile all your pages into an eBook. Read the next topic titled "Ebook Compiler And Covers".

Next Topic:  "Ebook Compiler And Covers"

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