EPUB ebook creation using InDesign

Recent releases of InDesign allow us to export to the EPUB ebook file, this most common ebook format in widespread use.

However, this EPUB export functionality is not yet perfect, and depends on extra preparation work being done to make the layout suitable for EPUB. We'll take a look at the possibilities, problems and work-arounds, and have a speculative look at what might be appearing in future versions of InDesign.

Jason has had a long career in IT, and has been focused on XML-based publishing for the last 7 years, working with a number of emerging and mature technologies to construct digital publishing workflows. This work has seen Jason involved in some of New Zealand's leading cultural heritage digital publishing initiatives, and also working with New Zealand publishers to convert their lists to modern ebook formats (epub and kindle). More recently, Jason has been involved with CWA New Media and Learning Media to provide technical direction and leadership with their metadata publishing efforts, and his technical background, combined with knowledge of publishing and business requirements has seen him very closely involved with these efforts.