Help
We've tried to give you as much information on how to use bookleteer as we can. If you can't find what you're looking for drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.For questions about copyright, please see our terms and conditions page.
using Bookleteer | Creating eBooks | Creating StoryCubes
Using bookleteer
- How should I prepare my images?
To keep file sizes low images should be saved in jpeg (JPG) format at the exact size you want them to appear in your eBook or StoryCube at a resolution of 150dpi and no more than 300dpi. If you are using the online content editor your images need to be online before they can be added to bookleteer. We suggest uploading them to flickr.com.
- What Design should I choose?
Proboscis have created 2 different eBook designs which you can choose from, both of which are available for A4/US and A3/Ledger sizes.
Basic is a simple book design which places the title, author, a cover image and a logo image on the front cover. The eBook title, author, credits and secondary logo are placed on the back cover.
Custom Cover allows users to design their own front cover and upload it as a JPG image. The eBook title, author, credits and both logo images are placed on the back cover.
- What dimensions should my cover image be?
Images should be saved as JPGs or PNGs at a minimum resolution of 72dpi at exact size or greater. For best results 150dpi is recommended.
Basic Design
– A4/US Letter : 90mm by 65mm (landscape) | 65mm by 90mm (portrait)
– A3/Ledger : 135mm by 90mm (landscape | 90mm by 135mm (portrait
Custom Cover Designs
– A4/US Letter : 133mm by 88mm (landscape) | 88mm by 133mm (portrait)
– A3/Ledger eBook Landscape : 193mm by 130mm (landscape | 130mm by 193mm (portrait)
- What can I use the Logo images for?
The ‘Logo’ spaces allow users to add one or more logos to the covers of their eBooks. The Main Logo could, for instance, be the logo of the ‘publisher’ or author and the Secondary Logo might be used for credits, such as acknowledging sponsors/funders or for placing a Creative Commons-type image. However, they can also be used just as spaces for images on the front/back covers.
- What is the Credits/ Colphon area for?
Use this area to add in any credits or copyright information and links to websites etc. You can write up to around 70 words in this section.
- What are the bookleteer templates?
The bookleteer templates are MS Word, Open Office and Adobe InDesign documents in the exact page content dimensions of the eBook and the StoryCube for both the A4/US Letter and A3/Ledger sizes. Each template is one page. One page is one eBook page or one StoryCube side. You can add more pages in the same way you would with any Word or Open Office document.
- Where can I find the templates?
A zip file containing all of the bookleteer templates was emailed to you with your login and password when you signed up to bookleteer. You can also download the templates from bookleteer.com/blog/Bookleteer_Content_Templates.zip
- How do I use the templates
Unzip the templates and open the appropriate file for the application you are using.
Put your content into the template document and save the file as a PDF.
Login to the bookleteer website, create a new eBook or StoryCube and add a title and author details etc.
Click on the 'Browse' button beside 'Upload Content' and find the PDF on your computer. Click 'OK'.
Click 'Upload Content', then Click 'Generate' - How do I save my template file as a PDF?
Every application is different, however, you can sometimes select 'Save As' or 'Export' from the file menu or on an Apple Mac you can go to File -> Print and choose 'Print to PDF'.
For PC users, www.pdfonline.com provides a free trial download of their PDF conversion application. - Can I make my own templates?
Yes, you can use any application that generates a PDF file to make your own templates, for example, Photoshop, inDesign, Quark, Illustrator, Open Office, Word, AutoCad or Powerpoint.
- What are the template dimensions?
A4 & US Letter
eBooks : 133mm x 88mm (landscape) | 88mm x 133mm (portrait)
StoryCubes : 55mm x 55mm
A3 & Ledger
eBooks : 190mm x 130mm (landscape) | 130mm x 193mm (portrait)
StoryCubes : 82mm x 82mm - I have a PDF that I would like to use but it's not a bookleteer template. What should I do?
Upload the PDF to bookleteer the same way you would for a PDF template. The content will be re-flowed to fit the eBook or StoryCube format.
- Can I share my eBooks and StoryCubes?
Only logged in members of bookleteer can download eBooks and StoryCubes that have been added to the library.
To share your eBooks and StoryCubes you can email the files or post them on your own website.
Before sharing your eBooks and StoryCubes please check your responsibilities regarding copyright on our terms and conditions page. - What happens when I order some POD eBooks or StoryCubes?
When you confirm your order an email is sent to Proboscis where one of us will calculate the cost and send you an invoice via Paypal. Once we receive payment we will send your item(s) to press and aim to have the finished products in your hands within 7 working days. StoryCubes will be printed on a regular basis – check here or on twitter for details of the next printing deadline.
The ordering system is very hands-on whilst we’re still developing the alpha version of bookleteer – please bear with us and forgive its manual shortcomings!
Creating eBooks
- How many pages can an eBook have?
The maximum number of pages an A4/US eBook can contain is 38 content pages plus a front and back cover (10 sheets of A4 paper). The minimum number of pages an eBook can contain is 6 content pages plus front and back cover (2 sheets of A4 paper).
(1 sheet A4 paper = 4 eBook pages)
The maximum number of pages an A3/Ledger eBook can contain is 46 content pages plus a front and back cover (10 sheets of A3 paper). The minimum number of pages an eBook can contain is 6 content pages plus front and back cover (2 sheets of A3 paper).
(1 sheet A3 paper = 4 eBook pages) - How do I know where the page breaks are going to be?
When using the content editor, currently the only way to tell where page breaks will be is to generate your eBook and view the PDF. However, you can force page breaks in by using the 'Insert Page Break' button.
If you need more control over your layout we suggest you use the bookleteer templates. - How do I add images to my content in the online Content editor?
Your images need to be online to be added to the online content editor. We suggest uploading them to flickr.com. Once they are online, in the bookleteer online content editor click on the tree icon in the toolbar and enter the location of your image. Click 'insert'.
- Why does bookleteer generate eBooks in both US letter and A4 format?
There are variations in how content is formatted for these two different paper sizes. We prefer to generate both as you never know who is reading your book and which paper size they prefer.
- Why does bookleteer generate eBooks in both Ledger and A3 format?
Ledger is the US equivalent to the European A3 sheet size. By generating both your eBook can be printed out and made up by people no matter which paper size they prefer,
- How do I know if it worked / when it is done?
The page refreshes and a message appears at the top of the page with links to the files.
- Where are the generated files stored / Where do the files go?
The files will be placed in your default download folder on your computer.
- I've printed my pages, how do I make them into an eBook?
We've prepared videos to show how to turn your pages in eBooks. There is one video for each style of eBook. You can watch them at vimeo.com/channels/bookleteer/
Creating StoryCubes
- What Size should my images be?
A4 : 55mm x 55mm
A3 : 82mm x 82mm
- Do I have to upload 12 images?
Upload 6 images if you want a single-sided StoryCube or 12 images if you want to have a double-sided StoryCube.
- What is the difference between single-sided and double-sided StoryCubes?
Single-sided cubes display 6 images and the reverse (inside) of the cube is blank.
Double-sided cubes have images on both sides so you can make up the cube to display either the inside or the outside. - How do I print a double-sided cube?
Print one side then turn the paper over and put it through the printer again to print the second side.
