How to Create Illustrated Books for iBooks

Convert your illustrated book to ePub format to use it in iBooks.

Apple's e-book platform, iBooks, was announced in conjunction with the release of the iPad on 2010. It functions in collaboration with the e-book releases from Apple's iBookstore. Interestingly, it also allows you to add your own ePub and PDF files in your iPod, iPhone and iPad via iTunes. If you want to officially publish your illustrated books at the iBooks, you can do so by applying for it online at the iTunes Connect.

Things You'll Need

• ISBN
• Mac computer
• Internet access
• ePub file
• U.S. tax identification number
• iTunes program
• Apple ID
• Credit card
• Email address

Instructions

1. Obtain an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for your illustrated book. You need an ISBN for each book you intend to publish. The ISBN is the book's identification number when it is being sold in both physical and online bookstores. You can do the application online. This requires paying a non-refundable processing fee, which is indicated on the application form. Turnaround time for the application is more or less 15 business days.

2. Format each illustrated book you want to publish in the ePub format, the required format for any book for publication in Apple's iBooks platform. While it is possible to do it on your own by manually converting your file into a series of XML and xHTML files and grouping them into a zip file, another practical solution is to work with an aggregator, a third-party company duly accredited by Apple to provide services for aspiring book authors who want to get officially published at the iBookstore.

3. Obtain a U.S. tax identification number, also called the Employer Identification Number (EIN), from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). People who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents should also fulfill this requirement. Anyone can apply for it online via the IRS website.

4. Create an Apple ID so you can register your own account in the iTunes Store, if you don't have one yet. Registering a new account is quite similar to making a new email address. You must also provide some personal information and credit card details that will be linked to your iTunes account.

5. Go to the ePub Check website, then upload each of your ePub files for your illustrated books. This way, you will be able to check if the files meet Apple's requirements. You must ensure that the files will work to avoid hassle when you are already in the process of applying at the iTunes Connect webpage.

6. Select "Books" at the iTunes Connect webpage to start the application process for your illustrated books' publication in Apple's platform. Provide the necessary information through the application wizard, then upload each ePub file once prompted to do so. You will receive a notification whether your submission is accepted or not through your indicated email address within 24 hours. If not accepted, you can still use the ePub copy of your illustrated book for personal use using your iPod, iPhone or iPad. However, it won't be available for other people looking for illustrated books for their iBooks, unless you personally give them actual copies of your ePub files.

Tips & Warnings

• Aside from the option to get an aggregator to help you with the application requirements, it is also possible to make your ePub files on your own with the aid of a third-party program like Adobe InDesign or Calibre. Make sure that the Mac computer you use for making your ePub file and uploading it online is within Apple's technical requirements. Your computer must be an Intel-based Mac using a Mac OS 10.5 or better. A free disk space of at least 10GB is recommended.

• Usually, you must pay an aggregator for the services they provide. Fees vary per company. However, there are aggregators that don't charge for their services first, but they get a considerable share of the profit you get when selling your illustrated books at the iBookstore.

References

• Apple: iTunes Connect - Requirements
• Apple: iTunes - Book Publishers: Frequently Asked Questions
• Tuaw; Calling All Authors: How to Sell Your Books in the iBook Store; David Winograd; May 2010
• Inc.; How to Self-Publish Books for iPad; Renee Oricchio; May 2010
• Fast Company; How the iPad Could Make Books Go Viral; Addy Dugdale; March 2010
• OSX Daily; How to Publish an iBook to the Apple iBookstore; August 2010

Resources

• NPR; iPad Could Help Self-Publishers Kick Open Doors; Laura Sydell
• Mac Life; Apple Reveals New Service for Authors to Sell Their Books in the iBookstore; May 2010
• PC World; Report: Apple's iPad E-Book Store to Use DRM; Daniel Ionescu; February 2010
• iPad Insider; Bookstore to Sell Books Directly from Authors; Ben Hainsworth; May 2010
• Apple: iPad - iBooks
• ISBN: The ISBN Standard