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• • June 2, 2016 at 12:22 pm #85402
    Steven Plummer

    Member

    Hey guys, I really need some help.

    Quickly about my background. I am a book designer and have been designing using Indesign for many years so am quite familiar with the software. However, I recently designed my first Fixed Layout Epub which I am having trouble getting approved for Smashwords.

    I have designed a fixed layout epub in Indesign CC. I used Toolkit fonts for licensing and have used styles and no kerning or local overrides.

    I had my epub file validated using FLIGHTDECK, and it gives me the OK.

    This last time, I sent the epub in to SMASHWORDS, for approval and they reject it from their Premium catalog. The only feedback is to read up on all six of their individual guides, but they don’t tell me what the problem is. That was this time.

    Previously, I had overlapping text issues, even though I have all styles determined for all text. I double checked all of it and am at a loss.

    This is a complex question, but mainly, I need to somehow get approval of the file for my client and I am stuck.

    Does anyone have any suggestions of questions based on what I have written?

    I am at a bit of a loss and don’t know exactly what even to ask, but I have done everything by the book. My next step is to read every single guide to see if I find anything.

    I am happy to post my file is anyone wants to take a look. I just need help.

    Thanks in advance!!

    Steve

  • June 2, 2016 at 4:10 pm #85415
    Ken Jones

    Member

    Hi Steve

    If your EPUB is valid against epubcheck https://github.com/IDPF/epubcheck but they are still rejecting then I or other people here will need to know why *specifically* it is being rejected in order to help you further.

    Maybe post their rejection message? Or if they are not telling you why then you need to ask them to be more specific!

    Thanks
    Ken
    CircularSoftware.com

  • June 2, 2016 at 6:40 pm #85420
    Janis Friesler

    Member

    Hi Steve, epub

    My guess is Smashwords algorithm doesn’t work with fixed-layout. I don’t use Smashwords anymore because it does not recognize more complex layouts. My suggestion is to download a free program called Epub Checker: https://www.pagina-online.de/produkte/epub-checker and a program called Epub Pack:https://sourceforge.net/projects/epubpack/. Here is what I do:

    1. I rename my ePub file from whatevername.epub tp whatevername.html
    .
    2. I run epubpack. Click on the button next to the upper field called mimetype. It will open a search. find whatever.html open it and it will have the mimetype file. Click on it and it will fill in the mimetype field then click on the bottom button. It will take you to another screen so save the file as whatevername2; it will save as an epub again. You have to do this process so the mumetype file comes first in the list of the epub parts. That is a requirement.

    3. The next step is to open the epubchecher/
    cker. Drag whatevername.epub on the the open eubchecker and run it. It will give you any errors if you have them. Correct the errors in a html editor like Sigl. Do this until epubcheck validates the whole thing.

    4. Then try to upload it to Smashwords:

    “The Smashwords Direct feature allows you to upload your own professionally designed .epub file to Smashwords. You can use Smashwords Direct to replace a Smashwords-generated .epub with your own EPUB file, or you can use it when uploading a new title (simply upload the EPUB rather than an MS Word DOC file). We support direct upload of both EPUB2 and EPUB3 files.
    I usually post my ePub fixed-layout directly to iTunes, but I have a Mac. The only way to do this is by using iTunes Producer. I free program available for the Mac only.

    Hope this all helps.

    Janis Friesler

  • June 8, 2016 at 11:43 am #85547
    Steven Plummer

    Member

    Hi Janis and thanks for the post. I work on a mac and didn’t find the Epub Pack for mac. The one I found was an .exe file and didn’t see the mac version. Anyhow, shouldn’t the validators catch something like that? For instance, I have done a validation of my epub 3.0 on both Flightdeck and also had NO ERRORS on Epub-Checker. So shouldn’t that mean the Mimetype file should be placed correctly?

    I have been searching high and low to see if I can find anything that would be wrong with my file and I don’t see anything. I have validated it with the two checkers above, like I mentioned and it is just crazy that Smashwords won’t allow the file into their premium catalog.

    Is there a chance they made a mistake? I am thinking of simply renaming the file and sending it through again. Any thoughts on other ways to check the file.

    Of course, they did not mention what is wrong with the file and simply told me to read several guides they have links to, the first of which is a 200+ page book.

    I am not unfamiliar with Epubs. I have been providing Epubs to clients for some time, but this Fixed Layout Epub is really hard to get through… I’m really stumped. I would think the Epub-Checker would flag something if there was any error, but it says there is nothing wrong with the file.

    Thanks guys!
    Steve

  • June 8, 2016 at 6:42 pm #85577
    Janis Friesler

    Member

    Hi Steve,

    Send it to me and I will try to figure it out. I have done a lot of these and it shouldn’t be a problem. I will try my best. You can send it using wetransfer.com if the file is too large for your email. My email address is pfriesler@wi.rr.com. I can run it through my epub pack. I have a pc and a mac because I format so many books.

    Hope I can help you,

    Janis

  • June 11, 2016 at 5:08 am #85650
    Steven Plummer

    Member

    Janis,

    I sent you an email. Let me know if you received it. Just want to make sure. Thanks!
    Steve

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