Join us this summer in sunny Austin, Texas, for the first eBook Production Workshop!

Because more publishers and book designers are beginning to create their own eBooks, the need for hands-on training is growing rapidly. To help fill this need, eBook Architects will be teaching an eBook Production Workshop in Austin, Texas this summer. If your job involves creating eBooks for anyone, you cannot afford to miss this Workshop.

The Workshop will consist of two days of training and a third hands-on work day. The training days will follow a schedule and include a specific list of topics (see below). The work day will be a time for you to bring your most difficult projects and questions and work in a cooperative environment. Joshua, Toby, and Chris (the eBook Ninjas) will be on-hand to answer specific questions about workflows, tools, processes, etc. The goal of this entire Workshop is to give you all of the information you need to get your eBook production processes developed and to get you creating eBook Architects-quality eBook files.

Date

The Workshop will be held Monday-Wednesday, September 19-21, 2011.

Monday and Tuesday, 8am-5pm (with a lunch break 12pm-1:30pm)
Wednesday, open 8am-5pm for work day (with a lunch break 12pm-1:30pm) If you have an afternoon flight we will try to help you with your questions in the morning.

Workshop Topics (Monday and Tuesday):

Creating an eBook Workflow (2 hours)

• Using InDesign
• Using XML

Exporting from InDesign CS4/5/5.5, and fixing those ePubs (1 hour)

• Proper CS5.5 usage
• Issues with CS4/5 and CS5.5

Errors: Getting the most from ePubCheck, ePubPreflight, and Flightcrew (30 minutes)

• Running the tools
• Figuring our errors
• Reader/retailer specific errors, bugs, and hacks

Kindle Formatting: Designing and creating Kindle files (3 hours)

• Basic Kindle formatting rules
• How to convert ePub source to Kindle source
• How to create a one-size-fits-all ePub
• Building and testing Kindle files
• Kindle formatting tips and tricks

Automation: Using Perl, Python, and Regular Expressions (GREP) to automate eBook tasks (2 hours)

• A foundational, introductory lesson on creating basic Perl and Python scripts and on how to use Regular Expressions in both languages to make global changes to your eBook files.

ePub Enhancements (2 hours)

• Video and Audio embedding for Apple and Amazon
• Embedded PDFs for iBooks
• Embedded fonts and system fonts
• SVG and other image creation tips
• Advanced ePub styling tips (webkit styles, hacks, colors, etc.)

Fixed-layout ePub files for iBooks (including read aloud overlays) (3 hours)

• Creating fixed-layout files for iBooks
• Adding audio overlays (read aloud), including how to handle audio files

ePub3 Overview and Explanation (1 hour)

• An overview of the ePub3 spec, with explanations of the key differences from ePub2, ideas for converting files, etc.

Food

Because on-site catering at the hotel is expensive and, frankly, unappealing, we will have a different off-site lunch experience each day, to be determined by the group. Some options we can choose from:

• Lunch at the flagship Whole Foods store downtown (a major tourist draw in Austin), where there are a variety of options, from raw foods to pizza to salad bar, and the always yummy Candy Island.
• Choose-your-poison from one of several restaurant rows in the north side of town (The Arboretum, The Domain, fast food, etc.).
• Vegetarian cuisine from Mother's Cafe and Garden, with options from enchiladas to lasagna. (website)
• Vegan cuisine at Casa de Luz, a classic vegan restaurant. Wednesday is Mexican lunch day! Food is organic, local, and all types of good for you. Family style means no picking from a menu. (website)
• Indian buffet at the local kosher Indian restaurant, Madras Pavillion, with some of the best curries you'll ever eat. An eBook Architects staff favorite! (website)
• Classic deli sandwiches from the local kosher deli, served at the eBook Architects office or at a local park.
• Dinners will be on your own. The hotel has a restaurant and room serivce. Many great restaurants, and a Whole Foods grocery store, are all just a short cab ride away.

There is nothing set in stone on this yet, but we will probably have a cocktail party on Sunday night to kick off the event.

Cost

$600 per person (includes the Workshop registration and lunch all three days)

Requirements

All attendees must bring their own computer (Mac or PC). All sessions will be hands-on, follow-and-do sessions. All attendees must also be familiar with the basics of ePub files, so that the workshop can start off running. If you are not at that point yet, you can set up a separate consulting time with Joshua in the weeks leading up to the workshop.

Hotel

Holiday Inn Austin NW/Arboretum
8901 Business Park Drive
Austin, Texas 78759
(512) 343-0888
http://www.hotelaustin.com

Rates:
King -- $110 per night + tax
Two Double beds -- $101 per night + tax (single occupancy)
Two Double beds -- $111 per night + tax (double occupancy)

Reserve your room online

Online room reservations are now just a click away! Simply click on the link above to facilitate the reservation process. This will direct you to the property home page with the code already entered in the appropriate field. Then just choose your arrival date and number of nights and click "Check Availability". If you would like to call in, please call 877-719-8291 and ask for the eBook Architects group, the date and hotel.

Last day to make a reservation: Sunday, August 28, 2011

Travel

There is not any decent public transportation from the Austin airport to the northwest side of town. If you are flying in on Sunday and would like to get a ride from the airport, please send an email to info@ebookarchitects.com with your name, flight number, and arrival time. We will schedule a few different pickups during the day to accommodate as many arrivals as possible. Return trips to the airport on Wednesday and Thursday are still to be determined.

If you prefer, there are taxis and Super Shuttle.

Register

Registration closed, but the waiting list is! Please click here to go to the Registration page. All payments must be received by September 1, 2011. The Waiting List will be maintained until that date, as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Joshua.