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EPUB_CREATION_GUIDE

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EPUB CREATION GUIDE

They Can All Bird — Ebook Format

WHAT IS EPUB?

EPUB is the standard ebook format that works on:

  • Amazon Kindle (KDP converts EPUB to Kindle format automatically)
  • Apple Books (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
  • Kobo (e-readers)
  • Google Play Books
  • Barnes & Noble Nook

Advantage: Reflowable text (readers can change font size, device adapts)

OPTION 1: PANDOC (BEST - Free)

Install Pandoc:

Mac:

brew install pandoc

Or download from: https://pandoc.org/installing.html

Create EPUB:

cd ~/Desktop
pandoc MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md \
  -o They_Can_All_Bird.epub \
  --metadata title="They Can All Bird" \
  --metadata author="Dr. Eleanora Voss" \
  --metadata publisher="Convergence Press" \
  --metadata isbn="979-8-9952710-1-7" \
  --metadata date="2026-03-08" \
  --metadata subject="Science Fiction" \
  --epub-cover-image=TCAB_eBook_Cover_KDP.png \
  --toc \
  --toc-depth=2

Result:

  • They_Can_All_Bird.epub on your Desktop
  • Ready to upload to KDP

OPTION 2: CALIBRE (GUI - Free)

Download:

https://calibre-ebook.com/download

Steps:

  1. Open Calibre
  2. Click “Add books” → Select MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md
  3. Click “Convert books” (top toolbar)
  4. Select Output format: EPUB
  5. Fill metadata:
    • Title: They Can All Bird
    • Author: Dr. Eleanora Voss
    • Publisher: Convergence Press
    • ISBN: 979-8-9952710-1-7
    • Tags: science fiction, horror, found manuscript
  6. Click “Page setup” → Output profile: Tablet (for reflowable)
  7. Click “EPUB output” → Check “Insert inline Table of Contents”
  8. Click “OK” to convert

OPTION 3: ONLINE CONVERTER (Easiest)

Sites:

Steps:

  1. Open MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md in TextEdit
  2. Copy all text (Cmd+A, Cmd+C)
  3. Paste into online converter
  4. Add metadata (title, author, etc.)
  5. Download EPUB file

Limitation: May not handle the cover image well

OPTION 4: KINDLE CREATE (Amazon’s Tool)

Download:

https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Create/b?ie=UTF8&node=18292298011

Steps:

  1. Open Kindle Create
  2. Choose “Reflowable” (for novels)
  3. Import your Word document (if you formatted in Word)
  4. Or paste text from MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md
  5. Add cover image: TCAB_eBook_Cover_KDP.png
  6. Kindle Create auto-formats for KDP
  7. Export as .kpf (Kindle package)

Advantage: Direct KDP integration, previews exactly how it’ll look

OPTION 5: ATTICUS (Paid but Worth It)

https://atticus.io/

  • $147 one-time
  • Upload Markdown
  • Auto-formats beautiful EPUB
  • Built-in themes
  • Professional output

For Speed (Do This Now):

Use Online Converter:

  1. Go to https://pandoc.org/try/
  2. Copy contents of MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md
  3. Paste in left box
  4. Select format: EPUB
  5. Click “Convert”
  6. Download EPUB file

Time: 5 minutes

For Quality:

Install Calibre:

  1. Download Calibre (free)
  2. Import Markdown
  3. Set metadata properly
  4. Add cover image
  5. Generate EPUB

Time: 30 minutes Result: Professional EPUB with full metadata

METADATA TO INCLUDE

Your EPUB should contain:

Title: They Can All Bird
Subtitle: Being a True Account of the North Platte Experiments and the Discovery of Emergent Biointelligence
Author: Dr. Eleanora Voss
Editor: M. Reyes
Publisher: Convergence Press
ISBN: 979-8-9952710-1-7
Publication Date: 2026-03-08
Language: English
Description: A found manuscript documents Dr. Eleanora Voss's unauthorized experiments enhancing animal intelligence...
Keywords: science fiction, horror, found manuscript, ornithology, biointelligence

CHECKING THE EPUB

Open and Verify:

Mac:

  • Double-click EPUB → Opens in Apple Books
  • Check that:
    • Cover displays correctly
    • Table of Contents works
    • Chapters are navigable
    • Text is readable
    • Marginalia appears distinct

Windows:

  • Use Calibre’s E-book viewer
  • Or upload to KDP and preview there

Common Issues:

IssueFix
Cover not showingRe-generate with cover image specified
No Table of ContentsUse --toc flag in Pandoc
Weird formattingEPUBs reflow - some formatting will be simplified
Marginalia looks wrongThis is normal - EPUB simplifies complex layouts

KDP UPLOAD

Ebook Upload Process:

  1. Go to kdp.amazon.com
  2. Create new ebook title
  3. Upload your EPUB file
  4. KDP automatically converts to Kindle format
  5. Upload cover: TCAB_eBook_Cover_KDP.jpg
  6. Preview in Kindle Previewer
  7. Publish!

Alternative: Upload DOCX

If EPUB gives you trouble, KDP also accepts:

  • DOCX (Word format)
  • MOBI (old Kindle format)
  • HTML

You can upload the Word document you formatted instead of EPUB.

EPUB vs PRINT PDF

FeatureEPUB (Ebook)PDF (Print)
Reflowable text✅ Yes❌ Fixed layout
User can change font✅ Yes❌ No
Works on all devices✅ Yes❌ Print only
Marginalia formattingSimplifiedExact placement
Page numbersDynamicFixed
Cost to produce$0~$4.50 per copy
Your royalty~$3.50 (70%)~$3.50 (varies)

Trade-off: EPUBs are more flexible but lose the exact “found manuscript” layout. The content still works perfectly.

QUICK START

Right now, in 5 minutes:

  1. Open MASTER_MANUSCRIPT.md in TextEdit
  2. Copy all text
  3. Go to https://pandoc.org/try/
  4. Paste the text
  5. Select EPUB format
  6. Click Convert
  7. Download the EPUB

You’ll have an ebook ready for KDP.

QUESTIONS?

Which option should I use?

  • Fastest: Online converter (5 min)
  • Best quality: Calibre (30 min)
  • KDP optimized: Kindle Create (30 min)

Can I skip EPUB and use Word?

  • Yes! KDP accepts DOCX files. Upload your formatted Word doc directly.

Do I need both EPUB and PDF?

  • EPUB: For ebook edition
  • PDF: For print edition
  • Yes, need both for complete publication

“The EPUB flows like water. The PDF stands like stone. Both carry the same story.”

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