Press Release: BISG Releases Revision to Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books
BISG has released a revision of its popular Best Practices publication, Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books, authored by the BISG Content Structure Committee and edited by Dave Cramer of Hachette Book Group. It is available here.
Anyone involved in creating fixed-layout e-books, making e-book format decisions, or needing an overview of issues to consider with the use of fixed layout will find practical guidance, information on current retailer standards, and other solutions and best practices for fixed layout in this guide.
The revision includes a new chapter, written by Garth Conboy of Google, on developing cross-platform EPUB Fixed Layout content. It covers concrete steps to fix specific EPUB Fixed Layout issues commonly encountered on different devices and platforms, with a goal of ensuring a consistently good reading experience across the various reading systems.
Bill Kasdorf, Vice President at Apex CoVantage and Chair of BISG's Content Structure Committee, which was responsible for the publication, commented, "This Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books Version 1.1 is invaluable to publishers, helping them to determine not only how to do fixed layout eBooks (especially in accommodating the differences between retailers and devices), but also whether to do them. This updated version is full of practical tips for solving-or avoiding-common rendering problems."
The Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books Version 1.1 also includes guidelines and information on:
• When to use fixed layout and the specific kinds of fixed layout best suited for different book categories
• How to make fixed layout
• Current retailer standards
• Accessibility issues
• Synching text and audio
• Considerations for production standards
• Solutions for other common problems
The Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books Version 1.1 is available free of charge here. An EPUB version is available free for BISG members. Contact Julie Morris at julie@bisg.org to request a copy.
The Field Guide to Fixed Layout for E-Books is an evolving document and BISG intends to update it frequently. We welcome industry participation to keep current. Please email Julie Morris at julie@bisg.org with comments and suggestions for future revisions.
We are proud to have new endorsements to the Field Guyide to Fixed Layout for E-Books from both Book Industry Communication in th U.K. and the Frenchy Publishers Association (SNE), who are working on a French language translation to the Guide.
About the Book Industry Study Group
The Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG) is the U.S. book industry's leading trade association for policy, standards, and research. The mission of BISG is to create a more informed, empowered, and efficient book industry. Membership consists of publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians, and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media. For over 35 years, BISG has provided a forum for all industry professionals to come together and efficiently address issues and concerns to advance the book community. Learn more about BISG at www.bisg.org.