Today's readers are far more accustomed to, and eagerly seek out, rich digital experiences. With that in mind, authors are starting to go beyond typical eBook formats and are actively looking for ways to add audio, video, and other multimedia elements into their books.
At the same time, creating an interactive eBook isn't quite as straightforward as just uploading a few multimedia files. Different platforms have different limitations and specific requirements in terms of file format. Choose the wrong format and your eBook conversion could cause compatibility issues, frustrated readers, and lots of unnecessary cost and time wasted.
This guide is designed to give self-publishing authors everything you need to know about interactive eBook conversion services, from understanding how fixed-layout eBooks work, to knowing which multimedia format to choose. We'll also show you how to prepare your manuscript for publication and choose the right interactive eBook conversion service when the time is right.
What is an interactive eBook?
To put it simply, an interactive eBook is a digital book that includes features that go beyond standard text and static images. Depending on the format and platform you choose, your interactive eBook might have embedded audio or video, clickable navigation links, image galleries or other reader-controlled elements.
If you're already familiar with standard eBooks, then you know that they're reflowable, which means that the text adjusts depending on the reader's device, font size, screen orientation and other settings. Reflowable eBooks are the best choice for:
- Novels
- Memoirs
- Business books
- Narrative nonfiction
- Other text-heavy titles
With reflowable eBooks, the reader can increase the font size, change the font style, or read easily on their phone, tablet or e-reader without breaking the flow of the page.
Interactive eBooks are different. Many use a Fixed Layout format which keeps the placement of text, images, and design elements on the page. Instead of the page changing to fit the design, the design stays consistent. If visuals are an important part of the book, like a photography or children's book, their presentation becomes even more important.
With BookBaby's Fixed Layout eBook conversion service, design-heavy books like children's books, cookbooks, photography books, textbooks, and graphic novels all keep their Fixed Layout in order to accommodate the original design.
Interactive eBooks vs. standard eBooks
Before you decide whether or not to invest in an interactive eBook, you should know the difference beyond “one is interactive and the other isn't.” If your text is the main experience, with some supplementary images, and the goal is for the reader to move through the chapters, you'll likely best be served by a standard eBoook.
If, on the other hand, your book depends on a visual layout, specific media or page-specific designs, an interactive fixed-layout eBook may be a better option. When people think of interactive eBooks, they often picture not just children's books or cookbooks, but also things like music instruction books or language learning books, where being able to hear and watch can make a significant difference in how the information is shared and retained.
In the end, one format is not necessarily better than the other; the format should ultimately serve the reading experience and the reader's expectations.
Interactive eBooks vs. audiobooks
Self-publishing authors sometimes confuse interactive eBooks and audiobooks. Although they seem similar on the surface, they're actually different products. An audiobook is a complete audio version of your book. With an audiobook, the reader becomes the listener. The book is narrated (either by you or by a professional voice artist) and then distributed through relevant audiobook platforms.
An interactive eBook is still an eBook at its core. The reader is still reading, but they may also be viewing, tapping or navigating through the book. Audio or video might show up in certain places, but overall, the book is still a digital reading experience, just with some visual or auditory elements woven in.
Interactive eBooks might contain, for example:
- A children's book where a character introduces new words
- A language book that includes audio for new vocabulary
- A memoir that includes a short audio recording of the author's grandmother speaking
None of these examples make the eBook an audiobook. That also means the production process for an interactive eBook is different. Audiobook production involves narration, recording, editing, mastering and distribution. Interactive eBook conversion services involves formatting, media placement, file preparation and device compatibility.
If you want readers to listen to your book while driving or walking, an audiobook is likely your best choice. If, on the other hand, you want your book to be enhanced with targeted media where it makes sense, having your eBook converted to an interactive eBook may be a smarter fit.
How Fixed Layout works in interactive eBooks
Interactive eBooks typically rely on Fixed Layout formatting because it matters more where text, images, buttons, and media are placed. With a reflowable eBook, text moves. An image might appear beside a paragraph on one device, but below it on another. If the reader increases the font size, the layout changes again. This is an excellent option for better readability, but also makes interactive design harder.
With Fixed Layout eBooks, you can think of the page more like a designed spread. Text and images stay in specific positions so that the author and the designer can create a more controlled reading experience. Without a Fixed Layout, it becomes harder to, for instance. show a video of a specific step the reader needs to take when following a complicated recipe or show staff notation in a music book.
Unfortunately, creating an eBook isn't as easy as just clicking “Save as PDF” within Microsoft Word and calling it good. BookBaby's professional eBook publishing services focus on manual conversion, file checking, and publishing support. Just as with the books we physically print, we'll send you a digital proof for your approval before your book is published.
Does your eBook need audio or video?
Before you decide whether or not interactive eBook conversion services are right for you, ask yourself these four questions:
- Does the media solve a real reader problem? Are readers more likely to get confused by the text-only instructions?
- Will readers actually use it or does the video interrupt the reading flow or feel unnecessary?
- Does including the media justify adding complexity to the eBook? Interactive eBoooks generally need more planning, larger files, and more testing. If the media is just “nice to have”, it might do more harm than good.
- Will the eBook work without the media? This is an important accessibility and usability question. The content should still make sense even if the reader doesn't play every clip, as they may be in a quiet place like a library, or using a device with the sound off.
How do interactive eBook conversion services work?
With interactive eBook conversion services, your manuscript, design files, images and other media assets are converted into a digital eBook format that can be read on devices and platforms that support it.
The experts at BookBaby convert your file into professional eBook formats and test them on a variety of devices. We do recommend, however, that you check the formatting and layout of your book and proofread it before submitting it to be converted into an eBook.
For standard books, this typically involves converting your Microsoft Word document into an EPUB file, making sure the table of contents is clickable, and taking other small but noticeable steps, like checking the spacing in between paragraphs or optimizing the images.
For interactive eBooks, however, the process is quite a bit more involved. Our eBook conversion team takes care to preserve the page layout while placing audio or video files in the right location. We make sure that the media files are formatted properly and that the images display correctly. We also check navigation and make sure the finished eBook meets retailer requirements. We then preview it on a variety of devices and get the file ready for platforms that accept enhanced eBook features.
For standard text eBooks, a small formatting error is annoying but fixable. For interactive eBooks, if the audio button is poorly placed or the fixed page layout breaks on the wrong device, the book can feel amateurish, even if the writing and design are otherwise flawless.
Preparing your manuscript for interactive eBook conversion
The most important part of an interactive eBook conversion service happens before the conversion even begins. We offer a number of helpful eBook conversion tips including information about formatting and proofreading, as making changes after the conversion is complete can add to the cost and timeframe.
If you're using audio and/or video in your eBook, we strongly recommend creating a “media map” that tells our conversion team exactly what goes where. For example:
- On page 4, insert audio file “dough_preparation.mp3” under the bread illustration
- On page 9, insert the video file “kneading_demo” after step 3.
- Page 27: Place the play button beside the musical notation example
Doing this means less guesswork and a cleaner, smoother eBook conversion process.
Preparing your audio files
Your audio files should be clean, edited, properly named and ready for publication before the eBook conversion even starts. For interactive eBooks, the audio might include narration, sound effects, music clips, pronunciation guides and more. Before you submit your audio, it's a good idea to check:
- Is the recording clear and free of background noise
- Is the volume consistent
- Are there any long silences that should be trimmed?
- Is the file named clearly?
- Do you have permission to use the audio?
- Is the audio file in the required format?
For maximum compatibility, your audio files should be in mp3 format. Also, don't neglect the power of good file naming. A folder full of files called audio1.mp3, audio2, mp3 or audiofinalfinal4.mp3 is just asking for confusion. Use names that correspond clearly to the book or page number, like “chapter1_vocab_pronunciation_list.mp3” or “recipe05_sauce.mp3.”
Preparing your video files
Videos are undoubtedly a helpful addition to eBooks, but they also create more technical points you'll need to consider before you submit. Since video files are larger than plain text, they'll affect download size. Depending on the platform(s) you choose, they may also behave differently. Readers are unlikely to watch a long clip inside an eBook, so they'll also need to be edited tightly.
We recommend keeping your audio clips short when possible. Before submitting your video, be sure to check:
- Has the clip been edited?
- Is the lighting good?
- Is the sound clear?
- Is the framing easy to follow
- Is the file in the correct format?
- Is the file size reasonable?
- Do you have rights to the visuals/music/content?
Copyright and permissions
Speaking of having the rights to specific visuals, music, or content, we'd be remiss if we didn't include a section on the importance of multimedia rights. You may own the text of your book, but that doesn't automatically mean you also have the right to include a song, video clip, photo, interview or archival recording.
This is especially important for memoirs, educational books, children's books and music books. Before incorporating audio or video into your book, ask:
- Did I create this?
- Did I hire someone to create it?
- Does my contract give me the right to use it in an eBook?
- Do I have permission from anyone whose voice or likeness appears in the book?
- Do I have the right to use the music?
- Do I need to include a credit line?
- Can I use this music/image/video commercially?
When in doubt, use original media or properly licensed materials.
Platform limitations you should know about
Platform limitations are the biggest reason why even experienced authors should work with an eBook conversion service. Why? Because not every eBook retailer or device supports interactive features in the same way.
Yes, an EPUB file is broadly usable and readable across devices. It's the universal eBook format. However, enhanced features are more limited. Some platforms support embedded media and others don't. Some allow fixed-layout eBooks and others have restrictions. Some devices may even display your book beautifully while others show it in a less than ideal light.
When you use BookBaby's interactive eBook conversion services, you'll be glad to know that Fixed Layout conversion is available for both Amazon and Apple books. There are some limits around other platforms, including NOOK. If you're considering an interactive eBook, it's a good idea to have realistic expectations going into the process.
What to expect during the interactive eBook conversion process
Although every interactive eBook conversion service is unique, the process itself is fairly standardized. First, you'll submit your manuscript and source files. These source files can include Word documents, PDFs, Adobe InDesign files, images, audio, video, and placement notes.
Then, our conversion team reviews your files. If there's anything missing or if something is unclear or not formatted correctly, we may reach out to you for more clarification. Once we have a clear idea on how to proceed, we then convert your eBook into the appropriate eBook format. For interactive eBooks, this includes Fixed Layout formatting and media placement.
Then, we check your interactive eBook for proper formatting, navigation, and file integrity. We also make sure that it meets various platform requirements, as each one is different.
From there, we'll send you a proof or digital preview. You can review an eBook proof before publication in your BookBaby account dashboard. We strongly recommend that you review the proof very carefully. This is your chance to try it out and make sure the eBook looks and works the way you intended. Once you approve the proof, the eBook moves on toward publication and distribution.
Keep in mind that proofing is not the same as editing. At this point in the eBook conversion process, you shouldn't be revising chapters, just checking the digital presentation of your eBook.
How to review an interactive eBook proof
When you receive your interactive eBook proof, look at it as if you are a reader and a publisher. Check for obvious things first, like if the book opens correctly and the cover shows as it should. Make sure the table of contents works and that chapter titles are correct. Then move on through the book, making sure that images are sharp, text is readable and spacing is consistent. Last but not least, make sure each audio and video file plays and that play buttons are accessible and placed where they should be. Double check that captions and labels match and that links work.
Above all, don't rush this stage. Interactive eBooks have more elements to check out than your standard eBook. You may want to create a checklist and review each interactive element of your eBook one by one.
How do you market an interactive eBook?
One of the best ways to market an interactive eBook is to share with readers what makes the book special. Don't just say “interactive eBook,” tell readers exactly what they get, such as:
- Includes audio pronunciation for every vocabulary lesson
- Features short cooking technique videos
- Includes read-aloud narration for young readers
- Embedded music examples for each exercise
- Includes video demonstrations for all major workouts
This helps readers understand the value of the interactive edition. Beyond letting them know the value that they get, you can also use the interactive features in your marketing. Share short clips on social media and create preview videos. Show a page with the audio or video button and let people know why you added multimedia and how it helps the reader.
Are interactive eBook conversion services worth it?
Ideally, you should consider interactive eBook conversion if your book teaches something visually or auditorily, or if your readers would benefit from demonstrations. As you go through each audio or video, ask yourself if it adds real value to the guide. The best interactive eBooks are interactive because it feels like they were intentionally made that way.
If you're looking for a way to go beyond static text and images, interactive eBook conversion services can be worth it. With a little planning and the right experts by your side, adding audio and video can make your eBook feel more memorable and engaging. Take the time to prepare your files carefully and understand the limitations of the platform(s) you'll be distributing on.
Most importantly, work with an eBook conversion service that understands the fine details, like Fixed Layout vs. reflowable eBooks, EPUB requirements, proofing, and retailer standards. Never let technology overpower the premise and purpose of your book. When done well, an interactive eBook doesn't feel like the audio or video was bolted on as a gimmick, it feels like the natural progression of what eBooks should be given our love of rich media experiences.
And if you're ready to take the next step, the eBook conversion team at BookBaby.com is ready to help you get there. With helpful guides, a free online quote, and tons of resources at your fingertips, you'll have everything you need to make your eBook truly immersive and memorable. Contact us today or start a free quote to learn more.