PressBooks launched as a SAAS offering in 2011 to facilitate the easy creation and publishing of ‘electronic first’ books (epub, mobi, etc) that can also be printed (traditionally and on demand). In February 2013, an open source version was released further democratizing the creation and publishing of ebooks and print-on-demand publishing. We’ll cover how to install PressBooks OS, pros and cons of the hosted vs. open source version, and how to publish your first book using the tool.

1. BECOMING AN
INDEPENDENT
PUBLISHER WITH
PRESSBOOKS AND
WORDPRESS
NICK CISKE
@NCISKE
NICK@THOUGHTREFINERY.COM
#WCMPLS

2. I build Genesis child themes and custom plugins
OWNER, THOUGHT REFINERY

3. I decoded a supposed binary message from aliens
ANCIENT ALIENS

4. Back to reality
ENOUGH ALIENS

5. It does blogs, right?
ONLINE PUBLISHING

6. Becoming a web app framework option…
MOST POPULAR WEB CMS

7. Last 1.5 years helping start Believers Press
6 YEARS IN BOOK PRINTING & SELF
PUBLISHING

8. My first… and last article was about the PressBooks launch
PUBLISHED ON WP CANDY

9. I was pretty excited…
MATT MULLENWEG COMMENTED ON IT

10. And make sure it’s GPL v2.0 or compatible!
OPEN SOURCE ALL THE THINGS

11. PressBooks announced it was going open source
ABOUT A YEAR LATER…

12. PB.COM VS OPEN SOURCE
FREEMIUM/SAAS
• Free to use
• No setup
• PB makes money
on premium
services
• Distribution
partnerships
through 3rd parties
GPL PLUGIN
Requires
• PHP 5.4
• Fresh WP multisite
• PrinceXML (PDF)
• Mobigen (Kindle,
free)
• Shell access or
willing host
• You distribute

13. Per server, for commercial use. After a 10% PressBooks discount.
Less for academics. Free for non-commercial.
PRINCE XML LICENSE = $3,400

14. Previously supported by PressBooks, may return in the future
WIKIPUBLISHER

15. No integration that I know of (but you can contribute one -- the joy of open source)
WEASY PRINT

16. PressBooks.com
DEMO

17. Open Source Plugin
DEMO

18. github.com/pressbooks
GITHUB

19. Ink on ground up dead trees
SELF PUBLISHING BOOKS

20. The next great American novel
FICTION

21. NON FICTION

22. DIGITAL FIRST WORKFLOW

23. Get feedback (comments) as you write the book!
CROWD SOURCED BOOKS

24. Bits in plastic and steel
EBOOKS

25. Product or software documentation
USES

26. I may have answers…
QUESTIONS?