How can I read epub files?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How can I read epub files?

I'm helping a fellow macbook pro user to publish an ebook so we need to convert the fies to epub but once converted how do we read them and edit them on the macbook pro?

Thanks in advance

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Sep 24, 2012 12:58 AM

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Answer 1

RodneyW

Level 4

3,041 points

Sep 24, 2012 2:55 AM in response to eperrigot

ebooks are tricky!

You can create epubs from scratch in Pages (i.e. Export to epub), but you cannot open an existing epub in Pages.
There are numerous epub readers available for OS X, including in the Max App store (e.g Scarlett).
iBooks Author is sensation at creating eBooks, but it uses a proprietary extension of the epub format and does not import epubs at the outset.

What fornat are the files in now (i.e. before converting them to epub)?

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Answer 2

eperrigot Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 24, 2012 3:04 AM in response to RodneyW

Thanks Rodney. So do you recommend Scarlett?

The current ones are in word 2003 rich text format ... the next ne will be in pages... he has only just purchased his macbook...

So if I save in epub and install an epub reader I then open in that?

As you can see I'm a novice at this ... but my friend has several books and had no luck through the traditional publishing methods... naturally I htought it would be fairly straightforward using epub!!! 🙂

If we buy Scarlett can he write and edit in this?

Thanks again.

Elaine

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Answer 3

softwater

Level 5

5,556 points

Sep 24, 2012 3:07 AM in response to eperrigot

I'm not sure about creating and editing, but the best - and free - epub reader IMO is Calibre.

Have a look here:

http://calibre-ebook.com/about

There's an OS X version on their Downloads page.

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