Not much putting words on paper have happened recently, but that doesn’t mean I have been neglecting the writing. I have a few projects that have been in the prep phase.
Foremost, I have discovered a word processing program for Windows that will export a document in ePub format. During my test exports, Atlantis has thus far performed well. I have a few nits to pick, but the software produced a feasible epub file for everything I attempted. This includes an algebra exam filled with equation objects, and the graphics-heavy manuscript for eBooks for the 21st-Century Author.
Now, don’t think that the software produces professional-quality finished product. It does nothing of the sort. However, with the software’s ability and a little bit of tweaking inside the files, a person could probably take a novel in manuscript form with finished cover image and produce a quality epub version in a day. Editing the xhtml manually would take a very long time and would probably drive the person doing the formatting completely bonkers.
Thus, I am announcing that I intend to release eBooks for the 21st-Century Author in epub format in the near future.
Another project I have cooking right now is a non-fiction article on the Endler’s Livebearer for Livebearers, which is the bulletin of the American Livebearers Association. They haven’t had an article on the ELB for a while, and I have been casually researching the fish and its history for some time now. I just today got some excellent information from the foremost breeder of this fish. Despite this article being a pro-bono volunteer activity, I’m looking forward to working on this one.
In addition, I also have several short story ideas floating around in my head waiting to come out and settle into an actual story.
A little bit of activity is still hampering my full efforts here. I am gradually moving messes and large objects around, trying to essentially remodel the home office on the cheap. The final version will include a double 29-gallon fish tank stand, as well as a computer desk that uses more vertical space than the one I use now. This current desk and printer stand sit side by side and is wider than my wingspan. It takes up way too much space in this room. Progress moves slowly, but I am motivated to separate the boys and girls in the Endler tank before I run out of room for water in there.