PressBooks is going open source. We will be releasing PressBooks as a WordPress plugin (to be used on a stand-alone WordPress install), under the open source GPL license, target release date: end of January, 2013.
See below for more info, and some answers to questions you might have. And please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
What is PressBooks?
PressBooks is a simple online book publishing tool, built on WordPress. We help publishers and authors create ebooks, typeset/print-ready PDFs (to be turned into real books!), and webbooks (which can be public or private). For publishers, we can provide not just book production toolset, but also an online catalog and website (for examples, see: The Rogue Reader and AskMen Books).
What will open source mean for users of PressBooks.com?
The only impacts should be in constant improvements to PressBooks, and the ability, if you want, to install and run your own fully-customizable version of PressBooks.
Why is PressBooks going open source?
- We believe the future of books requires new models, and new models need open platforms to allow publishers and authors to experiment.
- We believe that an open source PressBooks will result in better technology for the world.
- We believe that an open source PressBooks will result in better business for us.
- We believe in the open web, and book content as part of the open web. Open book tools will promote books on the open web.
What are PressBooks’ objectives?
- We want PressBooks to be the most powerful, most flexible tool for publishing books.
- We want publishers to experiment with new business models (and non-business models), especially focusing on the things that publishers, readers, and technologists can do with webbooks.
Will everything be free?
- PressBooks.com will continue to be free, but we will be adding some premium features, including premium themes, with web, ebook and print outputs.
- The PressBooks plugin will be free to download, modify and use as you like.
- If you want the flexibility of the Open Source PressBooks, but without the hassle of hosting and maintaining it yourself, we’ll have pricing outlined in the new year (contact us now if you are interested).
Can I get access to the source code right now?
- We are sharing the beta source code with selected development partners. If you would like to be one such partner, please contact us.
I’d like to start using PressBooks now. Can I?
- Yes! Just visit pressbooks.com, sign up for an account — and start making a book!
Very cool! I’m really happy you’re going open source, and I’m super excited about the WordPress plugin. Can’t wait to try it out.
Congrats!
Agreed, this is an impressive publishing tool, with lots of upside potential.
I’ve been experimenting and have already created the first draft of my eBook.
This is so wonderful to hear especially being an aspiring author who is getting ready to publish my own works! Wow!
I salute you for all of the work you’ve put in on what is for me an ideal application.
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Excited to take it for a spin when it’s released!
Awesome news. It is really a excelent initiative to spread e-book culture and new model and publishing plataform.
Congrats
Israel
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Please provide access to the source code via GitHub. There is no better way to get the community involved than using the advanced feature set of GitHub.
This is very wonderful, especially for folks like me – who live in central Africa and lack so many resources! I will be delving into past WP blogs, and selecting several to expand into a book form.
Question – how to receive blog notifications by email? I don’t see a link on this page.
Thanks, and happy new year.
dianabuja.
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A new chapter. We look forward to using this plugin as we hope to have a book ready to roll out in 2013.
Hi,
It’s a great approach. how can we integrate Weasyprint or wikipublisher into pressbooks there is no guide for that ?
Many thanks & Regards
Mike
Hi Mike,
There is no guide. Weasyprint and wikipublisher are simply ideas for motivated coders to look into. There is no working implementation at this time.
Regards,