Open Educational Resources Collective Publishing Workflow

Pressbooks is an online authoring and editing platform that enables users to design, format and publish books. Pressbooks books can be exported to a range of formats, including:

• PDF (Print and digital) – for print/print on demand and/or digital distribution
• EPUB – for ebook platforms such as Kindle, Kobo and Apple Books
• Webbook – an online version of the book that can be accessed through Pressbooks without additional devices or software.

Some of the advantages of publishing with Pressbooks are

• easy-to-use dashboard and menus (based on WordPress)
• professionally-designed templates in a variety of styles
• ability to collaborate with other authors and editors
• ability to edit, update and export/re-export books in different formats as needed
• complete control over your own content. 

1. Create Your Textbook
   Your network manager can create a shell for your textbook to get you started, including assigning it a web address and working title.
2. Add Your Textbook Information
   You can use the Book Info page to add and edit important information (metadata) about your textbook.
3. Add and Organise Your Text
   You can add and organise components of your textbook, including:
   • front matter – introduction, foreword, dedication and more
   • parts and chapters – main body of your textbook
   • back matter – epilogue, appendix, information about contributors and more.
4. Choose Your Textbook Theme
   Once you’ve entered or imported your content, you can select and apply a theme. Each Pressbooks theme is a unique template that governs the display of your webbook and export formats (including PDF and ebook exports).
5. Export Your Textbook
   Once you’re happy with your textbook, you can publish it to the web as a webbook or produce exports in a range of different ebook formats for distribution.

Pressbooks recommends the following support resources for users:

• Pressbooks User Guide – the official guide to using Pressbooks
• Pressbooks Help Desk – FAQs about general topics as well as book creation
• Pressbooks YouTube Channel – video tutorials and training and informational webinar recordings
• Pressbooks Community Forum – public forum for Pressbooks users to discuss issues related to Pressbooks.

You can also contact your Pressbooks network manager for support.

Adapted from ‘Introduction to Pressbooks’, ‘The Simple 5 Step Guide to Making a Book with Pressbooks’ and ‘Pressbooks Guides and OER Resources’ in Pressbooks User Guide by Pressbooks, licensed under a CC BY 4.0 licence.