Publishing Platforms

Introduction

There are many ways to publish, and thereby make publicly available, an open textbook. However, authors will often organize and write their open textbook in one tool, then import the final draft into another tool for formatting and sharing.

With that in mind, we provide an overview of both authoring and publishing tools. Please keep in mind that many of the platforms below can be used for both writing and publishing, so that you only have to work with one tool. Also note that importing a manuscript from an authoring tool into a publishing platform can sometimes be painful, involving lots of copying and pasting and cleanup. You may want to map out a plan before you get started.

Publishing Program Considerations

You may want to consider what authoring and publishing platforms you're in a position to support in your publishing program. Some programs leave it up to the author to work in whatever program they're comfortable in. However, that may mean a lot of editing and formatting for someone else, in order to make the textbook accessible or available in a clean, portable format. 

Publishing Platforms and Tools

Publishing platforms and tools that are frequently leveraged for open textbook production are highlighted here. For a more comprehensive look, see these in-depth overviews:

Bookdown

Bookdown Links to an external site. is an open source R package that structures book writing and workflow. Those who want to create statistics and programming textbooks may find it a useful fit.

GitBook

GitBook.com Links to an external site. is an online platform to create and host books. It can output your content as a website or as an ebook (PDF, ePub or Mobi). Hosting is free if the book is open. GitHub users will likely feel most comfortable with GitBooks. 

Ketty

Ketty Links to an external site. is an open source platform for building and customizing streamlined, scalable professional book production workflows using rich web-based tools. The Open Education Network is currently piloting Ketty. Contact open@umn.edu for more information. 

LaTeX

LaTeX is a typesetting system designed for making technical and scientific documents, and is available as free software.  Links to an external site.Authors who write textbooks that include formulas frequently select LaTeX. 

LibreTexts

LibreTexts Links to an external site. is an open education resource platform for creating, customizing, and sharing accessible, interactive textbooks, adaptive homework, and ancillary materials. 

Manifold

Manifold Links to an external site. works with the files you've created (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, HTML and others) and converts that existing content into responsive online texts that can be annotated and augmented with rich media. The Open Education Network is currently piloting an instance of Manifold.

Pressbooks

Pressbooks Links to an external site. is a publishing platform educators used to create, adapt, and share accessible, interactive, web-first books. It's built on WordPress, so anyone familiar with using WordPress and a WYSIWYG may be comfortable using this tool.

Pressbooks offers a discount to OEN member institutions Links to an external site.. 

Authoring Platforms and Tools

Authors usually select an authoring tool based on experience and comfort. For example, many writers use Microsoft Word because they know it well and their institution provides them with it.

Google Docs & MS Word

Arguably the two most popular authoring tools for writing textbooks are Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Google Docs is free and online. It allows for multiple authors and editing, which can work well for groups writing together. Collaborators can @ each other with comments, make suggestions and track revisions. You can also upload existing files to Google Docs, and export to both PDF and EPUB.

Microsoft Word is a tool available for purchase and installation on a personal computer. Most people have access to it through their institution. Users have to deliver the file to others in order for them to access it, usually via email or online file sharing. It is possible to track changes and ask others to leave comments and suggestions. You can save a Word file as a PDF.

If you are a Word user who wants the collaborative aspects of Google Docs, consider Office 2016 or using OneDrive. With these options you can save to cloud and then invite collaborators to work together in real time.

For more information about authoring and publishing platforms, see the BCcampus Self-Publishing Guide on Technology: Accounts and Training Links to an external site..

Adapted from Authoring Tools Links to an external site. in Authoring Open Textbooks Links to an external site. by Open Education Network (CC BY 4.0 Links to an external site.)

Guiding Questions

  1. What are your publishing program goals, and how does a potential publishing platform fit in?
  2. Are there existing publishing tools at your institution that could work well for your goals? 
  3. Do you want to make a portable file available?
  4. Are you working with solo authors or a group of authors on a single project?
  5. Which file formats do students prefer? Consider accessibility and formatting requirements.