How to Print a Blog as a Book
Converting CSS and HTML Documents to Printable PDF Book Format
Jul 6, 2009
Blog printing services exist for automatically publishing a blog as a book. However, these services may not support all of the many blogging platforms. The following is a do-it-yourself guide to converting any blog into a printed book.
Supplies Needed to Publish Blog to Book
- Web browser (Firefox, IE, etc.)
- Word processing software capable of saving as PDF (Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect)
How to Format a Blog for Book Publishing
- With the blog displayed in the Web browser, open to an archive page showing an entire month (or other desired display).
- Save each monthly archive page (or other display) as a complete webpage with HTML and image files. (File menu, Save As. . ., complete webpage.)
- Open the saved HTML document in a word processing program, such as Corel WordPerfect or Microsoft Word.
- Format the documents as desired. (Tip: Use Find and Replace to remove repeat incidences of Styles, Hyperlinks, and Bookmarks. If necessary, select the entire document and paste it into a new document to remove some hidden, troublesome formatting, such as justification and line spacing.)
- Copy and paste all edited archive pages into one large document to create the entire book.
- Adjust page sizes and margins to fit the requirements of the book publisher. (Tip: Set margin type to Book and increase the inside margin by 0.3".)
- Save the document as a PDF.
How to Print the Formatted Blog
The finished PDF document can be printed by any independent, print-on-demand book publisher to create a professional-quality book. Popular self-publishing services include Lulu, CafePress, and BookSurge.
After creating an account with the chosen publisher, follow the publisher's instructions for uploading a PDF book, choosing desired print settings, and ordering print copies. Some printing services offer cover design, editing, and marketing services. Some services offer the option to purchase distribution rights and sell the finished book within a private marketplace or through booksellers worldwide.
PDF files can also easily be offered as eBooks for sale. Amazon Kindle publishes directly from HTML files and accepts submissions directly from independent authors.
Printed versions of a blog can serve simply as keepsakes, gifts, or records, or as sellable books. Family blogs can be given as gifts or kept as keepsakes. Special interest blogs can be sold to blog readers and others interested in the topic.
Blog printing and publishing can be accomplished easily and inexpensively with little more than a Web browser, a word processing program, and a free account with an on-demand book publisher. The print-ready PDF document can be made available as a print book or eBook.
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