I just got an email from Affinity. Publisher is out of beta and will be released on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Retail will be $49.99. Beta testers can pick it up that day only for $34.99 with five free bonus fonts from RetroSupply. You can preorder. If you're outside Europe, there's no VAT.
I went ahead and ordered. Given how badly Adobe has been treating its users recently, I'm playing it safe by having an InDesign replacement in the ready. I've already shifted to Affinity Photo for my covers. If you want to check the new app out, here is the U.S. link:
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/
I didn't see it listed at their store, so pre-ordering may currently be for beta testers only.
Affinity Publisher! It’s alive! ALIVE!
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InklingBooksIn
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TooOldForThisTo
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Hate to put a wet blanket on their release announcement. I've been using the APub Beta from the beginning and have the latest Beta 371 on my system. There are still lots of bugs, and their Master Pages are sadly only dynamic templates. If you add a single page between two pages, the Master Pages are not honoured (as they are in PagePlus), but shift to the next page. This means any margins, headers, footers, and content will shift. Since I write novels, it becomes a huge problem as Master Pages must be reapplied to all subsequent pages and all content frames have to be manually shifted back to within margins. Fine for a layout of a few pages, but not for a 200-300 page novel. They call it a design decision, I call it a deal breaker, so I won't be taking advantage of the discount. Based on their last Beta release, they're closer, but they're rushing the final version. In the end, I think it will bite them.
All right, so I'm thinking Publisher is primarily for print, since ereaders don't carry over set fonts so well.
I have become quite adept at using the free paint dot net as my cover creator. Which of your products would I use to replace that?
I have become quite adept at using the free paint dot net as my cover creator. Which of your products would I use to replace that?
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scshruggedsc
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Affinity 1.8:
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/1-8/
The 1.8 versions of the whole Affinity suite are here!
Check out some of the brand-new features and major improvements below, including IDML import and a new Preflight panel for Affinity Publisher, expand stroke improvements and a new Stock panel for Affinity Designer, PSD smart object import and lens correction improvements for Affinity Photo, and template support and new document dialogs for all the apps.
If you own the apps already, make sure you download the update today for free, otherwise head over to our homepage to learn more about our professional creative software.
[...]
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/1-8/
I'm a Scrivener user, not an L&L employee.
Well, I answered my own question, above. I purchased all three of the Affinity products, and I am, to say the least, extremely happy.
As regards Publisher, I had some difficulty learning it, but with protracted viewing of online videos from a variety of Publisher experts, I persevered. I produced a Pubisher pdf followed by a cover produced in Affinity Photo. I hied both off to a printer in Toronto and was rewarded with proofs that perfectly match the work of Big-5 publishers in my genres. Except for the author and the output, the print book formatting is identical. My physical product stands up against high-priced output from all of the author-robbing bandits in the print book industry.
Affinity Photo wasn't that difficult to learn to use, again with the help of several online gurus, most notably Olivio Sarikas and his output. That guy knows his stuff. He's wordy, and friendly and knows the Affinity products.
I've used Affinity Designer to produce several vector-based covers too. Videos were a great help with this also.
In all, to date I've saved myself about 1,000 U$D in cover and print pdf productions. The Affinity software suite is worth the money if you are willing to invest the time in learning even more of your craft. If you're an author, why wouldn't you? Unless, of course, you're locked into the Big-5 fantasy.
Whatever works. Keep on writing and learning.
As regards Publisher, I had some difficulty learning it, but with protracted viewing of online videos from a variety of Publisher experts, I persevered. I produced a Pubisher pdf followed by a cover produced in Affinity Photo. I hied both off to a printer in Toronto and was rewarded with proofs that perfectly match the work of Big-5 publishers in my genres. Except for the author and the output, the print book formatting is identical. My physical product stands up against high-priced output from all of the author-robbing bandits in the print book industry.
Affinity Photo wasn't that difficult to learn to use, again with the help of several online gurus, most notably Olivio Sarikas and his output. That guy knows his stuff. He's wordy, and friendly and knows the Affinity products.
I've used Affinity Designer to produce several vector-based covers too. Videos were a great help with this also.
In all, to date I've saved myself about 1,000 U$D in cover and print pdf productions. The Affinity software suite is worth the money if you are willing to invest the time in learning even more of your craft. If you're an author, why wouldn't you? Unless, of course, you're locked into the Big-5 fantasy.
Whatever works. Keep on writing and learning.
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pigfender
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I own (but have uninstalled) copies of Affinity Designer and Photo. Both are great app - easy to use and feature rich. My experience with them is such that I assume Publisher is also excellent.
I’ve uninstalled them, because without an alternative to Lightroom, I still need an Adobe subscription. I used to use Aperture for that, but Apple killed it and Apple Photos is a toy. I also need Adobe for Premiere but Final Cut would probably do if Affinity put a decent photo catalogue / development package together. Until then, if I’m paying for Adobe CC anyway, I might as well have Photoshop and Illustrator - not as easy to use, but still the industry standard for a reason.
I’ve uninstalled them, because without an alternative to Lightroom, I still need an Adobe subscription. I used to use Aperture for that, but Apple killed it and Apple Photos is a toy. I also need Adobe for Premiere but Final Cut would probably do if Affinity put a decent photo catalogue / development package together. Until then, if I’m paying for Adobe CC anyway, I might as well have Photoshop and Illustrator - not as easy to use, but still the industry standard for a reason.
Fortunately, I am one who has no need whatsoever for the Adobe tax. I find I can do what I need to to with the Affinity Suite of programs, which are now on a Black Friday sale (November 2020). I highly recommend all three, if only for the pricing. If you can only spring for two, I suggest Photo if you wish to learn to do your own covers. Publisher, if you do Amazon, Ingram Spark, or B&N POD print submissions.
I won't go into why. Those of you who put in the time and do the work will understand.
There are plenty of videos available on using the software.
I won't go into why. Those of you who put in the time and do the work will understand.
There are plenty of videos available on using the software.
After years of sending manuscripts off to other people and letting them deal with the actual publishing part, I'm starting to dip my toes in the self-publishing waters. For the short term, I'm looking at non-fiction newsletter/zine type material: some illustrations, maybe a pull quote or two, probably 8-16 pages altogether. Text created in Scrivener, of course.
I have Word. I know how to use Word, though I haven't done much with its more complicated layout features. (And also will need to pay for a more recent version if I start using it extensively.) Will trying to do a project like this in Word cause me to smash my computer into tiny bits? Would you more experienced folks recommend diving into "real" publishing software right away, or puttering along with Word until its limitations become obvious? (Causing me to want to smash my computer into tiny bits.)
And is Affinity Publisher an appropriate tool for a complete n00b?
Thanks!
Katherine
I have Word. I know how to use Word, though I haven't done much with its more complicated layout features. (And also will need to pay for a more recent version if I start using it extensively.) Will trying to do a project like this in Word cause me to smash my computer into tiny bits? Would you more experienced folks recommend diving into "real" publishing software right away, or puttering along with Word until its limitations become obvious? (Causing me to want to smash my computer into tiny bits.)
And is Affinity Publisher an appropriate tool for a complete n00b?
Thanks!
Katherine
Scrivener Support Team
Affinity Publisher exports to pdf, which is what many print shops use. I can't speak to zines or any other types of publications beyond completing several print books for export to pdf. Amazon KDP and other indie publishers will take the pdf and use it for POD printing. That's fine for me.
Affinity has quite a number of videos that explain their processes. Here's a link to Publisher's videos: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/
There are quite a few youtube videos on using Publisher. I recommend checking them out first. It took me a solid day of watching videos (which I hasten to add, I hate watching instructional videos). It had to be done. I came at it fresh the next day and completed my first pbook pdf. Success!
I recommend Photo as well, unless you have access to another photo editing program. Affinity's black Friday sale runs until the 6th, I believe. Pick Photo up too if you have cash to spare.
https://affinityspotlight.com/article/h ... Newsletter
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/tutori ... 337466797/
No matter what you want to do with Publisher, there are many videos available beyond those offered by Affinity. I had to search beyond Affinity for my pbook pdfs.
There is an Affinity forum as well: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/
I think Affinity offers a 14-day free trial for each of the Affinity products.
In case you can't tell, I'm tickled pink that I picked up the three Affinity products on a sale. Sure there was a learning curve, but I conquered that and I'm far from a rocket scientist. They may work for you. They may not. As I mentioned, I build pbook pdfs with Publisher. I use Photo to make my pbook and ebook covers both now. The videos I watched out of interest on preparing magazine spreads and brochures and zines intrigued me, but I'm not into that, unfortunately.
Edited to add: I see you're on a Mac. I recommend buying direct from Affinity rather than from the Apple store. You'll get the updates a lot sooner when they come out.
Affinity has quite a number of videos that explain their processes. Here's a link to Publisher's videos: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/
There are quite a few youtube videos on using Publisher. I recommend checking them out first. It took me a solid day of watching videos (which I hasten to add, I hate watching instructional videos). It had to be done. I came at it fresh the next day and completed my first pbook pdf. Success!
I recommend Photo as well, unless you have access to another photo editing program. Affinity's black Friday sale runs until the 6th, I believe. Pick Photo up too if you have cash to spare.
https://affinityspotlight.com/article/h ... Newsletter
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/tutori ... 337466797/
No matter what you want to do with Publisher, there are many videos available beyond those offered by Affinity. I had to search beyond Affinity for my pbook pdfs.
There is an Affinity forum as well: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/
I think Affinity offers a 14-day free trial for each of the Affinity products.
In case you can't tell, I'm tickled pink that I picked up the three Affinity products on a sale. Sure there was a learning curve, but I conquered that and I'm far from a rocket scientist. They may work for you. They may not. As I mentioned, I build pbook pdfs with Publisher. I use Photo to make my pbook and ebook covers both now. The videos I watched out of interest on preparing magazine spreads and brochures and zines intrigued me, but I'm not into that, unfortunately.
Edited to add: I see you're on a Mac. I recommend buying direct from Affinity rather than from the Apple store. You'll get the updates a lot sooner when they come out.
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SteveCarterFrogstorySt
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Katherine,
For self-publishing, you might also want to take a look at the open source program Scribus https://www.scribus.net/.
I've used the beta versions of Scribus and Scrivener for publishing. Over the past few years my wife and I have published a dozen books -- some ours, most by New England authors -- using Scribus and Scrivener.
Steve
http://www.maatpublishing.net
For self-publishing, you might also want to take a look at the open source program Scribus https://www.scribus.net/.
I've used the beta versions of Scribus and Scrivener for publishing. Over the past few years my wife and I have published a dozen books -- some ours, most by New England authors -- using Scribus and Scrivener.
Steve
http://www.maatpublishing.net
As of January 19, Affinity has a 50%-off sale. Still not convinced? In that case, try the more than generous 90-day free trial offer.
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/90-day-affinity-trial/
I just finished another print book cover using Photo. Once again I'll be using Publisher to do the formatting for PDF print to be submitted to Amazon and Ingram Spark.
Thanks to Publisher's Master Page system, creating a print PDF is easy-peasy with templates I designed for 5.25x8 and 6x9 formats, depending on number of pages. I load a .docx, do a bit of formatting, and wham, bam, thank you Affinity, done and submitted.
https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/90-day-affinity-trial/
I just finished another print book cover using Photo. Once again I'll be using Publisher to do the formatting for PDF print to be submitted to Amazon and Ingram Spark.
Thanks to Publisher's Master Page system, creating a print PDF is easy-peasy with templates I designed for 5.25x8 and 6x9 formats, depending on number of pages. I load a .docx, do a bit of formatting, and wham, bam, thank you Affinity, done and submitted.