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Vellum

Vellum

Overview

What is Vellum?

Vellum is a publishing tool by 180g, that enables users to create ebooks for every platform: Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, etc. Each specialized file can guide readers to buy the writer's next book in their favorite store. Vellum is currently…

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Pricing

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Vellum eBooks

$199.99

On Premise
one-time fee

Vellum Press

$249.99

On Premise
one-time fee

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $199.99 one-time fee
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Product Details

What is Vellum?

Vellum is a publishing tool by 180g, that enables users to create ebooks for every platform: Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, etc. Each specialized file can guide readers to buy the writer's next book in their favorite store. Vellum is currently available for Mac.

Vellum Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsMac
Mobile ApplicationNo
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Comparisons

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Reviews From Top Reviewers

(1-1 of 1)

Vellum Blew Me Away!

Rating: 10 out of 10
January 19, 2023
Vetted Review
Verified User
Vellum
1 year of experience
Publishing eBooks and Paperbacks can be a tricky business. Amazon has their own format, as do Apple, Barnes and Noble, and other e-Tailers. Paperbacks in non-standard sizes require a manual template. Vellum creates beautiful eBooks and Paperbacks. It’s so quick and easy to use, the formatting tasks I used to dread have become a pleasure.

I’ve published dozens of books using the old and the new method. I was able to publish three books in less than a day with Vellum. Formatting is no longer the beast it used to be. Drag and drop chapters; switch formats at the click of a button. Changing an element from a Chapter to another format is a right click away. If I hadn’t found Vellum, I might have given up publishing altogether.

You can use the same Vellum document to generate files at the touch of a button for:
  • EPUB
  • Kindle
  • Apple
  • Nook
  • Kobo
  • Google Play
  • a Paperback in a variety of sizes (if you get the Press version for 50 bucks extra)
The software also organizes and overwrites your files automatically, making version control simple.
  • Professional, Tasteful Formatting
  • Table of Contents management
  • File Management
  • Ease of switching elements (i.e. Chapter, Acknowledgement, About the Author etc.)
  • Beautiful Style Sheets
  • Generating uploadable files quickly and painlessly
  • Previewing for a variety of formats and devices
Cons
  • Could improve ability to change the look of a design element like Ornamental Break.
  • Doesn’t currently output in Smashwords .doc format (but does EPUB).
  • Spell Check is rudimentary but accurate - still, it’s much better to use Word or Grammarly.
  • If style uses initial drop cap, it doesn’t handle one-letter words well (I, A, O) - repeats letter in sentence. This may be standard practice, not sure.
  • There are a couple dozen styles. I would gladly pay for a “Style Pack” to add on additional styles.
Vellum is perfect for novels, novellas, short fiction anthologies, and any lightly illustrated fiction. It’s excellent for most non-fiction. It’s great for e-Books and Paperbacks. I haven’t tried using the file for hardcover but it is likely good for that as well.

Vellum wouldn’t be the right tool for coffee-table art books, picture books or children’s illustrated books.
  • Ease of use
  • Beautiful styles
  • E-book and Paperback files generated at click of a button
  • Return on Investment
  • Best tool for Mac
  • Less time publishing means more time writing
  • Beautiful books sell better than Times New Roman dreck
  • I’ve stayed away from Google Books but will move into that market now
Up until purchasing Vellum, I’ve used Smashwords Meat Grinder template and Kindle’s PC-Only software. I had to buy a PC just to publish to Kindle - very expensive investment with modest return. Vellum is only for Mac. In fact, it would have been cool if it worked with a PC. But Mac is my ecosystem for writing, and the PC is a pain. I ultimately chose Vellum because it works with my MacBook.
Yes
Vellum has replaced:
  • The tedious Smashwords MeatGrinder, which requires you save your Word file as a 97 .doc file. That format is now 25 years obsolete.
  • The buggy PC-only Amazon-only Kindle Create. I was okay with Kindle Create because it made it easy to move between Kindle and Paperback. It didn’t generate EPUB or other files because, of course, Amazon wouldn’t want you doing that! Vellum is Mac-Only, but it’s far more versatile and less buggy than Kindle Create.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
The usability is superb. The Smashwords template was painful, and couldn’t be imported into Kindle Create, so I had to create two different files to get the most out of my books. Smashwords accounts for 33% of my sales, so it was important enough to make an effort. Now I can just drop off an EPUB there and I see lots of sales. It would be even better if Vellum created a Smashwords file.
I was able to use Vellum to create a book - it just wouldn’t let me generate file unless I bought the license. It was so easy to use, I was sold immediately. I couldn’t believe how simple it was to create NY Times Bestseller-quality eBooks and Paperbacks! Of course I spent the money. It was no problem. I don’t think it gets better in terms of trial usage. I was impressed.
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