In my last blog post, I wrote a bit about why I choose Vellum software to format my ebooks, even though I’m not a native Mac user. If you’re a PC user who wants to test out Vellum, here’s a genius PC formatting hack you can try for a day and only risk $0.99 (USD).
Contents
On your mark …
1) Timing: choose a clear 24-hour timeframe
Many of us are in a situation where we have to work at home until further notice, but choosing a day that’s as clear as possible is the key to testing the Vellum app for so cheaply. You can test every feature of Vellum except generating an ebook or print book file (that requires a license), so this free Vellum download plus 24 clear hours are the keys to this PC formatting hack.
2) Document: mine or yours?
All you need is a Word file, or any .docx export from Scrivener, OpenOffice, etc. (From Scrivener, choose “compile” for Vellum.) If you don’t have your own book ready to go, you can use this file that’s already set up (click and choose Download), and here’s an example ebook cover (click the link, right-click the cover and choose Save As, then rename. Don’t judge. You’ll quickly see why I’m NOT a cover designer!).
I have to say, though, testing with your own document is ideal, even just a couple of chapters. There is NOTHING like seeing your own work in a book preview! Just check your document against Vellum’s recommended setup so you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time using the interface.
Get set …
Since Vellum is a Mac software program, and we’re using a PC, we’ll be using a site called MacinCloud to test the Vellum software. MacinCloud lets you access Mac features from the familiarity of your own laptop or computer. To access your files between both computers — your PC and your remote server “computer” — you need a way to transfer your files.
3) Dropbox
I’m recommending Dropbox for this exercise because, like Vellum, it’s already installed on MacinCloud. The free Dropbox tier includes 2GB of storage, which has served me for dozens and dozens of Vellum projects.
If you’re already a Dropbox user, save your test document to your Dropbox folder (and make sure it’s not buried in other files!). If you’re not already a Dropbox user, sign up for Dropbox Basic; they have a good onboarding sequence after signup so you can upload and access your files.
Alternatively, you can navigate back to this post from inside MacinCloud, through the Safari browser that’s installed, and download the sample documents from Step 2 directly. To use your own files, though, you’ll want cloud access. So have your files loaded to Dropbox, and make sure you know your email and password so you can log in from your MacinCloud “computer.” Remembered passwords will not work, as this is a different computer than your PC, and you are also not able to copy and paste anything from your PC, for the same reason.
Note: when you are finished with your 24-hour test, you will still have access to your Vellum files, provided you save them to Dropbox. Once you cancel with MacinCloud, you won't have any file access. With Dropbox you'll be able to pull files up later, even if you access Vellum again days or weeks down the road.
4) Are you comfortable navigating a Mac?
If you want to brush up on the basics of Mac commands, or (especially!) if you have never used a Mac, please find a resource to walk you through! My book Format Your Book with Vellum has a “New to Mac?” chapter with the basic commands you’d need for Vellum. I’ve also included a photo tutorial of how to connect MacinCloud and Dropbox.
5) Prep for MacinCloud
This is another area my book walks you through: setup and connection to MacinCloud. Looking back at my own Vellum fumbles four years ago, I wish I would have had a better idea of what to expect, like navigating MacinCloud and understanding the different places to log in and out before I signed up. So I made sure to include this in the instructions for my readers.
I really appreciate how quickly the MacinCloud support staff has worked with me when I had any issues. It’s simple enough to download Vellum if it isn’t already installed, but for any extra programs you may want to try, you’ll need approval from the Support admin staff.
Here’s how the $.99 deal works: first-time users choosing a “Managed Server” option are charged a setup fee of $.99 (USD), which begins a 24-hour trial period. You do have to choose a basic subscription option at signup, but if you cancel before it rolls over that 24th hour you won’t be charged for the rest of the subscription itself. Basic options in the Managed tier are a week’s access for $14 or a month’s access for $25. (Note that you only have this trial period once; if you go back weeks or months from now and you use the same login information, there is no trial period.)
Let’s go!
Ok, when you’ve got this list of items ready for your marathon Vellum day, it’s time to get started. Be ready to take notes about your experience, like what hangups you have and what you are happy to see. (I personally loved the preview feature and seeing things on different devices, but I got a little confused about all the panes along the left side.)
Note: the Managed Server plans used for this test do have a daily hour limit (beginning at three hours of access per day). I was concerned that this might affect the trial day as well, so I reached out to MacinCloud support. This was their response: “You may use your services as much as you wish during your 24-hour trial period, and it is not necessary to limit your usage to the daily limit that you selected for your Plan.” So it’s official: you have a FULL 24 hours!
6) Sign up and start formatting.
Document ready? Dropbox set, with login info written down? Ready to use a Mac? Then let’s sign up on the day you’ve chosen.
Navigate to MacinCloud.com and choose Pricing > Compare Plans. (Or go straight to that page at this link.) You’ll want to choose Managed Server for this PC formatting hack, as the Pay-As-You-Go plan does not offer a trial. Once there, you’ll select the best options for you. (Apologies if the following options are out of order for the signup choices; MacinCloud rearranges them every so often.)
Platform. The most basic option works perfectly for Vellum. Be prepared for a bit of a lag, purely because of the “remote” factor, but that’s the case for any of these platform options.
Location. Easy: choose the one nearest to you.
Operating System Version. Any of the following OS choices will run Vellum, as the servers have it already installed:
- Mojave
- Catalina
- Big Sur
Big Sur is more expensive but there’s no significant advantage where Vellum is concerned.
Payment Cycle & Login Time. Clicking the button that says “Weekly” will give you the $14 minimum option. “Monthly” begins at $25. Just remember that while there is a daily limit of access hours, that limit only sets in after your initial 24-hour trial, which starts as soon as you confirm your payment. (So if you’re cancelling before that 24th hour, note the time!!)
NOW you’re in!!
Tackle your project! The Vellum Help tutorials will take you through, and don’t forget that Format Your Book with Vellum is written directly TO you as a PC user, which isn’t always as plain on the Vellum site (like which commands are slightly different on MacinCloud vs. a Mac, etc.). I won’t include any more info, because it’s already written out — and heaven knows I’m wordy enough already!
If you DO want to generate a book: you will need to purchase a Vellum license. I am a Vellum affiliate, meaning if you purchase a license through my link to allow you to generate files, the Vellum creators share a few dollars with me without charging you anything different. If you would like to support me and send a little “thanks,” you do have to intentionally click my link before purchasing rather than only going through the in-app “purchase” link. (Thank you!)
At the end of the day, cancel your subscription unless you want to continue. (See the official MacinCloud support link or the “MacinCloud” chapter.) Again, if you cancel and sign up again later, you will not have access to the 24-hour trial again. The Pay-As-You-Go chunks of 30 hours for $30 may be a good option for you; there’s just no trial period for that option.
Whew! Afterward, collect your notes and consider the pros and cons. Can you see potential here for your business? Is it worth the time and money investment? Going forward, you have the Vellum Help site, a start-to-finish book tutorial, and a group on Facebook called The Indie Author Toolkit that are all available to help you through the process of formatting a book.
One other option: one week free
There is one other remote Mac access service that I found called MacStadium, whose free trial lasts a full week — but they are far more expensive than MacinCloud beyond that. I reached out to them to ask what they offer in the way of client support, and their response is that, as long as the servers themselves are running, the setup is completely barebones and the user is responsible for all programs/apps. If you are confident in setting things up for yourself and don’t need customer support, this trial may be a good option for you before switching back to the more reasonably priced MacinCloud.
PC formatting hack: the results say …
What is your conclusion? Did this experience help you decide whether or not to use Vellum in your business? I’d love to hear your thoughts! You can find me on Facebook (at my page and in the Indie Author Toolkit Facebook group that I love!). I’m also on Twitter, which is fun, and Instagram, which is more challenging than I anticipated.
Thanks for reading to the end!!