Legend Maker for Mac

Price is now: $23 direct from ZappTek $24 on the Mac App Store Note: According to the publisher, the MAS version does not include MOBI (Kindle) output.

Not an editor but a converter. The price has dropped considerable, but it still isn't worth it. If you can figure out how to import your manuscript in HTML, RTF, ODT format into any program, you are better off with the free (true) ePub editor and compiler called Sigil. Or if you're up to more power with some notable automation that'll get in the way if an old webcoder, try Jutoh instead (shareware). As to Legend Maker, walk away now. Take if from a full time author and ex webhead, you can do better than this thing. Even the free Calibre (free) can make the ebook formats this thing can and do a heck of a lot more.

Version 1.3 now requires KindleGen per the author. Amazon's website has this to say about KindleGen: "This tool is best for publishers and individuals who are familiar with HTML and want to convert their HTML, XHTML, XML (OPF/IDPF format), or ePub source into a Kindle Book." Doesn't sound like it's for the faint of heart.

Legend Maker works well, good documentation. I bought it and cannot complain, but I regret not having informed myself a bit about epub files and Apple programs, before I paid 50 Dollars. If you have Pages which I do and export your rtf doc as epub file you can do 90 % of what legend maker can. At least, this is how it seems to me. The epub file can be imported into iTunes/books and synced without problems to iPod, iPhone and I guess to iPad (which I do not have). So, Legend Maker seems totally overpriced and might use just what Apple has already prepared and adds a few details. As I said, the program is ok, but there is obviously a big discrepancy between the developers contributions and what is already available and works perfectly from inside Apple software. (Would be interesting to hear how the developer justifies the steep price of his product. Perhaps I have missed out on very important features and if this is so I am very happy to revise my assessment.) The program as such could be rated with 4 or 5 stars, depending on what one expects. But considering what I said above I think one has to warn potential buyers that they are invited to buy something for extra money what they might already have with iWorks and iLife.

100 Bucks! Are you kidding? Do the same thing for free with Calibre.