Ask HN: What software to write a technical book in?

7 points·147··8 comments

Hey guys, I'm about to write a book on web development in Clojure.

I'm completely new to this so I'm wondering if you guys had any recommendations for software to write the book in.

Syntax highlighting is preferred.

I'm currently looking at Lean Pub at the moment but I would rather not like to rely on a third party.

Emacs, Word, whatever...the first draft is the task at hand, not typesetting. Writing does not require software: Paper and pen are enough to start. Searching for the optimal software feels like work and is attractive because it is easier than producing a manuscript.

I have a related question - I am looking to (self) publish a hardcover dead-tree book aimed at a luxury niche and sold via Amazon.

Can anyone recommend an online publisher? So far blurb.com looks like it ticks all the boxes but reviews are mixed.

selfpublishing.com

Thanks, I will check them out. A shame that their quotes are hidden behind a lead capture form, though.

Good news is, they were a client of a place I used to work. So, I can safely say that you can put any data in there and it'll give you the quote.

I saw this yesterday and haven't checked it out fully but it'll probably be interesting to you. https://www.gitbook.com/

Another alternative to Leanpub is Softcover (https://www.softcover.io/)

LaTeX comes to my mind.

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