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Please help! How do you format for Kindle???!!
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Hazel
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Jul 25, 2012 09:31PM
So after two hours of trial and error, I'm seeking help, I cannot seem to format my book so that it looks good in Kindle format. It's better than it was, but everything is all off, and I have no idea how to fix it because I have spent hours tying everything I can think of and it still didn't do anything. If anyone can help me, please do!!
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How are you going about it? Are you writing it in Word, and then converting it using another program?If you sign up to Smashwords (it's free), they do this for you.
I use word, see I publish my books through Createspace, and they are now connected with Kindle so you can just transfer your files over to Amazon and "supposedly" it is transfered into a Kindle document. However PDFs aren't even worth looking at. I now have it saved as a .doc which is better but still not very good. I was thinking of using Smashwords as well since I heard a lot of authors use that now, but I also wanted it to be available on Amazon. If you put it through Smashwords though, and they formatted it for you, would you be able to take those files and put them into your Kindle version?
Yup, it's what I do!There is a PDF guide called the Smashwords Guide to Formatting that you can read through. It tells you what the settings in Word need to be, and has screenshots, and is easy to follow.
The first time you go through it, it might take an hour, but after that it's easy.
I format the Word document for Smashwords, upload it, and let it do the conversion. Then I download the converted mobi file, test it on the Kindle, and then upload that file to Amazon.
Thank you for starting this thread, Hazel, I've been having the exact same issues! (Part of my problem is probably also that I'm using a mac and Pages instead of Word - we'll see if smashwords' guide thingy works for that)
Thanks so much Michael, I should have asked first! @Jenelle, I figured I probably wasn't the only one :) I truthfully don't know how much luck you are going to have with pages though. I tried formatting using it once and it is just really annoying sometimes, but it might work for you, I just have bad luck with computers.
I'm not really sure what your goal is, but here is some advice. First, save your work in rtf format. Next, download Calibre (free) and install it on your computer. Plug your kindle into the USB port. Start Calibre.On the opening page of Calibre, on the upper left hand side, you will see an icon in dark red with a plus sign that is labeled, "Add books". Click this icon. A window will open that will allow you to browse though your computer and select a file. Once you have selected the file, click "Open" in that window.
You should now see your book listed in the middle of the page, at the top of the list of books. Now, the third icon on the top row in Calibre is brown, and it is labeled, "Convert books." Click on that icon. Another window will appear. In the extreme upper left hand corner it will read, Convert . In the upper right hand corner you will see a box labeled "Output format," and in the box you will see EPUB with an indicator arrow next to it. If you click on the indicator arrow, you can select from a variety of formats including, MOBI and PDF.
Before clicking the "OK" button at the bottom, you may want to insert the author's name and perhaps some tags. Once you click "Ok", the window will disappear, the book will begin to convert, and you will see in the extreme lower right hand a turning wheel with the label "Jobs:" which will probably show 1 and then 0 once the process is finished.
In the middle right hand side will be the book icon. Below that you will see the author and the formats it is now available in, RTF and whatever format you selected. If your kindle is connected to your computer, you should see an icon on the top row labeled "Library," and to the left of that icon, you should see a blue icon labeled "Send to device."
If you click that icon, your book should be immediately sent to the kindle and a check mark will appear alongside the books name. You can also find the book in your computer by clicking on "Click to open" which is also under the book icon on the right hand side.
http://calibre-ebook.com/download
Thanks, Stan, I actually just finshied four hours of work putting my ebook into Smashwords and it looks great now (or at least as great as any ebook does) I haven't tried my new document in Kindle yet, but I'l getting to that tomorrow. Michael, thanks again so much, Smashwords is a very helpful site!
No probs! Now that you've done it once, it'll be much simpler to do it in future.Calibre, the program that Stan mentions, is actually what Smashwords uses as far as I know.
Considering the problems I usually have at smashwords, I can't believe they use Calibre, but they must use something similar. Calibre is much easier to use and there are no formatting problems like those you find at smashwords. Also, I believe that you must now save your file for smashwords in Word 97-2003 format. I had to change my Word 2007 format a few days ago. Calibre imports rtf format and maybe some others, but will not import docx.
I did have to resubmit the document several times fixing the problems they found, but after I worked out all the bugs it was fine. It will definitely be easier the second time round, haha ;)
Stan wrote: "Considering the problems I usually have at smashwords, I can't believe they use Calibre, but they must use something similar. Calibre is much easier to use and there are no formatting problems lik..."
I think smashwords does use calibre. I've looked at their code by putting the epub file into a software called Sigil and the tags and style names have the word calibre on them. I actually have problems with how calibre detects what goes into the ncx file. It is, in fact, easy to correct, if you are allowed to tweak your ncx file (as amazon does) but smashwords lets you upload only .doc files and it's hell trying to find what the problem is in toc.ncx in a word file. I do have images and links in my book which might complicate things. Personally, I like the greater control I have on amazon's kdp platform. I am switching from smashwords to lulu.com (less % though, if that matters to you).
I think smashwords does use calibre. I've looked at their code by putting the epub file into a software called Sigil and the tags and style names have the word calibre on them. I actually have problems with how calibre detects what goes into the ncx file. It is, in fact, easy to correct, if you are allowed to tweak your ncx file (as amazon does) but smashwords lets you upload only .doc files and it's hell trying to find what the problem is in toc.ncx in a word file. I do have images and links in my book which might complicate things. Personally, I like the greater control I have on amazon's kdp platform. I am switching from smashwords to lulu.com (less % though, if that matters to you).
Interesting E. They must have tweaked Calibre, considering all the complaints they get at mobilread. They used to accept rtf files, and I wished they still did. Every time I upload a new version of a book, I go through hell to get it done.
Hazel wrote: "@Jenelle, I figured I probably wasn't the only one :) I truthfully don't know how much luck you are going to have with pages though. I tried for..."Good to know, the style guide at smashwords made it sound doable... but my husband has a PC with Word on it, maybe I'll use his computer then. Better yet... maybe I can get him to do the converting... he's much better with computers than I am!
Janelle, the book is guide is actually written by someone who uses a PC (you can tell from the screen shots ;) It should work out fine for you, and they said you could use Pages. You might have better luck with it than me ;)
I'm not fond of MS Word so I still use my favorite - WordPerfect. For my print format, I simply "publish to PDF" and upload to Lulu.
For ebooks (all formats), I simply "publish to HTML."
[I can then modify this HTML file as necessary.]
Upload the HTML file (along with book cover and any images) into Mobipocket Creator, and the final result is a PRC (Mobi.) file. If it looks good, simply upload to KDP and you have a Kindle format book.
Upload the same PRC (Mobi.) file into Calibre to create your EPUB format. After conversion, run the EPUB through Sigil to find and correct any errors, and then check it with the EPUB Validator. That's it, you now have a EPUB format for the Nook (and other readers).
Of course, there is more to it than that. It does take a bit of work, and at least a moderate knowledge of HTML coding with a bit of XHTML. The final result however, is well worth it. An author can have total control over the look and feel of all different book formats, and without having to use the "meatgrinder!" :-)
Ok, based on my experience with amazon kindle: The easiest process that gives you the most control:
1. Save your doc file as web filtered. At this point, you can already generate a mobi file that you can upload to amazon by doing the following: first, download Kindle Previewer which will do the conversion. From windows explorer, you can right click on your file and choose "open with Kindle previewer." The previewer shows you how your book will look and you could tweak it further, if you want to. Upload to amazon kdp is smoothest with a mobi file.
2. The problem with this process is it won't do what is called an ncx file (a navigation file). But, if your file is relatively simple (no images other than book cover, no tables,etc.) and you have a table of contents that will take readers to various parts of the book, then ncx may not be all that important to you. But your book won't have that thingy at the bottom that you can slide to take you to specific pages.
Anyway, if you want more info than this (such as how to do an ncx file or you do have images within the book), email me at eholychair@gmail.com.
1. Save your doc file as web filtered. At this point, you can already generate a mobi file that you can upload to amazon by doing the following: first, download Kindle Previewer which will do the conversion. From windows explorer, you can right click on your file and choose "open with Kindle previewer." The previewer shows you how your book will look and you could tweak it further, if you want to. Upload to amazon kdp is smoothest with a mobi file.
2. The problem with this process is it won't do what is called an ncx file (a navigation file). But, if your file is relatively simple (no images other than book cover, no tables,etc.) and you have a table of contents that will take readers to various parts of the book, then ncx may not be all that important to you. But your book won't have that thingy at the bottom that you can slide to take you to specific pages.
Anyway, if you want more info than this (such as how to do an ncx file or you do have images within the book), email me at eholychair@gmail.com.
Thanks! I got my book up on Kindle today using the same files as I did for Smashwords and it looked the same to me when I previewed it. I'm really no good with any technical things, and I use a mac. I'm also very glad I don't have any pictures in this book, haha ;)
If you are willing to spend a relatively small amount of money, there are a number of alternatives that are easier to work with than Smashwords and produce better output than both Smashwords and calibre (although I love calibre for converting one e-book format to another).1. Mac and iPad, no Windows or Android: Storyist. $60, 30-day free trial, free to beta testers, usually offers 25% discount during NaNo and Script Frenzy.
This is the program I use. Import RTF, apply minimal formatting, add cover image, export clean files as ePub or MOBI. Most elegant, Mac-like option; especially suited to fiction writers; great iPad app that integrates seamlessly with the desktop version; strong, supportive user community, but a bit more expensive than Scrivener and not accessible to Windows users.
2. Mac, Windows, no iPad (yet) or Android: Scrivener. $40-45, 30-day free trial, usually offers discount as above.
I don't care for the Scrivener approach and have not done much with it, but a friend of mine used it for her Kindle file and was happy with the results. Reads and writes .doc files and includes footnote support. Cheapest option and many people love it.
3. Folium Book Studio. $30 per project, plus optional $10 ISBN.
I use this for its ISBN option and to improve formatting for the iPad. Online, accepts any RTF file, which it splits into chapters. Gives you lots of control over formatting, includes a cover creation tool, stores your files online for a year, generates HTML and ePub files plus cover JPEG. The ePub will open in the free Kindle Previewer, which then creates an equivalent Kindle file you can check and upload. Pros: best output, cheapest ISBN option (you cannot use your print ISBN for the e-book file, but you can use the same one here for ePub and AZW because it is the same file), easy to learn. Cons: most expensive if you have more than one book; much of the fancy formatting will not actually display on the Kindle or nook; e-mail support system needs work (phone with problems). Find them at www.foliumbookstudio.com.
Hope that helps.
I think I'm good for now ;) Once I sell more books and can make up the cost than I might consider some other things, thanks for the suggestions though!
If you haven't done so already, Amazon has a free ebook on the tricks you need for formatting for them. It's a quick read and is surprisingly helpful. The free Kindle previewer tool is also extremely helpful.
One caveat-make sure you preview the file actually on the Kindle, not on the Kindle previewer. There's an annoying as hell bug with the recent update to Kindle that seems to make the text into an incredibly tiny size on the touches and basic if you have declared font sizes on it. This wont show on the previewing program but will show on the actual Kindle. Kidnle fire will show it perfectly, oddly enough.You can generate a preview file when you upload your book to KDP-just choose "save as draft" rather than go to the next step. You can load this file directly to Kindle via USB, and it will show almost exactly how it looks. The Kindle Previewer doesn't show it for any format.
If you want an example, you can download the free sample of my book. I couldn't fix the formatting entirely: the "prologue" heading is what the text looks like when bugged, the rest of the book is in normal size. Many recent indie ebooks show up with this bug due to the update-download almost anything published this month to see.
The only way I found to fix it was to edit the html file in notepad and strip the declared font sizes from the CSS style info at the beginning of the book. That seems to have worked somewhat, but not entirely. I hope they patch this problem soon, as it forces readers to constantly change font sizes per book.
What I have done for the Kindle is save the Word document as filtered HTML. The kindle uploader seems to like that the best.Originally, I tried letting Calibre create the mobi format, but it looked terrible. Instead I upload the filtered HTML to Amazon and let them create it.
I still haven't figured out the HTML but I'm working my way toward that. I'm just really bad at figuring out technical things, haha ;)
I do the same as Mike for Kindle books. Hazel, if you haven't already download the book from Amazon on how to format your Kindle ebook. It's free and is very helpful, giving you a step by step for everything you need. It's written for nontechies.
I prep the books for smashwords using this template: http://cyberwitchpress.com/smashwords... best I have found so far and have been very pleased with it).Then that word doc is my master document. I have found that working in Word 2003 is a lot friendlier than working in Word 2007.
One of the problems I was having was page breaks, so instead of page breaks I would use section breaks and that seems to work across all platforms (smash, bn, amazon).
I have not tried using the filtered HTML method - I will have to experiment with that.
Talon wrote: "I do the same as Mike for Kindle books. Hazel, if you haven't already download the book from Amazon on how to format your Kindle ebook. It's free and is very helpful, giving you a step by step f..."
I haven;t looked at the one from Amazon but I followed the guidlines of the one from Smashwords and that was very helpful.
Definitely worth checking out the Amazon Kindle one. It fully explains about how to do the filtered HTML. The Smashwords was really helpful to me, as well, and some things that work for Amazon don't for SW, but the SW tricks worked for Amazon. Go figure. LOL
Okay I'll do that, thanks =) I would like to figure out the HTML and I'm going to be making my first two books into ebooks soon as well. I might try it with a short story that I will be publishing within the next month and see how it works.
It's super easy. You basically just do what you normally do but Save As and choose the filtered HTML. Really painless.
D.M. said: "The only way I found to fix it was to edit the html file..."That was my point in message #16 - edit the HTML file before moving forward. HTML is easy to learn, and invaluable to indies or self-pubs whom don't have a lot of bank to roll. For book formatting and web design.
Hey D.M. - you might want to check out Notepad++, my son turned me onto it. Free download and better editor.
Hi Hazel,Getting my book kindle-ready nearly blew my mind! I am computer illiterate, html was beyond me and I was pretty much tearing my hair out searching for templates and ways to convert the work. I don't know how I ended up on the site but I found Kindlewriter.
As long as you follow the instructions, put your cover in the image file (give it a simple name e.g 1na) use the standard template (coloured to show exactly where and what to enter), download the association file and open it with kindle previewer, you can't go wrong.
All you do is save your work in text (notepad is fine). Copy your whole chapter (text) file into the writer section, add the page break and save. When you have as much as you need/want, open the publisher section, hit insert, choose your chapter file, click three times on each para to highlight and hit the para button. Bold and italic use the same highlight system and buttons.
When you are happy with the preview of your work on the split screen hit publish and that will put a mobi file in your publish folder. Open the mobi with kindle previewer and proof read to your hearts content.
I right clicked and pasted c:drive to desktop so I didn't have to 'faff' around with windows explorer to find the publish folder.
You can keep deleting the files in publish as many times as you like, until you have what you want on preview.
There is a facility to online convert to Epub and one to produce a pdf.
You can upload direct from the program. and you have a 30 day free trial to see how you get on (can't upload to Amazon with the free trial).
I had my cover ready before I found the writer so I haven't used the free cover creator.
Check it out at www.kindlewriter.co.uk/ and no, I am not an affiliate.
best of luck with the work
That was my point in message #16 - edit the HTML file before moving forward. HTML is easy to learn, and invaluable to indies or self-pubs whom don't have a lot of bank to roll. For book formatting and web design.Hey D.M. - you might want to check out Notepad++, my son turned me onto it. Free download and better editor.
The only reason I did edit mine was due to the operating system glitch. Normally when you save your Word doc as filtered HTML and set it up using headings, it renders perfectly fine. It's just the new 4.0 system I think requires proportional rather than declared font sizes, and the previewers won't show this. It will only show on the Kindle special offers and touch.
I agree that learning HTML helps and so does a good text editor. But I'm very wary of using HTML and tweaking the code by hand because it's incredibly easy to forget to close a tag or apply the wrong heading style. Considering how long a novel can be as raw HTML, I don't think it's an unfounded fear.
Usually Word will format it very well if you follow the Smashwords guide, and use styles to set indentation, font size, and spacing between paragraphs. But always be sure to check formatting on a live Kindle-something as simple as failing to close a single text tag can cause your entire book to render as bold text or courier monospace, or using the wrong ASCII code can turn smart quotes into other characters entirely.
