10 replies to this topic

[Determined1]

I was looking at the calibre download to create a good file for e-readers.

They do not mention being specifically kindle-compatible.

Will calibre files work with the Kindle?

[Pete Morin]

I was looking at the calibre download to create a good file for e-readers.

They do not mention being specifically kindle-compatible.

Will calibre files work with the Kindle?

Yes. Calibre will produce a mobi file for you. I used it for mine.

[C. Taylor]

These days you can just upload a .doc file and as long as you've formated it properly (no header, footer, pg numbers, and then used hard returns and page breaks), you should be fine.

[Determined1]

Since I am using a Mac things are still a little complicated. I am going to use calibre and report back.

thanks, all

[Determined1]

I managed to pull myself from out of the fetal position in the corner for this post.

I created a MOBI file with calibre and my Kindle format STILL won't indent if the paragraph starts at the top of the page.

The siren call of tolerating a less-than-professional format is filling my ears.

I imagine I am testing everyone's patience, but any last words?

Back to the corner for me, sucking my thumb . . . .

[RC Lewis]

I use a Mac and have never had that problem. I'm not at my computer right now, but somewhere in the conversion settings (Look and Feel? General? Can't remember) there's an option for indenting paragraphs. Check the box to have calibre handle that and choose how many "ems" you want. (I like 2 ems, but others prefer 1.5)

If you already did that and are still having the problem, I'll dig in more and try to figure it out.

[Determined1]

I use a Mac and have never had that problem. I'm not at my computer right now, but somewhere in the conversion settings (Look and Feel? General? Can't remember) there's an option for indenting paragraphs. Check the box to have calibre handle that and choose how many "ems" you want. (I like 2 ems, but others prefer 1.5)

If you already did that and are still having the problem, I'll dig in more and try to figure it out.

Found it. Please stand by

[Determined1]

Well, here's the story.

I found RC Lewis's calibre function, but the Kindle preview still showed paragraphs that started on the top line of a page without the indent.

I visited Smashwords. They had me download the .doc file. The indentions are flawless!

Whew! Managed to push back that panic attack!

I am going to try to create a Kindle edition of my book through Smashwords next.

Thanks to everybody, esp. RC.

See my book at -

https://www.smashwor...oks/view/117709

I'll advise on my ongoing Kindle efforts.

[Determined1]

Hi again.

This is the last edition of The Indent News. I'll never post on this again.

The failure of the first line of paragraphs at the top of the page to indent is the fault of the Amazon viewer.

I've been killing myself over a viewer error, not an error in my file. This info is direct from an Amazon rep.

Not that I'm bitter. Not at all.

[Mastro RJ]

MobiPocket Creator!!!! It's awesome and simple and to me a lot user friendly than Calibre.

[AQCrew]

The failure of the first line of paragraphs at the top of the page to indent is the fault of the Amazon viewer.

I've been killing myself over a viewer error, not an error in my file. This info is direct from an Amazon rep.

Not that I'm bitter. Not at all.

The specific take-away here is that it is helpful to actually have a Kindle and preview your book on it before publishing it on Amazon's KDP. The next best thing is loading the Kindle app on your computer and viewing your Kindle-formatted ebook that way.

And we're sure AQCers have other suggestions on this front as well....

However, the macro lesson here is: what you have been going through is the main reason keeping most writers on the sidelines of pursuing their own e-pubbing experiments.

Ebook file formatting woes and cover design phobia.

However, look at how much you've likely learned about e-book formatting and file formats by your slogging through it. These are the same issues everyone is dealing with -- from experienced software engineers to the staff at the major publishers to published authors to your average aspiring writer.

Ebooks are not going away, so the more you know and continue to learn, the less fearful you will be about the changes that are facing the entire publishing industry.