Kindle Publishing Questions

24 replies
Have a product in mind to sell on amazon as a kindle product...

1) I believe the ebook has to be created in some specific format to be read on kindle or other ebook readers , is there on tool that is simple and will create the ebook to sell on amazon to all types of ebook device readers

2) What are the main device ebook readers it should be compatible with and why ?

3) Can I write the ebook in open office then have it converted so that it can be read on ebook readers I do not have microsoft office ...

4) Is there a free step by step tutorial that will walk me through the process of creating a kindle product for amazon...does it have to be in kindle format to place it for sale on amazon lost

5) What paid product do you recommend for me to buy for 2013 that walks you through how to create ebook products to be sold to kindle readers and others on amazon
#kindle #publishing #questions
  • Profile picture of the author PatriciaS
    First, you should probably refer to it as a book. I know I'm confused by your terminology....

    There are a gazillion WSOs offering all sorts of advice on Kindle.

    But frankly your first stop ought to be Amazon itself. I'd suggest you get the PC Kindle reader if you don't own a Kindle, and there are a number of books, some actually even free, about creating "products" for Kindle, and Kindle formatting.

    Kindle formatting is not actually that difficult -- the trick is that Kindle is finnicky. It requires html, but that doesn't mean you can get all fancy with your html. Also, I've recently heard that the various Kindle models may display things differently, so ....... ???????

    And, Kindle is Kindle. You can write your "product," then format it for Kindle (as a separate file) and then do whatever's necessary to format it for other readers, for which I have NO information.

    If you buy a book on Kindle formatting, I think the one I'd recommend is Lis Sowerbutts'.
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  • Profile picture of the author Beverley Boorer
    Actually you don't have to format it with html at all. I have done several kindle ebooks on Amazon and you can do it in word.doc or open office - and html if you really want to. When you upload it, the conversion is done automatically. You can use the free mobi pocket software if you want, but it is not essential. All the info you need is on the Amazon website. However, if you want a paid course, then Geoff Shaw's is really good. Its actually a lifetime membership to his special website where all the information is kept - and updated from time to time.
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  • Profile picture of the author J Bold
    1. I use Kinstant formatter. It's a paid tool.

    2. What you need to do is go to Amazon's website and download the free Kindle Previewer. All will be clear on that point after you do this:

    Kindle Previewer

    3. Yes you can use Open Office. I have heard some use .doc format to upload right to Kindle. As I said I just use Kinstant formatter so not sure about this one.

    4. Not sure about a free tutorial but Amazon's own site has a lot of info.

    5. If you just want formatting info and a formatting tool I've already said what I use.

    For marketing purposes the product "Kindling" is good (search the forum, it's a WSO) and/or there's a Warrior Book Club on this very forum which is also a paid membership.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomerep
    If you have physical inventory, you should sign up for Amazon Advantage for Books which allows individual publishers to have their inventory stored at Amazon, gives some control of detail page content, and helps out in search results. If your book is only going to be available in ebook format, you should follow instructions at Booksurge which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon and can help you with getting published and listed.
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  • Profile picture of the author donhx
    Originally Posted by onpointinfo View Post

    Have a product in mind to sell on amazon as a kindle product...

    1) I believe the ebook has to be created in some specific format to be read on kindle or other ebook readers , is there on tool that is simple and will create the ebook to sell on amazon to all types of ebook device readers

    >> Kindle and EPub formats work on virtually all ebook readers

    2) What are the main device ebook readers it should be compatible with and why ?

    >> Kindle. They have apps that work on all computers, tablets and smart phones.

    3) Can I write the ebook in open office then have it converted so that it can be read on ebook readers I do not have microsoft office ...

    >> Yes. Be sure to save the file in RTF format.

    4) Is there a free step by step tutorial that will walk me through the process of creating a kindle product for amazon...does it have to be in kindle format to place it for sale on amazon lost

    >> Probably, but many offer value for money. Yes, Kindle format is required for Amazon.

    5) What paid product do you recommend for me to buy for 2013 that walks you through how to create ebook products to be sold to kindle readers and others on amazon

    >> [Removed]
    Please see my notes in bold above.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    The best way to format your book for all Kindle devices and apps is with Microsoft Word. Open Office works also but it's a bit cleaner with Word.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cyberdog1
      I've published twenty two books using open office, all less than 10,000 words in the fiction category!

      Just save as .doc, use the basic formatting tips and double check on the previewer - simples!
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  • Profile picture of the author onpointinfo
    Thanks everyone for your very helpful answers ....
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  • Profile picture of the author TycoonRob
    Don't overcomplicate things. I write everything in MS Word (but have used OpenOffice), follow some super simple formatting rules (there are free templates for this - just look around) and then create my own covers and BOOM I'm published. It's easier than you think.
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  • Profile picture of the author PatriciaS
    I just wanted to mention that the advice to just go with Word, etc., can be problematic. Yes, those files convert, but they are not always all that reader-friendly in that the formatting can be dreadfully off. "Authors" (i.e., marketers doing Kindle) can get unfriendly reviews as a result. And those do negatively affect sales. So, go download Amazon's guide, or take advantage of one or more of the other options mentioned or available if you want to produce a quality product -- and not every marketer does, so take it for what it's worth to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author onpointinfo
    Great thanks everyone ...;>)
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  • Profile picture of the author thedanbrown
    There are a lot of different ways to solve your problems. You can definitely write the book in open office because amazon actually accepts open office documents they just have to be formatted correctly I believe...

    If you go on Fiverr you can get someone to completely format your book, with a clickable table of contents and send you back the formatted version for $5
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    • Profile picture of the author donhx
      Beware of having your book formatted at a cheap place like Fiverr. That is a shortcut to having your book pirated. Not advised.
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  • Profile picture of the author LaLaLives
    I use Google Drive and save as HTML. I'm sure Open Office will work, but I had a bad experience with using it on another writing platform which caused formatting issues when work was uploaded-- abandoned OO for Google Docs shortly thereafter.

    I also use Kate Harper's guide How to Publish and Sell Your Article on the...How to Publish and Sell Your Article on the... , as well as http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,42600.0.html thread on KindleBoards (which offers a pretty good step-by-step guide).

    Good luck with your new product!
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  • Profile picture of the author JamieSEO
    The official (free) guides are:

    Building Your Book for Kindle (PC)
    Building Your Book for Kindle: Kindle Direct...Building Your Book for Kindle: Kindle Direct...
    Building Your Book for Kindle (Mac)
    Building Your Book for Kindle for Mac: Kindle...Building Your Book for Kindle for Mac: Kindle...

    There are a huge number of WSO's about creating a Kindle book.

    One of the things to keep in mind is that publishing is only half the battle. The other half is MARKETING your book so you get sales.

    A good guide to marketing your Kindle book is:

    The Self Publishers Guide to Book Marketing: Step By Step Guide
    The Self Publishers Guide to Book Marketing: Step...The Self Publishers Guide to Book Marketing: Step...
    Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Formatting:

      Diana has a tutorial (it is for word, but I think applicable):

      Formatting your MS Word Doc for Kindle | The Nitty Gritty for Non Geeks

      Paul has templates:

      Kindle Template - Ebook Template » Authors Insider Club

      My take:

      if you are formatting something simple, follow Diane advice or get Paul´s template for open office (I think I saw it, not sure), save as filtered web page (not sure if open office supports html, but I think it does)

      make a pretty ebook cover

      download kindle previewer and kindlegen from Amazon, those together create and let you see the mobi file (epub format for kindle)

      you will not have shortcuts or waypoints this way. Follow Amazon advice for the shortcuts if you want them.

      make a package with your web file and the images folder, the cover image, the mobi file (just the last one if you compile more than once). That is what you will upload.

      Amazon will also ask you to upload the cover separate.

      Is it there more? yes, but this is enough for most books.
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Connell
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post


        ...save as filtered web page (not sure if open office supports html, but I think it does)

        make a pretty ebook cover

        download kindle previewer and kindlegen from Amazon, those together create and let you see the mobi file (epub format for kindle)

        you will not have shortcuts or waypoints this way. Follow Amazon advice for the shortcuts if you want them.

        make a package with your web file and the images folder, the cover image, the mobi file (just the last one if you compile more than once). That is what you will upload.

        Amazon will also ask you to upload the cover separate.

        Is it there more? yes, but this is enough for most books.
        ^^^^ That's the way I have done it for all my Kindle books and I've never had an issue.

        Just give it a try... You can always get someone to help if you hit any problems but if you follow the advice above you can't really go wrong.

        Good luck with your new book.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

      if you are formatting something simple, follow Diane advice or get Paul´s template for open office (I think I saw it, not sure), save as filtered web page (not sure if open office supports html, but I think it does).
      Actually, Open Office supports html output better than Word ever did. Save a file as html, and OO spits out clean code. If you have formatting issues, it's often because you are using html that isn't supported (like tables or formatted lists).

      Download the official guides and make use of the support boards. That's what they are there for...
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  • Profile picture of the author earsaver
    Is there an effective tool available to convert an ebook formatted with iBook Author to the Kindle format? I can export the ebook from iBook Author to a .pdf file. I just don't know if that's the best approach to take.

    Thanks in advance,
    Joe Benevides
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
      Originally Posted by earsaver View Post

      Is there an effective tool available to convert an ebook formatted with iBook Author to the Kindle format? I can export the ebook from iBook Author to a .pdf file. I just don't know if that's the best approach to take.

      Thanks in advance,
      Joe Benevides
      No, there is not a tool that will do that and give you a perfect format. It should be pretty easy moving everything over manually though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by earsaver View Post

      Is there an effective tool available to convert an ebook formatted with iBook Author to the Kindle format? I can export the ebook from iBook Author to a .pdf file. I just don't know if that's the best approach to take.

      Thanks in advance,
      Joe Benevides
      Can you export in html? If you can, you are pretty much done.
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  • Profile picture of the author troy23
    I created mine in MS Word 2010,
    Converted it to PDF and then sent it to someone on Fiverr to convert if for Kindle.
    She did an excellent job.
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