Comments for - Unruly Guides http://www.unrulyguides.com DIY Self-Publishing Guides, Kits, & Tutorials Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:11:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on How to Convert EPUB to Kindle Digital Publishing in One Step by Unruly Guides http://www.unrulyguides.com/2011/06/how-to-convert-epub-to-azw-kindle-in-one-step/#comment-5565 Unruly Guides Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:11:25 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=6400#comment-5565 Dee, Thank you so much for taking the time to include this. The update kit 3.0 will have new videos, and updates, but always good to have this posted. . Suz Dee, Thank you so much for taking the time to include this. The update kit 3.0 will have new videos, and updates, but always good to have this posted.
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Suz

]]> Comment on How to Convert EPUB to Kindle Digital Publishing in One Step by Dee http://www.unrulyguides.com/2011/06/how-to-convert-epub-to-azw-kindle-in-one-step/#comment-5564 Dee Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:07:03 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=6400#comment-5564 I downloaded the Mac version of Sigil, purchased the DIY Kit and watched all of the videos today. There are a few changes seeing as the Mac version of Sigil was updated 19 hours ago. . 1. Safari Books Online purchased Threepress.org. . The Epub validator is now here: http://validator.idpf.org/ . 2. In Sigil (for Mac) to rename .xhtml files: - Click once on the file you wish to rename (ONLY ONCE) - Hit the return key (which will highlight the file name) - Type new name (i.e. cover, copy, etc.) - Hit return key once more and it will set the new name. . If you click the return key twice, it automatically will have you edit the html file instead of changing the name. If this happens, just go to the "edit" then "undo" until page returns to normal. Then click another page. Then click back (only once) on the page you were trying to rename and do the above steps again. . 3. Semantics are mostly done for you by Sigil and there was not option to set it. However, a manual check showed that only the "start" ID needed to be changed on Chapter 1. . 4. To generate the TOC, there is a button on the bottom left of Sigil. Click it to reveal the TOC box and "uncheck" the box as per the video tutorial. . 5. Finally, the last change for Kindle no longer seems to be necessary. Downloaded the Kindle Previewer for Mac and both the modified and original epubs only showed one cover. . I think those were the only new tweaks that I observed. . Excellent tutorial and templates by the way. The only thing I would add is an extra video exclusively on the additions to the Meta Tags that can be done. I downloaded the Mac version of Sigil, purchased the DIY Kit and watched all of the videos today. There are a few changes seeing as the Mac version of Sigil was updated 19 hours ago.
.
1. Safari Books Online purchased Threepress.org.
.
The Epub validator is now here:
http://validator.idpf.org/
.
2. In Sigil (for Mac) to rename .xhtml files:
- Click once on the file you wish to rename (ONLY ONCE)
- Hit the return key (which will highlight the file name)
- Type new name (i.e. cover, copy, etc.)
- Hit return key once more and it will set the new name.
.
If you click the return key twice, it automatically will have you edit the html file instead of changing the name. If this happens, just go to the “edit” then “undo” until page returns to normal. Then click another page. Then click back (only once) on the page you were trying to rename and do the above steps again.
.
3. Semantics are mostly done for you by Sigil and there was not option to set it. However, a manual check showed that only the “start” ID needed to be changed on Chapter 1.
.
4. To generate the TOC, there is a button on the bottom left of Sigil. Click it to reveal the TOC box and “uncheck” the box as per the video tutorial.
.
5. Finally, the last change for Kindle no longer seems to be necessary. Downloaded the Kindle Previewer for Mac and both the modified and original epubs only showed one cover.
.
I think those were the only new tweaks that I observed.
.
Excellent tutorial and templates by the way. The only thing I would add is an extra video exclusively on the additions to the Meta Tags that can be done.

]]> Comment on Day 7: Book Cover Templates by Sample and Example by Unruly Guides http://www.unrulyguides.com/2011/12/book-cover-templates-samples-examples/#comment-5553 Unruly Guides Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:07:27 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=9761#comment-5553 It depends how you are uploading the file. If you are uploading the Word Document, then even tho the cover may be in the file, you need to upload the loose image as well. To do this you need to ZIP the word doc and all the images into one file (Such as MyBook .zip). If the image is cropping off, then it may be KDP causing the issue. . I do not recommend uploading the Word doc for publication, but using an HTM or mobi file created by KindleGen -- you can do this by saving the word file to HTM, and then zipping both the HTM page and the images folder created (as a ZIP) file and uploading that. However, again, it may be that KDP cropping the file unnecessarily. . I prefer to create an epub file using Sigil. Then I convert the file to mobi using KindleGen. My covers are 600 x 800 and placed on a separate cover.xhtml page . If you are still having issues, feel free to email me directly at contact [at] unrulyguides .com and I will help you through the process. . Suzanne It depends how you are uploading the file. If you are uploading the Word Document, then even tho the cover may be in the file, you need to upload the loose image as well. To do this you need to ZIP the word doc and all the images into one file (Such as MyBook .zip). If the image is cropping off, then it may be KDP causing the issue.
.
I do not recommend uploading the Word doc for publication, but using an HTM or mobi file created by KindleGen — you can do this by saving the word file to HTM, and then zipping both the HTM page and the images folder created (as a ZIP) file and uploading that. However, again, it may be that KDP cropping the file unnecessarily.
.
I prefer to create an epub file using Sigil. Then I convert the file to mobi using KindleGen. My covers are 600 x 800 and placed on a separate cover.xhtml page
.
If you are still having issues, feel free to email me directly at contact [at] unrulyguides .com and I will help you through the process.
.
Suzanne

]]> Comment on Sigil Tutorial: Splitting Pages using Sigil’s SGF Chapter Break Feature by Myungseok Na http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/02/sigil-tutorial-splitting-pages-using-sigils-sgf-chapter-break-feature/#comment-5551 Myungseok Na Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:39:40 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10197#comment-5551 Thanks for your Tip. Thanks for your Tip.

]]> Comment on Day 7: Book Cover Templates by Sample and Example by Marcia Smith http://www.unrulyguides.com/2011/12/book-cover-templates-samples-examples/#comment-5550 Marcia Smith Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:18:03 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=9761#comment-5550 I'm having the same problem. It's one of the things holding me up from publishing my first story, so I read this with great interest, however... Are you saying the reason it is being cut off is because we are not inserting that html into the input doc? If we do that will that manually add the image and then we shouldn't add it while compiling the book in say, Calibre? Or do we do both and the html will take care of the size problem. I've tried both 600 x 800 in 72dpi and 300 dpi. I appreciate any help. I’m having the same problem. It’s one of the things holding me up from publishing my first story, so I read this with great interest, however…

Are you saying the reason it is being cut off is because we are not inserting that html into the input doc? If we do that will that manually add the image and then we shouldn’t add it while compiling the book in say, Calibre? Or do we do both and the html will take care of the size problem. I’ve tried both 600 x 800 in 72dpi and 300 dpi. I appreciate any help.

]]> Comment on Ebook Formatting Kit 3.0 by kevin http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/01/ebook-formatting-kit-3-0/#comment-5549 kevin Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:55:15 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10133#comment-5549 I use Kompzer, a simple and free html editor to convert an open office document to html. Caliber then converts the html into a mobi file for me, and from there its drag and drop onto my kindle ( or as you have confirmed - it could also be onto a Kindle Fire if i had one. Thanks for that ) My book has png illustrations throughout which is why i wanted to preview the book on the kindle to see how the text was working with the illustrations Can i submit straight to Amazon then, with html file? not bother with a mobi file at all? perhaps not. Ive got to go to SIGIL first to create chapters etc. yes? Will be buying your guide as soon as i get to the point when i need it, I am still finishing the book. Your guide sounds very good and good value. Cheers. Kevin . I use Kompzer, a simple and free html editor to convert an open office document to html. Caliber then converts the html into a mobi file for me, and from there its drag and drop onto my kindle ( or as you have confirmed – it could also be onto a Kindle Fire if i had one. Thanks for that )

My book has png illustrations throughout which is why i wanted to preview the book on the kindle to see how the text was working with the illustrations

Can i submit straight to Amazon then, with html file? not bother with a mobi file at all? perhaps not. Ive got to go to SIGIL first to create chapters etc. yes?

Will be buying your guide as soon as i get to the point when i need it, I am still finishing the book. Your guide sounds very good and good value. Cheers. Kevin
.

]]> Comment on Ebook Formatting Kit 3.0 by Unruly Guides http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/01/ebook-formatting-kit-3-0/#comment-5547 Unruly Guides Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:29:15 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10133#comment-5547 Yes, you would upload (drag and drop) the same to either Kindle or Kindle Fire. As for Calibre, I have "heard" it does a decent job -- but I personally do not use it unless I am converting a PDF to text for reformatting an ebook. I prefer to work in the HTML code, and Calibre does not have this features. Additionally, MobiPocket Creator is for PC only, and since I am on a Mac.... I use other means for creating epub and mobi files. All the best, Suzanne Yes, you would upload (drag and drop) the same to either Kindle or Kindle Fire.

As for Calibre, I have “heard” it does a decent job — but I personally do not use it unless I am converting a PDF to text for reformatting an ebook. I prefer to work in the HTML code, and Calibre does not have this features. Additionally, MobiPocket Creator is for PC only, and since I am on a Mac…. I use other means for creating epub and mobi files.

All the best,

Suzanne

]]> Comment on Ebook Formatting Kit 3.0 by kevin http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/01/ebook-formatting-kit-3-0/#comment-5544 kevin Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:22:52 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10133#comment-5544 Thanks Suzanne for answering that. Calibre does make a nice conversion from html to Mobi files as im sure you know. Ive been using it so i can drag and drop chapters of an unfinished book on to my personal kindle, so i can check how they look . I don't have a Kindle Fire - they are not available in Australia yet . But i imagine i can drag and drop mobi files onto a Kindle Fire as well ? Thanks Suzanne for answering that. Calibre does make a nice conversion from html to Mobi files as im sure you know.

Ive been using it so i can drag and drop chapters of an unfinished book on to my personal kindle, so i can check how they look . I don’t have a Kindle Fire – they are not available in Australia yet . But i imagine i can drag and drop mobi files onto a Kindle Fire as well ?

]]> Comment on Ebook Formatting Kit 3.0 by Unruly Guides http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/01/ebook-formatting-kit-3-0/#comment-5541 Unruly Guides Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:46:47 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10133#comment-5541 Amazon still requires a MOBI file for distribution, however you can upload a variety of formats and KDP will automatically convert to the MOBI format for you. (See my caution below). Kindle Fire uses the updated language HTML5, what Amazon calls KF8. MOBI, as well as epub or zip, are the way the book is "packaged". Amazon chose MOBI for their format, and with all their devices this will remain as such. KF8: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000729511 If you upload an Epub to the KDP service, Amazon converts the epub file into mobi for distribution. But CAUTION: when uploading the epub, Amazon also retains a copy of the epub IN THE mobi file -- WHY, I don't know, but this can more than double the size of your book, especially if it is graphic heavy. It is best to use KindleGen to convert your book to mobi. KIT 3.0 will describe how to achieve this as painlessly as possible. Amazon still requires a MOBI file for distribution, however you can upload a variety of formats and KDP will automatically convert to the MOBI format for you. (See my caution below).

Kindle Fire uses the updated language HTML5, what Amazon calls KF8. MOBI, as well as epub or zip, are the way the book is “packaged”. Amazon chose MOBI for their format, and with all their devices this will remain as such.

KF8: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000729511

If you upload an Epub to the KDP service, Amazon converts the epub file into mobi for distribution. But CAUTION: when uploading the epub, Amazon also retains a copy of the epub IN THE mobi file — WHY, I don’t know, but this can more than double the size of your book, especially if it is graphic heavy.

It is best to use KindleGen to convert your book to mobi. KIT 3.0 will describe how to achieve this as painlessly as possible.

]]> Comment on Ebook Formatting Kit 3.0 by kevin http://www.unrulyguides.com/2012/01/ebook-formatting-kit-3-0/#comment-5540 kevin Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:00:57 +0000 http://www.unrulyguides.com/?p=10133#comment-5540 I want to know what to do to have files ready for kindle Fire too - what format ? Mobi ? im planning illustrations for my books so kindle fire will be great to publish for. Is there info in the guide for publishing to kindle fire? thanks I want to know what to do to have files ready for kindle Fire too – what format ?
Mobi ? im planning illustrations for my books so kindle fire will be great to publish for.

Is there info in the guide for publishing to kindle fire? thanks

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