Formatting of Kindle Books: a Brief Tutorial

by Charles Spender

*** Updated in September 2021 ***

You can download this book at the following link (copy and paste into your browser):

formatting-kindle.info/FormattingOfKindleBooks.zip

This document was written for the lay audience and outlines the steps necessary for creation of a full-featured, professionally formatted electronic book for the Amazon.com Kindle platform. Never mind the size of this most of it is pictures and side notes (which you can ignore). The book consists of three parts--you need to choose only one of them--

{a} for people who don't want to learn HTML
{b} for those willing to learn HTML
{c} for professional web designers

It is possible to do some changes to your Word manuscript and upload it to Kindle Direct Publishing within half an hour, but you are likely to discover later that your ebook has many annoying little problems that need fixing in HTML code. If you don't want to learn HTML, the book contains a chapter on how to format a Kindle ebook properly using a free 30-day trial of Microsoft Word. The text also describes conversion of PDF, InDesign, EPUB, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Google Docs, WordPerfect, Final Draft, and QuarkXPress files.

Good formatting will take several hours to several days. Please keep in mind that the vast majority of self-published ebooks do not sell and the formatting efforts and expenses may never pay off. Readers will learn how
In addition, the document contains an HTML template for a Kindle book.


Devices 1st generation Kindle (Kindle 1), Kindle 2, Kindle 3 (Kindle Keyboard), Kindles 4-10, Kindle DX, Kindle Touch, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage, Kindle Oasis, Fire Phone, Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire Kids Edition, Fire HD 6, Fire HD 8, Kindle Fire HD 8.9", Fire HD 10, Fire HDX, and Fire HDX 8.9"

Software MobiPocket Creator, MobiPocket Reader, Kindle Previewer 2.5, Kindle Previewer 2.7, Kindle Previewer 2.94, Kindle Previewer 3.58, Kindle Previewer for Mac, KindleGen 1.2, KindleGen 2.3, KindleGen 2.9, KindleGen 2.9 for Mac, W3C Validator, epubcheck, GIMP, IrfanView, KDP Cover Creator beta, KDP converter, Calibre, Calibre e-book viewer, Sigil, InDesign Plug-in, Notepad++, Notepad, TextCrawler, Fraise, TextWrangler, TextEdit, Clean HTML Word Macro from Toxaris, word2cleanhtml.com, KindleUnpack, KindleStrip, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Word 2008, Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Word 2011, Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Word 2016, Microsoft Word 2019, Adobe Acrobat XI, Adobe Acrobat DC, Nitro PDF, Nitro Pro, Kindle for PC, Kindle for Windows 8/10, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPad, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for Android, and Kindle Cloud Reader

Formats Kindle Format 8 (KF8, A

Genres: Writing

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2010

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most depressing book on publishing I have ever read

The first half of the book is so negative and depressing I forced myself to read on thinking no one could continue in this mode. My glass is usually half full and I'm pouring more water into it. I am 73, I have survived more death, disaster and heartache in one lifetime than anyone could imagine. It took me 20+ years to gradurate from college. I never gave up. Yes publishing is a tough business. So is life. I am constantly learning new ideas. This authors general advice is to give up before you even start. I was looking for a straight book on formatting a kindle book. All this book to l d me was if I wrote a book no one would ever hire me. What? Negative. Negative. Negative. My advice go for it. Have fun. Don't let anyone say you can't.

[April Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book for indie publishers

[Jim Mckitrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

complex. Implied it would show you how to do sigil, but it didn't. Basically told you it existed.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I came here today and realized I hadn't yet reviewed this little book.

Wow, I cannot express my gratitude enough for the clear, concise instructions.

I am schooled in WordPerfect and so formatting in Word and trying to understand Styles was always hair-raising for me.

Mr. Spender has changed all that. I've just used this guide again today for my next release and the whole thing was stress-free.

I recommend this guide!!

[Richard Wm Short]

This is a reasonable first book, to get someone involved in the Kindle Formatting process. Indeed, that is exactly what the title, implies.
For those already involved, this may contain superficial material, but if you're a 'newbie' it's right on; easy to follow and understand.
It is not expensive, so even if you pick up only one or two tips, it's worth the money.

[Iván Mejía · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Provides clear and extensive instructions on building and formatting a book to be published on Kindle.