Building Your Book for Kindle

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2 Building Yur Bk fr Kindle We are excited yu ve decided t design, frmat, and prepare yur bk fr Kindle! We ll walk yu thrugh the necessary steps in creating a prfessinal digital file f yur bk fr quick uplad t Kindle Direct Publishing. These are the tpics we ll discuss: Befre Yu Write Building the Frnt Matter f Yur Bk Building Yur Table f Cntents Preparing a Cver Finishing Yur Bk Uplading and Checking the Quality f Yur Bk Just Befre Publishing Yur Bk Making Changes After Publishing Yur Bk We ve written this guide with yu in mind. We ll walk yu thrugh the key steps fr every part f the prcess, and while it may seem repetitive at times, we want t make sure yu have exactly the infrmatin yu need, when yu need it. And dn t frget - this is a prcess! Publishing n Kindle is easy and takes nly 5 minutes f yur time but crrectly preparing yur bk fr success n Kindle takes time and effrt. Dn t wrry; if yu fllw the steps we utline here, yu shuld feel cnfident yu ll end up with a successfully designed and frmatted bk and ne yu will be prud t see fr sale n Amazn. Yu will even be able t verify this with ur Previewer! Let s get started!

3 Befre Yu Write If yu have already written yur bk, yu can skip ahead t the next sectin fr help preparing yur bk fr Kindle. If yu haven t written it yet (r think yu might write anther bk later), this sectin ffers tips fr cnsideratin during the writing prcess t ease the cnversin prcess later. T publish n Kindle, authrs generally write in Micrsft Wrd prcessing sftware and cnvert their file t Kindle s frmat after cmpletin. Suggestins here are specific t Micrsft Wrd 2010, thugh the steps are the same in nearly all versins f Wrd. If the cntent yu wuld like t edit is nt in Wrd frmat, we suggest seeking prfessinal frmatting help. If yu're unable t use Micrsft Wrd, yu can als try OpenOffice r LibreOffice. Yu can read mre abut OpenOffice and dwnlad it here: and see mre abut LibreOffice and dwnlad it here: Be sure t check the Help r Supprt sectins f each website if yu have further questins abut using these prducts. Als, if yur bk is mre elabrate than this, fr example with many graphics, tables r images, r is larger than 50 megabytes, we suggest referring instead t Amazn s Kindle Publishing Guidelines. Tips fr Frmatting The mst cmmn mistake new digital publishers make is assuming frmatted material will translate t Kindle as what yu see is what yu get. These tips will help avid cmmn mistakes in the cnversin prcess. Insert indents at the beginning f paragraphs: Avid using tabs and spaces t indent paragraphs and icns. T set first line indents (fr paragraphs) in Wrd: Click n the Page Layut tab at the tp f the screen in Wrd In the bttm-right crner f the Paragraph sectin f this tab, click the buttn resembling a dwnward pinting arrw, which pens a dialgue screen entitled Paragraph In the dialgue screen, lcate the Indentatin sectin, and set Special t First line and By t yur preferred indent (in the example belw 0.5, which is the setting we recmmend, if yu want yur first line t be indented).

4 Insert empty space between paragraphs: If yu insert a return (r carriage return) between tw paragraphs yu cannt be ensured that the space between paragraphs will appear crrectly n all Kindle platfrms. Instead, set yur paragraph spacing in Wrd as fllws: With yur Wrd dcument pen, click n the Page Layut tab at the tp f the screen In the Paragraph sectin f this tab, lcate the sectin entitled Indent Next t the wrd After, yu can enter a value fr yur preferred space after a paragraph (in the example belw, Wrd will allw a 10 pint space after a paragraph, befre the next paragraph). Insert page breaks between chapters: Enter a page break at the end f every chapter t prevent the text frm running tgether n Kindle. T insert a page break in Wrd: Click "Insert" at the tp f the screen in Wrd Click "Page Break" Shw/Hide: The Shw/Hide [ ] buttn in Wrd (n the Hme tab) will tggle n and ff a Wrd feature that shws yu paragraph marks and ther frmatting symbls. These symbls will nt be visible n the Kindle, but yu can use them t see where yu have inserted page breaks, paragraph breaks, etc., all f which will help yu understand hw yur bk will lk n kindle. Fr example, if yu set empty spaces between paragraphs, like in secnd bullet abve, thse spaces will appear after each f the marks in yur dcument. Avid pasting in images: Images shuld be inserted in JPEG (r.jpg) frmat with center alignment (dn't cpy and paste frm anther surce). Click "Insert" at the tp f the screen in Wrd Click "Picture", which brings up a dialgue screen t lcate the picture that will be inserted in the dcument In the dialgue screen, lcate and select the file If yur bk has a lt f images, it can be viewed in clr by readers using Kindle Fire r ur free Kindle apps fr PC, MAC, ipad, iphne, and Andrid. Otherwise, remember that images n Kindle e-ink devices are displayed in 16 shades f gray fr great cntrast and clarity.

5 D nt use headers and fters: Headers, such as title and chapter, and fters, such as page number, will nt display n Kindle as intended; avid using them. Use Wrd s Heading 1 frmatting feature fr chapters: Kindle will supprt easy navigatin within yur bk fr the reader if yu highlight chapter titles (e.g., Chapter 1 ) and set them t a Heading value as shwn belw. In yur manuscript, highlight the chapter title with yur muse Click n the Hme tab Click n the Heading 1 buttn as shwn belw Yur text will be frmatted differently. Yu can change the frmatting values fr Heading 1 t anything yu wish by right-clicking n the same buttn and selecting Mdify. If yu have already frmatted yur chapter headings the way yu wuld like, yu can highlight the heading, right-click n Heading 1 and select Update Heading 1 t Match Selectin. After this, anything yu set t Heading 1 will match the settings yu selected. Fnt size: Kindle readers can recnfigure the text size (i.e., fnt size) and margins while reading n Kindle. Because f this, yu may wish t avid utilizing fnt size t add emphasis.

6 Building the Frnt Matter f Yur Bk The frnt matter is everything between yur bk s cver and first chapter. Frnt matter may include a title page, cpyright page, dedicatin, preface r prlgue. At minimum, yur frnt matter shuld include a title page. Belw are sme tips t help make yur frnt matter lk stylish and prfessinal. Title page: The first page in yur manuscript dcument shuld be yur title page (yu will uplad yur cver page, an image, separately when yu publish yur bk). Yur title page shuld be centered with the bk title n tp and the authr name underneath. Center the text. Avid using spaces r tabs t center the text. Rather, frm Wrd s Hme tab, use Wrd s center functin t center the text. Insert a page break after the title. Click "Insert" at the tp f the screen in Wrd Click "Page Break" Example: The Adventures f Tm Sawyer By Mark Twain - Insert Page Break Here Cpyright page: The cpyright Page nrmally fllws the title page. It shuld als be centered with a page break after it, as shwn here. Text cpyright 2012 Jhn Q Smith All Rights Reserved - Insert Page Break Here

7 Dedicatin: If yur bk has a custmized Dedicatin, it shuld fllw the Cpyright Page. It shuld als be centered with a page break after it, as shwn here: T my wife and kids fr their lve and supprt - Insert Page Break Here Preface/Prlgue: If yu have a Preface and/r Prlgue, they shuld fllw the Dedicatin. These can be frmatted like any regular bk chapter, and each f them shuld end with a page break. These shuld cme after yur table f cntents, which is described in the next sectin. By inserting a page break after each f these frnt matter elements, yu will be giving each f them, in rder, their wn starting page, resulting in a prfessinally sequenced pening prtin fr yur bk.

8 Building Yur Table f Cntents In a Kindle bk, the Table f Cntents allws readers t jump t pre-determined places in the bk by simply clicking n links embedded in the text. As page numbers are nt applicable in a Kindle bk (page cunts change with the text size a reader chses), a functinal Table f Cntents is ne f the features Kindle readers rely n and expect. Kindle will recgnize a prperly implemented Table f Cntents in Micrsft Wrd. If yur bk is in Wrd, fllw the steps belw t ensure yur table f cntents wrks prperly n Kindle. 1. Identify yur chapter headings and set yur heading style: Yu may have dne this in the Befre Yu Write sectin; if s, feel free t skip ahead t number tw belw In yur manuscript, highlight the first chapter title in yur bk with yur muse Click n the Hme tab Click n the Heading 1 buttn as shwn belw Yur chapter title text will be frmatted differently. Yu can change the frmatting values fr Heading 1 t anything yu wish by right-clicking n the same buttn and selecting Mdify If yu have already frmatted yur chapter headings hw yu wuld like them t lk, yu can highlight the first ne, right-click n Heading 1 and select Update Heading 1 t Match Selectin. Once yu have set yur chapter heading style, identify the rest f the chapter headings by repeating the first tw steps abve fr each ne.

9 2. Insert yur table f cntents near the beginning f the Wrd dcument Left click nce where yu want yur table f cntents t appear. This shuld cme just after yur frnt matter (title page, dedicatin, etc.) Type Table f Cntents and press Enter In Micrsft Wrd, lcate the References tab at the tp and find Table f Cntents Click Table f Cntents and select Insert Table f Cntents frm the drp dwn, which will cause a dialgue bx t appear On the dialgue bx, uncheck the bx that says Shw Page Numbers (since this is an e-bk and page numbers dn t apply) Set the Shw levels bx t 1 Click OK The table f cntents shuld appear autmatically 3. Set a bkmark s Kindle can find yur Table f Cntents Kindle ffers readers the ptin t "G T certain places in a bk such as the table f cntents, cver, r the pening passage (such as chapter 1), frm anywhere within the bk. These places are knwn as "Guide Items." T identify yur table f cntents as a guide item, fllw these steps: Highlight the wrds Table f Cntents in yur dcument Click n the Insert tab Select Bkmark In the Bkmark name bx, type tc (withut the qutes)

10 Click add 4. Later revisins: If yu add mre chapters (r chapter headings) t yur bk after cmpleting instructins 1-3, make sure yu identify them as Heading 1 (as yu did in step 1 abve). T make sure yur table f cntents updates, click anywhere in yur table f cntents and hit the F9 key; this will add any new chapter headings and delete any remved nes. When yu are dne, yu will have a prfessinal quality table f cntents that is prperly created and situated within yur dcument, crrectly identified and linked t yur chapter headings, and available fr users t G T n demand.

11 Preparing a Cver When yu uplad yur bk, yu will be asked t uplad an image fr yur bk cver. Bk cvers influence sales, and we strngly recmmend yu give sme cnsideratin t the cver fr yur bk. Belw are sme pinters t keep in mind as yu prepare yur cver. File Frmat / Dimensin Requirements a.jpg r.tif(f) file at least 1000 pixels n the lngest side ideal image height/width rati is 1.6 (example: 1000 x 1600) Infrmatin t Include n Yur Cver Title [title f the bk] Authr [authr(s) f the bk] Cver image [an image that captures the essence f the bk and grabs custmers attentin] Develping a Cver Prfessinally designed cvers are available, usually at a cst. Several firms, including freelance artists, ffer cver design services. A Ggle search fr ebk cver design will yield a variety f different services. Amazn des nt recmmend any single service. Yu can design an image yurself. T d s, yu will need: A digital design applicatin where yu will create the.jpg file cntaining yur cver [such as Micrsft Paint, ften pre-installed n persnal cmputers running Windws] Access t artwrk [yu can use artwrk that yu wn r public dmain artwrk] Access t fnts [yu can use public dmain r purchased fnts] Other Cnsideratins Share yur cver with friends and clleagues fr feedback. Make sure text is clearly legible, especially when zmed ut. Cnsider increasing fnt sizes and using cntrasting clrs t imprve legibility. If yu d nt have an image yu wish t use, cnsider making use f public dmain images r images fr which cpyright allws use with accreditatin. Select a fnt and clr scheme apprpriate fr the tne and subject matter f yur bk. Rather than relying n default r frequently used fnts, cnsider websites ffering free, cmmercially usable, dwnladable fnts t create a mre unique appearance fr yur cver. The Amazn Kindle Stre features plenty f tp-selling bk cvers yu can review as examples.

12 Finished Cvers Save yur JPG n yur desktp but d nt include it in yur manuscript; yu ll uplad the files separately during the publishing prcess and we ll cmbine the tw fr yu in the finished prduct.

13 Finishing Yur Bk Once yu have cmpleted yur bk and edited it fr Kindle, there are a few basic steps required befre yu can publish yur bk. These are utlined belw: (1) Cpyedit yur manuscript Be sure t run a spell check n yur manuscript. Kindle readers expect a prfessinal bk; a few misspelled wrds can make the difference between a fur-star review and a tw-star review. Re-review the frmatting tips frm this guide s Befre Yu Write sectin and verify yu have nt made any f the cmmn mistakes. Using the shw/hide [ ] feature in Wrd is the best way t make sure there are n tabs, repetitive carriage returns, and ther frmatting errrs that will impair the frmatting f yur Kindle bk. If yu have nt dne s already, have a friend prfread yur manuscript. A fresh pair f eyes always helps, and it is easiest t fix any errrs and make any required adjustments befre prceeding t the next step. (2) Cnvert Yur Manuscript t HTML Save yur manuscript as a Filtered HTML dcument n yur cmputer at a lcatin yu can easily find (such as yur desktp). T d this, just fllw these steps: In Wrd, with yur manuscript pen, click the File tab, then click Save As and select, fr example, Desktp. Fr Save as type: select Web Page, Filtered. Click Save. If prmpted with a warning abut remving ffice tags, click Yes. Clse the dcument by clicking the File tab and then Clse.

14 (3) Bks with Images: Creating a zipped file f yur bk cntents If yu did nt add pictures r images t yur bk, yu can skip ahead t the next sectin f this guide ( Uplad and Checking the Quality f Yur Bk ). If yur bk includes images, yu ll need t create a cmpressed file f yur bk fr it t wrk n Kindle. T d that, fllw these steps: 1. G t the flder where yu saved yur bk (by default, Wrd will save yur files in Dcuments s if yu aren t sure where it is, this is a gd place t lk). 2. Yu ll find tw files with the name yu used: a flder cntaining yur images and an HTML file cntaining yur bk. 3. Right click n the HTML file, scrll ver "Send t" and n the menu that appears, click "Cmpressed (zipped) flder" 4. A new flder with the same name will appear with a zipper n it. 5. Drag the flder with yur images in it nt the new zipped flder. This zipped flder will be necessary when it cmes time t uplad yur bk t KDP.

15 Uplading and Checking the Quality f Yur Bk Nw it s time t create yur bk n the KDP website. T d this, fllw these steps: Entering Details Abut Yur Bk (screen #1: YOUR BOOK) 1. Lg in at 2. Click n the Sign In link. 3. Yu will be brught t the Bkshelf screen. 4. Click n Add new title. Yu shuld nw be at the Bk Details screen #1 (YOUR BOOK) fr yur bk. Fill in each field, such as the title, descriptin, categries, ryalties, etc. Fllw the n-screen instructins t input these details. Yu can rely n the What s this? pinters wherever yu have questins. Here are sme tips t help yu with these aspects: Yur bk s metadata i.e., its title, descriptin, keywrd, categries and all the ther descriptive infrmatin can help it find an audience. If yur bk s metadata des nt reflect what yur bk is abut, readers might nt be able t lcate it n ur stre. Spend sufficient time n yur Descriptin under Enter Yur Bk Details. Ptential readers will very ften read this descriptin t determine if yur bk is smething they are interested in reading. In the Bk Cntributrs field, make sure yu at least insert smene s name as authr. Yu may als insert ther cntributrs, such as editrs r illustratrs. Public dmain refers t classic wrks that were written by smene else but are n lnger subject t anyne s cpyright (i.e., The Adventures f Sherlck Hlmes ). Be sure yu fill ut every item n bth the 1. Yur bk screen and the 2. Rights & Pricing screen. Once yu have cmpleted steps 1-4 n this page, yu will be ready fr Uplading Yur Bk File(s) Nw let s uplad yur bk cntent t KDP. Here s hw t d that: 1. Scrll dwn t the heading labeled 5. Uplad Yur Bk File. 2. Click n the buttn Brwse fr Bk 3. A pp-up windw will appear. Click the buttn called Brwse.

16 4. Lcate yur bk file n yur cmputer, click Open. If yur bk des nt have images, yu will be uplading the HTML file yu saved in step tw f the last sectin. If yur bk des have images, yu will be uplading the zipped flder yu created in step three f the last sectin. 5. Click the Uplad Bk buttn. 6. The message Uplad and Cnversin Successful! will appear n the page. This may take a few minutes, s please be patient we are in the prcess f cnverting yur bk s that it lks great n Kindle! If yu are nt ready t prceed with publishing yur bk, g ahead and click "Save as Draft." Yur bk will nt be nsite, until yu hit Save and Publish. Yu can return t this page when yu're ready. Dwnlading the Kindle Previewer It is very imprtant that yu preview yur bk befre yu publish n KDP. Amazn ffers a Previewer tl that will help yu d that. Here is hw t dwnlad the Previewer t yur cmputer: 1. Visit the fllwing lcatin n Amazn.cm: Yu can als dwnlad the file by using the apprpriate buttn Windws r Mac under Dwnlad Previewer near the bttm f the Yur Bk page where yu upladed yur bk file. 2. Yu will need t agree t the Terms f Use by checking the adjacent bx. 3. Fllw the instructins t save the Previewer tl t yur cmputer. 4. Then g t Start n yur cmputer, and view All Prgrams. Yur Previewer can be fund in the flder named Amazn. Click n that flder. 5. Click n the Previewer; this will pen the Previewer tl n yur cmputer. Previewing Yur Bk Nw that yur bk has been upladed in KDP and yu have the Previewer dwnladed t yur cmputer yu can take a lk at hw yur bk will appear n Kindle devices. T view yur bk n Kindle, g t the KDP page where yu upladed yur bk cntent and click n Dwnlad Bk Preview File in the Enhanced Previewer bx under sectin six, Preview Yur Bk. The file will save t yur Dwnlads flder. Once yu pen Kindle Previewer, select Open frm the File menu, navigate t yur Dwnlads flder and select yur bk. 1. Review yur frnt matter (i.e., title page, dedicatin, cpyright infrmatin, preface, etc.). 2. Ensure that yur linking table f cntents wrks (if applicable). 3. Dn t be cncerned if yur cver desn t appear we will embed the cver when it is time t publish. 4. Prfread yur Kindle bk s cntents: a. Lk fr characters that may nt have cnverted crrectly.

17 b. If yu need t make any changes, write them dwn (yu will address them in the next sectin). 5. Check yur bk s presentatin acrss varius devices (recall that Kindle bks can be read n multiple devices and applicatins, including Kindle, Kindle Fire, KindleDX, Kindle fr ipad, and Kindle fr iphne, each ne f which can be emulated in the Previewer). a. In the Previewer, select Devices frm the drp-dwn menu. b. Select the device which yu wuld like the Previewer t emulate. c. The reading experience may be slightly different n each device, but if yu fllwed the frmatting tips prvided, the differences will be minimal. 6. Clse ut f the Previewer. Making Changes and Uplading Yur Revised File(s) This step is nly applicable if yu identified changes that yu wuld like t make based n the prfreading f yur bk that yu just cmpleted. If n changes are required, yu are dne with uplading yur bk and are nw ready fr the Befre Yu Publish sectin that fllws next in this guide. If yu need t make edits, g t the HTML file f yur bk n yur cmputer, right click, scrll ver Open with and select Micrsft Wrd. If yu have images in yur bk and created a zipped flder t uplad t KDP, make sure t use the HTML file that is in this zipped flder. Make any edits r changes needed. Cnsider saving yur drafts under different titles (e.g., v2 r 2 nd Draft) fr easier identificatin. Once yu are dne, click save as (adjust save as type field t: Web Page, Filtered) and clse the file. T re-uplad yur revised cntent: 1. Check the bx at the left side f the bk and then click n the "Actins" buttn at the tp left. 2. Select 'Edit bk details' in the menu. 3. Scrll dwn t the Bk Cntent sectin and click 'Brwse fr Bk.' 4. Brwse t yur updated bk file. If yu have images, this will be a zipped flder. If nt, it will be an HTML file. 5. Select the apprpriate file, click pen, and click 'Uplad Bk.' 6. Click 'Save and Cntinue.' Yu can repeat this prcess as many times as yu like until yu are satisfied with yur bk. Once yu are satisfied with the draft f yur bk yu are almst ready t publish!

18 Just Befre Publishing Yur Bk Yu have already upladed yur bk cntent and bk details. Only ne step remains befre yu can publish yu bk. When yu hit Save and Cntinue in the previus sectin yu were sent t the Bk Details screen #2: RIGHTS & PRICING. Fllw the n-screen instructins t enter yur rights and pricing infrmatin. Again, yu can rely n the What s this? pinters thrughut the prcess wherever yu have questins. Once yu ve cmpleted the Yur Bk and Rights and Pricing sectins and are ready t publish yur bk, hit the Save & Publish buttn n the bttm f the screen and yu re dne! Yur bk will appear n yur KDP bkshelf, but it will nt be editable until it cmpletes the publishing prcess (generally hurs). It will appear in the Kindle Stre within the 12 hurs if it s an English language bk, and within tw days fr all ther languages. Cngratulatins, yu are nw published!

19 Making Changes after Publishing Yur Bk Yu may want t make crrectins after yu have published yur bk. This sectin addresses hw yu can make any changes and hw KDP can alert yur custmers that changes have taken place. Making Changes t a Cnverted Text If yu have mdified yur riginal manuscript (i.e., crrected sme typs) and nw yu want t transfer thse changes t yur cnverted, published bk yu will need t fllw these steps: 1. Check the bx at the left side f the bk and then click n the Actins buttn at the tp left. 2. Select Edit bk details in the menu 3. Scrll dwn t the Uplad Yur Bk File sectin and click Brwse fr Bk 4. Brwse t the HTML file yu wish t uplad (the latest versin f yur bk) 5. Click Uplad Bk 6. Click Save and Cntinue 7. G t the 2 nd page ( Rights & Pricing ) 8. Yu'll need t recnfirm Cntent Rights and click Save and Publish Changing Yur Bk's Details Yu may als want t make changes t yur bk's details (e.g., the title, descriptin, categries, ryalties, etc.) Yu can d s at any time by returning t the "Bkshelf" tab and fllwing the steps belw. 1. Select the "Actins" drp-dwn menu next t the bk yu wish t mdify. 2. Click n either "Edit bk details" r "Edit rights, ryalty, and pricing." 3. Enter the changes yu wuld like made. 4. Click Save and Cntinue, then click "Save and Publish." Alerting Custmers f an Updated Versin f Yur Bk If yu make changes t yur bk and yu want yur custmers t receive the updated versin, we can assist with the prcess. We will need yu t prvide us with sme infrmatin first. In such a case, we will ask yu t write t us using the Cntact Us tl. Yu can find this in the bttm right-hand crner f any page n the KDP website. When yu send us a message regarding alerting custmers f an update t yur bk, please prvide details and specific examples f the crrectins made t the bk. The mre details that yu prvide, the better we will be able t accurately categrize and message any update t yur custmers. When

20 we receive the details, we will perfrm a review f yur bk and take apprpriate actin within tw weeks. The pssible results f ur review include: If the changes made t yur cntent are cnsidered majr, we ll send an t all custmers wh wn the bk t ntify them that the update exists. These custmers can chse t receive the update thrugh their Manage Yur Kindle page n Amazn.cm. If the changes made t yur cntent are cnsidered minr, we wn t be able t ntify all custmers by , but we will enable them t update the bk s cntent thrugh the Manage Yur Kindle page n Amazn.cm. If the changes made t yur cntent have caused unexpected critical issues with the bk cntent, we ll temprarily remve yur bk frm sale. We ll ntify yu f the issues we fund s that yu can fix them. Once the imprvements are made, just let us knw and we ll custmers just as in case 1. Once ur review is cmplete, we ll yu t share the results and actins taken.