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Permlink Replies: 6 - Pages: 1 - Last Post: Dec 23, 2013 5:31 AM Last Post By: booknookbiz
gegee17

Posts: 17
Registered: 06/09/12
About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 3:07 PM
 
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Hi all and Merry Christmas!
I have a question. I had written two books, they are short so I sell them for 99 cents. I need to ask how can I make the formatting better? I try to use PDF on microsoft office word but it looks really funny, all jumbled up when I look at the sample. I am not sure what to do about it. Any suggestions?
Don.Dennis

Posts: 1,250
Registered: 06/25/13
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 3:36 PM   in response to: gegee17 in response to: gegee17
 
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Hi,
Forget PDF. Use MS Word to create your source document - a word doc saved in word 2003 format will upload to KDP without any problems. If you want to proceed via the HTML route you can do that too but learn word (it really isn't that hard).

All these (url below) were formatted from MS Word and I've had no problems...four of these were in the top 100 in genre this morning so I must be doing something right.

http://www.amazon.com/Don-Dennis/e/B00ADVE6UQ

jtbigtoad

Posts: 9,274
Registered: 08/01/10
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 4:36 PM   in response to: gegee17 in response to: gegee17
 
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Here is a link to my Handy-Dandy, and Much hated Word to Kindle Method.

NEW POST FOR WORD TO KINDLE (CALIBRE)
https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=77771

The first Half of the post is making A Word document in such a way that it is ready for Kindle.

The second half is about building a MOBI Version using Calibre, but that is not necessary.

JT

;)

Note I use "Bread and Butter" Format very plain and simple.

JT

;)
gegee17

Posts: 17
Registered: 06/09/12
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 5:08 PM   in response to: Don.Dennis in response to: Don.Dennis
 
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Thank you for the advice, will be using it!
Don.Dennis

Posts: 1,250
Registered: 06/25/13
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 5:21 PM   in response to: jtbigtoad in response to: jtbigtoad
 
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Hi,
I used to use that method and found it very good - used to run the Calibre generated mobi through the Kindle and adjust formatting on the master doc etc then when OK do a final check and upload.

About 6 months back though, Zon changed something and it started rejecting my Calibre generated mobi, so I went direct MS Word to mobi using the ZON utility.

Do you know if ZON actually made changes to their system that affected the Calibre generated mobi? Just curious.

Cheers

Don
Don.Dennis

Posts: 1,250
Registered: 06/25/13
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 5:50 PM   in response to: gegee17 in response to: gegee17
 
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One tip. I have created an upload area on my bookshelf I'v named TEST. I use this to upload and test book files (by downloading and sideloading the compiled mobi into my Kindle) Because I haven't filled out any of the price and other info, it's impossible to accidentally publish the test file. While of course you can do the same in an actual "live' area, it does help prevent an accidental Publish.
booknookbiz

Posts: 4,003
Registered: 03/04/10
Re: About PDF
Posted: Dec 20, 2013 11:11 PM   in response to: gegee17 in response to: gegee17
 
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Geegee:

Although I doubt that this is the issue, it's possible that it is; you might want to review this article on our FAQ, about Why PDF Uploads Do Not Work at Amazon for Kindle and see if that helps you at all. (Also has screenshots, as part of the explanation.) In short, it's really about line-breaks and broken paragraphs, but, the way I show this in the article is, in many instances, how the KDP upload "sees" your PDF, as well. From what you say, about "jumbled," I suspect that you may have some broken paragraphs in there.

Hope this helps!

Hitch
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