1 Topic by TirzahLaughs (edited by TirzahLaughs 2015-02-20 20:46:14)

Topic: Create Mobi Files

Honestly creating Mobi Kindle files will give me a stroke. If you want to create your MOBI (kINDLE EBOOK) FILE yourself,  you can.  There are a couple of free programs to convert it...but honestly none of them are 'super clear' on how to use the programs.  I find tech people rarely write 'clear' instructions.

But depending on how complicated your manuscript is, you can use Calibre to convert your file to MOBI.
I recommend following the directions below...as it is the easiest version I've found.   

CALIBRE
http://www.guidingtech.com/6601/how-to- … i-or-html/
DIRECTIONS.

Some tips:
Edit your metadata (book title/author name) in Calibre
Remove page numbers for E-books.
Make sure you've include a front page or Dedication Info
Your formatting will change in the e-book.  No indents in ebooks.  Just FYI.
When you convert the file, the TOC option will pop up (but not until that page).  If you want a TOC, you can click the auto version here.  If it doesn't work, there is a work-around.

ALWAYS read through your entire KINDLE/MOBI file for errors.
If you find conversion errors, you'll have to go the longer route.

Quote Post 1

Re: Create Mobi Files

Would it be helpful if we converted them for you? It's something we are playing with.

Quote Post 2

Re: Create Mobi Files

The following is a link to a complete fool- and author-proof guide to MOBI formatting for Amazon. You don't need to be computer savvy to follow it because it explains the process step by step. You only need to download two programmes (Calibre and another one), both for free and virus-free, and invest from three to four hours to convert a 70000 words novel.

Yes, three to four hours. Nobody said it was a fast process if you want to end up with a professional product. However, the time is worth the result. Of course, there's people who will gladly do it for you for a fee. It all depends on your budget. Prob is that, after spending on the proof-reading, the cover artwork, etc, you may wanna save a coupla pence on the MOBI file creation, which is something you can do yourself.


http://guidohenkel.com/2010/12/take-pri … ormatting/

Kiss,

Gacela

Quote Post 3

Re: Create Mobi Files

SolN wrote:

Would it be helpful if we converted them for you? It's something we are playing with.

I think most authors would appreciate.  Many of the less techy ones pay companies to do it for them. The more techny google and do trial/error.

T

Quote Post 4

5 Reply by TirzahLaughs (edited by TirzahLaughs 2015-02-20 15:17:08)

Re: Create Mobi Files

Mariana Reuter wrote:

The following is a link to a complete fool- and author-proof guide to MOBI formatting for Amazon. You don't need to be computer savvy to follow it because it explains the process step by step. You only need to download two programmes (Calibre and another one), both for free and virus-free, and invest from three to four hours to convert a 70000 words novel.

Yes, three to four hours. Nobody said it was a fast process if you want to end up with a professional product. However, the time is worth the result. Of course, there's people who will gladly do it for you for a fee. It all depends on your budget. Prob is that, after spending on the proof-reading, the cover artwork, etc, you may wanna save a coupla pence on the MOBI file creation, which is something you can do yourself.


http://guidohenkel.com/2010/12/take-pri … ormatting/

Kiss,

Gacela

That's why I loaded the Calibre Quick Guide to Mobi above.  For those who want something simple, the PDF I attached will allow them to do a simple MOBI conversion in Calibre.   It took ten minutes.

The more complicated your manuscript layout, the more you may have to go the long route with HTML. But if you just need a simple Mobi file with basic chapters and no weird formatting...the Quick Guide will do it for you.

FYI...I found my hyperlinked word chapters flowed through to the TOC in Calibre!  Yeah me!

T

Quote Post 5

Re: Create Mobi Files

Sol, I think it would a great additional offering, as long as people know it's available (needs a little promotion now and then to remind us) and doesn't cost too much. I would definitely use it, although there are now several self-help options described above.

Quote Post 6

Re: Create Mobi Files

I placed a copy of this post in Writing Tips & Advice for future reference. It's less likely to get lost than among all the Premium posts.

Dirk

Quote Post 7

Re: Create Mobi Files

TirzahLaughs, the prob with the simple Calibre conversion is that some symbols (even the quotation marks) can turn into weird stuff like squares or smiley faces. Also, I'm not sure if an Calibre is able to create an index using simple conversion. That's why I'm recommending the long route, which, to be honest, is only time consuming but it's amazingly simple.

Now, the simple solution is to hire somebody to do it for you. If Sol can do it, and if you don't want to get into further trouble, hire him.

Kiss,

Gacela.

Quote Post 8

Re: Create Mobi Files

Mariana Reuter wrote:

TirzahLaughs, the prob with the simple Calibre conversion is that some symbols (even the quotation marks) can turn into weird stuff like squares or smiley faces. Also, I'm not sure if an Calibre is able to create an index using simple conversion. That's why I'm recommending the long route, which, to be honest, is only time consuming but it's amazingly simple.

Now, the simple solution is to hire somebody to do it for you. If Sol can do it, and if you don't want to get into further trouble, hire him.

Kiss,

Gacela.

I found the directions on the link to be convoluted and hard to follow.  I was on page 3 before he said anything usable and it was lost in all the 'talking'.
I wish it was cleaner and just gave me the steps.

My thought is to try the simplest version first...before going to the complicated.

Its good to have the option though.

Quote Post 9

Re: Create Mobi Files

This is the guide I use to create MOBI files using Word and Calibre:

http://www.klerotica.com/?p=114

Since I'm now used to the process, I can create an ebook in about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can upload your Word file to www.draft2digital.com, just far enough into the process where they convert it to mobi and epub. Then you can download it for free.

Quote Post 10

Re: Create Mobi Files

Nicholas Andrews wrote:

This is the guide I use to create MOBI files using Word and Calibre:

http://www.klerotica.com/?p=114

Since I'm now used to the process, I can create an ebook in about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can upload your Word file to www.draft2digital.com, just far enough into the process where they convert it to mobi and epub. Then you can download it for free.

THANK YOU!  I love getting new sites to play with.

Quote Post 11

Re: Create Mobi Files

http://tirzahlaughs.hubpages.com/hub/Cr … for-Kindle

I wrote up simple MOBI conversion instructions for the CALIBRE Website.  You may still need to the long version but I had success with this version (FINALLY!).
And it was a bit more streamlined than most of the instructions.

Tirz

Quote Post 12