There are several tools you can use to convert a manuscript into Kindle eBook. Yet, it’s very important that you prepare your word manuscript well before you can use your favorite tool to convert it into an eBook.
Preparing Your Word Document for eBook Conversion
Step 1: proof read your text and fix all grammar and spelling mistakes. This is your only opportunity to correct these as eBooks are produced in read-only formats.
Step 2: Use standard and uniform formatting all through. Avoid fancy features and styles such as drop caps, text colored differently, borders, background images, using text boxes to align text etc.
Step 3: Use page breaks between chapters as opposed to multiple spacing using enter or return key. You can create page breaks by hitting ctrl+ enter/return.
Step 4: Remove extra spaces between paragraphs.
Step 5: You may supply your images as separate files or insert them in your document. Do not position text around images. Rather, insert images on their own lines just as you would text.
Additional Considerations
- Add a clickable table of contents.
- Insert links to websites (the links will only work if the eBook is read on a device that’s connected to the web.
Use Calibre to Covert for Kindle
Use Calibre because it suits a variety of formats such as ePub, which is supported by a wide array of eReaders and smartphones such as, Nook, Android devices, iOS devices, and Mac/ PC computers.
Follow the steps below to convert for Kindle using Calibre:
Step 1: Launch Calibre and add your word files to the app. You can click on “Add Books” icon at top left of the application’s screen. Browse to where the file is located and double click on it to add.
Step 2: Click on “Convert Books”.
Step 3: Add metadata. Enter appropriate details in the fields that come up. Type details such as book title, author, publisher etc.
Step 4: While still on the metadata screen, choose Mobi as your output format, from a drop down list that contains several other options such as EPUB, FB2, LIT, PDF, PMLZ etc.
Step 5: You may right click the eBook and send to a Kindle device that’s already connected to your PC. Alternatively, click on “Save to disk” on the main menu to store the converted file to your PC’s hard disk.
You now have an eBook in Mobi, which you may upload to Amazon. Don’t forget to review it on a Kindle device to ensure it matches your desired display.
As a rule of thumb when preparing your document for eBook conversion, keep it simple. The world of technology is not yet where responsive design envisages, meaning that some of design implementations and features of an eBook may be lost either during conversion or when on display. Thus, keep it simple, for best results on a wide array of display devices.
If you need help with the entire conversion process, The Fast Fingers book formatters are on standby. Here, you will receive professional help on all aspects of manuscript preparation before conversion to eBook.
