Chapter markers: why oh why do so many books not have them?

[DMSmillie]

Oh for goodness sake I already differentiated between the large publishing houses and small publishers and indie authors, but you're reacting to what I said with regard to the indie authors as if I was applying it to the major publishers.

[chyron8472]

You said that Amazon's ebook creation software is somewhat difficult to use.

I still say that's no excuse for not checking your work before you hand it in.

[DiapDealer]

I notice chapter markers about as much as I notice locations or page numbers. I know everybody reads differently (and reads different kinds of books), but I don't remember tabs or book marks sticking out of real novels marking where the chapter were (novels mind you), so what's the big deal with visible 'tick marks' if the TOC will get you there? If we were talking reference material I could maybe see the importance (still... TOC comes to mind), but the fiction that I usually read seems to like being read from beginning to end -- one page at a time.

So can someone enlighten me as to how seeing where the chapters are (or being able to tippy-tap to the next/previous chapter with a button) would be an advantage to this novel reader -- who only reads books once? What intense joy am I so obviously missing out on?

I'm thinking that the main reason you don't see chapter markers in all Amazon books is the simple fact that a relatively small portion of readers really, truly give a hoot about "speed referencing".

[chyron8472]

The problem happens when you lose your place. When you're reading a book and lose your place- having not bookmarked it and had been messing with your device or files or some such- often you don't remember what chapter it was, but the context of what was happening. This means you'd have to go to the TOC, select a chapter, scan through to find your spot, discover it's the wrong chapter and try again... this takes longer in an ebook than in a physical book if the decidedly quickest way to navigate has been omitted.

And I've bought at least one ebook whose chapter markers only went to half the locations, and also didn't have a TOC at all.

[DiapDealer]

Gotcha... that explains why it's never been an issue with me; I don't play with my books, I just read them (and I learned a long time ago to always bookmark).

Dont'cha just love diversity?

[chyron8472]

Originally Posted by DMSmillie

And if you used the software properly but it did it wrong? You do see things in a very black and white view.

Given how much ire is focused on Amazon for things that aren't in its control, it's kind of ironic that, on this issue, where Amazon could rightly be blamed for not making its self-publishing interface sufficiently functional as to create "fully furnished" ebooks, the reader's ire is directed at non-technically minded authors who trust in that tool to do the job properly.

I see it at a very simple problem to solve, and those who are being paid to correct such problems before the work goes public are not doing their jobs properly.

It really is quite simple: use a one (maybe two- if hidden chapter markers is your intent) tier NCX; create a working table of contents; use a standard formatting method for chapter headings; check your work before you hand it in. It's not that hard.

I've not used mobipcket creator or kindlegen, but I still think it can't be that hard to make sure ones work is functioning properly before selling it. A person doesn't have to be technically-minded to know that something is not working when it should be.

[DiapDealer]

Lighten up Francis.

[chyron8472]

Sorry, I just got kinda worked up.


It still is rather an annoyance though, to know that a feature is available but that people often don't allow it for use.

[kevinp]

Originally Posted by JeremyR

Just out of curiosity, what did you use to make the fixes?

Whenever I fix something, it's always with Calibre and Sigil (and then Calibre back to mobi).

Trying to fix something with Mobipocket Creator (the official tools) is a nightmare

I've never tried the "official tools", but I fix them the same way you do it. Convert them to epub with Calibre, open in Sigil and make changes, TOC, etc. Then convert back to MOBI with Calibre. My ebooks look pretty nice that way.

[Valentino]

Originally Posted by chyron8472

Sorry, I just got kinda worked up.


It still is rather an annoyance though, to know that a feature is available but that people often don't allow it for use.

I get really worked up over bad formatting as well, It's hard to believe the formatting of some books, some have no TOC, others have quadruple spaced block paragraphs with no indenting and these are very popular books from the big publishers.

There needs to be a quality standards group formed or something, that can review the books before publishing.

I expect the formatting to be as close to their paper books as possible, since I'm paying for a digital version of it.

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by Valentino

I get really worked up over bad formatting as well, It's hard to believe the formatting of some books, some have no TOC, others have quadruple spaced block paragraphs with no indenting and these are very popular books from the big publishers.

There needs to be a quality standards group formed or something, that can review the books before publishing.

I expect the formatting to be as close to their paper books as possible, since I'm paying for a digital version of it.

yep, and also due to agency pricing, we sometimes pay more for a digital version. i would want them to make sure that everything is formatted properly before handing it in~

it's just too bad that most of the books i want aren't available here. well, not that i would have the space, anyway *sigh*

[bZkindle]

there seems a lot of rush by publishers to just get as many ebooks out there as possible.
seems like they simply OCR it and that's it: no proofing, no editing. nothing.
it's like they haven't really started to take ereading seriously.
it's really annoying.
for a good contrast, look at any of the books available here... perfectly and beautifully formatted!

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by bZkindle

there seems a lot of rush by publishers to just get as many ebooks out there as possible.
seems like they simply OCR it and that's it: no proofing, no editing. nothing.
it's like they haven't really started to take ereading seriously.
it's really annoying.
for a good contrast, look at any of the books available here... perfectly and beautifully formatted!

I really should start taking a look at the MR archives! the main reason why i still get even my PD books from amazon is because they'd archive it for me xD

[Barty]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

I really should start taking a look at the MR archives! the main reason why i still get even my PD books from amazon is because they'd archive it for me xD

No no no. The free PD books on amazon and google are terrible. Get them here or feedbooks.con

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by Barty

No no no. The free PD books on amazon and google are terrible. Get them here or feedbooks.con

you're right. just looked through one and it was terrible!