Creating Bible e-books for the Kindle

iMav · 07-07-2008, 09:17 AM

I have several public domain Bible translations that I have loaded in a database (each verse is it's own, separate record). Which simply means that with a little scripting work, I can populate these translations into whatever format I choose.

What I am looking for is some direction, documentation, etc that I can use to migrate this content to the Kindle. Specifically, I want to make sure that it is easily navigatible to specific book/chapter/verse.

Is there documentation and/or tools available to help me achieve this?

daffy4u · 07-07-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMav

I have several public domain Bible translations that I have loaded in a database (each verse is it's own, separate record). Which simply means that with a little scripting work, I can populate these translations into whatever format I choose.

What I am looking for is some direction, documentation, etc that I can use to migrate this content to the Kindle. Specifically, I want to make sure that it is easily navigatible to specific book/chapter/verse.

Is there documentation and/or tools available to help me achieve this?

You can use MobiPocket Creator format your books for the Kindle. I'm assuming you're using Windows.

Ervserver · 07-07-2008, 11:03 AM

There is really nothing like that for the Kindle user yet, specifically the navigation features you are wanting

DixieGal · 07-07-2008, 11:10 AM

I would certainly be interested in seeing your final product. The best version I've found so far is from Fictionwise. It has hyperlinks to the individual books of the Bible, then you scroll to the chapter and verse. However, the chapters and verses are arranged in paragraphs instead of colums of verses, so it takes a little getting used to.

Good luck with your project!

daffy4u · 07-07-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

There is really nothing like that for the Kindle user yet, specifically the navigation features you are wanting

I think if iMav uses a lot of anchor links it would be easier to navigate. I have a couple of copies of the Bible on my Kindle, and basically they have links to each chapter and a link back to the TOC at the top of each book.

iMav, you may want to download some free samples of other Bibles formatted for the Kindle from Amazon to see how they are set up and see what you would do differently.

HarryT · 07-07-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

However, the chapters and verses are arranged in paragraphs instead of colums of verses, so it takes a little getting used to.

Isn't that better for reading, though? "Chapters" and "verses" are, after all, a completely artificial system introduced in the middle ages - they very often have little or no correspondence with the natural "breaks" in the text. Presumably it is the text that one wishes to read, rather than stopping at an arbitrary point where someone decided to "end" a verse?

SeaWolf · 07-08-2008, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Isn't that better for reading, though? "Chapters" and "verses" are, after all, a completely artificial system introduced in the middle ages - they very often have little or no correspondence with the natural "breaks" in the text. Presumably it is the text that one wishes to read, rather than stopping at an arbitrary point where someone decided to "end" a verse?

It is an arbitrary system, but when it comes to finding stuff in the Bible it has become the universally used reference system, so it would be very handy for people needing to find Bible references to be able to use it.

DaleDe · 07-08-2008, 10:30 AM

Does Kindle include a search inside the book? If so the system I use on the eBookwise is to code the chapter and verse leading each verse in the text and then you can use the TOC to find the book and then search for the chapter and verse. Something like 2:24. As a second ability I put the book name just ahead of the chapter number on a line by itself ahead of each chapter.

Dale

pilotbob · 07-08-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Does Kindle include a search inside the book?

Yes.

BOb

DixieGal · 07-08-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Isn't that better for reading, though? "Chapters" and "verses" are, after all, a completely artificial system introduced in the middle ages - they very often have little or no correspondence with the natural "breaks" in the text. Presumably it is the text that one wishes to read, rather than stopping at an arbitrary point where someone decided to "end" a verse?

True, it does read more smoothly. I'm just used to the traditional chapter and verse method of searching. I'm not complaining, mind you, because it works just fine. In fact, just last week I was reading a scifi story and it talked about the legend of the red calf bringing about the end of the world. It gave chapter and verse, so I just whipped over to that passage and read it. Very cool way to find the referenced material.

Sweet Elsi mailed me an 8 MB smart media card that she could no longer use, so I'm putting the Bible and religious stuff on it. That way, nobody will be able to see and judge me for having all the scifi/witchy/spooky stories.

badgoodDeb · 07-08-2008, 01:29 PM

This doesn't help in "how to format my data" as a Bible, but I like the TNIV version sold by Amazon. They have a sample (all of Genesis, I think?) The main index gets you to the book, which has a link to each chapter.

DixieGal · 07-08-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

This doesn't help in "how to format my data" as a Bible, but I like the TNIV version sold by Amazon. They have a sample (all of Genesis, I think?) The main index gets you to the book, which has a link to each chapter.

Those chapter links are what is missing from mine that I got at eBookwise. It has links to books, but then you must scroll. I don't have the time or patience to tear it apart and put it back together again with links. At least my EB-1150 lets me put bookmarks and then flip to those quickly.

DaleDe · 07-08-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Those chapter links are what is missing from mine that I got at eBookwise. It has links to books, but then you must scroll. I don't have the time or patience to tear it apart and put it back together again with links. At least my EB-1150 lets me put bookmarks and then flip to those quickly.

Your EB-1150 also lets you search. That should find things pretty quickly without scrolling.

Dale

DixieGal · 07-08-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Your EB-1150 also lets you search. That should find things pretty quickly without scrolling.

Dale

I'll try it! Why didn't I think of this?

07-07-2008, 09:17 AM	#1
iMav Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Columbus, WI Device: Kindle	Creating Bible e-books for the Kindle I have several public domain Bible translations that I have loaded in a database (each verse is it's own, separate record). Which simply means that with a little scripting work, I can populate these translations into whatever format I choose. What I am looking for is some direction, documentation, etc that I can use to migrate this content to the Kindle. Specifically, I want to make sure that it is easily navigatible to specific book/chapter/verse. Is there documentation and/or tools available to help me achieve this?

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07-07-2008, 11:03 AM	#3
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	There is really nothing like that for the Kindle user yet, specifically the navigation features you are wanting

07-07-2008, 11:10 AM	#4
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I would certainly be interested in seeing your final product. The best version I've found so far is from Fictionwise. It has hyperlinks to the individual books of the Bible, then you scroll to the chapter and verse. However, the chapters and verses are arranged in paragraphs instead of colums of verses, so it takes a little getting used to. Good luck with your project!

07-08-2008, 10:30 AM	#8
DaleDe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,470 Karma: 13095790 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grass Valley, CA Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7	Does Kindle include a search inside the book? If so the system I use on the eBookwise is to code the chapter and verse leading each verse in the text and then you can use the TOC to find the book and then search for the chapter and verse. Something like 2:24. As a second ability I put the book name just ahead of the chapter number on a line by itself ahead of each chapter. Dale

07-08-2008, 01:29 PM	#11
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,501 Karma: 64095689 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	This doesn't help in "how to format my data" as a Bible, but I like the TNIV version sold by Amazon. They have a sample (all of Genesis, I think?) The main index gets you to the book, which has a link to each chapter.