Notice from Kindle Direct Publishing Regarding Calibre

yaelkmiller · 12-13-2012, 02:08 PM

I was communicating with Kindle Direct Publishing about one of my ebooks that's been running into formatting errors and as part of their response I got the below:

Quote:

Also, please note, although we used to accept MOBI files created by programs such as Mobipocket Creator and Calibre previously, we no longer support MOBI files created using third party applications such as the one you've used.

If you prefer uploading a MOBI file, we recommend that you use Kindlegen to convert your source file to MOBI format.

You can download Kindlegen here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000234621

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks for using Amazon KDP.

So it's time to switch to Kindlegen, correct?

kennyc · 12-13-2012, 02:28 PM

Sounds like it. I always prepare my work in MS-Word and upload that, which converts just fine.

yaelkmiller · 12-13-2012, 04:14 PM

Thanks for answering.

Valkrider · 12-14-2012, 02:07 AM

I use Jutoh to create my books and those are accepted by KDP and it turns out excellent epub's too.

yaelkmiller · 12-24-2012, 02:29 PM

Valkrider, thanks for answering. Has anyone who uses Kindle Fire read your ebook and said how the formatting was? In my experience, that's where the trouble is.

I'm now just hand creating all the documents that Kindle wants (book html, toc html, toc ncx, opf) and using KindleGen to conver.

Agama · 12-24-2012, 02:52 PM

I have recently been very tempted by the Kindle Paperwhite but your timely posting has reminded me why I have stayed away from Amazon's readers. Thanks!

kennyc · 12-24-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agama

I have recently been very tempted by the Kindle Paperwhite but your timely posting has reminded me why I have stayed away from Amazon's readers. Thanks!

What? Why?

HarryT · 12-24-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agama

I have recently been very tempted by the Kindle Paperwhite but your timely posting has reminded me why I have stayed away from Amazon's readers. Thanks!

The fact that Amazon recommend the use of KindleGen makes you stay away from Kindles?

Your logic slightly eludes me - can you elaborate?

Agama · 12-24-2012, 03:31 PM

I don't like Amazon's attempt to tie you in to only their format and now this restriction on which programs are authorised to produce MOBIs. I'm sure Kindlegen is very good but Amazon seem to be excluding other generators, not just recommending.

I really appreciate the open nature of ePub and the ease with which it can be tweaked. I can buy ePubs from many different publishers without being tied in to any particular one.

If Kindles supported ePub I would buy one without hesitation.

HarryT · 12-24-2012, 03:36 PM

You can create your book as an ePub using whatever tools you wish. Once you have your ePub, use KindleGen to convert it to Mobi format for Kindle publication. You're not constrained in the slightest in how you create your book - KindleGen is simply a publication tool.

Agama · 12-24-2012, 03:41 PM

From what the OP posted it sounded to me as though calibre, (and other similar tools), could no longer be used to make supported MOBIs from an ePub. Are you saying that calibre is still valid? Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick.

HarryT · 12-24-2012, 03:46 PM

No, that's correct - the KDP process will only (reliably) accept Mobi files created by KindleGen. But KindleGen will accept ePub as an input, and you can use any tool you want - Sigil, Calibre, etc - to create and tweak your ePub. KindleGen only comes into play when you're ready to upload your book to Amazon.

Agama · 12-24-2012, 03:49 PM

So if I wanted to make MOBI's from ePub using calibre and simply send them directly to a Kindle then it would be ok? The restriction is only for books uploaded to Amazon? (What does uploading them to Amazon achieve? Since I don't have a Kindle - yet! - this is foreign territory to me.)

kennyc · 12-24-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agama

I don't like Amazon's attempt to tie you in to only their format and now this restriction on which programs are authorised to produce MOBIs. I'm sure Kindlegen is very good but Amazon seem to be excluding other generators, not just recommending.

I really appreciate the open nature of ePub and the ease with which it can be tweaked. I can buy ePubs from many different publishers without being tied in to any particular one.

If Kindles supported ePub I would buy one without hesitation.

Did you even bother to read the thread? My post in particular where i said i use MS-Word?

Agama · 12-24-2012, 03:54 PM

I did read your post, but assumed that MS-Word was capable of producing a MOBI. I think where I missed it was with regards to "uploading".

12-13-2012, 02:28 PM	#2
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,923 Karma: 36859010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	Sounds like it. I always prepare my work in MS-Word and upload that, which converts just fine. __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama

12-14-2012, 02:07 AM	#4
Valkrider Groupie Posts: 159 Karma: 1136132 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Spain Device: iPad Mini, iPad2, PRS600, iPhone, iPod, Palm TX	I use Jutoh to create my books and those are accepted by KDP and it turns out excellent epub's too. __________________

12-24-2012, 03:36 PM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 54,660 Karma: 26165759 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, PW, Fire HD, iPad 3, iPhone 4, Samsung Tab 2 7 + More	You can create your book as an ePub using whatever tools you wish. Once you have your ePub, use KindleGen to convert it to Mobi format for Kindle publication. You're not constrained in the slightest in how you create your book - KindleGen is simply a publication tool. __________________ Harry Currently proofreading The Poison Belt, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

12-24-2012, 03:46 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 54,660 Karma: 26165759 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, PW, Fire HD, iPad 3, iPhone 4, Samsung Tab 2 7 + More	No, that's correct - the KDP process will only (reliably) accept Mobi files created by KindleGen. But KindleGen will accept ePub as an input, and you can use any tool you want - Sigil, Calibre, etc - to create and tweak your ePub. KindleGen only comes into play when you're ready to upload your book to Amazon. __________________ Harry Currently proofreading The Poison Belt, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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12-13-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
yaelkmiller Member Posts: 17 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Device: Kindle 4	Thanks for answering.

12-24-2012, 02:29 PM	#5
yaelkmiller Member Posts: 17 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Device: Kindle 4	Valkrider, thanks for answering. Has anyone who uses Kindle Fire read your ebook and said how the formatting was? In my experience, that's where the trouble is. I'm now just hand creating all the documents that Kindle wants (book html, toc html, toc ncx, opf) and using KindleGen to conver.

12-24-2012, 02:52 PM	#6
Agama Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 422221 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-300 & Kindle PW	I have recently been very tempted by the Kindle Paperwhite but your timely posting has reminded me why I have stayed away from Amazon's readers. Thanks!

12-24-2012, 03:31 PM	#9
Agama Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 422221 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-300 & Kindle PW	I don't like Amazon's attempt to tie you in to only their format and now this restriction on which programs are authorised to produce MOBIs. I'm sure Kindlegen is very good but Amazon seem to be excluding other generators, not just recommending. I really appreciate the open nature of ePub and the ease with which it can be tweaked. I can buy ePubs from many different publishers without being tied in to any particular one. If Kindles supported ePub I would buy one without hesitation.

12-24-2012, 03:41 PM	#11
Agama Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 422221 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-300 & Kindle PW	From what the OP posted it sounded to me as though calibre, (and other similar tools), could no longer be used to make supported MOBIs from an ePub. Are you saying that calibre is still valid? Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick.

12-24-2012, 03:49 PM	#13
Agama Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 422221 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-300 & Kindle PW	So if I wanted to make MOBI's from ePub using calibre and simply send them directly to a Kindle then it would be ok? The restriction is only for books uploaded to Amazon? (What does uploading them to Amazon achieve? Since I don't have a Kindle - yet! - this is foreign territory to me.)

12-24-2012, 03:54 PM	#15
Agama Fanatic Posts: 555 Karma: 422221 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-300 & Kindle PW	I did read your post, but assumed that MS-Word was capable of producing a MOBI. I think where I missed it was with regards to "uploading".

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