Check the thread in my long post. Scroll down till you see Jackie_W post with thumbnail. Click thumbnail. This is a really good method.
My collections are in author_sort order (last name first) because that is how I like them.
My books are sorted within the collections.
You must must must customize the T1 plugin for the collections to be the way you want them.
Then convert books and resend.
Then create plugboard as per My long post or Jackie_W thread.
resend.
Sounds like you are making progress. It can be a bit painful to get every detail, but once it works it will keep on working with no effort
Helen