[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Slava2014

Many thanks!

I do know HTML+CSS etc. (I'm an ex. programmer in a not so long past), actually it is my wife who is an artist, so I'm there is just a layout designer and publisher

Thanks for info about aggregators!
I don't understand what's wrong with fixed format books - why is it related to FTP file upload method?

For one thing, for Amazon, it's not a FF ePUB, it's a FF MOBI--and the cover has to be sized (the catalog image) to precisely--and Imean, precisely--fit the book, or it corrupts the book. Distributors can't be bothered with that type of thing. There's no LITB (Look Inside the book); FF ePUB requires a special sample file be uploaded...it's a list of things, and compared to (no offense) the relatively minor sales in children's FF books, distributors don't want to do the extra work. Heck, most distributors now won't even take a client with under 5 books (those that have advanced distro privileges, I mean), because the overhead of the client interface burden isn't covered by their percentages/return.

Back to initial questions - so how exactly can I force iPad/Kindle etc. to display book in landscape in ePub?
Could you please direct me at a spec or tutorial or something? I'm not banned in Google, but failed to find this kind of info.
Alternatively, I can just put note on the cover page "Best viewed in landscape"...

You could say "best viewed in landscape," but the result you get isn't going to be what you want. I don't know if there's any tutorial on making FF ePUBs out there--anyone here know? We (my shop) have moved to making ePUB3 FF ePUBs so that one ePUB can work for iBooks, Googleplay and KoboBooks, although, of course, it doesn't have the page-flip animation, now the page simply slides.

If you have audio/video/readalong/word highlight animation, that adds to it. If you sign up to be an iTunes Publisher, you can download the iBooks Asset Guide, which gives you all the code you'd need to create an ePUB3 FF book, although there will be some trial/error involved. (Natch).

There are also some Kindle/MOBI "templates" out there from a guy who calls himself Man2010--but honestly, I don't remember if they were simple, "slap your jpeg in here" templates, or if they included RM (Region Mag/pop-up text). You could also use the KKBC, and you CAN see the HTML in that, which would allow you to roll your own, if you see what I mean?

Currently I'm using Sigil, but can switch to any other tool (I'll check "Kindle Kids Book Creator", thanks for the hint).

You can't really use Sigil for FF MOBI. I mean...sure, but if you're a nerd, you have other HTML editors like NoteTabPro or Epsilon or what-have-you that will work as well/better, for that. Ditto for ePUB3. I'm a big, big Sigil lover, but for this particular work, it's not the right tool for the job.

OH! I nearly forgot to add: I understand, but do not know first-hand, that you can now make both FF ePUB and MOBI with Jutoh. It's a $45 tool. For many DIY'ers, it's a great item. It's probably too rudimentary for you, to be honest, but I felt I should mention it.


Does that help?

Hitch