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".

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12-13-2012, 02:28 PM	#2
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,897 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Sounds like it. I always prepare my work in MS-Word and upload that, which converts just fine.

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.

12-14-2012, 02:07 AM	#4
Valkrider Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 1250000 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Device: Kobo Libra, iPadAir2, PRS600, iPhone 6, 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, 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 Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2751519 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: PW2, Nexus7	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 Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2751519 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: PW2, Nexus7	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, 03:36 PM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	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.

12-24-2012, 03:41 PM	#11
Agama Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2751519 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: PW2, Nexus7	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, 03:46 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	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.

12-24-2012, 03:49 PM	#13
Agama Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2751519 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: PW2, Nexus7	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.)

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12-24-2012, 03:54 PM	#15
Agama Guru Posts: 776 Karma: 2751519 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Device: PW2, Nexus7	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".