Test ePUB in Kindle apps (not devices)

[scruffs]

Long time author, newbie to ePUB!

I have created an ePUB with embedded fonts. Validates okay, and displays with the fonts in KP3.

I'd like to review it as a sideload (if that's the correct term) in the Kindle app on Mac and the Kindle app on my iOS devices.

How do I go about that and preserve the fonts?

Thanks for your patience, this is all rather new to me. Cheers.

[Quoth]

Calibre conversion, but a better idea is to install an epub reader on iOS and Mac. I Use Lithium on Android and Calibre Viewer on Linux. The Wiki here has a list of ePub apps for iOs. Many are the same as on Android. I've discarded some because they ignore the CSS and others because they "import" the ebooks and don't use the locations used by Calibre on the SD card (or internal storage), so they can't be managed by Calibre.

The Kindle apps are meant for ebooks purchased from Amazon, even more so than the actual Kindle ereader. You'd be better viewing the AZW conversion from ePub2 on an eink Kindle such as PW3. That will match what Amazon will deliver. If the epub2 has embedded fonts, then the azw conversion will have the fonts (or indeed Amazon KDP upload as epub2 and then purchased as AZW or KFX). You need to have embedded all the fonts on the epub2 converted from docx (I use LO Writer) in Calibre. Then on a real kindle select "publisher" in the Aa font menu. Works even on Kindle Keyboard.

I uninstalled the Kindle Apps from everything as they were periodically contacting Amazon even when the App wasn't open. As well when actually in use. Possibly a consequence of how KU and KOL are implemented. The KU and KOL cheat authors/publishers and track every page you read and so are not consumer friendly.

The Fire isn't a real Kindle, it's a partially locked Android tablet with a version of the Kindle App.

[scruffs]

Hey Quoth. Thanks for that.

Just to clarify (I really am new to this)...

I don't have a kindle device, just apps.
My epub is epub3 reflowable. Don't know if that makes a difference.
Are you saying that I should use Calibre to convert it to AZW or AZW3 (which?)?
And do I then sideload the AZW or AW3 in the Kindle app on Mac?

Thanks for your understanding!

[Quoth]

Also unless you really really need epub3 (for a text book, video, fixed layout, interactive), use epub2. Gives perfect "Enhanced Typesetting" when uploaded to Amazon and they sell it as KFX. Also the regular azw for modern Kindles and apps will look the same as on an ePub app that honours CSS or an ePub ereader.

There are really four file kinds common on Kindle for ORDINARY eBooks:
azw = kF8 = azw3, can be basically an epub2 in Kindle format. User may have to select publisher option in Aa menu.
KFX. Usually the same content as in KF8, but the onscreen rendering is more complex (the advanced bit) and it's delivered differently to suit "Whispernet". Different DRM, even if publisher has requested no DRM.
old mobi. Older than Kindle Keyboard, plus the later DX and DXG. Less fancy typesetting etc.
Dual mobi. Not delivered by Amazon. Needed if you don't know what ereader someone has, it's old mobi and KF8 in one file.

There are other kinds of specialist mobi, azw3/KF8 and KFX, for things like dual format magazines, comics or fixed layout that's a little like PDF.

I have a Nook, three kinds of eink Kindle, Sony and Kobo eink ereaders as well as various apps on an Android phone and tablet to check that stuff actually works as intended. Once a set of styles is OK, I only proof on the Kobo Libra (annotate and copy back to laptop using Kobo Utilities in Calibre).

[JSWolf]

Kindles do not handle ePub.

[scruffs]

Thanks, JSW.

Yes, I am aware of that. I'm looking for some way of getting my epub to a state where it displays in the macOS Kindle app with the embedded fonts, as it does in KP3.

Again, thanks for your time.

[stumped]

Originally Posted by scruffs

Thanks, JSW.

Yes, I am aware of that. I'm looking for some way of getting my epub to a state where it displays in the macOS Kindle app with the embedded fonts, as it does in KP3.

Again, thanks for your time.

i think you are wasting your time as you will find that the kindle for PC, Mac, Android.. apps ignore any embedded fonts and use only their own

[scruffs]

Yes, I thought that might be it. But I presume you mean when sideloaded. Embedded fonts are there when downloaded from the store.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by scruffs

Thanks, JSW.

Yes, I am aware of that. I'm looking for some way of getting my epub to a state where it displays in the macOS Kindle app with the embedded fonts, as it does in KP3.

Again, thanks for your time.

I've taken an ePub with an embedded font and pulled it apart so I can post it here. The header is an embedded font and you can try it to see if you can convert it and see if it works for you.

[scruffs]

You are a gentleman and a scholar.

I shall have a play with it.

Thanks for giving your energy on this. Can't thank you enough.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by scruffs

You are a gentleman and a scholar.

I shall have a play with it.

Thanks for giving your energy on this. Can't thank you enough.

Happy to help. Hope you can get it to work.

[stumped]

Originally Posted by scruffs

Yes, I thought that might be it. But I presume you mean when sideloaded. Embedded fonts are there when downloaded from the store.

i am not 100% certain; i do know that there is no way to add fonts to the K for PC app, or to the K for android. they ignore what is in system fonts.

[stumped]

One more thought, it is hard to 100% replicate what a reader will experience in all of those kindle apps after buying a book with embedded fonts. Because you are not in control of any Amazon pre processing after upload.
Maybe the best "test" is for you to publish a short freebie at Amazon with a range of font embeds, then buy and download your own book. Call it, maybe , a guide to fonts, there's a good excuse for loading it up with experimental embeds !

[scruffs]

Good idea!!!

[DNSB]

Another possibility to check out is using the Kindle Previewer (free download from Amazon) to convert your epub and then sideload it to your Kindle apps. See Kindle Previewer for the download. It does a decent job of displaying what your ebook will look on like Kindle e-Ink or the Kindle app on phones or tablets. One item to remember is that selecting a .mobi output file will generate a dual format file with .mobi and .azw3/KF8 files embedded.