Newb: Sigil for Kindle publishing ?

[Doitsu]

Originally Posted by saoir

but now after zipping it again it won't read. I am guessing that the files structure that I changed don't match the original toc.ncx.

There are dedicated apps/scripts for repacking an epub file.

Windows: ePubPack
OSX: ePub Zip

If you have a Windows machine, you can also simply change the file extension from .epub to .zip, right-click the file and select Open with > Windows Explorer.
This will open the (renamed) ePub in a regular Explorer window and you can update files with drag & drop. Once you're done, simply close the Explorer window and rename the file back to epub.

Originally Posted by saoir

But I can't edit the toc.ncx.

I wouldn't manually edit toc.ncx. Either have Sigil automatically generate a new one, or, if you don't fully trust Sigil, simply edit it by double-clicking it in the Book Browser.

If you're worried about Sigil messing with the file structure, check out the new Calibre Editor, which is integrated in the latest build.

Good luck!

[Toxaris]

Although an ePUB is a zip file, it is a specially packed zipfile. So you have to repack it equally. There are tools to help you though.
In general I would advice to keep the tools for the purpose they are created. Scrivener might be a great writing tool, I have serious doubts about its ePUB export.

If you know more about the structure of ePUB, it is not that hard just to enter an additional title and copyright page and maintain the rest. It is just simple XHTML.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by saoir

I just obtained ePub Zip/Unzip and unzipped the epub and it has a file "toc.ncx" inside it.

Sorry Doitsu, I am so so frustrated. I invested 6 months into learning and using Scrivener to write my book and now I have a full ePub that reads fine on the Kindle and it's ready to go to KDP.
But instead now I have to start learning Sigil from scratch and all I wanted to do is add a title and copyright page FFS.
After spending all of today on google, I thought I could unzip my ePub and just add a few extra .xhtml files using Dreamweaver ... but now after zipping it again it won't read. I am guessing that the files structure that I changed don't match the original toc.ncx. But I can't edit the toc.ncx.

EPUB is a zip file with special rules.
Sigil obeys the rules.

You did save a good copy?


Sigil is easy (writing a book is HARD )

Open your book
File: Add: Blank HTML file

in the book browser pane
(optional: rename it) Move it up to where it belongs (drag it)

In the edit window:
set the insert point (Must be between the Body Tags)
Click the H# or P button: Type words use the style buttons on selected words as needed

Repeat

For a single page, stylesheets are sorta optional. Using a linked stylesheet is cleaner
Repeat

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by saoir

Thanks for the help a few months ago, Doitsu.

I have now completed my first book - using Scrivener. However I have discovered that it has severe limitations in how it compiles the output. One major problem is that it cannot handle a Title and Copyright page (!)

If I compile the rest of the manuscript (80,000 words) with Scrivener, and omit a TOC and a cover and a title page and a copyright page, and output to ePub format, can I then import that ePub into Sigil and add those elements in a fairly straight forward way ? and then proceed to upload to KDP ?

I have been a web page designer in the past and am used to using Dreamweaver for example.

(I am assuming I can upload the ePub file to KDP as you say so in a comment above)

Are you sure Scrivener can't do this? Can Scrivener read word files? You could pull the file into word or other doc compatible tool and then add the page you want and then bringing is back into Scrivener to do the conversion. I have no such problem with Atlantis which is a similar tool.

Dale

[BetterRed]

Page 213 of the Scrivener Manual has

22.1 How to Create a ToC

Creating a table of contents is a simple process, but because it is a static list, you will probably want to save it for one of your final steps, as any changes in outline order or the addition or removal of sections will not be reflected in the list.

1. Select all of the items that you wish to have included in the ToC. It may be easiest to do this in Outliner view mode, so you can collapse and expand the various containers until the Outliner looks roughly like what you want the ToC to look like (speaking from a standpoint of content).

2. No matter which view you are working from, once all of the appropriate items are selected together, use the Edit Copy Special Copy Documents as ToC menu command.

3. Create, if necessary, an empty file in the Draft folder and paste the ToC list into this document. You may now format the result as you wish.

...

BR