The ultimate guide to Format a Kindle e-book using Kindle Create

Formatting an e-book that can be published on AMAZON KDP is different from formatting it for publishing it as a paperback.

Why do you even need to publish your book as an e-book?

I have covered this extensively in my last post. Check it out here.

Start by using your manuscript drafted and proofread in a Word file

STEP 1 : If you have a PDF file, use online tools to convert it into a Word file before starting. This step is crucial if you want to maintain your print layout.

Step 2 : Choose your WORD file and upload it to Kindle Create.

You will see a window pop up which will read, "Right now, we're optimizing your document for reading on Kindle devices and apps. "

After this step, You will be able to preview how your book currently looks on Kindle.

Be ready to expect some formatting issues including sections, font, paragraph style, title and spacing.

Now, the actual editing process begins.

Step 1: START WITH THE TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTOMATIC PROCESS : Kindle Create can automatically create one for you.

Simply re-run the chapter detection function in the EDIT option on the left corner of the window.

Now, a list will pop out containing the names of potential chapter titles.

Kindle Create tries to find every possible chapter title and let you remove the extra ones rather than forcing you to hunt for the ones that it missed.

To see a chapter page, click anything on the list.

If it's correct, don't make any changes, whatsoever. Leave the entry checked.

If it's not really a chapter title, unselect it and Kindle Create will return the formatting to the original look.

STEP 2: STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK

You will see an ELEMENT tab on the right side of the window. It will help you identify the right structural portions of your book.

You will see options like Chapter Title, Book Title, Preface, Dedication, etc.

This feature works by identifying the structural components and tagging them from the list.

Choose a portion of the text on the page and click on one of the options present in the Elements list. You can tag your title, author name, and credits this way.

You can apply a drop cap by highlighting the first character, or place the cursor at the beginning of the first paragraph. Kindle Create will default create a drop cap of three lines and the first character. However, if you want to customize that, you can do so by changing the size in the "Apply drop cap" settings.

You can also change the number of characters that a drop cap applies to.

Kindle Create also comes with a Find function. You can use this feature to find chapter titles and apply the drop cap, or to find separators and tag.

Tagging specific elements will format them into your chosen theme's style. Theme changes will update the style of everything you have tagged, including the separators.

By default, Kindle Create sets the book to the theme named "Modern". But you get a few more theme options to choose from and can preview and save whatever works best for you.

The previewer option in the top right corner will give you an idea of what the customers will be able to see, both on Kindle Mobile and Kindle device.

If you wish to save your file so that you can return to your project later, simply click on the FILE option in the top left corner. Choose the option of "Save New File"

A new window will pop out. Rename your file and click "SAVE".

When you save your file within Kindle Create, it creates a folder to store the content needed for the working file.

When you reopen the Kindle Create file, it will open your book along with Kindle Create. All of your changes will be saved, and you can simply resume your work.

Once you are satisfied with your layout, you can package your book for submission to Kindle.

The package feature will make sure that your book is stored in the right format for publishing to Kindle.

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