2

I'm trying to create an ebook for sale on Amazon. I have Calibre and can sort out an epub version with automatic hyphenation, but when I convert to mobi it won't echo this (and I really want automatic hyphenation because I hate huge spaces). The answer, I'm gathering, is to convert to azw3, which does support automatic hyphenation. The problem I'm having now, though, is that my pc isn't reading the azw3 file and so I can't send and check it on my Amazon Fire. Any suggestions?

Improve this question
2
  • Maybe change question title to more accurately reflect what your question is?
    – idiotprogrammer
    Sep 23, 2017 at 18:08
  • Thanks for the answers, that's great. I did it originally in word, but then I handed it to an "expert" on fiverr to finish it off, but then they said there was only so much they could do and couldn't sort out hyphenation.
    – user10071
    Sep 25, 2017 at 13:04

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

If you upload valid epub2/epub3 books to Kindle KDP, Amazon will automatically convert them to KFX books with enhanced typesetting, if the device/app supports enhanced typesetting.

In order to preview enhanced typesetting features, you'll need to install Kindle Previewer 3.

Once you've installed the previewer, you can also install the KFX Output Calibre plugin and generate KFX files that you can sideload to Kindles and Kindle apps.

For more information on enhanced typesetting features also see Appendix A of the Kindle Publishing Guidelines.

Improve this answer
0

Several Kindle devices support enhanced typesetting, so you should expect the body text of ebooks to include automatic hyphenation.

When I format books, I don't do anything special about hyphenation, except that I disable hyphenation for chapter and subchapter titles.

Hyphenation depends more on which device you are using than the ebook itself.

With regard to spacing, I have to wonder where your source material is coming from. Did you create it in MS word, or are you converting it from a MS Word (which throws in a lot of random HTML code and styles)?

With regard to converting from epub to mobi, I would use Kindle previewer instead of calibre. https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1003018611

Improve this answer
1
  • "I disable hyphenation for chapter and subchapter titles." Can you tell me how you do that? Thanks
    – user10071
    Sep 27, 2017 at 15:05

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.