Kindle Create - convert Word to Amazon's format

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webfork
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Kindle Create - convert Word to Amazon's format

#1 Post by webfork »

Before you begin
  • As much as possible, don't buy a Kindle in the first place. Get something that supports the open ePUB format and skip this whole annoying process entirely (like a Nook or tons of other devices). Amazon's proprietary ebook system is annoying to work with, hard to convert, and relies heavily on Amazon. Should they exit the ebook market for some reason, all the data converted to the Amazon format will go exactly nowhere. Additionally, despite being very far from a new format, even Adobe "had to admit that InDesign was still nowhere when it came to being useful for converting interactive books for Amazon’s ecosystem." (source)

    Unfortunately, many people have to contend with Amazon so ...
Download (189 megs): https://kdp.amazon.com/help/topic/AIEDQZJ8TVWZX

Setup: I believe this program HAS to be installed even though it's possible to use 7zip to extract. I kept getting either errors or blank edit screens.

Status: not portable. Writes to C:\Users\USER\.kindle\KC

Articles on the topic:
http://the-digital-reader.com/2017/04/0 ... word-file/
http://www.talkingnewmedia.com/2017/04/ ... le-create/

Related

EPUB vs. PDF
https://go-to-hellman.blogspot.com/2016 ... te-in.html

lwc
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Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:40 pm
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Re: Kindle Create - convert Word to Amazon's format

#2 Post by lwc »

Even if it was small and portable, why don't you just e-mail the Word file (or files) to your Kindle's e-mail address?
It'll auto convert to Kindle's format. Works like a charm.

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webfork
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Re: Kindle Create - convert Word to Amazon's format

#3 Post by webfork »

lwc wrote:... why don't you just e-mail the Word file (or files) to your Kindle's e-mail address? It'll auto convert to Kindle's format. Works like a charm.
A few reasons:
  • Connection - I can't always rely on having Internet
  • Security - Some of the things I'm converting are sensitive (for work)
  • Size - files are large, take forever to upload/send, and some services have attachment limits
  • Quality - some of the things I've converted look okay, not great ... this tool has more intelligent functionality than Amazon's email converter

lwc
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:40 pm
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Re: Kindle Create - convert Word to Amazon's format

#4 Post by lwc »

Regarding security, once it's on your Kindle, I wouldn't completely rely on the device not "calling home" (once it has Internet connection) on what you have there.
But if you trust the device itself, Amazon also offers a "Send to Kindle" app which includes a virtual printer.
Is there any chance this app supports USB? I didn't try it.
If not, and you have at least Wi-Fi, I understand this app connects directly to your device via Wi-Fi and not via the Internet.

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