Text-only eBook formatting?

lindseyanne

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I have a client who wants a somewhat lengthly nonfiction eBook. The content itself is no problem and I'm already making headway. However, I've never sold an eBook before, only articles.

Additionally, I'm working with the client through a content company, so I've been instructed to deliver the eBook in a basic text form. Basically what is supported in a Notepad .txt file is all I can deliver.

Is there anything I need to know about formatting this? The client will do the majority of the formatting since it will be their product once I deliver it, but how can I format this before delivery to make their edits as easy as possible?
 

brianjanuary

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As far as I know (I'm winging it here because I've never done it this way--but at least this will get you started!), Kindle will support Notepad .txt files as a direct upload. But if I were you, I would edit out all but the very basic html code first.

Also if I were you, I would put the book in the correct format in Word first (use Styles for blank spaces and paragraph returns and Page Break at the end of chapters, etc.-- see http://www.cjs-easy-as-pie.com/ and http://dark-neon.blogspot.com/2011/03/kindle-publishing-first-steps.html ) and then paste the file into Notepad to check to the code, etc. Otherwise you will have word gaps, blank space gaps, wors in italics or bold which shouldn't be, etc.

This is one way to upload the file which might help you: http://www.ehow.com/how_5698543_make-documents-kindle.html

But you would still have to publish the book (if you want to do that) through Kindle publishing.

You can also try Calibre (free e-book converter)-- http://calibre-ebook.com/

There is a lot of help in the kdp forums in the "Formatting" section.

The best way to check to see if all is working is the Kindle Previewer (not the Kindle for PC)--it's free and it's the most accurate representation of what your book will look like on an actual Kindle (or use a Kindle itself).

It's easier than it might seem!

Brian January
http://amzn.com/B005WM0HN6
http://amzn.com/B006QCZF3S
 
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