We covered three different approaches to formatting your ebook in an earlier article, and offered up a simple, intermediate, and advanced options based on whether you were including images and wanted fixed or flowable text. And today we’re looking at creating a flowable ebook file for Amazon KDP.

What Kind of File can you upload to KDP?

You can upload and convert your ebook manuscript file from several supported formats (DOC/DOCX, HTML, MOBI, EPUB, RTF, Plain Text, and KPF) directly into KDP.

Amazon recommends uploading a Microsoft Word DOC/DOCX or HTML to the KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) platform, and they will convert it to a MOBI file. You will need to structure your Word document correctly to ensure the quality of the file conversion.

Create a Flowable Ebook using a Microsoft Word

Word has long been the default option for indie authors, but because of the hidden formatting commands that exist in Word documents, if you don’t format your source document using the right Word functions and features, the quality of your ebook file will suffer.

• Amazon have provided straightforward steps for formatting your ebook in Word: bit.ly/H2-KDPman

When you’ve finished the formatting process, you will have a file that is ready to be uploaded to KDP.

Create a Flowable Ebook using Apple Pages

Mac users can use one of their book templates to create their ebook, and then export their file as a flowable EPUB file, or as a Word document. Both can be imported, and Amazon will convert to a MOBI file format.

• Apple Support: bit.ly/H2-supp

Create a Flowable Ebook using an EPUB File

You can type directly into Reedsy’s online Book Editor tool and they will convert it and email you an EPUB file. Alternatively you can use the EPUB file created by your software or one of the aggregators. These can be uploaded to KDP for conversion to MOBI.

As part of the KDP title setup process you use the Online Previewer to view your file and see how it will appear on Kindle ereaders, tablets and phones. If you want to preview your book on Kindle Touch or Kindle DX, you will have to use the downloadable previewer.

• Kindle Previewer: bit.ly/H2-Kpreview

Create a Flowable Ebook using a MOBI File

If you’re using a paid tool like Vellum, Pressbooks or Jutoh, a MOBI file is generated, which can be uploaded to KDP. These MOBI files are generated using Amazon’s KindleGen (Kindle Generator) application, and this is the most automated way of creating an error-free MOBI file. You can also use Draft2Digital’s free tool to generate a MOBI file.

Update: November 2020 – Amazon now prefer an ePUB to an MOBI file.

Create a Flowable Ebook using an RTF or TXT File

KDP accepts RTF (Rich Text Format) files, and TXT (Text) files for source files that don’t contain any images. These are converted to HTML files by KDP during the import process, before being converted to a MOBI file.

Create a Flowable Ebook using a PDF File

Although KDP accepts PDF files, they can contain embedded formatting that doesn’t convert well to ebooks, so it isn’t recommended. If you do happen to have a PDF source file, and you discover formatting issues when it’s uploaded, you should convert your PDF into a Word document.

Want to see what your book looks like in your Kindle App?

Download your converted book file (HTML or MOBI) from KDP, and then send your book file to your Send-to-Kindle email address to view it in your Kindle App.

• How to send to Kindle by email: bit.ly/H2-Kindem

As you can see, there are multiple ways of creating a file that can be uploaded to KDP and displayed on a Kindle device or Kindle App.

If you try one method and get overwhelmed or confused, move onto another option.

Your goal is to create an error-free file that displays well on all the different versions of Kindle, and keeping your formatting simple or using a paid software like Vellum is a great way to ensure your reader’s experience leaves them wanting more. If your ebook is full of formatting errors, not only could you lose a reader, but you could get a negative reader review.

So if in doubt, keep your formatting simple, or pay a professional to do the job for you.

Read more articles in my How to Write a Travel Guide Series

I’m putting the finishing touches on my How to Write and Self-Publish a Travel Guide Series, which details a step by step approach for writing and producing your own travel guide. It’s part of a four-part series aimed at helping travel bloggers achieve passive income based on their passions and existing content.

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