e-book conversion via DIY online method

[numbersrule]

A few years ago I self published an e-book.
After writing it in Word, I converted it to HTML and sent it to a company who provided e-book conversion services so that the correct format could be uploaded to Kindle Direct Publishing.
Recently, I have been working on a second edition and had contacted the e-book conversion company about providing their service again.
However, following a very helpful post by fisicx in a different thread on a different subject I have discovered that the DIY conversion website Convertio has the option to convert files to epub, mobi etc for e-book conversion.
So, I'd be interested to hear if anyone has experience of using Convertio for e-book conversion and is it as user friendly as it would appear on initial inspection?
In particular, my e-book is somewhat technical and includes a lot of tables and graphs in Word with data to support the subject matter.
There are also quite a few photos and images. Does this mean I really need the assistance of an e-book conversion company?

Thanks

 

[antropy]

So, I'd be interested to hear if anyone has experience of using Convertio for e-book conversion and is it as user friendly as it would appear on initial inspection?

I'd suggest you just try it, it's probably not expensive?

Do you have a Kindle you could check the result on?

Paul.

 

[Kerwin]

You should use Calibre. It is free and works on Windows, Mac and Linux and supports just about every ebook format you can imagine.

calibre - E-book management

calibre: The one stop solution for all your e-book needs. Comprehensive e-book software.

calibre-ebook.com

 

[numbersrule]

Thank you antropy and Kerwin for your suggestions.
I might try both and compare results!
I'll be in touch again but it may be a while as have some work to do in my spare time on the graphs and charts first.

 

[Richard Smith]

I can recommend Calibre, also KDP - Kindle Publishing have a conversion tool to use.

I have done a few of these before and always have trouble with them. More of an art than a skill in my experience. Google Doc's and Libre Office have HTML and EPub 'save as options' if you set the page size and layout first and then move the text around Google docs get you close. It doesn't work well with large file sizes (the last one I did was 400 pages and it tended to glitch out) but with small docs it works.

I have done several E-books (that sell) on Kindle using the later method.

 

[antropy]

I have done several E-books (that sell) on Kindle using the later method.

I'm curious, have you got links to your E-books?

Paul.

 

[Richard Smith]

Sure. Can't post links but you should be able to work out what they are.

amazon.co.uk/Tinnitus-Step-Guide-Reduce-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B016SDH56E/

Here is one I dd for a friend of mine - this is how i found out how much Google Docs hated long documents.

amazon.co.uk/WALKING-KHUSH-INDIA-John-Massey-ebook/dp/B08NCDCNHF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JZSL3QECW22&keywords=Walking+India&qid=1690200464&s=digital-text&sprefix=walking+india%2Cdigital-text%2C77&sr=1-1


amazon.co.uk/Money-Trainers-Guide-Important-Business-ebook/dp/B07VDV4Z5B

 

[Richard Smith]

Sure. Can't post links but you should be able to work out what they are.

amazon.co.uk/Tinnitus-Step-Guide-Reduce-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B016SDH56E/

Here is one I dd for a friend of mine - this is how i found out how much Google Docs hated long documents.

amazon.co.uk/WALKING-KHUSH-INDIA-John-Massey-ebook/dp/B08NCDCNHF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3JZSL3QECW22&keywords=Walking+India&qid=1690200464&s=digital-text&sprefix=walking+india%2Cdigital-text%2C77&sr=1-1


amazon.co.uk/Money-Trainers-Guide-Important-Business-ebook/dp/B07VDV4Z5B

I have also done a few 'thousand word' guides. Total income is about £2.40 a month, on average. But they do drive a few enquiries.

 

[numbersrule]

Thanks Richard for the suggestions re Google Docs and Libre Office. I have a few options now. My book is about 170 pages I seem to remember so may be workable. Your travel guide may have had a lot of photos?

 

[Richard Smith]

Thanks Richard for the suggestions re Google Docs and Libre Office. I have a few options now. My book is about 170 pages I seem to remember so may be workable. Your travel guide may have had a lot of photos?

That was one of the issues.

Print worked ok. I did forget page numbers...

There are some people on People Per Hour, many quoted me silly money. I did find that with a bit of fiddling I managed to solve it.

Good luck.

 

[numbersrule]

Your posts have inspired me Richard

In this world of publishing on a click, I might try airing another theory I have. My first book was about a theory I have and that has remained unchallenged for a decade now. So maybe my new theory might stand the test of time as well.

Are the 1,000 word guides a kind of separate option / route with KDP or do you just publish via the normal KDP channel?

A 1,000 word guide on how to solve the climate crisis.......
I won't reveal it all until I have published obviously

 

[Richard Smith]

Your posts have inspired me Richard

In this world of publishing on a click, I might try airing another theory I have. My first book was about a theory I have and that has remained unchallenged for a decade now. So maybe my new theory might stand the test of time as well.

Are the 1,000 word guides a kind of separate option / route with KDP or do you just publish via the normal KDP channel?

A 1,000 word guide on how to solve the climate crisis.......
I won't reveal it all until I have published obviously

Just VIA KDP. They are quick to write but help build the profile. I have also turned 'white papers' into books - The Great British Pension Swindle got me into the FT and help change pension legislation (Clause 125 of the last Pensions Act)

There is a book - Small Business Marketing in 1000 words that caught my attention a while back. Quick short reads. Everyone one thinks Kindle/KDP isn't publishing, but millions of people use the products generated. They can also be used for 'direct sale' off your main website, good for search marketing.

Also the quality of KDP print surpasses the old 'self published' models. Competing with socials and pitching for stuff is made quite a bit easier when asked 'how much do you know about xxx'? You simply reply, I wrote a book on it!

Good luck.