Software download links go to Amazon’s Kindle Publishing Page to ensure that you get the latest, correct version for your operating system.
Amazon revised its publishing guidelines for Kindle books in August 2010, and has released several minor updates since then. The most significant change is the doubled maximum file size for images, which is now "under 127KB" instead of "under 63KB". Images that exceed these limits will be reprocessed by DTP (Digital Text Platform).
There are specific guidelines for both basic and advanced formatting, as well as the publishing procedure itself. If you are creating a book for the Kindle, read the guidelines to prevent problems before they occur, whether you prepare your own files for DTP publishing or send them to a conversion service that packages the files for you.
Links to the latest Guidelines:
- Formatting Guides
Content must be formatted correctly before publishing. Word or other original document types must be free of incompatible formatting and errors. Images have specific size and resolution requirements. These guidelines will help you get it right the first time: - Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines
These guidelines are for publishing with the KindleGen command line program. However, they provide insight into the publishing process for self-publishers using MobiPocketCreator, which is said to be the GUI version of KindleGen. MPC output is a PRC file, while that of KindleGen is a MOBI file. Both are zipped formats that bundle required publication files. - Download KindleGen 1.1 for Windows, Mac, or Linux
KindleGen is a command line tool. Use MobiPocket Creator instead of you want a GUI (graphical user interface). - Download Kindle Previewer 1.5 for Windows or Mac
The Previewer is an essential convenience if you use MPC or KindleGen. To preview your book on your own registered Kindle, attach the device to your computer using the USB cable. View the Kindle “drive” and drag your .prc or .mobi file into the Kindle’s Documents folder. Alternatively, send the zipped file to you@free.kindle.com. Then, transfer the file to your Kindle via USB cable. - Kindle Previewer User’s Guide (PDF)
Kindle Previewer User's Guide (Kindle format). - Download Kindle Plugin for Adobe InDesign® V0.91 (Beta)
This plugin can be used to convert an InDesign book or document to Kindle format. Requires Adobe CS4 or CS5. For details, see Amazon’s Documentation. - Official Guide: How to Publish to Kindle (Video) Tutorial on publishing with DTP, after all your book files are ready to upload. In this demo, the author fills out DTP forms and uploads a product cover image and a Word file. Be aware that Word files need to be formatted according to Amazon’s guidelines and be free of extraneous code.
- Amazon DTP Support: Publish Your Content
Detailed help for using the Digital Text Platform to publish your content, from registering an account to uploading content and confirming digital rights. - Export HTML from DTP
You may want to do this when you edit your previously-published book.
For more Knowledge Base articles about publishing for the Kindle, and the community forum, go to the Amazon DTP Support home page.
