Creating Fixed-Layout Ebooks for the Kindle

Create a fixed-layout ebook that's beautiful, well crafted, and enjoyable to read on a Kindle. Learn how to use InDesign to adapt a print design or create an ebook from scratch.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files

1. Overview of the Fixed-Layout Format

• What is a fixed-layout ebook?
• EPUB3 vs. the Kindle format
• Good candidates for fixed-layout ebooks
• Graphic novels and comics

2. Comparing the Kindle Fixed-Layout File Structure to EPUB3

• Exporting EPUB3 from InDesign CC 2015
• Comparing the EPUB3 format vs. Kindle format
• The Kindle fixed-layout template
• The content.opf
• XHTML file
• CSS: The style sheet
• Manage fonts for a fixed-layout project
• Insert images into a fixed-layout book

3. Preparing an InDesign Document for Export

• Letting InDesign do the work for you
• Layers
• Style sheets
• Exporting images as background spreads
• Exporting text as XHTML
• Fixed-layout ebooks without InDesign
• Using Kindle Kids' Book Creator

4. Working with the Kindle Fixed-Layout Template

• Filling in the content.opf
• Populating the XHTML pages
• Adding images
• Adjusting the CSS for design
• Structure and absolute positioning in CSS
• Working with the navigation documents

5. Designing Region Magnification (Pop-Ups)

• Text in region magnification CSS
• Region magnification pop-up boxes
• Magnification amount and pop-up location

6. Using Kindle Previewer to Create Your Fixed-Layout Ebook

• Using Kindle Previewer
• Sideloading a file to Kindle devices
• Sideloading Kindle files to iOS devices
• Uploading to Kindle Direct Publishing

7. Bonus Kindle Features

• Popping up images
• How to deal with text on a path
• Using media queries

Conclusion

• Next steps