3 | Download & Install Software

This section covers the software needed to carry out this process.

All of the software used in this tutorial is available free of charge.

The first two pieces of software are required to complete the tutorial verbatim.

The second two programs are recommended, but not required.

Sigil (required)

Download Sigil here: https://github.com/Sigil-Ebook/Sigil/releases/tag/0.8.6

Sigil creates all the working parts of an EPUB and zips the file together. Don’t panic if you’ve never used it before. Even I could figure it out.

(This tutorial is in no way affiliated with Sigil or its creators, though I think they should all be knighted.)

KindleGen (required)

Before downloading KindleGen, please read the README file for installation instructions per operating system.

If you would like new and sarcastically improved installation instructions, please read this supplemental content instead. Seriously, a hundred percent of the problems people have with KindleGen can be prevented by reading this version of the instructions.

Download KindleGen here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000765211

Again, don’t panic. I know KindleGen has a ragged reputation, but it’s completely painless if you follow the installation instructions to the letter and never look under the hood.

KindleGen turns EPUBs into the MOBI format with all the bells and whistles compatible with all the different Kindle iterations and apps.

Kindle Previewer (optional)

Download Kindle Previewer here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000765261

I used to really, really hate this thing, but I think we've come to terms. Mostly. It does do a spectacular job, for a cat's paw utility, and the users manual is awesome.

Kindle App (optional)

If you don't already have the Kindle app on your phone (or a tablet or whatever mobile device you favor), it's quite useful, especially for files containing images. The Kindle app also handles tables-of-contents slightly differently than their dedicated e-reader devices, so it's worth checking things out on the app, just in case.

Adobe Digital Editions (optional)

Some type of EPUB viewer is required. I recommend Adobe Digital Editions.

Download ADE here: http://www.adobe.com/products/digital-editions/download.html

Normally I am not an Adobe fangirl, but I have warm fuzzies about ADE (Adobe Digital Editions). It’s the best EPUB display software for PC because it is remarkably unforgiving. Rest assured, if there’s something wrong in an EPUB file, ADE will point it out. And laugh and laugh.

Nook App (optional)

I strongly recommend putting the Nook app on your phone and side-loading files for viewing. Nook, I feel, has a very strict interpretation of certain things, and to prevent any wonkiness, EPUBs should be carefully reviewed in Nook before wide release. (For me, formatting well for Nook has had the steepest learning curve. There are few, or at least different, safety nets like with Kindle.)

The Nook app has a setting under font settings/spacing options. You can set Publisher Defaults on or off. With Publisher Defaults turned on, the Nook app will use your CSS. With the slider set to off, Nook will use its own CSS because... well, because you, I guess, is their reason. I really don't understand why these apps have these weird settings. How confusing and frustrating must this be for end users? They just want to open a book and read, not micromanage the formatting. /sigh Whatever. I'm over it.

Aldiko (optional)

This is another mobile EPUB viewer app. I like using this one to screen files as well because this has another set of interpretations from Nook.

Similar to the Nook app, this one has another "publisher default" setting that has to be checked or unchecked to use our CSS.

Previous << Save Your Sanity | Next >> Software Issues & Decisions