jamesw
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Post by jamesw on Jul 23, 2013 9:32:13 GMT -8
I know other people have had a problem with indented/block paras. Mine is similar to the problems others have experienced, but possibly just a little bit different, too.
I've just published a novel on Smashwords, having previously uploaded it to Amazon Kindle.
Though most of the paragraphs are indented, the opening paragraph in every chapter - and paragraphs that follow a centred series of asterisks (generally marking the passage of time or a change of location) - are full out.
In Amazon Kindle, everything looks fine. In Smashwords, however, though all the other formats (Kobo etc) look fine, the Kindle version does not. Not only are the first paragraphs indented (when they shouldn't be), they are indented more deeply than the other paragraphs. Has anyone else had this problem?
It looks very unpleasant and, at present, it leaves me in the position of advising anyone who wants to buy the Kindle version of my book to do so via Amazon - which is a shame, as I'd much rather they used Smashwords.
James
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serbanvcenache
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Post by serbanvcenache on Jul 23, 2013 9:45:58 GMT -8
Chances are, James, that people who have a Kindle will check out books at the Amazon store. From what I know, there aren't many folk buying books from the SM store. It would be better for the writer if the latter happened (in terms of better revenue) more than it did via the retailers; but it's very unlikely.
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Post by David Ellis on Jul 23, 2013 17:51:25 GMT -8
Personally, I use the Smashwords for Kindle. Unless the book is well reviewed, I skip any book that does not have a Kindle version. Perhaps I am the only one, but I am one. I don't much care if the first paragraph of a chapter or section is indented differently, as long as the content is good.
Put your link to your book on your signature line or throw it in an appropriate section of this forum so we can go see it.
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jamesw
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Post by jamesw on Jul 23, 2013 22:42:28 GMT -8
Thanks for the two replies. Here is the link: www.smashwords.com/books/view/339875I did think about trying to unpublish the mobi version - but can't seem to find the appropriate button.
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serbanvcenache
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Post by serbanvcenache on Jul 24, 2013 0:19:43 GMT -8
I did think about trying to unpublish the mobi version - but can't seem to find the appropriate button. Go to your dashboard. Hit settings under the tab operations, then scroll down till you reach the ebook formats. Uncheck mobi and then save.
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jamesw
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Post by jamesw on Jul 24, 2013 4:22:37 GMT -8
Thanks, serbanvcenache.
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serbanvcenache
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Post by serbanvcenache on Jul 24, 2013 6:44:38 GMT -8
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Post by David Ellis on Jul 24, 2013 23:39:11 GMT -8
I downloaded the sample and put it on my Kindle. The difference in spacing is hardly noticeable. At the start of the chapters and at the start of new sections it has about a letter space extra. Nothing to worry about.
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jamesw
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Post by jamesw on Jul 25, 2013 1:08:36 GMT -8
Thanks, David. I appreciate you taking the trouble. I'm probably being too fussy, and will try to stop worrying about it.
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Post by David Ellis on Jul 25, 2013 18:06:06 GMT -8
You are not too fussy. I'm fussy myself. I just try my best to get it as good as it can be and then stop worrying about it.
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Post by jaydax on Sept 23, 2013 14:54:24 GMT -8
Rather than setting the first line indent for lines after headings and text breaks to '0' set them to '0.01'. That may well fix your problem. You need an indent which is too small to be noticed but greater than '0'.
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gaurav
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Post by gaurav on Jun 27, 2014 3:12:24 GMT -8
I agree with the James and i am also curious to know the solution of this problem. Than's for discussed here...
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Post by jaydax on Jun 27, 2014 15:30:15 GMT -8
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chelsfield
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Post by chelsfield on Jun 28, 2014 0:08:16 GMT -8
I have had to let go the concern over what really are minor differences in formatting across the versions. I think, as David points out, if they are minor the Rader is probably not going to notice them, especially if they are not into formatting ebooks on a regular basis and have not developed the eye for the discrepancies. However, variations within a version cannot be so great as to attract the average reader's attention. Then the focus will be on your formatting and not the content of the book...
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chelsfield
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Post by chelsfield on Jun 28, 2014 0:10:13 GMT -8
The reader, even, not the radar. Although, that's not to say that the reader doesn't have radar about these things....
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