Once I had finished my Smashwords e-book, I realized that I needed to make changes to the Kindle version in order to make the reading of Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino as enjoyable on Kindle as on Smashwords.
The easiest way to do this, I thought, was to start with the .mobi file produced by Smashwords. Before uploading it to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), I needed to change the publisher from Smashwords to KDP. To edit the .mobi file, I first converted it to an EPUB file using Caliber. Next, I edited the EPUB file using SIGIL (an ap from sigil.com), saved it, and then converted it back to .mobi. This was a roundabout way, which I could have simplified if I had started with the EPUB file from Smashwords.
When I uploaded this file, the 5-way controller on the Kindle previewer did not work.
So I started from scratch using the .doc file, revising all the images, converting the tables to text, linking references back to the appendices, making all the links live, and adding a About the Author section. I also change the version to 2.1 on the legal page.
When I uploaded this file, the 5-way controller on the Kindle did not work.
I had forgotten to fix the .ncx file. So I fixed it and, before loading the file, I changed the version to version 2.2.
This time the file worked when I uploaded it.
In the meantime, I received notice from Smashwords that my e-book failed premium status because I had a footer on one page (don’t know how that happened!). I made the corrections and resubmitted it to Smashwords. I also corrected the Kindle e-book (now version 2.3) and submitted that.
Now both e-books were similar and functioning. On July 24, I received Smashwords Premium Status. All was well — until—
I noticed that, after reloading my purchased Kindle e-book, the version was still at 2.0 not at 2.3. The changes were not retroactive for copies published before the revisions. After many e-mails with the Kindle service department, I realized that I had to submit a request to KDP to provide updated content to customers who purchased my e-book. In my request, I had to provide details about the changes made. Once they received my request, they would perform a review of the changes to determine the most appropriate way to describe the updates to my customers. It can take up to FOUR weeks for them to decide if the changes made to the content:
- Critical: KDP will send an e-mail to my customers who own the book to notify them of the update and the improvements made. These customers can choose whether to receive the update through the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com.
- Minor: KDP will not notify the customers by e-mail but will activate their ability to update the content through the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com.
I have to wait for KDP to complete the review to find out what their action will be. I think the changes are critical and hope my readers will get the opportunity to improve their book.
So, when revising a Kindle book:
- Keep good notes about the changes made
- Revise the version number each time you submitted the file to KDP (so you can keep tract and verify that they have the latest version)
- If you want the readers who have purchased the book before the revision to have an opportunity to upload the current edition, contact KDP and ask them to do so.
- Tell them why you think these changes are critical
- Once the revised edition is available, verify the version
