Most readers are under the false assumption that e-readers such as the Kindle (and the Kindle apps) handle PDF files just fine. That is only half-true.
I am going to reference the Kindle, but the same is true for many other readers.
The Kindle reader does “read” PDF files. It displays the PDF like it displays an image and does not allow enlarging of the text as you can with other Kindle books. This makes the PDF on many e-reader devices too small to read.
You can zoom in on the page, but on smaller screens this causes a problem in trying to read the file, especially on smaller reading devices. To read the text on smaller devices, you have to scroll the screen three or four times to the right to read the line, then scroll back to read the next line.
Possible? Yes. Practical. Not even!
Screen Size Problem
The problem is screen size. While the iPad has a screen width similar to the printed page (about 9.7 inches total), making it the best device for reading PDF files, not all of your fans will own an iPad.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire offers about a 7-inch wide screen; the Kindle Classic screen is smaller with about 4.25 inches, while the iPhone or Android Kindle app has only 3 inches of useable screen space. Can you see the problem here?
In addition, many readers like to read books or novels on a variety of devices, so you want the file to be as easy and comfortable to read across the board.
Converting PDF
A PDFs coding is such that enlarging text for readability on e-reader devices is impractical. Your best option is to convert the document into an epub or mobi file offering your readers a variety of reading choices.
PDFs do not convert well to epub or mobi. PDFs are an end-product. That means PDF files were not intended to be converted into anything. Instead you should work from the original word file or convert the PDF to text, clean up the layout and format for epub or mobi.
Multiple Sales Streams
Modern authors offer their books and novels in several formats to ensure the reader has what they need, including PDF, epub, and mobi. This offers the authors additional options for generating sales. The cost to publish is time (excluding any formatting, cover design or promotional costs.)
Authors should convert their PDF to mobi and epub to satisfy today’s readers.
Only you can decide if converting your e-book is an affective course for your audience. The key is to take care of your reader.
