So you’ve written a children’s book and want to format it for the digital market. First, you’ll need to understand the difference between a fixed layout and a “regular” or standard ebook layout.
Standard Layout
Sample standard layout with drop cap and floating (right) image
A standard ebook (EPUB) uses real-time flowable text that can be read on any eReader. Kindle ebooks (MOBI) can be read on any Kindle device or Kindle App, such as Kindle for iPad.
With a standard layout
- the user can adjust the font size and style to fit their individual reading preferences.
- there is no set pagination (no pages) since the number of words displayed per ‘page’ change based on user settings and screen size of the device.
- the format is ideal for text-based books or books with small embedded images.
Fixed Layout
A fixed layout book means, quite simply, that they ‘pages’ of the ebook are fixed. All content, images and text will not “flow” if the user changes the setting on their device. The page is created and displayed exactly like a printed page of a
Double page spread, fixed layout
book. The benefit of a fixed layout is that you are in complete control. However, with a fixed layout, readers lose their ability to change the typeface, resize the text, adjust margins or change line spacing. Fixed means fixed.
Fixed layout formatting is a good solution for books such as children’s picture books and digital comics allowing you to preserve the qualities of the printed page while offering enhanced interactive features.
How to choose which format
Choose the standard format if:
- your book contains mostly text.
- your book has images that are embedded between paragraphs, or if wrapping text around images is not crucial to the design.
- You want maximum useability. Standard ebooks are readable on nearly all eReaders, computers, smart-phones, tablets.
Choose the fixed layout if:
- your want to preserve the text to image layout.
- you want to use a background image or color.
- you want to wrap text around images and maintain the design.
- you want a strict horizontal orientation (layout).
- you want multi-column text pages.
- you want to maintain aspect ratios.
Since fixed layouts are more complex and require extra attention, expect to pay more for a basic fixed layout ebook. Also note that due to different devices, you may need to pay extra in order to meet the requirements for each distributor: Apple, Barnes & Noble, Sony. Amazon Kindle (mobi) files are unique so are also a separate formatting layout.
Next…
Kindle FXL Preparation (pt1): Page Dimensions, Text Display, Illustrations
In our next post, I’ll detail the common issues with creating a FXL eBook, especially text size to screen size ratio. Then, we’ll be ready to create a test FXL book using Kindle Kids Book Creator.
Recommended Reading
Read post “How to Create Picture Books for Kids” where she answers the questions: Does Your Book Have a Fighting Chance? and Why Your Book May Not Make It.
In this series, How to Format a Fixed Layout Children’s Book for Amazon, I’ll take you through how to create and publish your Fixed Layout children’s book for Amazon Kindle using their “nearly automated” Amazon Kindle Kids Book Creator. I’ll also have tips on how to decipher and use Amazon’s Children’s Book Sample to manually format your fixed layout children’s book for maximum layout control.
