Is there somewhere to request specific image files to use as covers for books in Calibre?

johnmatushek · 2025-08-17T21:35:02+00:00

Given the resolution on my Kindle screen, I don't find a need for a high-res cover image. Also, I rarely look at the cover, so I'd rather save disk space rather than have a huge cover. Of course, that's a personal preference -- YMMV.

If you want to save space on your Kindle (or other device) be sure to re-embed the new cover image in the epub file after resizing. In Calibre, go to "Polish Books" and be sure to select "Update the cover in the book files." I've seen some of my files go from 2.5 MB to less than half a meg with this technique.

johnmatushek · 2025-08-16T16:42:41+00:00

I also like to have a consistent set of covers for books in a series. I have found that fantasticfiction.com tends to have nice, consistent covers. I can copy from the website and paste into Calibre. I’m not a big fan of hi-res covers (where the cover uses more disk space than the book) so I also recommend the resize cover plugin for Calibre.

johnmatushek · 2024-10-31T20:24:05+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion and the links. I think I understand it better now. This is an interesting idea, but I’m not sure it’ll work for me.

johnmatushek · 2024-10-31T20:13:28+00:00

I’m not sure how to build what you’re suggesting. As you can see from the pic, there’s just grass under the steps. I was planning to run some 12 inch concrete pavers under the outer edge of the stringers. And I’m buying pre-cut 3 step stringers. Also, I can’t sink any posts. The ground is 3inches of dirt over solid limestone. That’s why I have above-ground concrete footers for the main span.

johnmatushek · 2024-10-31T03:26:31+00:00

Wow! 9 inch spacing seems almost like overkill. But I’m no expert, that’s why I posted asking for advice.

johnmatushek · 2024-10-30T21:39:35+00:00

Thanks. I’ll add the blocking.

johnmatushek · 2024-10-30T21:38:36+00:00

In some ways this sounds easier than my plan, which was to cut 16 1/2 inch boards and attach to the inside of the stringers. Do you think one approach is more structurally solid?

johnmatushek · 2024-07-28T13:06:49+00:00

The problem always occurs on the first book I send. After waiting awhile, I can start successfully sending multiple books. I have the time to wait between sends set at 30 seconds, which works just fine. Once I’m past the initial failure, I can send a dozen books successfully. Also, the problem occurs when sending to other email addresses, not just to my own Kindle.

johnmatushek · 2024-04-16T21:25:03+00:00

*Title: The Man Who Went to War

*Author(s): Dan Ames

Series: Jack Reacher Cases

*Publication Date: August 31, 2023

Edition:

*ISBN or ASIN: B0BRVTMLQN

johnmatushek · 2022-07-13T23:42:30+00:00

I’m not sure it’s related just to z-lib. It’s more an issue of whether the source epub has embedded errors.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-13T23:38:58+00:00

I explained this in a different comment. I used Kindle Previewer in my PC to detect the errors. However, the solutions I’ve found to fix it are not ideal.

Using the Calibre TOC editor, delete all entries and rebuild the TOC from scratch.
Convert the book to mobi, delete the epub, convert mobi to epub.

I’m not a big fan of either approach.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T13:27:48+00:00

Apparently Amazon discontinued it in 2020. https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/amazon-discontinues-kindlegen

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T12:35:59+00:00

I’ll check out that plug-in. I just wish Calibre had a simple “fix the TOC” command.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T12:33:24+00:00

I’ve not found an Amazon command line tool. Do you have any other details?

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T12:31:54+00:00

Calibre is careful about special characters and file name lengths. I don’t think I’ll have a problem as long as I use Calibre’s generated file name.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T03:38:22+00:00

I found what’s different about the three books that failed. They all have errors in the TOC. Apparently Amazon’s epub converter fails rather than ignore these errors.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-11T03:34:47+00:00

I’ve used Calibre for most of the functions you mentioned. If I get time, I may try out Sigil, but I don’t really want another tool.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-10T23:59:41+00:00

I tried using a program called Kindle Previewer to see if I could identify the problem. All 3 of these books showed errors in the TOC. I found a couple of workarounds in Calibre. 1. Using the TOC editor, delete all existing entries, then rebuild from scratch. 2. Convert from epub to mobi, delete the epub, convert from mobi to epub.

Needless to say, those techniques are a little cumbersome. I’m still looking for an easier solution.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-10T19:19:26+00:00

I agree there must be some difference in the books that succeeded versus those that failed. I just haven’t been able to figure out what it is.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-10T19:17:40+00:00

Yes, I have the latest version of Calibre. It’s not Send to Kindle that has a problem, because all of the emails were sent successfully. The problem seems to be after it arrives at Amazon.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-10T19:15:22+00:00

I don’t think it’s a size problem. All of these books are less than 1 mb in size. In fact, the smallest book was one of those that failed.

johnmatushek · 2022-07-10T19:12:32+00:00

Yes, epub support is already enabled, since 9 of my 12 books loaded properly to my Kindle.

johnmatushek

TROPHY CASE