sendtokindle fails after editing

[Michael Whitmill]

I'm running Calibre 6.11 on Windows 11 at current at its current update level.

I have 1637 books in my Calibre list (and growing). Ever since Amazon changed their sendtokindle app to submit epub files, I've been using that option. Sometimes, it works, and sometimes it fails. Although I can't specifically say what is wrong, if I convert epub to epub (and my option always says create version 2), the new version usually works (i.e. submits to Amazon properly).

All that Amazon does upon failure is send me an email that says it didn't work. They give no reason for the failure. It took more effort on my part than it should, but I've finally got them willing to look at it, but they wanted samples. I took an existing book that failed to submit, and used the Calibre editor to remove all the text, change the title, author, and whatever else I could find to dummy names, etc. It still failed. I then did the convert, and it submitted properly.

That gave me two files (failure and working) to pass to Amazon (which I did 5 minutes ago).

But, as one more test, I used the Calibre editor (the only one I use) on my functioning sample, did nothing, and exited. The editor (as best I can tell) always saves the file even though I did nothing. The resultant file is more than twice the size of the file that worked and it fails. I'm attaching the working file (label with WORKS) and the failing file (indicating open and closed, no changes status).

I tried to attach both files, and it failed. I'll zip them together and see what goes.

--Thanks, Michael Whitmill

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

No, the editor never saves a file unless you ask it to. What does happen by default when you run the editor is metadata and cover is updated in the file, to match what is in your calibre library. which will be why the file size increased. You can disable this behavior in the editor preferences under calibre integration. As for why send to kindle is failing with it, only amazon can tell you. From my experience I can tell you the amazon's epub intake is extremely buggy and fails on all sorts of valid files. It's even in the calibre FAQ: https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq.html#amazon-is-stopping-email-delivery-of-mobi-files

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Oh and looking at your attached files, the issue is the not working one has no language. Presumably you removed the language from the book's metadata in calibre. Put it back and redo the open/close editor and it will be fine.

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Although, IIRC even when you do that calibre sets the language to und it does not remove the language tag so I am rather curious how you managed this. Do you have some third party plugins installed in calibre?

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Or maybe that's only the case for EPUB 3. EPUB 2 files do get the language tag removed so yes put back the language and you should be fine.

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Fixed in branch master. The fix will be in the next release. calibre is usually released every alternate Friday.

 status fixreleased

[Michael Whitmill (mwhitmill)]

Not sure if it's still relevant, but my only plugins are: KFX Input, EpubMerge, and EpubSplit.

I don't see where editor preferences under calibre integration can be found. Can you please be more specific!

I'm also a bit confused on the file-size increasing as that whatever happens is creating the failure.

I'm also unsure what the language tag is specifically so I could be deleting that without realizing.

Thanks, Mike

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Just update to the next calibre release.

[Michael Whitmill (mwhitmill)]

Updated to 6.12. Although, it appeared to have some improvement, all issues continue. Entering editor still appears to save file even if no changes are made. Send-to-kindle still has failures until I re-convert epub to epub.
--Mike

[Kovid Goyal (kovid)]

Again the editor does not save files unless you tell it to save. If you
dont want metadata and covers in the files to be updated, TURN OFF THE
OPTION which you will find in the EDITOR PREFERENCES under CALIBRE
INTEGRATION.

And sendtokindle failing is an amazon problem, get them to fix their
EPUB intake. Or send files to your kindle using the USB cable.

[Michael Whitmill (mwhitmill)]

I understand what you are saying, but as I said before, I don't know where to find either Editor Preferences or Calibre Integration. I keep looking, but I can't find it. Is there a higher level option that I should find it underneath? Please see my Calibre bar and tell me where to start. Thanks.
--Mike

[Michael Whitmill (mwhitmill)]

Sorry, I find your reference in the obvious place. Thanks for your patience. I'm continuing to work on Amazon, but I'm not really expecting anything.

I'm clear. Thanks.
--Mike