Put a FicWad Story on Kindle With calibre and USB
You can put a FicWad story on a Kindle without Amazon’s Send to Kindle service. Download the complete story as an EPUB with WP Downloader, add the file to calibre, convert it to AZW3, and send it to your Kindle over USB.
You can also edit the book’s metadata or cover in calibre before transferring it.
What you need
You will need:
- The FicWad story URL
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
- calibre, the free e-book manager
- Your Kindle and a USB connection
- A web browser for WP Downloader
A FicWad story link normally looks like this:
https://ficwad.com/story/1234WP Downloader creates EPUB files for free. It does not create AZW3 or MOBI files, so calibre handles the conversion for this USB transfer.
Step 1: Download the FicWad story as an EPUB
Open the FicWad Downloader in your browser. WP Downloader is a free web tool, and there is nothing to install.
Paste the FicWad story URL into the box. WP Downloader will detect the site. Choose EPUB as the output format and decide whether to include the story’s images.
For FicWad, WP Downloader downloads the whole story. It cannot download an individual chapter or a list of stories. If the author adds chapters later, download the whole story again to make a new EPUB. WP Downloader cannot update an EPUB you already saved.
Signing in with your FicWad account is optional. It lets WP Downloader reach members-only stories that your account can read. Your credentials are used only to fetch the story you request, and WP Downloader does not bypass access restrictions.
See How to Download a FicWad Story for more help with this step.
Step 2: Add the EPUB to calibre
Open calibre on your computer and select Add books. Choose the EPUB you downloaded from WP Downloader.
The story will appear in your calibre library. You can edit its metadata and cover before converting it, or leave them unchanged.
You can also open the EPUB in calibre’s e-book viewer to check it before the transfer. The viewer includes a Read aloud feature.
Step 3: Convert the EPUB to AZW3
Select the FicWad story in your calibre library and choose the option to convert the book. Set AZW3 as the output format and start the conversion.
AZW3 is a Kindle format that works for books copied over USB. calibre can also convert EPUB files to formats such as MOBI or PDF, but this guide uses AZW3.
Kindle e-readers can still open MOBI and AZW3 files copied over USB. Only Amazon’s Send to Kindle service stopped accepting MOBI files, so you do not need MOBI for this transfer.
Step 4: Connect the Kindle and send the book
Connect your Kindle to the computer over USB. After calibre recognizes it, select the converted story and use Send to device.
Once the transfer finishes, you can read the FicWad story offline on your Kindle.
A USB transfer also suits readers who want an AZW3 copy or already manage their e-books in calibre. To use Amazon’s online delivery service instead, follow the guide to send FicWad stories to Kindle.
Keeping the Kindle copy up to date
WP Downloader creates a complete book from the story at the time you download it. It cannot add new chapters to an EPUB already in your calibre library.
When the FicWad story is updated:
- Download the whole story again with WP Downloader.
- Add the new EPUB to calibre.
- Convert it to AZW3.
- Send the new copy to your Kindle over USB.
Other e-readers may use a different transfer process. Kobo readers can open EPUB files directly, as described in How to Read FicWad Stories on Kobo.
WP Downloader’s support for FicWad and other fiction archives was ported from FanFicFare, the open-source fanfiction downloader.
FAQ
Can I transfer the WP Downloader EPUB directly to a Kindle?
This guide uses calibre to convert the EPUB to AZW3 before sending it to the connected Kindle. WP Downloader does not create AZW3 files.
Do I need a FicWad account?
No. Signing in is optional, but it lets WP Downloader reach members-only stories that your FicWad account can already read.
Does calibre cost anything?
No. calibre is a free e-book manager for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Can I use MOBI over USB?
Yes. Kindles can still open MOBI files copied over USB. Amazon’s Send to Kindle service stopped accepting MOBI, but that does not affect USB transfers. This guide uses AZW3.
Will the Kindle book update when FicWad adds a chapter?
No. Download the complete story again, convert the new EPUB in calibre, and transfer the new copy to your Kindle.