"Thank you for sending me the ebook files. But, if I can't open the #$%@ things, how do you expect me to approve them?" Lots of writers mutter this under their breath when their formatter sends them their ebook files and asks for their approval. I've said it myself. Lots of writers would cross their … Continue reading How to Preview Your Epub File Before Uploading to KDP/Amazon
Tag: book formatting
Book Formats
"Which file formats do I need to load my book to vendors and distributors?" In the beginning, you needed a MOBI for Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), and an EPUB for all the other vendors and distributors. Very few sites accepted Word documents. Formats have evolved since the early days of self-publishing. Let's look at what … Continue reading Book Formats
Pictures in Your Book
"I'd love to include some photos and illustrations in my book. What do I need to know before I contact my graphic artist or start shopping on a stock photo site?" In my hands, I have a 1965 edition of Trixie Belden and the Mystery of the Emeralds. One of the pages has a full-colour … Continue reading Pictures in Your Book
Is It Scene Break Time?
"I just got my book files. They look great except... where did all these scene breaks come from? They weren't in the original file." In a manuscript file, a blank line shows up for two reasons: to indicate a change of time or setting in the action of a story, or it could be a … Continue reading Is It Scene Break Time?
Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
Want to get into the library distribution systems with your self-published works? IngramSpark is the place for you. Already locked into the Expanded Distribution on Kindle Direct Publishing with your own ISBN? Expect an error message from IngramSpark to the effect that your ISBN is already in use (because KDP has registered your ISBN with Ingram). … Continue reading Moving from KDP to IngramSpark
What Does Your Friendly Formatter Need to Format Your Book?
Nothing to do with books, but... coffee! The must-have items are the manuscript, title page, and copyright page in a Word document and the ebook cover as a jpeg. Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? Until you look between the covers. Yep, pun intended. 🙂 Grab a book from your shelf and let's go through it … Continue reading What Does Your Friendly Formatter Need to Format Your Book?
How to Preview Your Epub File Before Uploading to Retailers
"Thank you for sending me the ebook files. But, if I can't open the #$%@ things, how do you expect me to approve them?" Lots of writers mutter this under their breath when their formatter sends them their ebook files and asks for their approval. I've said it myself. Lots of writers would cross their fingers and tell the formatter … Continue reading How to Preview Your Epub File Before Uploading to Retailers
How to Preview Your MOBI File Before Uploading to Amazon
As of June 28, 2021, KDP no longer supports the mobi file format for new or updated files. The preferred file format is now epub. To preview your epub file for KDP, follow these instructions.
Pixels and Dots and Why They Matter to Writers
"My printer rejected my file because of poor image quality. But it looks fine on my computer. WTF?" It's a common complaint, most frequently solved by accepting the error and crossing your fingers that the proof copy will be fine. It won't. Your head shot will vary from slightly fuzzy to completely blurry. Why? It's … Continue reading Pixels and Dots and Why They Matter to Writers
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