ADVENTURES IN SELF-PUBLISHING Get set.... format!
Self-publishing is now a realistic alternative to traditional publishing. In this series, Antony Quinton looks at the challenges faced by any writer hoping to self-publish. This month, he looks at formatting and asks the question...
How do I turn my finished manuscript into an ebook?
Ebooks are wonderful. Although I think nothing can replace the feel, portability and brain experience of reading a printed book, ebooks do have several notable features that help a self-published author:
- An ebook is flexible: the font, size of the font, the background and other visual features can all be changed.
- You can skip to any part of the book instantly.
- Your reader can access the author's website using a live web link. (This is useful for marketing.)
- The reader can have your book read to them which increases the accessibility of your story.
- On Kindles you can write notes, highlight certain lines and look up words. (The electronic equivalent of scribbling notes in the margins!)
Last time I discussed the two platforms that I use most to publish my ebooks— Draft2Digital and Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing programme.
One of the fascinating things I discovered about self-publishing ebooks is how different your ebook looks on Apple Books compared to Amazon Kindle or Google Play or Smashwords. What happens is they will take your finished EPUB file and convert it to their house style.
Ebooks can be formatted as fixed which means the reader will not be able to change any features. This format is usually used for illustrated children’s books. The flexible reflowable format is excellent for text only books because it gives total control to the reader of how your book is displayed.
As a writer on a budget, I write on Google Docs using my phone. This means if I have any ideas I can jot them down and save them to Google Drive. I can also add to a manuscript on the bus, in waiting rooms or at the beach!
The problem with using MS Word or Google Docs is that your .docx or PDF file needs conversion to a suitable format for the various platforms to sell it. Fortunately, there are programs that convert .docx files into the appropriate formats. Usually for ebooks, an EPUB file is the most common format.
For print books, a PDF file is recommended.
Amazon recommends you create a KDF file using its formatting software but it will accept an EPUB file.
- Kindle Create:
You can only use this software on a Windows PC or an Apple Mac. You import your .docx file and the software does the rest. It will convert your Word or Google Docs file into a KDF file that you can upload to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Do not rush the formatting stage, you can save your draft ebook in Kindle Create so it can be worked on in stages. You can also see how the book will appear on a Kindle and navigate through as if you’re reading your book on an ereader.
Phone Screenshot from Kindle app using Open Dyslexia font.
- Draft 2 Digital
Draft2Digital uses a free online formatting program. As with Kindle Create, import your file into D2D. You can use the program to create files for use on a variety of ebook platforms. I liked the ebook templates you can use and, with more practice and reading their formatting guide, you can obtain good results.
A screenshot from the D2D Ebook editor.
- Reedsy Book Editor:
This is a free web-based ebook formatter. It enables you to import your manuscript and export an EPUB file. I used it to create the file needed for the Google Play platform. I found it easy to use and need to explore it further. There are also facilities to write your manuscript and plan your book.
Screenshot of a Reedsy formatted ebook in fixed page mode using Arial font on Google Play.
This brief overview also provides a collection of useful information and resources for writers to explore further. My aim is to prevent readers from wasting time disappearing down rabbit holes looking for advice.
Hopefully, this article will give you the curiosity and confidence to try converting a manuscript to ebook format. Experiment and decide which program has the features you need.
I use draft ebook files during my revising process. I upload the ebook file to Kindle and I can go through and read and make notes, highlight errors and, most usefully, get the Kindle to read it back to me. On Android devices I’ve found the ReadEra app is easy to use.
All three of these formatting programs can also be used to create suitable files to send to printers to create paperbacks. I've done this on one occasion and the results were better than I expected. Do ensure your manuscript is as good as you can before sending. What surprised me was how straightforward it was. These programs give you control over the look of your finished ebook.
NEXT TIME: GOING FOR GOLD
Phone screenshot of D2D formatted book on Apple Books in night screen mode and non-justified text.
Further reading:
Quite simply the most informative guide to book formatting by Dave Chesson.
How to Format a Book
Format your file ready for uploading to Amazon KDP.
Kindle Create
Kindle Create Tools and Resources
Formatting an ebook in D2D.
Draft2Digital ebook formatting
An article about using Reedsy Book Editor by Michael Brockbank.
Using Reedsy Book Editor
A fascinating article on using fonts by Sarah Rexford, Joel Friendlander, and David Kudler.
Guide to Book fonts
An article about How to add the mages to an EPUB file by Chris Harris.
Creating an ebook with illustrations.
*Header image: Ell Rose and Tita Berredo
*
Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.
Find their work at https://fourfooteleven.com
Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org
Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter or www.titaberredo.com
Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org.
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