What's your e-book design and formatting workflow?

1 Plan your content and layout

Before you start designing and formatting your e-book, you need to plan your content and layout. Think about your audience, your genre, your message, and your goals. What kind of e-book are you creating? Is it a fiction or non-fiction book, a guide, a report, a workbook, or something else? How will you structure your e-book? Will you use chapters, sections, headings, subheadings, images, tables, graphs, or other elements? How will you organize your content and make it easy to navigate and read? Write down your outline and sketch out your layout on paper or digitally.

2 Choose your format and tools

Next, you need to choose your format and tools for designing and formatting your e-book. There are two main formats for e-books: EPUB and MOBI. EPUB is the standard format for most e-book platforms, such as Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo, and Nook. MOBI is the format for Amazon Kindle devices and apps. You can create both formats from the same source file, but they have different specifications and limitations. You also need to decide what tools you will use to create your e-book. You can use a word processor, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, and convert it to an e-book format using a software or online service, such as Calibre or Reedsy. Or you can use a dedicated e-book creation software, such as Vellum, Scrivener, or Sigil, that lets you design and format your e-book directly.

3 Design your cover and metadata

Your cover and metadata are the first things that potential readers will see when they browse or search for your e-book. Your cover should be eye-catching, relevant, and consistent with your genre and style. Your metadata should include your title, author name, description, keywords, categories, and ISBN. You can design your cover using a graphic design software, such as Photoshop or Canva, or hire a professional designer. You can edit your metadata using your e-book creation software or an online tool, such as EpubCheck or Kindle Previewer.

4 Format your text and images

Formatting your text and images is the most time-consuming and tedious part of creating an e-book. You need to ensure that your text is readable, clear, and error-free. You also need to optimize your images for size, quality, and alignment. You can use styles, templates, and presets to apply consistent formatting to your text and images. You can also use tools, such as Grammarly or Hemingway, to check your spelling, grammar, and readability. You can use tools, such as TinyPNG or ImageOptim, to compress and resize your images. You can also use tools, such as Alt Text Generator or Image Alt Text Viewer, to add alt text to your images for accessibility and SEO.

5 Test and validate your e-book

Before you publish your e-book, you need to test and validate it. Testing means checking how your e-book looks and functions on different devices and platforms. You can use emulators, such as Kindle Previewer or EpubTest, to simulate how your e-book will appear on various e-readers and apps. You can also use real devices, such as your smartphone, tablet, or e-reader, to see how your e-book performs in real life. Validating means checking if your e-book meets the technical standards and requirements of your chosen format and platform. You can use tools, such as EpubCheck or KindleGen, to validate your e-book and identify any errors or warnings.

6 Publish and distribute your e-book

Finally, you need to publish and distribute your e-book. Publishing means uploading your e-book file to your chosen platform or marketplace, such as Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo Writing Life, or Smashwords. You need to follow the instructions and guidelines of each platform and fill out the necessary information and settings. Distributing means making your e-book available to your readers and promoting it. You can use social media, email marketing, blogs, podcasts, or other channels to reach your audience and generate interest and sales. You can also use tools, such as BookFunnel or StoryOrigin, to deliver your e-book to your readers and collect feedback and reviews.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?