If you are one of the millions who are walking the path of self-publishing, then you realize that ebook formatting and marketing is important.
Though you may not have the deep pockets of major publishers, you can still create, promote and market your book successfully.
Free Style and Formatting Guides
1. Smashwords Style Guide. This style guide helps you understand how to prepare your Word file for conversion. This is the first step in self-publishing. (Style Guide for major ebook retailers including Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and Diesel)
Smashwords also allows you to upload a “validated” epub file. This is good news for more complex book layouts. Read more About Smashwords Direct.
2. Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines (PDF link) – the leader in ebook publishing, this book is invaluable.
3. Barnes & Noble PubIt! Support & Resources Page – not one of the big ebook contenders (in my opinion), but worth the read.
4. Kobo Writing Life FAQ for Writers (PDF link)
5. Creating ePub Files with Apple’s Pages program – the process of publishing to iBookstore can be very painful, even for the most technically savvy. I highly recommend you read what is required to avoid frustration and pitfalls later on.
To obtain the free ”iBookstore Asset Guide” you must set up a free iTunes Connect account.
6. Calibre User Manual I must admit I am not a fan of Calibre, except for converting one format to another for my own purposes. I have not evaluated the program for “publishing purposes” since late 2011, so some of my objections may have been corrected. All in all, it is still a good program to have around.
Free Marketing & Publishing Guides
7. Smashwords Book Marketing Guide
8. The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success
Free eBook Formatting Programs
9. SIGIL EPUB EDITOR: Multi-platform ebook editor. (Mac, Windows, Linux)
This is my program of choice. When downloading Sigil Epub Editor, take note of the operating system required. Newer versions of Sigil only work on the latest OS systems. If you are running an older OS, then download a “Depreciated Version” of the program.
10. MOBIPOCKET CREATOR: (Windows ONLY). I cannot say good or bad on this program, as I am a Mac user. MPC is only available for Windows / PC computers.
11. CALIBRE: Ebook Management. (Mac, Windows, Linux) In the past I found Calibre far from acceptable when preparing files for publication. It is a great program to convert files for personal consumption in various formats.
