What is ebook formatting, and how does your manuscript get from your computer to someone’s Kindle or tablet?
A common question many new authors have when they first start going down the road of self-publishing is, ‘What is eBook formatting?’ So, what is eBook formatting, and why does it matter?
When someone goes to Amazon KDP and is interested in buying your book, they have four main options: Paperback, eBook, Hardcover, and Audio. In the following article, we’ll take a look at what eBooks are, how eBooks work, what is eBook formatting, and why it’s so important!
What Is An eBook?
Merriam-Webster defines an e-book as a book composed in or converted to digital format for display on a computer screen or handheld device.
If they choose the eBook option, they then receive a copy of your manuscript. This could be electronically or downloaded directly to their Kindle or tablet. That copy of your manuscript is called an eBook. Readers have a bunch of different ways that they can enjoy an eBook. However, Amazon has created a massive industry around the eBooks they sell, including Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
How Do eBooks Work?
As we said above, when you buy an eBook, it’s sent electronically to your device, or you can download it. Once downloaded, that entire book is stored on your device for as long as you like.
An eReader, Kindle, or tablet allows you to carry hundreds of books with you wherever you go and makes traveling much easier if you’re an avid book specialist. However, as an author, you can’t just throw any old manuscript up onto a platform such as Amazon.
Your manuscript must be formatted in a specific way that meets all of the platform’s requirements. However, there are always things that professional ebook formatting can do for you that you won’t get when you format a book yourself. Just because it’s an eBook, it doesn’t mean that you can throw anything up for your readers. This is especially true if you want to avoid getting a negative book review about eBook formatting.
What Is eBook Formatting and Why Is It So Important?
How people see your eBook when they download it depends on a few different factors. These include how your eBook is formatted and what device they’re viewing it on. One of the great things about reading an eBook is that you can read it on a bunch of different devices, all of which are different sizes. However, not all people enjoy reading eBooks the same way.
Perhaps you like having the text larger or smaller? Or do you want to read in landscape mode? Alignment, boldness, margins, line spacing, and background color are just some of the things you can customize with a Kindle eBook. However, if it’s not formatted correctly, then readers won’t have these options.
Readers get very particular about how they like to read books, and if a book they download has a font too small, then that’s a big problem. eBooks may be simple in nature, but even simplicity requires professional formatting that gives your story a chance to shine!
What Is eBook Formatting? – Conclusion
Hopefully, now your question ‘What is eBook formatting’ has been clearly answered! When you first start writing a book and self-publishing, it’s natural to have many questions. eBook and paperback formatting can be quite intimidating. However, the professional formatting of your book’s interior is one of the things that sets you apart from other authors.
If you have been waiting to hit that publish button on an eBook, why wait? What’s holding you back, and what do you need help with?
At Indie Publishing Group, we’re proud to assist Canadian and North American authors in self-publishing their work. If you are in the process of writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or eBook formatting, cover design, professional editing, or uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.
Our experienced and professional self-publishing team is standing by to assist you with your self-publishing dreams.
Do you have any additional eBook formatting questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly! One of our friendly and professional team members will get back to you ASAP!
