What Is the Difference Between Traditional, Self, and Hybrid Publishing? TL;DR:Traditional publishing involves selling your manuscript to a publisher who handles editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing in exchange for royalties (typically 10–15% of net). Self-publishing means you handle (and pay for) everything but keep 35–70% royalties. Hybrid publishing is a fee-based model where you […]
Should I Use Fixed Layout or Reflowable for My Ebook?
Should I Use Fixed Layout or Reflowable for My Ebook? TL;DR:Use reflowable for any text-heavy book (novels, nonfiction, memoir). Use fixed layout only for heavily visual content where page design is essential — children’s picture books, comics, graphic novels, cookbooks with complex layouts, and art books. Choosing between fixed layout and reflowable formatting determines how […]
Why Does My Ebook Look Different on Every Device?
Why Does My Ebook Look Different on Every Device? TL;DR:Ebooks use reflowable layout, meaning the text adapts to each device’s screen size, resolution, and the reader’s chosen settings for font and text size. This is by design — it makes ebooks readable on screens of any dimension. You control structure and hierarchy; readers control appearance. […]
How Do I Format an Ebook for KDP?
How Do I Format an Ebook for KDP? TL;DR:KDP accepts EPUB, DOCX, and KPF file formats. Your ebook needs a properly structured table of contents, clean chapter breaks, consistent formatting, and embedded images at 300 DPI. Avoid complex layouts and manual formatting — use styles for headings and body text. Formatting an ebook for Kindle […]
What Is EPUB and How Is It Different from MOBI?
What Is EPUB and How Is It Different from MOBI? TL;DR:EPUB is the universal ebook standard used by Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and most other retailers. MOBI was Amazon’s proprietary format but has been replaced by KPF (Kindle Package Format). When you upload to KDP, you can submit EPUB, DOCX, or KPF files […]
How Do I Create a Print-Ready PDF?
How Do I Create a Print-Ready PDF? TL;DR:A print-ready PDF must embed all fonts, use the correct page dimensions for your trim size (with bleed if applicable), have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI for images, and conform to PDF/X standards. Both KDP and IngramSpark provide specific guidelines and will flag common errors during upload. […]
What Paper Type Should I Choose?
What Paper Type Should I Choose? TL;DR:Cream (or “creme”) paper is the standard choice for fiction and most narrative nonfiction because it reduces eye strain during extended reading. White paper is better for books with images, charts, or color content where color accuracy matters. Paper weight affects thickness, feel, and cost. Paper type affects how […]
What Is Gutter Margin and How Do I Set It?
What Is Gutter Margin and How Do I Set It? TL;DR:The gutter margin is the inner margin of your book pages — the side closest to the spine. It needs to be wider than the outer margin because pages curve into the binding, making text near the spine harder to read. A typical gutter margin […]
What Are Bleed and No-Bleed Settings?
What Are Bleed and No-Bleed Settings? TL;DR:Bleed means your images or design elements extend all the way to the edge of the page. No-bleed means there is a white margin around all content. Most text-only books use no-bleed. Books with full-page images, colored backgrounds, or edge-to-edge design elements need bleed settings. Bleed is a printing […]
What Trim Size Should I Choose for My Book?
What Trim Size Should I Choose for My Book? TL;DR:The most popular trim sizes for self-published books are 5″×8″ and 5.5″×8.5″ for fiction, and 6″×9″ for nonfiction. Your choice should be guided by genre conventions, page count, and production costs. Check comparable titles in your genre for the standard your readers expect. Trim size is […]