Ebook Publishing

Ultimate Ebook Publishing Skill

Covers the complete lifecycle: write → format → convert → publish → distribute → launch. Includes ebooks, print-on-demand, and AI-narrated audiobooks.

Reference Files — Load When Relevant

| Topic | File | Load when... | |---|---|---| | All platforms + royalties | references/platforms.md | Choosing where to publish, royalty questions | | Cover design specs | references/cover-specs.md | Designing or sizing covers for any platform | | Formatting + conversion | references/formatting.md | EPUB, PDF, HTML→PDF, Pandoc, Puppeteer | | Audiobooks | references/audiobooks.md | ACX, ElevenLabs, KDP Virtual Voice, INaudio | | ISBN strategy | references/isbn-strategy.md | Buying ISBNs, KDP trap, dual KDP+IS strategy | | Promotion + launch | references/promotion.md | BookBub, permafree, series, ARC, launch plan |

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Project Context

If project-context.md exists in the skill directory or .claude/ folder, read it before any task. It contains brand voice, publishing setup, platform credentials paths, and infrastructure details — avoids re-explaining context each session.

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Workflow Overview

1. Write & Structure
2. Format (EPUB / PDF / HTML→PDF)
3. Cover Design
4. ISBN Decision
5. Platform Strategy (wide vs exclusive, ebook + print + audio)
6. Metadata & SEO
7. Pricing & Royalties
8. Pre-launch + Launch + Post-launch

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EPUBCheck Compliance (EPUB 3.0)

EPUBs must pass EPUBCheck for D2D, Apple Books, Kobo, and most aggregators. Common errors and fixes:

| Error | Fix | |---|---| | ` tags | Remove all — EPUB content docs don't allow JavaScript | | tags | Remove all | | , , , | Remove all form elements | | Event handlers (onclick, onmouseover, etc.) | Remove all on* attributes | | Orphan / outside | Convert to styled tags (see below) | | CSS unbalanced braces | Remove @media blocks (limited EPUB reader support), validate brace count | | Broken fragment identifiers (href="#id" where id missing) | Convert to , remove href` | | OPF-014 "scripted" property | Caused by script tags — removing scripts fixes it |

Critical dt/dd fix: Do NOT wrap orphan `/ in — the source HTML often has them as siblings in a , and grouping consecutive ones can create with only (missing required `), which also fails EPUBCheck. Instead:

• Convert orphan ` → `
• Convert orphan ` → `

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Step 1: Book Structure

Non-Fiction

Front Matter:
  Title page · Copyright · Dedication (opt) · TOC · Foreword (opt)
Body:
  Introduction (promise) → Chapters (Hook → Concepts → Examples → Takeaways)
Back Matter:
  Conclusion/Next Steps · About the Author · Also by · Resources · Index (tech books)

Fiction

Front matter: Title · Copyright · Dedication · TOC (optional)
Act structure: Three-act / Hero's Journey / Save the Cat
Back matter: Acknowledgements · About the Author · Also by · Newsletter CTA

Lead Magnet / Short Ebook (10–50 pages)

Title + promise → Problem → 3–7 steps → Quick wins → CTA (email, product, service)

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Step 2: Format & DPI Requirements

| Output type | DPI | Notes | |---|---|---| | EPUB (digital reading) | 72–150 | Higher = larger file, no screen benefit | | PDF (digital download) | 150 | Sharp on retina, reasonable file size | | PDF (print-ready) | 300 | Required for KDP Print, IngramSpark | | All covers | 300 | Always 300 — displayed at many sizes |

File formats quick reference:

| Platform | Accepted | Preferred | |---|---|---| | Amazon KDP | EPUB, DOCX, HTML, MOBI | EPUB 3 | | Apple Books | EPUB only | EPUB 3 (strict validation) | | Gumroad / Payhip | Any file | PDF for designed ebooks | | Draft2Digital | DOCX, EPUB | EPUB 3 | | Kobo / B&N Press | EPUB, PDF | EPUB 3 | | IngramSpark | EPUB (digital), PDF (print) | EPUB 3 | | Google Play Books | EPUB, PDF | EPUB 3 | | PublishDrive | EPUB | EPUB 3 |

See references/formatting.md for full EPUB tool chain, HTML→PDF Puppeteer workflow, and Pandoc conversion commands.

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Step 3: Cover Design

Universal shortcut: design at 2560 × 1600 px, 300 DPI — covers all platforms.

See references/cover-specs.md for verified specs across all 9 platforms.

Quick reference:

| Platform | Dimensions | Ratio | DPI | |---|---|---|---| | Amazon KDP ebook | 1600 × 2560 | 5:8 | 72 min | | Amazon KDP paperback | KDP template | varies | 300 | | Apple Books | 1400 × 2100 | 2:3 | 150+ | | Kobo / D2D | 1600 × 2400 | 2:3 | 150+ | | Gumroad product | 1280 × 1920 | 2:3 | 150+ | | Gumroad thumbnail | 900 × 900 | 1:1 | 150+ | | Payhip | 2560 × 1600 | 8:5 | 300 | | B&N Press | 2000 × 3000 | 2:3 | 300 | | Google Play Books | 1600 × 2400 | 2:3 | 300 |

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Step 4: ISBN Decision

See references/isbn-strategy.md for the full guide. Quick rules:

• Never use KDP's free ISBN if you plan to publish elsewhere — it locks you to Amazon
• Buy your own: Bowker (US) · Nielsen (UK) · Library and Archives Canada · other national agencies
• Each format needs its own ISBN: ebook ≠ paperback ≠ hardcover ≠ audiobook
• Best strategy: own ISBNs → publish KDP first (disable Expanded Distribution) → then IngramSpark

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Step 5: Platform Strategy

Decision Tree

Fiction writer? → Consider KDP Select (Kindle Unlimited) for 90-day windows
Non-fiction / established author? → Go Wide from day one
Want bookstore + library distribution? → KDP Print + IngramSpark (same ISBN)
Want maximum direct revenue? → Gumroad/Payhip for PDF, D2D for wide ebook
Want audiobook? → See references/audiobooks.md
Want Google Play? → Via PublishDrive ($9.99/mo) or direct (complex approval)
EU audience? → Payhip handles VAT automatically
International markets? → PublishDrive (400+ stores, 240k libraries) or StreetLib

MCP Automation Status

| Platform | MCP | Notes | |---|---|---| | Gumroad | ✅ rmarescu/gumroad-mcp | Create/update products, upload files | | All others | ❌ | Manual upload required |

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Step 6: Metadata & SEO

Book Description (Amazon / Apple / Kobo / Google Play)

1. Hook (1–2 sentences): who this is for + what they'll get
2. Problem (2–3 sentences): the pain without this book
3. Solution teaser (5–7 bullets)
4. Social proof (if available)
5. CTA: "Download your copy today" / "Get your copy now"

Amazon supports HTML in descriptions:

Are you struggling with X?
Most people who want Y fail because Z...
✓ How to...✓ The secret to...
Scroll up and click Buy Now

Amazon Keywords (7 fields, 50 chars each)

• Long-tail phrases only — not single words
• Include: use cases, audience type, difficulty level
• Never repeat words from title/subtitle
• Research: Publisher Rocket, Amazon autocomplete, "Customers also bought"

Categories (Amazon)

• 2 during upload; request up to 10 via Author Central support
• Strategy: one broad + one narrow lower-competition niche
• Browse category bestseller lists first

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Step 7: Pricing & Royalties

Amazon KDP Ebook

| Price | Royalty | Notes | |---|---|---| | $0.99–$2.98 | 35% | Loss leader / entry point | | $2.99–$9.99 | 70% | Sweet spot — use this | | $10.00+ | 35% | Drops back |

Pricing Strategy by Format

| Format | Typical Range | Notes | |---|---|---| | Lead magnet | Free – $0.99 | List building | | Standard non-fiction | $2.99–$4.99 | Volume + visibility | | Comprehensive guide | $7.99–$9.99 | Max 70% royalty tier | | Premium PDF (Gumroad) | $9.99–$29.99 | Direct = higher margin | | Paperback (KDP Print) | $9.99–$17.99 | Check print cost first | | Audiobook (ACX) | $14.99–$24.99 | ACX suggests based on length |

Series Pricing

• Book 1: permafree or $0.99 (loss leader — drives series read-through)
• Books 2+: full price ($3.99–$5.99)
• Calculate read-through value: if 30% of Book 1 readers buy Book 2 at $4.99, each Book 1 reader is worth $1.50

See references/promotion.md for permafree mechanics and BookBub strategy.

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Step 8: Launch

See references/promotion.md for the full launch playbook.

Quick Checklist

Pre-launch (4–6 weeks):

• [ ] Email list with early access offer
• [ ] 10–20 ARC readers lined up for reviews at launch
• [ ] Amazon Author Central page set up
• [ ] Social content scheduled (cover reveal, excerpts, testimonials)

Launch week:

• [ ] 3-email sequence: announcement → reminder → last chance
• [ ] KDP promotion (Countdown Deal or Free Days if KDP Select)
• [ ] Submit to BookBub, Freebooksy, BargainBooksy
• [ ] Outreach to podcast / newsletter partners

Post-launch:

• [ ] Request reviews via email (never inside the book — Amazon TOS)
• [ ] A/B test cover and description
• [ ] Annual content refresh
• [ ] Expand formats: audio, print, translations

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: arturseo-geo
• Source: arturseo-geo/ebook-publishing-skill
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://thegeolab.net

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.