Four Ways to Format Your Book for Amazon (and Other Platforms)

Formatting your book can be a pretty daunting task, especially when you feel like so much is riding on getting it just right. Luckily, there are a range of tools and services available to help you out! Here we’ve collected our recommendations for a few services which are designed to make this part of your self-publishing journey a whole lot easier. 
 

• Kindle Create 
  

Kindle Create is a formatting app which was specifically made by Amazon to make life easier for self-publishers, making it a great jumping-off point for those who are just starting out. It’s a very user-friendly service designed for convenience and ease. For example, it has a range of pre-built templates where you can upload your manuscript, tweak the layout of the document as you see fit, and then you are ready to go! The only issue with this service is that the app converts your document to a .kdp file (Kindle Direct Publishing) which only allows you to upload to Amazon. If you want to use other platforms, you’ll have to convert the file with more software. Regardless, it’s a super useful and accessible tool, especially if you are new to self-publishing! 
 

• Vellum (for Mac users only) 
  

Vellum is a step up from Kindle Create, with a lot more tools and features--though no less user-friendly! Vellum does offer templates for ease of use, with a range of themes to cater to the style of your brand. It also has a vast range of formatting options which allow you to really customise however you want. There is a handy feature which offers previews of what your work will look like on a reader’s screen, down to the different devices your readers may use (such as smartphone, laptop, etc.), so you can make sure your final product is absolutely polished and perfect. Another advantage Vellum has over Kindle Create is that once you have created your document, you can choose whichever publishing platform you desire, and the software will format your manuscript accordingly. It does have a few downfalls in that it does not offer word processing and is limited to Mac users--but its price reflects the overall quality of the service, with the full software coming in at around £184. We recommend this for the more seasoned self-publisher who intends to use the software religiously! 
 

 

• Scrivener  

The first thing to note with Scrivener is that, unlike our previous options, it has a fully-functioning word processor, which means you don’t have to import your document from Word--you can edit it right there in the software! It also a range of different features such as a virtual corkboard which you can add notes to, as well as outlining features where you can combine multiple documents. Scrivener has the same advantage of Vellum in that once you are finished with your product, it allows you to export into many formats, so you aren’t limited to where you can publish. Like Vellum, Scrivener is a paid platform--but the cost is significantly less and can be used by both Mac and PC users, which is a real bonus. You can either opt for a monthly direct debit, or a discounted yearly price of £105 for a premium option. There are also basic and standard packages available which cost even less, so it’s up to you to assess your own needs and choose a price package accordingly! 
 

• Hire a professional 

This option places your work in the hands of a professional who knows the tricks of the trade and can format your book in line with your needs and to the highest possible quality. Though there are plenty of good platforms out there to help you along on your self-publishing journey, sometimes the best option is to turn to the professionals (this is where we come in!). Rowanvale’s eBook Publishing Package offers you a myriad of services which will make your self-publishing journey a smooth ride: 

• Proofreading & Copy-Editing: Our team will provide you with high-quality, comprehensive editing by an expert Writing Advisor. They will take into account your preferences, followed by a further two proofreads, so that your book is read through by three different pairs of editorial eyes. 
• eBook Internal Formatting: Your cover and internal files will be formatted to ensure they are suitable for conversion into the eBook format. eBook retailers can be very picky about the specifications of the files, such as words per page, spacing and sizing, not to mention the use of external links, so it is important that these are formatted and presented correctly when publishing an eBook. 
• eBook Conversion: Your book will be converted into eBook format so that it can be read on e-reader devices. 
• Electronic Proof Production: An electronic proof copy of the eBook internal formatting (PDF format) will be sent to you, for your approval, prior to eBook conversion. Then, the eBook itself (ePub format) will be sent to you for your final approval!