Format an ebook that holds together

Begin with the manuscript

Work on a duplicate of the final, proofread manuscript. Remove tabs, repeated spaces, manual line breaks and blank paragraphs used for visual spacing. Keep a clear change log if anyone else will touch the text.

Apply named paragraph styles for body text, chapter headings, extracts and scene breaks. Styles express meaning; they also make later changes safe and consistent.

• €¢Use a single paragraph return between paragraphs
• Use first-line indents or spacing, not both without a reason
• Insert real page breaks before chapters
• Remove headers, footers and print page numbers

Structure front and back matter

Front matter commonly includes the title page, copyright information and contents. Back matter may include acknowledgements, an author note, other books and descriptive links. Keep sales material proportionate.

An ebook contents list should link to genuine structural headings. Every link needs a useful label, and every linked destination should work.

EPUB is not a small PDF

A reflowable EPUB lets readers change type size, margins and often colours. It has no stable page count. PDF preserves a page design and is rarely the right consumer ebook format.

Fixed-layout EPUB can suit illustrated children’s books, comics or highly designed references, but it is more demanding to build, test and make accessible. Use it because the content requires fixed relationships, not because it resembles print.

Images and accessibility

Supply images at appropriate quality without making the file needlessly heavy. Add concise alternative text when an image conveys information; mark purely decorative images accordingly. Do not put essential prose inside an image.

Maintain a logical reading order, meaningful headings, sufficient colour contrast and descriptive link text. Accessibility is part of the book’s structure, not a final plug-in.

Metadata and identifiers

Match title, subtitle, contributor names, language and publisher details across the EPUB and retailer form. A strong cover and description matter, but metadata should remain accurate rather than stuffed with search phrases.

ISBN rules depend on format, territory and publishing route. Some platforms supply identifiers and some publishers obtain their own. Check the relevant ISBN agency and distributor requirements; this is practical guidance, not legal advice.

Test, correct and upload

Validate the EPUB, then inspect it in several reading environments. Check contents links, chapter starts, italics, scene breaks, images, notes, navigation and the first page readers see. Automated validation cannot judge the reading experience.

• €¢Never rely on repeated spaces for alignment
• Avoid hard-coded fonts and colours that defeat reader settings
• Check curly quotes, dashes and accented characters
• Remove comments, tracked changes and hidden notes
• Keep the final EPUB, cover and metadata sheet together