What an eBook is and why you might make one
An eBook is a book in digital form — text, images, and formatting packaged into a file that readers open on a phone, tablet, computer, or dedicated eReader like a Kindle. Unlike a printed book, an eBook has no paper, no printing cost, and no shipping. You write it once and share or sell it to anyone with the right device.
People make eBooks for different reasons. Some write novels or short stories and want readers without the cost of printing. Others create how-to guides, workbooks, or reference materials for their business or audience. Some compile existing writing — blog posts, essays, recipes — into one organized document. The process is the same regardless of your reason: write the content, format it properly, convert it to the right file type, and distribute it where readers can find it.
Key Takeaways
- An eBook starts as a document in Word, Google Docs, or a dedicated writing tool, then gets converted to a format like EPUB or PDF that eReaders can open.
- Formatting matters more in eBooks than in printed books because the text reflows to fit different screen sizes, so you must use styles instead of manual spacing.
- You can publish through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing for free, or use platforms like Draft2Digital or Smashwords to reach multiple stores at once.
- Most eBook platforms take a percentage of sales (usually 30 percent) but handle payment processing and distribution, so you do not need your own website or payment system.
- Before publishing, test your eBook on at least one actual device — a phone, tablet, or eReader — because formatting problems show up differently on different screens.
Write and organize your content first
Start by writing your eBook in a tool you already know. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Apple Pages all work. If you are writing something longer or more complex, dedicated writing software like Scrivener can help you organize chapters and keep track of your work, but it is not required.
As you write, keep formatting simple. Do not use multiple spaces, tabs, or manual line breaks to create indents or gaps. Instead, use the built-in styles in your tool — Heading 1 for chapter titles, Heading 2 for subheadings, Normal or Body Text for regular paragraphs. These styles tell the eBook converter how to treat each piece of text when it reflows on different devices. If you manually space things, they will look wrong on phones and tablets.
Organize your document clearly. Put your title and author name at the top. Add a table of contents if your eBook is longer than 20 pages — most eBook platforms can generate this automatically if your headings are marked correctly. Include a copyright notice and publication date if you want readers to know when it came out. Save your file with a clear name like "MyEbookTitle_Final.docx".
Format your eBook so it works on all devices
eBooks reflow — the text resizes and rewraps to fit whatever screen the reader is using. A paragraph that takes three lines on a phone might take one line on a tablet. This means you cannot control exactly how your eBook looks the way you can with a printed book. Instead, you control the structure, and the device handles the display.
To format correctly, use only these tools: styles for headings and body text, bold and italic for emphasis, and the built-in bullet and numbered list features. Do not use colored text, unusual fonts, or background colors unless they are essential — many eReaders strip these out anyway. If you need images, insert them as actual image files (JPG or PNG) embedded in your document, not as screenshots or pasted pictures.
Before you convert to eBook format, save a clean copy of your document. Remove any comments, tracked changes, or hidden text. Check that every chapter starts with a Heading 1 style, every section starts with Heading 2, and all body text uses the same paragraph style. This consistency is what makes your eBook readable across devices.
Convert your document to eBook format
The most common eBook formats are EPUB (used by most eReaders except Kindle) and MOBI or KF8 (used by Amazon Kindle). PDF is also an eBook format, but it does not reflow, so it works best for fixed layouts like cookbooks with photos or textbooks with diagrams.
If you are publishing only to Amazon Kindle, you can upload a Word document directly — Amazon converts it for you. If you are publishing to multiple platforms, convert your document to EPUB first using a free tool like Calibre. Download Calibre, open it, click "Add books", select your Word document, then click "Convert books" and choose EPUB as the output format. Calibre will create an EPUB file in your Documents folder.
After conversion, open your EPUB file in an EPUB reader (Calibre has one built in, or use a free app like Apple Books or Google Play Books) and read through it. Check that headings look like headings, paragraphs are spaced correctly, and images appear where you put them. If something looks wrong, go back to your Word document, fix it, and convert again. This step catches most problems before readers see them.
Design a cover or use a template
Your eBook needs a cover image. Readers see this on the store page and on their device, so it should be clear and readable at thumbnail size. The cover is a single image file (JPG or PNG) with specific dimensions depending on where you publish — usually 1600 by 2400 pixels for most platforms.
You have three options. First, hire a designer on a site like Fiverr or Upwork — expect to pay $50 to $300 depending on complexity. Second, use a template tool like Canva, which has eBook cover templates you can customize with your title, author name, and images. Third, keep it simple: use a solid color background, add your title and author name in a clear, large font, and save it as an image. Readers care more about the title being readable than about fancy design.
Save your cover as a JPG file. Most platforms ask you to upload the cover separately from your eBook file, so keep the file in an easy-to-find location on your computer.
Publish through a platform or directly to readers
The easiest route for most people is Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Sign up for a free account at kdp.amazon.com, click "Create a new title", upload your MOBI or EPUB file and your cover image, write a description and choose categories, set your price (or make it free), and publish. Your eBook appears on Amazon within 24 to 48 hours. Amazon takes 30 percent of the sale price, and you get the rest.
If you want to reach readers on other platforms — Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes and Noble — use an aggregator like Draft2Digital or Smashwords. Upload your EPUB file and cover once, and the aggregator distributes it to multiple stores. They also take a percentage (usually 10 to 15 percent) but handle all the technical details. This is slower — it can take two to four weeks for your eBook to appear everywhere — but reaches more readers.
You can also sell directly from your own website using a tool like Gumroad or SendOwl. These platforms let you upload your eBook file, set a price, and send a download link to anyone who buys. You keep more of the money (they take 10 percent or less), but you have to handle marketing yourself.
Set your price and understand how payment works
eBook prices vary widely. A short story or guide might sell for $0.99 to $2.99. A full-length novel typically sells for $4.99 to $9.99. Some authors make their eBooks free to build an audience, then sell a second book or offer paid extras later.
When you publish through Amazon KDP, you choose your price, and Amazon calculates your royalty. If you price your eBook between $2.99 and $9.99, you earn 35 or 70 percent depending on which royalty plan you choose — the 70 percent option has restrictions on where else you can sell. If you price it lower or higher, you earn 35 percent. Amazon pays you monthly to a bank account or Amazon gift card balance.
Other platforms have similar structures. Most take 30 percent and pay you monthly or quarterly. You do not need a business license or tax ID to publish — you report eBook income on your personal tax return as self-employment income. If you sell a significant amount, consult a tax professional about what you owe.
Test your eBook before you publish
Before you make your eBook public, download it and open it on at least one actual device. If you have a Kindle, download your eBook to it. If you have an iPad or Android tablet, download it to the Kindle app or Apple Books. If you only have a computer, open it in an eBook reader app. Read at least the first chapter and a few pages in the middle, checking that text is readable, images appear correctly, and page breaks happen in sensible places.
Look for common problems: text that runs off the edge of the screen, images that are too small to see, headings that are not formatted as headings, or weird spacing between paragraphs. If you find problems, download your original document, fix the issue, convert it again, and test again. This cycle usually takes one or two rounds.
After you publish, most platforms let you update your eBook file. If a reader reports a typo or formatting problem, you can fix it and upload a new version. The updated version appears in stores within a few hours to a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ISBN for my eBook?
No. ISBNs are for printed books and some eBooks sold through traditional publishers. If you self-publish through Amazon KDP or Draft2Digital, you do not need one — the platform assigns its own identifier. You only need an ISBN if you plan to sell through a bookstore or library system that requires it.
Can I publish the same eBook on multiple platforms?
Yes, unless you choose Amazon's exclusive program. If you publish through KDP Select, your eBook can only be sold on Amazon for 90 days. After that period, you can republish elsewhere or renew the exclusivity. If you want to sell on multiple platforms from day one, use an aggregator like Draft2Digital or publish directly to each platform yourself.
What file format should I upload?
For Amazon Kindle, upload a Word document (.docx), MOBI, or EPUB file — Amazon converts it automatically. For other platforms, EPUB is the standard. PDF works but does not reflow, so it is best for fixed layouts. Check each platform's requirements before you convert.
How long does it take for my eBook to appear after I publish?
Amazon usually publishes within 24 to 48 hours. Other platforms like Apple Books and Kobo can take two to four weeks because they review content before it goes live. Aggregators like Draft2Digital are faster — usually three to five business days to their own store, then two to four weeks to reach other retailers.
Can I make changes after I publish?
Yes. Most platforms let you upload a new version of your eBook file anytime. The updated version replaces the old one within a few hours to a few days. Readers who already bought the old version usually do not get the update automatically, but new readers will get the latest version.