Support for Indie Authors discussion

I am planning to use KDP ebooks and paperback, plus Ingramspark, for paper and hardback.

I would love to know if authors save four copies, and format each one independently, then upload.

It would be a headache if there was a mistake, which would mean editing each of the four copies.

Is there a template, or a simple way of editing and formatting all manuscripts that I am unaware of?

Thanks all.

- wrote: "I am planning to use KDP ebooks and paperback, plus Ingramspark, for paper and hardback.

I would love to know if authors save four copies, and format each one independently, then upload.

It would..."

My recommendation would definitely be to keep at least two copies (print and ebook) as they vary in requirements and trying to use one for the other won't work out well.

Definitely keep a different edition for e-book, because you can include formatted links to your website or other books in those. You can have links in print, of course, but the typical underlined link in a print book looks amateurish.
Plus you need headers and footers in print (for page numbers and such) while those won't do e-book any good.

Best is, always, format each version separetly. Even deferent e-book formats are not the same (epub/mobi/pdf).
Preparing a book for a paper edition is a whole different animal as well. That's why there are professionals educated in the ways of graphic design and publishing, while today it is somewhat easyer to do it yourself. There is plenty of tools online you can use and learn to master.
But, no, there is no universal template, so best is to go through each copy and make it error proof as much as posible.
Today all platforms have their own formatting tools and it is not that difficult using it. Also, bear in mind that preparing books like that (both ebook and paper edition) bring many little troubles until you figure how to tweek the tools the right way, so arm yourself with as much patience as you can spare.
After all, it should be the sweet trouble as it is the last step before publishing and the whole new journey is starting (we won't go into marketing madness :) :)
And congratulations on your finished work!
May you have the best of luck!

I keep one master formatted copy that can be converted to a Pdf and a copy of EPUD.
I have published one book with IS, where I used the same pdf I used at Kdp. I get the ebook formatted to Epub which I can use (if I chose) across different platforms.
I know what you mean by mistakes. I had to get an Epub reformatted when I noticed an some errors.

Thank you all for your advice. Very much appreciated.

For the KDP, I will happily do that myself, and for Ingramspark, I will send to a professional formatting business (AUD$225 and no headaches).

KDP will go online first, then a few days later I will publish to Ingramspark.

Thanks again

I formated my book Gurzil on Atticus, an authors best friend. It was extremely easy to use and it came out looking great.

I. wrote: "I formated my book Gurzil on Atticus, an authors best friend. It was extremely easy to use and it came out looking great."

Sweet :)

I. wrote: "I formated my book Gurzil on Atticus, an authors best friend. It was extremely easy to use and it came out looking great."

its a pretty good program, and its for windows, and cheaper than vellium

Mfonemana wrote: "Wel..."

No. This is spam and not allowed.

I use Vellum for my book formatting. It is so very easy to use and gets the job done quickly. Plus, you get all versions (epub/mobi/pdf). I love it!

I use Draft2Digital. Easy and I get all versions and I don't have to pay $250 for Vellum or the 1500 for a mac.

Atticus for me. One time cost and free upgrades for life.

FWIW my process is a lot simpler. I am also only on KDP and IngramSpark, not any of the other channels, so maybe this will be of some help.

I finish off the book in Word, which works fine for an e-book in KDP. I export that same .docx to a PDF, which works for both IngramSpark and KDP paperbacks. I expect (but have not done) the same would be true for a hardback.

You may need separate cover files for IngramSpark and KDP paperback, and you'll for sure need a separate file for a hardback. With my latest cover, the same file was fine for both IS and KDP.

Good luck with the book!

Wanjiru wrote: "I keep one master formatted copy that can be converted to a Pdf and a copy of EPUD.
I have published one book with IS, where I used the same pdf I used at Kdp. I get the ebook formatted to Epub whi..."

I have a similar approach. One master document in Word which I get as error-free and perfect as I can. Once I've done several passes for errors, I then convert it into the various formats for ebook and print book publishing.

Xanxa wrote: "Wanjiru wrote: "I keep one master formatted copy that can be converted to a Pdf and a copy of EPUD.
I have published one book with IS, where I used the same pdf I used at Kdp. I get the ebook forma..."

BTW, I forgot to metion that in every book I write, I upload it to Kdp first, ond order two proof copies (one for my proofreader and one for me). This is the final stage to catch errors - typos or formatting glitches.
I then update the Native Formatted Word Doc, ready for a final upload on Kdp or whatever other formats I want.
But the Native Formatted Word Doc remains intact.

I have covers for ebooks. The images don't load properly to be used in th Kindle Direct paperback. Basically I have front covers but not back covers. I can't find anyone who will add th back cover for less than one thousand. Given that all they would need to do is make th image twice its current size, that is way too much to charge. Anyone who knows how to manipulate a pdf should be able to do it in less than five minutes. I don't even care if th back cover is blank!

Laura -

Check out Mike Zahrabian at zamajk dot com. He's done several jobs for me and has been reasonably priced and great to work with.

For example. he did the cover for 'Alert Status One' and a brand new cover for 'Silver Enigma.'

-Rock

Laura wrote: "I have covers for ebooks. The images don't load properly to be used in th Kindle Direct paperback. Basically I have front covers but not back covers. I can't find anyone who will add th back cover ..."

Hi Laura! PM me if you're interested and I'll send you links to places that allow you to do this yourself quite easily :)

100 covers does covers for $100 for ebooks and $300 for paperback and hardcover and e book combined.

Also, you need to fit the cover into the template they have. If it doesn't fit, it won't load correctly--samd with Ingram-Spark where you need the RGB color formatting if I remember correctly.

Thank you for all the referrals! I have found someone to work with. I appreciate you all for helping me.

I have very successfully used LibreOffice for the print copies and Calibre for the ebook format. I have a master document and apply different style sheets for the different platforms/formats.

Both programs are open source, free, and relatively easy to use.

I personally would not pay for formatting or eBook conversion as it is really not all that complicated, and, as long as you are reasonably competent with a computer you truly can do it yourself.