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Sample Image on an e-ink Kindle

To send us your images, simply embed them in your working document or you can upload them separately. Cover images should be as high-res as possible. Also, we will resize your images to optimize them for the eBook package to reduce the size and delivery costs from the eBook vendors.

Sample Footnote Section in an eBook

Typically, footnotes are placed at the end of the eBook in a separate section. Due to the way that eBooks are rendered, it is not possible to put them at the bottom of the page at this time, unfortunately. All footnotes are cross-linked, so the reader can click on the footnote in the body of the eBook and go to that description of the footnote in the footnote section, and vice versa.

Sample Tables on the Kindle Fire and Kindle

Tables require special attention for our design team. Large tables do not render well on the smaller eReading devices. Also, it is sometimes easier just to embed an image of the table in the eBook. Please let us know how you would like to process your tables in the Special Instructions below.

Indexes are very difficult and labor-intensive to manage, which is why they are so expensive. It requires creating links from the index to numerous points throughout the eBook. We are able to do this, and we can also build an index based on keywords you want to use. Many publishers leave the index out of the eBook version, since the reader can use the search function in the eReading device to find what they are looking for. If you would like us to include an index, please provide instructions in the Special Instructions field below.

You do not need an ISBN if you are publishing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, or Smashwords. They assign an ISBN or a substitute for you. If you want to use an ISBN, we are happy to use this as your unique identifier. For reasons known only to the Gods, you need to have a separate ISBNs for the EPUB and MOBI/KF8 formats. If you choose not to hand over your hard-earned money to Bowker (the company that controls the ISBN system), we generate a random unique identifier for you (at no cost, of course).

You do not need an ISBN if you are publishing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, or Smashwords. They assign an ISBN or a substitute for you. If you want to use an ISBN, we are happy to use this as your unique identifier. For reasons known only to the Gods, you need to have a separate ISBNs for the EPUB and MOBI/KF8 formats. If you choose not to hand over your hard-earned money to Bowker (the company that controls the ISBN system), we generate a random unique identifier for you (at no cost, of course).

These keywords are embedded in the metadata of the eBook file. Some eReading devices (like iBooks) lists the keywords in the reader’s library. Typically, 7 keywords is a good value to choose. An example for a steamy romance set in the tropics would be “Romance, Exotic, Lovers, Chick Lit, Cross-Culture Romance, Vacation, Tropical”. Please note that the keywords you enter at the eBook distributor's site is used for their search engine algorithms, not what is embedded in the metadata. Keyword selection in the metadata is not as crucial as it is at the eBook distributors’ websites.

This is the backjacket description that appears on the back of paperbacks or the inside sleeve of hard covers. It is embedded as metadata within the eBook package. While no eReading devices that we know of use this information right now, hopefully they will one day.

If you have some specialized metadata, such as the name of the illustrator or photographer, please let us know, and we will be happy to embed it for you. A full list of the different types of metata is here at the IDPF site.

Example of Block vs. First-Line Indent

Block paragraphs are standard for technical non-fiction, and they involve a space equal to about one line of text between each paragraph. First-line indent paragraphs are standard for fiction and narrative non-fiction, and they involve a small indent at the beginning of each paragraph. However, there is no space in between paragraphs. Please consult our blog for more details on block and first-line indent paragraph styling.

If you would like an HTML Table of Contents, it is recommended you put it at the beginning of the eBook. This is because it will appear when your potential readers sample your work. The sampling option at the eBook distributors typically only allow the reader to view the first 10% of the eBook for free.

It is considered a good practice to have each chapter or section start on a new page. This makes the reading experience more pleasant, and it looks more professional. However, we can disable this feature if you prefer.

Fancy quotes are very standard for fiction, but they look nice in non-fiction as well. This involves turning "Quoted Content" into “Quoted Content”. Did you notice the difference? Also, boring old apostrophes like Joe's Ribs get turned into Joe’s Ribs. There is no additional fee for this.

Example of Drop Caps on the Different Kindle Devices

Drop caps are nice for works of fiction, and they are that first big letter at the beginning of a chapter. Unfortunately, drop caps are not supported on the e-ink Kindle and Kindle apps. As a workaround, we make the first letter of the chapter bold and slightly bigger than the rest of the text.

Example of a Floating Image on the Kindle Fire

Floating images is where the text wraps around the image, while block is where there is no text to the left or right. E-ink Kindles and the Kindle apps do not support floating images; however, we can make your eBook show floating images for devices that support it, and block images for devices that don't support floating. If you would like a mixture of different styles, please ensure that the layout appears logical in your manuscript.

As a content creator, you should be aware that Amazon charges a “delivery fee” for every eBook sold on the Kindle store. The fee is on a per MB basis. This means that an eBook with many large images will actually make you lose money on every sale if you are using the 70% royalty option. You can read more about it on the KDP help page. To avoid having you lose money, we recommend minimizing the size of all your images. We can do this for you at no charge.

Because the customer is always right at BB eBooks, please let us know if you have any special instructions or concerns about your eBook.