| name | ebook-publishing |
| description | The complete ebook and audiobook self-publishing skill — write, format, convert, and publish across all major platforms. Use this skill whenever the user asks about Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Gumroad, Payhip, Kobo, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play Books, PublishDrive, StreetLib, ACX, ElevenLabs audiobooks, KDP Virtual Voice, INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices), EPUB formatting, HTML-to-PDF Puppeteer workflow, book cover design specs, ISBN strategy, KDP Select vs wide distribution, permafree strategy, BookBub, series pricing, royalty calculations, book descriptions, Amazon A+ content, keyword research, ARC readers, or any launch strategy. Also trigger for lead magnet ebooks, digital downloads, online courses packaged as ebooks, audiobook production with AI narration, print-on-demand, or any content intended for digital or print distribution and sale. MCP available for Gumroad only (rmarescu/gumroad-mcp). All other platforms require manual upload.
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Ultimate Ebook Publishing Skill
Covers the complete lifecycle: write → format → convert → publish → distribute → launch.
Includes ebooks, print-on-demand, and AI-narrated audiobooks.
Reference Files — Load When Relevant
| Topic | File | Load when... |
|---|
| All platforms + royalties | references/platforms.md | Choosing where to publish, royalty questions |
| Cover design specs | references/cover-specs.md | Designing or sizing covers for any platform |
| Formatting + conversion | references/formatting.md | EPUB, PDF, HTML→PDF, Pandoc, Puppeteer |
| Audiobooks | references/audiobooks.md | ACX, ElevenLabs, KDP Virtual Voice, INaudio |
| ISBN strategy | references/isbn-strategy.md | Buying ISBNs, KDP trap, dual KDP+IS strategy |
| Promotion + launch | references/promotion.md | BookBub, permafree, series, ARC, launch plan |
Project Context
If project-context.md exists in the skill directory or .claude/ folder, read it
before any task. It contains brand voice, publishing setup, platform credentials
paths, and infrastructure details — avoids re-explaining context each session.
Workflow Overview
1. Write & Structure
2. Format (EPUB / PDF / HTML→PDF)
3. Cover Design
4. ISBN Decision
5. Platform Strategy (wide vs exclusive, ebook + print + audio)
6. Metadata & SEO
7. Pricing & Royalties
8. Pre-launch + Launch + Post-launch
EPUBCheck Compliance (EPUB 3.0)
EPUBs must pass EPUBCheck for D2D, Apple Books, Kobo, and most aggregators. Common errors and fixes:
| Error | Fix |
|---|
<script> tags | Remove all — EPUB content docs don't allow JavaScript |
<button> tags | Remove all |
<input>, <select>, <textarea>, <form> | Remove all form elements |
Event handlers (onclick, onmouseover, etc.) | Remove all on* attributes |
Orphan <dt>/<dd> outside <dl> | Convert to styled <p> tags (see below) |
| CSS unbalanced braces | Remove @media blocks (limited EPUB reader support), validate brace count |
Broken fragment identifiers (href="#id" where id missing) | Convert <a> to <span>, remove href |
| OPF-014 "scripted" property | Caused by script tags — removing scripts fixes it |
Critical dt/dd fix: Do NOT wrap orphan <dt>/<dd> in <dl> — the source HTML often has them as siblings in a <div>, and grouping consecutive ones can create <dl> with only <dt> (missing required <dd>), which also fails EPUBCheck. Instead:
- Convert orphan
<dt> → <p style="font-weight:700;margin-bottom:0.2em">
- Convert orphan
<dd> → <p style="margin-left:1em;margin-top:0">
Step 1: Book Structure
Non-Fiction
Front Matter:
Title page · Copyright · Dedication (opt) · TOC · Foreword (opt)
Body:
Introduction (promise) → Chapters (Hook → Concepts → Examples → Takeaways)
Back Matter:
Conclusion/Next Steps · About the Author · Also by · Resources · Index (tech books)
Fiction
Front matter: Title · Copyright · Dedication · TOC (optional)
Act structure: Three-act / Hero's Journey / Save the Cat
Back matter: Acknowledgements · About the Author · Also by · Newsletter CTA
Lead Magnet / Short Ebook (10–50 pages)
Title + promise → Problem → 3–7 steps → Quick wins → CTA (email, product, service)
Step 2: Format & DPI Requirements
| Output type | DPI | Notes |
|---|
| EPUB (digital reading) | 72–150 | Higher = larger file, no screen benefit |
| PDF (digital download) | 150 | Sharp on retina, reasonable file size |
| PDF (print-ready) | 300 | Required for KDP Print, IngramSpark |
| All covers | 300 | Always 300 — displayed at many sizes |
File formats quick reference:
| Platform | Accepted | Preferred |
|---|
| Amazon KDP | EPUB, DOCX, HTML, MOBI | EPUB 3 |
| Apple Books | EPUB only | EPUB 3 (strict validation) |
| Gumroad / Payhip | Any file | PDF for designed ebooks |
| Draft2Digital | DOCX, EPUB | EPUB 3 |
| Kobo / B&N Press | EPUB, PDF | EPUB 3 |
| IngramSpark | EPUB (digital), PDF (print) | EPUB 3 |
| Google Play Books | EPUB, PDF | EPUB 3 |
| PublishDrive | EPUB | EPUB 3 |
See references/formatting.md for full EPUB tool chain, HTML→PDF Puppeteer workflow,
and Pandoc conversion commands.
Step 3: Cover Design
Universal shortcut: design at 2560 × 1600 px, 300 DPI — covers all platforms.
See references/cover-specs.md for verified specs across all 9 platforms.
Quick reference:
| Platform | Dimensions | Ratio | DPI |
|---|
| Amazon KDP ebook | 1600 × 2560 | 5:8 | 72 min |
| Amazon KDP paperback | KDP template | varies | 300 |
| Apple Books | 1400 × 2100 | 2:3 | 150+ |
| Kobo / D2D | 1600 × 2400 | 2:3 | 150+ |
| Gumroad product | 1280 × 1920 | 2:3 | 150+ |
| Gumroad thumbnail | 900 × 900 | 1:1 | 150+ |
| Payhip | 2560 × 1600 | 8:5 | 300 |
| B&N Press | 2000 × 3000 | 2:3 | 300 |
| Google Play Books | 1600 × 2400 | 2:3 | 300 |
Step 4: ISBN Decision
See references/isbn-strategy.md for the full guide. Quick rules:
- Never use KDP's free ISBN if you plan to publish elsewhere — it locks you to Amazon
- Buy your own: Bowker (US) · Nielsen (UK) · Library and Archives Canada · other national agencies
- Each format needs its own ISBN: ebook ≠ paperback ≠ hardcover ≠ audiobook
- Best strategy: own ISBNs → publish KDP first (disable Expanded Distribution) → then IngramSpark
Step 5: Platform Strategy
Decision Tree
Fiction writer? → Consider KDP Select (Kindle Unlimited) for 90-day windows
Non-fiction / established author? → Go Wide from day one
Want bookstore + library distribution? → KDP Print + IngramSpark (same ISBN)
Want maximum direct revenue? → Gumroad/Payhip for PDF, D2D for wide ebook
Want audiobook? → See references/audiobooks.md
Want Google Play? → Via PublishDrive ($9.99/mo) or direct (complex approval)
EU audience? → Payhip handles VAT automatically
International markets? → PublishDrive (400+ stores, 240k libraries) or StreetLib
MCP Automation Status
| Platform | MCP | Notes |
|---|
| Gumroad | ✅ rmarescu/gumroad-mcp | Create/update products, upload files |
| All others | ❌ | Manual upload required |
Step 6: Metadata & SEO
Book Description (Amazon / Apple / Kobo / Google Play)
- Hook (1–2 sentences): who this is for + what they'll get
- Problem (2–3 sentences): the pain without this book
- Solution teaser (5–7 bullets)
- Social proof (if available)
- CTA: "Download your copy today" / "Get your copy now"
Amazon supports HTML in descriptions:
<h2>Are you struggling with X?</h2>
<p>Most people who want Y fail because Z...</p>
<ul><li>✓ How to...</li><li>✓ The secret to...</li></ul>
<p><b>Scroll up and click Buy Now</b></p>
Amazon Keywords (7 fields, 50 chars each)
- Long-tail phrases only — not single words
- Include: use cases, audience type, difficulty level
- Never repeat words from title/subtitle
- Research: Publisher Rocket, Amazon autocomplete, "Customers also bought"
Categories (Amazon)
- 2 during upload; request up to 10 via Author Central support
- Strategy: one broad + one narrow lower-competition niche
- Browse category bestseller lists first
Step 7: Pricing & Royalties
Amazon KDP Ebook
| Price | Royalty | Notes |
|---|
| $0.99–$2.98 | 35% | Loss leader / entry point |
| $2.99–$9.99 | 70% | Sweet spot — use this |
| $10.00+ | 35% | Drops back |
Pricing Strategy by Format
| Format | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|
| Lead magnet | Free – $0.99 | List building |
| Standard non-fiction | $2.99–$4.99 | Volume + visibility |
| Comprehensive guide | $7.99–$9.99 | Max 70% royalty tier |
| Premium PDF (Gumroad) | $9.99–$29.99 | Direct = higher margin |
| Paperback (KDP Print) | $9.99–$17.99 | Check print cost first |
| Audiobook (ACX) | $14.99–$24.99 | ACX suggests based on length |
Series Pricing
- Book 1: permafree or $0.99 (loss leader — drives series read-through)
- Books 2+: full price ($3.99–$5.99)
- Calculate read-through value: if 30% of Book 1 readers buy Book 2 at $4.99, each Book 1 reader is worth $1.50
See references/promotion.md for permafree mechanics and BookBub strategy.
Step 8: Launch
See references/promotion.md for the full launch playbook.
Quick Checklist
Pre-launch (4–6 weeks):
Launch week:
Post-launch:
