Louise Harnby | Proofreader & Copyeditor
  • About
  • Contact
  • Indie authors
    • Writing resources
    • Crime writing
    • Louise's fiction
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • Help for editors
    • Webinar: 10 Ways to Get Editing Work Quickly
    • Books
    • Courses
    • Editor resources
  • Podcast
  • Blog

The Mechanics of ​Self-Publishing Ebooks

10 guidelines in 10 minutes

​In this brief guide, I share the lessons I have learned about navigating the process of self-publishing several ebooks in a way that delivers minimal stress and professional results, using tools that most of us already have on our desktops.
​
The mechanics of epublishing are not difficult. The process is affordable, too – you can use software that you already own.

The booklet includes recommendations and guidance on following basic publishing conventions regarding layout and design. Why? Because every deviation from convention disengages your reader from what your words say, and engages them with how those words look.
​
This toolkit will help you, the self-publishing author, to deliver a professional-looking ebook to market. Even better, each of the 10 sections has been designed so that it can be read in only a minute, no more.

What you'll learn in the 10-minute countdown
  • ​Minute 10: Formatting your ebook: Microsoft Word
  • Minute 9: Golden rule of formatting I – keep it simple
  • Minute 8: Golden rule of formatting II – use the Styles palette
  • Minute 7: Golden rule of formatting III – have the Smashwords Style Guide to hand
  • Minute 6: Layout conventions – hyphenation
  • Minute 5: Layout conventions – block or run-on paragraph styles?
  • Minute 4: ​Layout conventions – first-paragraph indents
  • Minute 3: Layout conventions – double spaces
  • Minute 2: Eformatting snags
  • Minute 1: Digital distribution options
FREE ebook. Available for instant download ...
The Mechanics of ​Self-Publishing Ebooks
Download the PDF

​​For more self-publishing resources, visit the library on my Self-publishers page. Or subscribe to my blog to receive regular updates.

Fancy working with me?

If you'd like to discuss a line editing, copyediting or proofreading project, get in touch so we can have a chat.​
Email Louise
Crime Writers' Association
ALLi Partner Member
The Book Designer
SfEP Advanced Professional Member
Member of ACES: The Society of Editing
Member of AIPP: Association of Independent Publishing Professionals
Judith Butcher Award: Winner 2017
​Privacy policy | Services | Terms and conditions | Code of practice | Portfolio | Qualifications | Order form | Self-publishing resources | Editor resources | Testimonials | Bio page | 1:1 consultations for editors and proofreaders | Tel: 07767 028976 | © Louise Harnby 2011/19
  • About
  • Contact
  • Indie authors
    • Writing resources
    • Crime writing
    • Louise's fiction
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • Help for editors
    • Webinar: 10 Ways to Get Editing Work Quickly
    • Books
    • Courses
    • Editor resources
  • Podcast
  • Blog