Introduction
Australia’s self-publishing boom has increased demand for professionally designed e books.
“Turning your manuscript into a professionally formatted e-book is essential for reaching global readers. “This guide explains how to format, prepare, and distribute a high quality e book across major platforms.
Why E Books Matter for Australian Authors
Digital publishing has changed the book industry forever. Australian authors can now reach readers globally without relying on traditional publishers, printing warehouses, or large marketing budgets.
Key Benefits of Publishing an E Book
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Instant Worldwide Distribution through Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play
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Low Upfront Costs compared to print publishing
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Higher Royalties (up to 70% on most platforms)
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Accessibility for readers who use e readers, tablets, and phones
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Eco friendly publishing option
Even if your main goal is to print paperbacks or hardcovers, releasing an e book gives your book additional visibility and increases your sales potential.
Preparing Your Manuscript for E Book Conversion
Before your manuscript becomes an e-book, it must be properly prepared. Most formatting errors happen because manuscripts are not cleaned up before conversion.
2.1 Edit and Proofread Thoroughly
“Poorly edited e-books receive negative reviews, hurting long-term sales; consider professional editing services in Australia to ensure quality.”
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Professional editing (structural, copyediting, proofreading)
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Beta reading
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Multiple passes of author revisions
2.2 Clean Up the Manuscript
A clean file = a smooth e book conversion.
Ensure:
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No extra spaces or tabs
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No manual paragraph indents (use styles instead)
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Consistent heading structure
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Page breaks between chapters
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Clean formatting with Word Styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, Normal text)
2.3 Remove Print Specific Elements
E-books do not use:
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Page numbers
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Running headers or footers
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Excessive spacing
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Drop shadows
Anything that depends on fixed positioning must be removed unless you’re creating a fixed layout e book (used for children’s books, cookbooks, and graphic heavy books).
Choosing the Right E Book Format
There are two main e book formats that authors in Australia need to know
3.1 EPUB (Reflowable EPUB)
The most widely accepted format across:
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Apple Books
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Kobo
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Google Play
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Libraries
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Ingram Spark
Reflowable EPUB adapts to screen sizes automatically.
3.2 MOBI / KPF (Kindle Format)
Amazon has replaced MOBI with KPF.
E book creation tools, such as Kindle Create, export directly to KPF.
3.3 Fixed Layout EPUB
Used when the layout must stay exactly as designed, such as:
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Children’s picture books
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Cookbooks
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Photography books
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Coffee table books
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Highly illustrated guides
“Choose your format based on your book’s genre and design needs, or consult professional e-book formatting experts to decide the best approach.”
Understanding the E Book Conversion Process
Converting a manuscript to an e book involves transforming your text into a file that displays consistently on Kindle, iPad, Kobo, smartphones, and other devices.
4.1 Reflowable Formatting
This style is ideal for:
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Fiction
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Nonfiction
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Novels
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Memoirs
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Business books
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Self-help books
Reflowable formatting includes:
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Dynamic text resizing
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Searchability
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Table of contents generation
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Adjustable reader settings
4.2 Fixed Layout Formatting
Choose this if your content requires layout preservation.
Features include:
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Locked pages
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Full-page images
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Custom typography
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Precise positioning
Fixed layout is more design intensive and requires professional skill.
E Book Interior Design Standards (What Australian Authors Should Know)
Professional e book formatting is critical. Poorly formatted e books look amateur and can be rejected by retailers.
5.1 Typography and Paragraph Styles
Use:
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Serif fonts for body text (e.g., Georgia, Garamond)
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Clear spacing and readable font sizes
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Standard paragraph styles
Avoid unusual fonts; e readers override many custom styles.
5.2 Table of Contents
Essential for all e books. Must be:
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Hyperlinked
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Auto generated
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Accurate
5.3 Chapter Design
Each chapter should begin with:
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A heading (Heading 1)
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A clean page break
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No excessive spacing
5.4 Images
For reflowable e books:
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300 dpi recommended
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JPEG or PNG
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Moderate size to prevent bloated file size
For fixed layout:
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Full resolution images
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Precise dimensioning
Do You Need an ISBN for Your E Book in Australia?
ISBN requirements vary by platform.
6.1 Amazon KDP
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Does not require an ISBN
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Assigns an ASIN
6.2 Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play and Ingram Spark
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Require an ISBN
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Must be purchased from Thorpe Bowker Australia
If you want wide distribution, buy your own ISBN so you remain the publisher of record.
E Book Cover Design: Technical Requirements
“Your e-book cover design is one of the strongest marketing tools you have.”
E Book Cover Specifications
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Minimum 1600 x 2560 pixels
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Aspect ratio 1.6:1
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JPG or PNG
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RGB colour profile
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High-resolution (300 dpi)
Unlike print covers, e book covers do not need a back cover or spine.
E Book Conversion Tools Authors Can Use
Here are common tools Australian authors use:
Beginner Options
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Kindle Create
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Reedsy Book Editor
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Draft2Digital’s online converter
Intermediate Options
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Vellum (Mac only)
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Calibre
Professional Tools
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Adobe InDesign
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Sigil
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Affinity Publisher
For complex layouts, professional e book creation services are recommended.
Choosing E Book Distribution Platforms in Australia
Australian authors have access to some of the world’s biggest digital publishing platforms.
9.1 Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Pros:
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Global Amazon distribution
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Highest visibility
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Easy upload
9.2 Apple Books
Popular with iPhone and iPad users.
9.3 Kobo Writing Life
Strong in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
9.4 Google Play Books
Fast growing platform, great for Android users.
9.5 Ingram Spark
Distributes to libraries and bookstores.
9.6 Aggregators
If you prefer one upload for all platforms, use:
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Draft2Digital
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Smash words (now merged with Draft2Digital)
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Publish Drive
Pricing Your E Book
Australian authors typically price their e books between:
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$2.99 – $4.99 for fiction
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$3.99 – $9.99 for nonfiction
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$1.99 – $3.99 for short reads
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$4.99 – $14.99 for illustrated or fixed layout books
KDP offers 70% royalties for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99.
Testing Your E Book Before Publishing
Never skip this step.
Test on
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Kindle Previewer
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iBooks Preview
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Kobo Preview
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Mobile devices
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Tablets
Look for
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Broken links
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Formatting issues
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Missing images
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Odd spacing
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TOC errors
Testing ensures your book looks polished across all devices.
Uploading and Publishing Your E Book
Each platform has its own upload process, but the general steps are:
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Create an account
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Upload your manuscript (EPUB or KPF)
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Upload your cover
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Enter book description and metadata
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Choose categories
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Set pricing
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Confirm rights
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Publish
Most platforms go live within 24–72 hours.
Marketing Your E Book in Australia
Once your book is live, marketing begins.
13.1 Free Marketing Ideas
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Social media posts
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Author website or blog
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Email newsletter
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Goodreads profile
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Sample chapters on your website
13.2 Paid Marketing Options
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Amazon Ads
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Facebook Ads
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Book promotion websites (Book Bub, Book Sprout)
13.3 Local Australian Opportunities
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Australian Writing Groups
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Local libraries
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Writing festivals
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Book clubs
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Press releases to local newspapers
A multi platform approach works best.
Working with Professional E Book Formatting Services in Australia
“Many Australian authors choose professional e-book formatting services because e-book creation is time consuming and requires precision.”
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DIY tools often cause unpredictable results
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Complex layouts require advanced skills
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Retailers may reject poorly formatted files
Professional e book creation includes:
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Reflowable EPUB
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Fixed-layout EPUB
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Kindle KPF
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Interior design
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Hyperlinking
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TOC generation
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Proofing and testing
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Multi-device optimization
It ensures your e book looks as professional as traditionally published titles.
Common Mistakes Australian Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
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Using tabs instead of paragraph styles
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Not embedding fonts
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Uploading oversized images
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Forgetting to test the file
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Poor cover design
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Incorrect metadata
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Using PDFs for e book upload (never recommended)
Avoiding these mistakes improves quality and acceptance rates.
FAQs
Q 1. Do I need an ISBN for my e book in Australia?
A. Not for Amazon KDP, which assigns an ASIN, but other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, and Ingram Spark recommend an ISBN. You can purchase one from Thorpe Bowker.
Q 2. What e book formats should I use?
A. The most common formats are EPUB (for most retailers) and KPF (for Kindle). Fixed-layout EPUB is used for image-heavy or children’s books.
Q 3. Can I format my e book myself?
A. Yes, using tools like Kindle Create, Reedsy, or Vellum, but professional formatting ensures a polished, error-free e-book across all devices.
Q 4. What cover specifications are needed for an e book?
A. High resolution JPG or PNG, 2560 x 1600 pixels (1.6:1 aspect ratio), RGB color, and clear text readable at thumbnail size.
Q 5. Which platforms can I publish my e book on in Australia?
A. Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Google Play Books, Ingram Spark, and aggregators like Draft2Digital.
Final Thoughts
Turning your manuscript into an e book is one of the most rewarding steps in the publishing journey. With the right preparation, tools, and formatting, your book can look stunning on every device and reach readers worldwide.
Whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional service, following the guidelines in this article will ensure your book looks polished, professional, and ready for commercial success.
Australian self-publishing authors today have more opportunities than ever and your e-book can be the key to building your author brand, reaching global markets, and sharing your story with the world.