Ebook Publishing Readiness Checklist: Make Sure Your Book Is Really Ready for the World

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So, you’ve finished your manuscript. First of all—congratulations! That’s a huge milestone. But before you rush to hit “Publish” on Amazon or send your file to a Kindle publishing service, let’s take a deep breath and make sure you’re truly ready to release your ebook into the wild.

Publishing isn’t just about uploading a file and crossing your fingers. It’s about putting your best work forward so readers fall in love with it from the very first click. Think of this as your pre-launch safety check—covering the creative, technical, and marketing details that can make or break your book’s debut.

Whether you’re planning to DIY through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or partner with a professional Amazon book publishing service,this checklist will help you spot gaps before they turn into headaches.

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Manuscript Polish – Is Your Story or Content at Its Best?

Your manuscript is your product. No amount of fancy marketing or paid ads can save a poorly edited book.

Ask yourself:

  • Have I gone through multiple rounds of self-edits?
  • Have I worked with a professional editor—developmental, line, or copy, depending on my needs?
  • Have beta readers or early reviewers given me feedback?

Even bestselling authors rely on outside eyes. A good Amazon publishing company or Kindle publishing service often includes editing as part of their package. If you’re going it alone, budget for at least one professional pass. This is not the stage to cut corners.

Pro Tip: Read your book aloud. You’ll catch awkward phrasing, repetitive words, and pacing issues you’d never notice on screen.

Formatting – Will It Look Good on Every Device?

Your readers might be on a Kindle Paperwhite, an iPad, a phone, or a desktop app. Poor formatting—wonky margins, missing indents, random font changes—can pull them out of the story faster than a plot hole.

Checklist for clean formatting:

  • Consistent font and size across the book
  • Proper chapter breaks
  • Clickable table of contents
  • No orphaned headings or dangling sentences
  • Images sized for ebook display (if relevant)

If tech isn’t your strong suit, many Amazon book publishers andebook publishing services offer formatting help. A good formatter ensures your book meets Kindle and ePub standards so it displays beautifully everywhere.

Cover Design – Does It Stop the Scroll?

You’ve heard it a thousand times: people judge books by their covers. Online, your cover is competing with dozens of others on a single screen. It needs to grab attention in a thumbnail size.

A winning cover will:

  • Fit your genre’s visual style (so readers know instantly what they’re getting)
  • Use professional typography—no default fonts!
  • Be clear and readable at small sizes
  • Evoke emotion or curiosity

A professional Amazon book publishing company can match you with designers who understand the marketplace. DIY covers are tempting, but unless you’re a trained designer with genre-specific experience, this is an investment worth making.

Metadata – Will People Find Your Book?

Metadata is the behind-the-scenes info that tells Amazon’s algorithms—and readers—what your book is about. This includes your title, subtitle, series name, categories, and keywords

Your metadata should:

  • Be accurate and specific
  • Include high-traffic but relevant keywords
  • Avoid keyword stuffing or misleading claims
  • Place your book in categories you can realistically rank in

This is where Amazon book publisher services can make a big difference. The right Amazon publishing services use research tools to identify profitable categories and keywords, improving your discoverability without breaking Amazon’s rules.

Pricing – Is Your Price Point Competitive?

Your ebook price should fit your genre, length, and reader expectations. Too high, and you scare people off; too low, and you risk undervaluing your work.

Things to consider:

  • What’s the standard price range for similar books?
  • Are you aiming for volume (lower price) or higher royalty per sale?
  • Will you run discounts or Kindle Countdown Deals at launch?

If you’re working with a professional Amazon book publishing service, they’ll likely advise you on launch pricing strategies that align with Amazon’s algorithms.

Pre-Launch Reviews – Do You Have Social Proof Lined Up?

Readers trust readers. Getting early reviews before launch helps your book build momentum.

Ways to get pre-launch reviews:

  • Send advance reader copies (ARCs) to a beta team
  • Reach out to book bloggers in your genre
  • Use platforms that connect authors with reviewers

Get professional guidance with Best Selling Publisher, the Amazon publishing company trusted by authors to turn manuscripts into market-ready bestsellers.

Marketing Plan – How Will You Spread the Word?

Even the most beautiful book will sink without visibility. A launch without marketing is like opening a store in the desert.

Your marketing plan should include:

  • Email list building (even a small list helps)
  • Social media teasers and cover reveals
  • Launch promotions (discounts, giveaways, ads)
  • Ongoing content or appearances post-launch

Many authors partner with Amazon book publisher services or Kindle publishing services because they include marketing strategy in their packages. This can save you months of trial and error.

Distribution – Where Will You Sell?

Will you go exclusive with Amazon’s KDP Select program, or “go wide” across multiple platforms?

Going exclusive (KDP Select):

  • Access to Kindle Unlimited readers
  • 70% royalties in certain territories

Going wide:

  • Distribute through Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and others
  • Less reliance on one platform
  • Potentially smaller reach at first but more diversified income

An experienced Amazon book publishing company can help you decide based on your genre, goals, and marketing plan.

Final Technical Checks – No Loose Ends

Before you upload your ebook, run through these technical details:

  • ISBN (if you’re using your own)
  • Copyright page updated
  • Final proofread (yes, one more time!)
  • All links work in your ebook file
  • File formats meet retailer requirements

If you’re unsure, a Kindle publishing service can handle this entire process for you, giving you peace of mind.

Launch Day Action List

On launch day, you should:

  • Announce to your email list and social media
  • Run any scheduled ads or promotions
  • Monitor your Amazon book page for errors
  • Engage with early readers and reviewers

Working with a full-service Amazon publishing company often means they’ll handle much of this for you—while you enjoy the celebration.

You wrote the book. Let us handle the launch.
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Why Work With a Professional Amazon Publishing Service?

Here’s the truth: you can self-publish on your own. But the process has a lot of moving parts—and missing just one can tank your results. Partnering with a professional Amazon book publisher service gives you:

  • Expertise in editing, formatting, and metadata optimization
  • Access to professional designers and marketers
  • Time savings, so you can focus on writing your next book
  • Better odds of a strong launch and ongoing sales

If your goal is to see your book rise in Amazon rankings, earn steady royalties, and reach readers worldwide, the right partner can make it happen.

Hire Best Selling Publisher for expert Amazon book publishing services that polish every detail , from editing to launch strategy.

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