Indie Authors: A Beginner's Guide to PDF and EPUB Files for Self-Publishing Success
- sylviakayrose
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
When publishing as an indie author, you quickly notice platforms like Google Play Books and Lulu Books want your manuscript and/or cover images in specific digital formats—most commonly PDF or EPUB. Understanding these file types and how to create them is essential for a smooth publishing experience. This guide explains what PDF and EPUB files are, how they work, and how you can create them easily using free tools like Google Docs.
Get Scribe Vibes Fabulous FREE Monthly Newsletter!
What Are PDF and EPUB Files?
PDF Files
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It was developed by Adobe to present documents consistently across different devices and platforms. A PDF preserves the exact layout, fonts, images, and formatting of your manuscript, making it look the same whether viewed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Key features of PDFs:
Fixed layout does not change based on screen size
Ideal for print-ready documents or books with complex formatting
Widely supported on almost all devices and platforms
Easy to create and share
You can make wraparound print or eBook covers in this format
EPUB Files
EPUB stands for Electronic Publication. It's a popular eBook format designed to be flexible and adaptable. Unlike PDFs, EPUB files adjust their layout dynamically to fit different screen sizes and allow readers to customize font size, style, and background color.
Key features of EPUBs:
Reflowable text adapts to the device and reader preferences
Supports multimedia elements like audio and video
Preferred format for most eBook readers, including Apple Books and Google Play Books
Allows interactive features such as hyperlinks and bookmarks
Why Do Self-Publishing Platforms Require These Formats?
Self-publishing platforms want to ensure your book looks professional and is accessible to readers on various devices. PDFs guarantee your book’s design stays intact, which is great for print or fixed-layout eBooks. EPUBs offer a better reading experience on digital devices by adapting to screen sizes and user settings.
Get Scribe Vibes Fabulous FREE Monthly Newsletter!
Many platforms accept both formats, but EPUB is often preferred for digital distribution because of its flexibility. Uploading a clean, well-formatted PDF or EPUB file gives you more control over how your book appears.
How to Create PDF and EPUB Files Using Free Tools
Fortunately, free platforms like Google Docs make it easy to create both PDF and EPUB files from your manuscript.
Creating a PDF or EPUB in Google Docs
Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor. There's only a small learning curve, and any writers can use it to draft and edit their work. You'll need a Google account first. Here’s how to export your manuscript as a PDF:
Open your manuscript in Google Docs.
Review your formatting: check headings, paragraphs, page breaks, and images.
Click on File in the top menu.
Select Download > choose PDF Document (.pdf) or EPUB Publication (.epub).
Save the file to your computer.
Your PDF will preserve the layout and formatting you set in Google Docs. This file is ready to upload to most self-publishing platforms.
Using an Online Converter
Export your manuscript from Google Docs as a Word document (.docx) by clicking File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). If working in Word you can use your own .docx file.
Visit a free online converter like CloudConvert or Online-Convert.
Upload your Word file and convert it to EPUB. You can also convert other files. However, beware of converting from a PDF to an EPUB, as the process leaves a space after every paragraph. Most readers prefer traditional single-spaced, first line indented, books and stories.
Download the EPUB file to your computer. Voilà.
The online converter is really handy if you get formatting mistakes while trying to upload your own epub to various sites (it happens a lot). I find converting a .docx to an .epub gets rid of the errors and provides a clean copy. You can preview your file in free tools like Calibre or Sigil.
Tips for Preparing Your Manuscript for PDF and EPUB
To ensure your files look professional and work well on self-publishing platforms, keep these tips in mind:
Use consistent styles for headings, paragraphs, and lists. Format your chapter headings as "Heading 1" so the automatic table of contents generates them correctly.
Insert page breaks between chapters to avoid awkward page splits.
Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial to avoid compatibility issues. Times New Roman is the most favored font for fiction books.
Insert section breaks or spaces (if desired) for POV or scene changes. If you just do a couple of hard returns, the document will not accept it. Specifically format the space (on Google docs, it's Format->Line & Paragraph Spacing ->Add space before or after paragraph). However, platforms differ. If submitting your document to Draft2Digital, the converter ignores formatted spaces. You have to use two hard returns. Fortunately you get a full preview of your book to make sure it's all working properly.
Avoid complex layouts or multi-column text, especially for EPUB files.
Check image resolution and size to prevent slow loading or pixelation.
If possible, preview your files on different devices or apps before uploading.
Other Free Platforms to Create PDF and EPUB Files
Besides Google Docs, several other free tools can help you create these files:
LibreOffice Writer: A free word processor, it can export directly to PDF and EPUB.
Sigil and Calibre: Free EPUB editors for creating and editing EPUB files with more control. Warning: some users find them awfully confusing. Those versed in coding will enjoy the visual alignment of the printed file and the underlying CSS code.
Note: If PDF and EPUBs still strike dire fear into your heart, you can go with Draft2Digital, a free self-publishing platform excellent for beginners. I've used this platform for years and give it a 4/5 rating, and no, I don't get paid for saying that. Here you can easily submit manuscripts as .docx (Microsoft Word), .odt (OpenOffice) and other file formats.
D2D converts your manuscript into EPUB and sends it to retailers like Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords and more, through the distribution network of IngramSpark, another self-publishing venue. You can also download your file as an EPUB from D2D's site.
Happy Publishing!
Comments