11 Mistakes Before E-Book Publication

An e-book can be uploaded in just a few hours – and still appear unprofessional in the long term. The most consequential mistakes before e-book publication rarely occur during the upload itself. They arise when an almost finished manuscript is confused with a truly publication-ready book. Spelling, structure, file conversion and sales information must work together. If one of these elements falls short, readers often notice it on the very first pages.

1. Declaring the manuscript finished too early

The final full stop under a chapter feels like a conclusion. Editorially, it is not yet. After revision, a manuscript needs distance: ideally, it should rest for a few days or weeks before you read it with fresh eyes. This reveals duplications, missing transitions, unclear character motives or argumentative leaps that were invisible during the writing process.

Particularly with non-fiction books, a fact-check shortly before publication is worthwhile. Are figures, source references, legal situations and technical terms still correct? With novels, it is more likely timelines, names, locations and perspective shifts that need to be checked. A cleanly formulated sentence is of little help if its content does not fit with the rest of the book.

2. Equating proofreading and editing

Proofreading checks spelling, grammar, punctuation and often typography as well. Editing goes deeper: it examines comprehensibility, style, structure, repetitions, logic and reading flow. Simply removing the red markings does not automatically result in a convincing e-book.

Which type of processing is necessary depends on the project. A scholarly specialist text requires linguistic precision and consistent terminology. A guide must lead readers safely through its steps. A novel thrives on tempo, tone and character development carrying the narrative. Good preparation means identifying the actual revision requirements, rather than simply searching for error-free text.

With document processing directly in the original document, corrections, style notes and structural questions can be bundled in a traceable manner. This saves time because formatting is not lost between different working versions. For extensive projects, a professional perspective can also be useful, especially if the book is an important calling card for your expertise.

3. Overlooking inconsistent format templates

Many formatting problems only become visible on an e-reader. Manually inserted spaces, tabs for indentation or multiple blank lines between paragraphs often look harmless in word processing. In a converted e-book file, however, they can lead to shifted lines, enormous gaps or restless pages.

Work with clear format templates for body text, headings, quotations, lists and image captions. A heading should not only be larger and bold, but should be designated as a heading. This is crucial for a functioning table of contents and for orientation on different devices.

Even seemingly minor details deserve attention: consistent quotation marks, dashes, hyphenation, spacing before and after paragraphs, and uniform formatting of footnotes. E-books are flexible, as readers can adjust font size and line spacing. That's precisely why the structure must be technically sound.

4. Not Testing the Conversion on Real Devices

A correctly formatted source file does not guarantee an error-free e-book output. During conversion, special characters can become corrupted, images can shift, or links in the table of contents can fail. Tables, margin notes, and complex graphics are particularly vulnerable.

Don't just check the finished file in a preview—test it under realistic conditions. Open it on a smartphone, a tablet, and an e-reader if your target audience uses these devices. Increase the font size. Switch to dark mode. Navigate to different chapters via the table of contents. This way, you'll see whether your book remains readable even when it's not displayed exactly as it appears on your screen.

For image-heavy books, workbooks, or layouts with many tables, the file format decision is particularly important. A reflowable e-book adapts to the screen but allows less design control. A fixed layout may be more suitable, but requires even more thorough testing and isn't always comfortable on small displays.

5. Treating a Cover as Just a Pretty Picture

The cover is not a decorative afterthought. It conveys genre, quality, and expectations, often in a very small shop thumbnail. If the title isn't readable there or the design appears generic, the book loses attention before the sample is even opened.

Therefore, check the cover in thumbnail size. Are the title and author name clearly visible? Do the design, imagery, and typography match the content and target audience? A thriller should signal suspense, a business guide competence and clarity. What matters is not whether you personally like the cover, but whether it triggers the right reading expectations.

Also pay attention to technical requirements for image size, file format, and resolution. A professional cover design combines these requirements with a design that also impresses on large screens.

6. Underestimating Metadata Among the Mistakes Before E-Book Publication

Title, subtitle, book description, categories, and keywords help determine whether a book is found and understood. Often, the wording here is too generic: «A book about success» says little. More precise would be which problem the book solves, who it's written for, and what concrete benefit readers can expect.

The book description should not retell the entire content. Its purpose is to generate interest and facilitate the purchase decision. For a guide, include the initial problem, target audience, and outcome. For fiction, conflict, atmosphere, and an open question usually work better than a plot summary through to the end.

Choose categories honestly and appropriately. Incorrect assignments may promise short-term visibility, but lead to disappointed readers and weaker reviews. Equally important: author names, series titles, edition details and descriptions must be spelled identically everywhere. Inconsistencies make attribution and brand building more difficult.

7. Leaving the sample to chance

The reading sample is your strongest argument for or against purchase. That's precisely why the beginning should not be overloaded with a long preface, technical notes or a confusing dedication. Readers want to quickly recognise whether the language, subject matter and narrative style suit them.

This doesn't mean that every book must start spectacularly. A specialist book may start calmly and precisely if it immediately creates relevance. A novel may slowly build atmosphere, provided tension or a question arises. Review the first pages with a simple question: Would someone who doesn't know me want to continue reading after this sample?

8. Using image rights and content without proof

An atmospheric photo from a search engine, a quote from another book or a graphic from a presentation are not automatically free to use. Rights issues concern cover images, illustrations, maps, song lyrics, tables, trademarks and longer quotations. Even with self-created images, third-party rights may play a role, for example if recognisable people are depicted.

Document licences and consents before publication is due. If in doubt, the legal situation should be examined by an expert. Subsequent correction is not only laborious, but can result in a book having to be withdrawn from sale at short notice.

9. Choosing the publication date without a plan

An upload is not a launch plan. If you want to publish a book on a specific date, you need time buffers for final corrections, conversion, technical review and possible approvals. This applies particularly to simultaneously planned print editions, promotions or communication measures.

Plan backwards from your desired date. Determine when the text must be completed, when cover and book layout must be ready and when the sales description will be finalised. This turns the last hectic evening into a controllable production phase. scribigo can provide structured support along this path from edited manuscript through book layout and file conversion to publication.

10. Wanting to force reviews

Reviews are valuable, but they are no substitute for quality. Don't ask readers for positive reviews, but for honest feedback. This appears more credible and helps you learn from responses. The first reactions in particular often show whether the blurb and cover have set the right expectations.

Also expect criticism. Not every negative review indicates an objective error. However, if comments about lack of comprehensibility, weak pacing or technical problems recur, you should take them seriously. Digital editions can be updated – that's an opportunity, but not a reason to cut short the quality review beforehand.

11. Not looking back after the upload

Even after publication, your e-book belongs on your own checklist. Check the sales page: Are the cover, price, author name, description, categories and sample correct? Open the actually delivered file again. Sometimes the platform preview and final display differ.

Keep updates in view. If a source changes, a new edition appears or you discover a factual error, you should decide whether a corrected version is necessary. For guides, teaching materials and specialist books, this maintenance is part of professional publication work.

An e-book doesn't have to be perfect to reach readers. But it must be prepared so carefully that nothing stands between content and reading experience. Take the time for the final review that your manuscript deserves – it often determines whether an upload becomes a book that is gladly recommended.