Professional eBook Writing Strategies for Amazon Kindle

When creating a non-fiction Kindle ebook, the writing process is just the beginning of a comprehensive workflow. From choosing the right writing tool to ensuring the final product is polished and professional, each step matters.

Choosing the Right Writing Tool

Many authors ask, 'How do you write your non-fiction ebook for Kindle?' Whether you are a seasoned writer or a newcomer to the digital publishing world, the choice of writing tool can significantly impact the final product. In my experience, I primarily use Google Docs for writing. However, it is important to note that the manuscript is not published in its original Google Docs format. Instead, it is meticulously formatted for both print and eBook versions during a later stage of the production process.

Why Not Use Kindle Create?

While Kindle Create offers easy ebook creation, it is not my preferred tool for professional ebooks. As an SEO expert and professional writer, I prioritize the formatting, design, and quality of my ebooks. Kindle Create is not equipped to handle the detailed and specific formatting required for a professional-looking ebook.

Preparing the Manuscript for Publishing

For the more intricate steps, I export the Google Docs file to Microsoft Word, but I strip out all the Word styles. The elements of the book are then assigned styles created specifically for that book in Adobe InDesign. This ensures a consistent and professional appearance throughout the entire manuscript. You can view the styles palette in the second screenshot, where various elements like chapter headings, subheadings, and section breaks are carefully formatted.

Using Adobe InDesign for eBook Layout

After all the needed changes are made, the InDesign file is exported to a PDF, which is then sent to the printer as two separate files: one for the cover and one for the interior. Both of these PDF files are then exported as ePub files, which are further fine-tuned and cleaned up using Calibre.

Bottom Line

No professional publishing workflow uses Word files directly for print or eBook publishing. The manuscript might be given to the publisher or printer in a more raw form, but the final formatting is always done in a style-based editor like Adobe InDesign. This is because InDesign is the industry-standard tool for creating professional, publication-ready documents, including eBooks.

When I publish, I use Draft2Digital's formatter for paperback formatting, but even then, the manuscript goes through a thorough refinement process in InDesign first. Draft2Digital's formatter is primarily used for more generic formatting that doesn't require the level of customization I need for my professional standards.

Using these tools and workflows, I ensure that my ebooks are not only visually appealing but also optimized for readability and engagement. If you're serious about publishing a professional-looking Kindle ebook, you may want to consider adopting similar strategies.

Remember, the quality of your ebook is reflected in its sales and reviews. While you can produce ebooks with simple text editors like Notepad, the results will inevitably be amateurish and hard to read. Using the right tools and following best practices is key to creating a professional-looking ebook that resonates with readers.

Whether you're using Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or another tool, the key is to ensure your manuscript is formatted properly and consistently before finalizing it for publishing. With the right tools and a professional approach, you can create an ebook that stands out in the crowded marketplace of digital books.