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Self-Publish Prep

task: id: self-publish-prep name: Self-Publish Prep description: Prepare book for self-publishing on Leanpub, Amazon KDP, or Gumroad persona_default: book-publisher inputs:

  • target-platform
  • book-files
  • cover-design steps:
  • Choose platform (Leanpub/Amazon KDP/Gumroad)
  • Format manuscript for platform (Markdown/DOCX/PDF)
  • Optimize images for platform requirements
  • Create book metadata (title, description, keywords, categories)
  • Design or acquire cover image
  • Set pricing strategy
  • Create ISBN if needed (KDP provides free ISBNs)
  • Format for ePub/PDF/Kindle
  • Verify platform-specific requirements
  • Upload and test preview
  • Run execute-checklist.md with self-publishing-standards-checklist.md output: self-publish/{{platform}}/{{book-name}}-ready/

Purpose

Prepare a complete, professional book package for self-publishing platforms, ensuring quality presentation and discoverability.

Workflow Steps

1. Choose Platform

Leanpub:

  • Markdown-based
  • Good for technical books
  • Built-in email marketing
  • Flexible pricing (minimum/suggested/maximum)

Amazon KDP:

  • Largest audience
  • Print-on-demand available
  • Kindle format required
  • Free ISBN provided

Gumroad:

  • Simple, flexible
  • PDF/ePub distribution
  • Direct customer relationships
  • No review requirements

2. Format for Platform

Leanpub (Markdown):

# Chapter 1: Introduction

{book: true, sample: true}

This chapter introduces...

## Section 1.1

Content here...

{class: code}
```python
# Code example

KDP (Word/ePub):

  • Use heading styles
  • Insert page breaks
  • Format code blocks
  • Embed images

3. Create Metadata

Title and Description:

Title: Mastering Web APIs: A Practical Guide to REST and GraphQL

Subtitle: Build, Secure, and Scale Production-Ready APIs

Description:
Learn to design, build, and deploy production-ready APIs with this hands-on guide.
Covers REST, GraphQL, authentication, rate limiting, and more. Includes 50+ code
examples in Python and Node.js.

What you'll learn:
• RESTful API design principles
• GraphQL schema design
• JWT authentication
• Rate limiting and caching
• Production deployment strategies

Keywords/Categories:

Keywords: API, REST, GraphQL, web development, Python, Node.js, authentication

Categories:
- Computers > Programming > Internet
- Computers > Web > Web Services
- Computers > Languages > Python

4. Cover Design

Requirements:

  • KDP: 2560 x 1600 px minimum
  • Leanpub: 1600 x 2400 px recommended
  • Readable thumbnail: Text visible at small sizes
  • Professional: Use Canva, 99designs, or hire designer

5. Set Pricing

Pricing strategy:

Leanpub Pricing Model:

Minimum: $9.99 (reader can pay more)
Suggested: $29.99
Maximum: $99

KDP Pricing:

eBook: $9.99 - $29.99 (70% royalty tier)
Print: $39.99 (based on page count + margin)

6. ISBN (Optional)

  • KDP: Provides free ISBN
  • Self-purchase: $125 for single ISBN from Bowker (US)
  • Not required for eBooks on most platforms

7. Format for Distribution

ePub (KDP, Gumroad):

  • Use Calibre or Pandoc for conversion
  • Test on multiple e-readers
  • Validate with ePub validator

PDF (Leanpub, Gumroad):

  • High-quality PDF export
  • Embedded fonts
  • Optimized images

Kindle (KDP):

  • Upload DOCX or use Kindle Create tool
  • KDP converts to .mobi/.azw

8. Platform-Specific Requirements

KDP:

  • Copyright page required
  • Table of contents with links
  • "Look Inside" preview (first 10%)

Leanpub:

  • Subset.txt for sample chapters
  • Book.txt for chapter ordering
  • Metadata in Book.txt

9. Upload and Preview

Test before publishing:

  • Upload to platform
  • Generate preview
  • Test on multiple devices (Kindle app, iPad, PDF reader)
  • Check formatting, images, code blocks
  • Verify table of contents links

10. Run Quality Checklist

  • Run execute-checklist.md with self-publishing-standards-checklist.md

Success Criteria

  • Platform selected
  • Manuscript formatted correctly
  • Images optimized
  • Metadata complete (title, description, keywords)
  • Professional cover design
  • Pricing set
  • ISBN acquired (if needed)
  • ePub/PDF/Kindle formats created
  • Preview tested on target devices
  • Self-publishing checklist passed

Next Steps

  1. Publish to platform
  2. Set up marketing (email list, social media)
  3. Monitor sales and reviews
  4. Plan updates and revisions