Uploading ePub & PDF Manuscripts
How to upload your manuscript files in ePub or PDF format, format requirements, file validation, and conversion tips.
BookAuth supports two manuscript formats for digital distribution: ePub and PDF. This guide covers the upload process, format requirements, validation checks, and what to do if your upload encounters errors.
What You'll Learn
- Supported manuscript formats and when to use each
- File size limits and validation rules
- How to upload and replace manuscripts
- Converting Word documents to ePub
- Troubleshooting common upload issues
Supported Formats
| Format | Best For | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ePub | Novels, text-heavy books | 100MB | Reflowable text, best reading experience |
| Illustrated books, fixed-layout | 100MB | Preserves exact layout and formatting |
When to Use ePub
- Fiction (novels, novellas, short stories)
- Non-fiction with primarily text content
- Any book where readers need to adjust font size or reading layout
- Mobile-first reading experience
When to Use PDF
- Coffee table books, art books, cookbooks
- Textbooks with complex diagrams and layouts
- Any book where exact page layout must be preserved
- Documents with fixed formatting (tables, charts, images in specific positions)
How to Upload
During Book Creation
- In the "Add New Book" form, locate the "Manuscript" section
- Click the upload area or drag and drop your file
- Wait for the upload progress bar to complete
- A green checkmark confirms successful upload
Replacing an Existing Manuscript
- Navigate to Content > My Books
- Open the book editor for the target book
- Click "Replace Manuscript" next to the current file name
- Upload the new file — the old version is replaced immediately
- Click "Save" to confirm
Pro Tip: When you replace a manuscript, all existing purchasers automatically get access to the updated version — they don't need to re-download manually, but the next time they access the file, they get the latest.
File Validation
When you upload a manuscript, BookAuth automatically validates:
| Check | What It Verifies | Action on Failure |
|---|---|---|
| File type | Must be .epub or .pdf |
Upload rejected with error message |
| File size | Must be under 100MB | Upload rejected with size notice |
| ePub structure | Valid OPF package and NCX/NAV | Warning displayed (upload may proceed) |
| PDF readability | File is not corrupted or password-protected | Upload rejected |
Converting to ePub
If your manuscript is currently in Word (.docx), Google Docs, or another format, you need to convert it to ePub before uploading.
Free Conversion Tools
Calibre (Free, cross-platform)
- Download from calibre-ebook.com
- Import your .docx file
- Select "Convert" → "ePub"
- Configure metadata (title, author, cover)
- Click "OK" to convert
Reedsy Book Editor (Free, web-based)
- Visit reedsy.com/write-a-book
- Import your manuscript
- Export as ePub
Professional Conversion Tools
Vellum (Mac, $249.99 one-time)
- Industry-standard formatting tool
- Beautiful pre-designed chapter styles
- One-click ePub and PDF export
Atticus (Mac/Windows, $147 one-time)
- Cross-platform alternative to Vellum
- Formatting and layout control
- Direct ePub/PDF export
Hiring a Formatter
If you prefer not to handle conversion yourself, hire a professional formatter through BookAuth's marketplace:
- Navigate to Services > Marketplace
- Browse the "Formatting" category
- Request quotes from formatting professionals
Storage and Security
- All manuscripts are encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption
- Files are stored on Cloudflare R2 (S3-compatible object storage)
- Only verified purchasers can access the download link
- Download links are signed and time-limited for security
Troubleshooting
"Upload failed — file type not supported"
- Ensure your file has the correct extension (
.epubor.pdf) - Rename the file if the extension is wrong
- Re-export from your formatting tool if the file is malformed
"Upload failed — file too large"
- Compress images within your ePub using Calibre's "Shrink Images" option
- For PDFs, use Adobe Acrobat's "Reduce File Size" feature
- Remove embedded fonts that aren't essential
Upload stalls at a percentage
- Check your internet connection
- Try a different browser
- Clear your browser cache and retry
- If the issue persists, contact support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I upload both ePub and PDF for the same book?
A: Currently, each book supports one manuscript file. Upload the format that best serves your content.
Q: Is there a limit on how many times I can replace the manuscript?
A: No. You can replace the manuscript file as many times as needed.
Q: Do readers get notified when I update the manuscript?
A: Currently, readers are not automatically notified of manuscript updates. Consider sending a newsletter to your subscribers announcing the updated edition.
Q: Can I upload a .mobi or .azw3 file?
A: No. BookAuth only supports ePub and PDF. Use Calibre to convert .mobi/.azw3 to ePub.
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