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How to Turn Your Picturebook into an eBook

Updated: Jan 29

There are a staggering number of considerations when it comes to converting your picturebook into an eBook. "Which tool or service is best? Which file formats do I need? Which features do I need? How do I make it look like the print version?"


For many of us, it really boils down to a SINGLE question:

"What's the EASIEST way to make a digital picturebook that looks good everywhere?!"


The Short Answer

  • ePub 3.0 is the most widely-compatible eBook format (yes, even on Amazon)

  • ePub Wizard is the best no-frills tool for converting picturebooks to ePub 3.0.

The Long Answer

To understand why this is true, let's compare features and limitations of popular conversion tools.


KINDLE KIDS' BOOK CREATOR

Amazon's desktop app for creating Kindle eBooks.


Features

  • Designed for converting picturebooks to MOBI format for Kindle

  • Free

  • Easy to use

  • Support for interactive "popup" text

  • Multiple language options

Limitations

  • MOBI is only compatible with Kindle devices, and will be discontinued for side-loading in August 2022

  • No optimization control (this reduces KDP royalties)

  • Very little metadata customization


CALIBRE

The "swiss army knife" of eBook conversion for desktop.


Features

  • Free

  • Large variety of import/export formats

  • Some metadata customization

  • Multiple language options

Limitations

  • More difficult to use than Kindle Kids' Book Creator

  • Not suitable for picturebooks, which require fixed, two-page spreads

  • Page aspect is not preserved, but is rather "padded" to fit the chosen device

  • No optimization control (this reduces KDP royalties)

  • ePub exports can fail validation on many publishing platforms


INDESIGN

Adobe's professional application for book layout.

Features

  • Complete control over every aspect of page size and layout

  • Excellent export options for fixed-format ePubs (CC versions)

  • Image optimization for reducing file size

  • Some metadata customization

Limitations

  • Requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription

  • High learning curve

  • ePub exports can fail validation on many publishing platforms

  • Currently English only


EPUB WIZARD

Our own web-based picturebook conversion service.

Features

  • Easy to use

  • Low conversion cost ($9.74 per title for list members)

  • Creates a widely compatible ePub 3.0

  • Automatic image optimization to maximize KDP royalties

  • Maintains the original page aspect

  • Automatic creation of two-page spreads

  • Expanded metadata customization

  • Always passes ePub validation

  • Support for English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese

Limitations

  • Not suitable for reflowable material (like text-based novels)


Summary

Digital picturebooks are complicated. I encourage you to try a few different tools, and if the going gets tough, check out ePub Wizard. My guess is you'll never look back!



Brendon Murphy is a picturebook author and computer graphics specialist. Questions? Send them to: bebinsbooks@gmail.com

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