8. Using Images
Images can be included in e-books. For your images to be displayed properly, certain guidelines must be followed.

The preferred file format is JPEG (.jpeg or .jpg). JPEG files can be re-sized easily in Kindle-sized format. A resolution of 300dpi will provide the highest quality images. Check image height and width requirements through Amazon as these will be different depending on the purpose of the image (e.g., chapter heading, scene break, image within text).

Images should be kept on their own line and centered. Don’t “float” images to the left or right of text or “wrap” images with text.

If you are using Microsoft Word to insert images into your e-book file, use the ribbon menu Insert tab and then click Picture. DO NOT Copy and Paste images from another program into Microsoft Word.

9. Pages/Content Order
Your e-book file should contain certain pages/content in a specific order. Depending on the author and the book, some of these will be optional. Some authors choose to include “extras” in their front matter such as excerpts from reviews of their book or a call to action. The order of back matter pages is not set in stone and will vary depending on the author and what he/she chooses to include. It should be noted that some authors choose to include the Acknowledgments with Back Matter to ensure as much of the first chapter is available for Amazon Look Inside and Download Sample features.

1. Book Cover
2. Clickable Table of Contents (ToC)
3. Front Matter Pages: Title Page, Copyright Page, Dedication, Acknowledgments, Preface or Prologue
4. Book Content
5. Back Matter: Author Bio, Call to Action (e.g., website and social media links, newsletter signup link, review link, other book links), List of Author’s Other Books, Note from the Author, Glossary, Appendices, Index, and Preview/Sneak Peek to the first chapter or two for one of the author’s other books.

10. Preview Kindle e-book File
Preview your Kindle e-book file to check if it will display correctly in all Kindle e-readers. This can be done easily by using the Kindle Previewer and Kindle Gen tools which are available for download under Prepare Your Book > Tools and Resources.

Please comment with your experiences and tips for ebook formatting. If you hired someone and would like to recommend them, please share their link in the comments.

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