You can use Kindle Create to prepare an eBook and paperback with the same manuscript file. If you prepare your paperback with Kindle Create, you can publish it in any trim size. Kindle Create also takes care of complicated paperback formatting tasks for you. When you upload your file to KDP, margins are automatically calculated, and page numbers are added to your paperback's table of contents page and footers. Your first chapter will start on a right-facing page, with subsequent chapters starting on the next available page.
Haven't downloaded Kindle Create yet?
Contents- Is this feature right for my book?
- Prepare your eBook and paperback
- Open Kindle Create and import your file
- Style your book
- Add table of contents page and page numbering
- Customize headers, footers, page numbers
- Review your file in Kindle Create
- Export your file for publishing on KDP
- Upload your file to KDP
- Preview your book before publication
- Frequently asked questions
- I used Kindle Create to prepare my eBook. How do I convert it to a paperback?
- Is the start page number location the same thing as the Start Reading Location for eBooks?
- What size margins will my paperback get? Can I change them?
- Do I have to add a table of contents (TOC) page to get page numbers in my paperback?
- Kindle Create changed the font I chose for my paperback. Can I change it back?
- How can I change font size and line spacing?
- Can I modify my table of contents page in Kindle Create?
- How can I give feedback on Kindle Create?
Is this feature right for my book?
This feature is designed for text-heavy books with a simple layouts (e.g., novels, essays, memoirs) that you want to publish in eBook and paperback format. Limitations include:
- Tables, footnotes, endnotes. Kindle Create doesn't support paperbacks with tables, footnotes, or endnotes.
- Images. Sometimes blank spaces are left at the bottom of the page if the image you want to insert doesn't fit on the page. The image moves to the next page. Also, Kindle Create doesn't support paperback images that bleed to the edge of the page.
- Margins and font. You won't be able to customize the margins and font. Margins will be automatically calculated to meet KDP's specifications. Font and font size for paperbacks can't be changed
Want to format your paperback yourself? For a step-by-step video guide that walks you through formatting a paperback manuscript in Microsoft Word, check out the KDP Build Your Book guide for Word (PC), Word (Mac), and Pages.
Prepare your eBook and paperback
| Open Kindle Create and import your fileOpen Kindle Create and start a new project by choosing your file. The tool will automatically find and format your chapter titles, which will create a Kindle table of contents. Learn more about creating new projects. |
Style your book
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Insert table of contents page and page numbering
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Customize headers, footers, page numbersBy default, Kindle Create adds the author name to the left-page header and the book title to the right-page header with center alignment. Page numbers are added to the footer with center alignment.To customize your paperback, click the Print Settings button in the top-right corner of Kindle Create. This opens a window with several options to change the alignment and position of the author name, book title, and page numbers. | |
Review your file in Kindle Create
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Export your file for publishing on KDPWhen you're satisfied with your book, click the Publish button in the upper right-hand corner.
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Upload your file to KDP
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Preview your book before publication
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Frequently asked questions
I used Kindle Create to prepare my eBook. How do I convert it to a paperback?
- Open Kindle Create.
- Open the KCB file you saved after preparing your eBook. Kindle Create will automatically assign a page number start location (the first page of your first chapter) for your paperback.
- If the page number start location is correct, click the Publish button in the upper right-hand corner to create the KPF file you'll upload to KDP to publish your paperback.
Learn how to change the page number start location.
Is the start page number location the same thing as the Start Reading Location for eBooks? Will it affect how my royalties in Kindle Unlimited are calculated?
No, we don't use the page number start location in Kindle Create to measure the number of pages customers read in your eBook. Learn more about Kindle Edition Normalized Page Count.
What size margins will my paperback get? Can I change them?
The margins are calculated based on your book's trim size and page count so they meet KDP's specifications. If you use Kindle Create to prepare your paperback, you won't be able to change the margins.
Do I have to add a table of contents (TOC) page to get page numbers in my paperback?
No, adding a TOC page is optional. Paperbacks with and without TOC pages will have page numbers added automatically when the file is uploaded to KDP.
I chose a specific font for my paperback, but Kindle Create changed it. Can I change it back?
No, at this time, you can't change the font. When we prepare you file for publication, the font is converted so that it provides the best possible typesetting for readers. We're working on improvements that give authors more font choices for paperbacks.
I previewed my paperback and want to change the font size and line spacing. How can I do this?
Today, you can't change the font size and line spacing with Kindle Create. If you'd like to customize your paperback's font size and line spacing, we recommend formatting your book in Microsoft Word. See our step-by-step guide.
Can I modify my table of contents page in Kindle Create?
Yes. When you add or remove chapters, or change your chapter titles, the TOC page updates automatically.
How can I give feedback on Kindle Create?
We're still working on this feature, so we'd appreciate your feedback! Please go to the Help menu in Kindle Create and click Provide Feedback.
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