Expert eBook publishing services

BookBaby provides comprehensive eBook services including professional file conversion (from Word, PDF, InDesign, and other formats to ePub and Mobi), quality checks by conversion specialists, global distribution to over 60 online retailers in 170+ countries, and promotional tools through your own BookBaby Bookshop page. Your eBooks will be compatible with all major reading devices including Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo, and more.

BookBaby accepts Word documents (.doc, .docx) — which is the preferred format — as well as PDF (.pdf), InDesign (.indd), ePub, Text files (.txt), HTML (.html), Pages (.pages), Quark (.qxd), and other formats. If you're uploading a pre-made ePub file, it must pass validation and cannot have spaces in file names or images exceeding 3.2 million pixels. The maximum file size for upload is 100MB.

BookBaby's eBook conversion and distribution services start at approximately $249-$299 for basic conversion and distribution to major retailers worldwide. Fixed Layout eBooks (commonly used for children's books and image-heavy content) cost $499 base charge plus $5 per page. Additional services like text formatting ($349) or ISBN purchase ($39) can be added. For a detailed quote based on your specific needs, use BookBaby's quote tool on their website.

Your eBook will be distributed to over 60 major online retailers including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books (iBooks), Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, Google Play, Walmart, Powell's, Gardners, eSentral, Copia, Scribd, and many more across 170+ countries. Your book will also be available on BookBaby's exclusive Bookshop platform where you can sell directly to readers.

After BookBaby's team confirms your files are ready to work with, eBook conversion typically takes an estimated 5 – 7 business days before your proof is ready for review. After you approve the proof, your eBook will be distributed to retail partners. In most cases, your eBook will be up for sale around the globe within a matter of weeks, though each retailer has its own timeline for listing new titles.

BookBaby takes 0% commission on distribution sales to retailers, meaning you keep 100% of the net royalties after the retailer's cut. For sales through BookBaby's Bookshop, you earn the industry's best eBook royalty rate at 85% of the retail price. At other retailers, royalty rates vary: Amazon typically pays 70% (in select countries) or 35% depending on pricing and territory, while other partners like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble have their own royalty structures

Payment timing varies by source. Sales through BookBaby Bookshop post to your account the business day after the sale and you'll receive payment the following Monday once you reach your minimum payment threshold of $10. For sales through distribution partners like Amazon and other retailers, there's typically a 90 – 120 day delay as retailers report sales on varied schedules. Once BookBaby receives reports and payments from retailers, we post your sales and send payments within a week.

Bookshop is BookBaby's exclusive online bookstore where you get your own dedicated webpage to sell your eBooks and printed books directly to readers. The key advantages are significantly higher royalties (85% on eBooks vs. 30-70% at Amazon), faster payment (credited to your account in 7-10 days instead of 90-120 days), and your printed books never go out of stock since they're printed on demand. It's a lower-competition environment since only BookBaby authors sell there.

Yes, BookBaby specializes in converting complex documents including books with tables, graphs, multiple images, and even embedded multimedia files like video and audio clips. We offer both reflowable layouts (where text adjusts based on screen size and reader preferences) and fixed layouts (where the layout remains constant, ideal for children's books, cookbooks, and heavily illustrated content). Professional conversion ensures consistency across all devices.

Reflowable layouts allow text to adjust dynamically based on the reader's device, screen size, and preferences (like font size changes). This format works best for text-heavy books like novels and nonfiction. Fixed layouts maintain a consistent page appearance regardless of device, preserving the exact positioning of text and images. Fixed Layouts are ideal for children's books, cookbooks, art books, comics, and any content where visual design is crucial. Note that Fixed Layout eBooks can only be viewed on Kindle readers and Apple iOS devices.