AI automation is revolutionizing e-book formatting, but the final quality control must remain a human-driven process. A meticulous pre-publish checklist is your safeguard against costly errors, ensuring a professional product. This checklist covers critical areas, from AI-assisted file creation to final proofing, for both digital and print.
Core File & Setup
Begin with the basics. Confirm your uploaded files match the exact trim size and paper type selected in your project setup. Use clear, consistent File Type & Naming conventions (e.g., Title_Print_v3.pdf). Crucially, ensure proper ISBN Assignment and record every ISBN in a master log with its corresponding format and distribution channel (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark/Draft2Digital/Apple Books).
Front & Back Matter Review
Verify Front Matter Completeness: the Half-Title Page (title only), full title page, and optional Dedication/Epigraph. Back matter is a marketing tool. It must contain a professional Author Bio with a call-to-action, your Contact/Website URL, and a complete, consistently formatted “Also by [Author]” list. This List of Other Works/Series should include correct, live links to sales pages.
AI Formatting & Accessibility Checks
This is where AI tools need oversight. Scrutinize Hyphenation for consistency. Excessive, nonsensical breaks (e.g., “the-rapist”) indicate poor automated formatting. For e-books (EPUB), ensure the Navigation is flawless: the Table of Contents must be comprehensive, logical, and include ARIA landmarks for screen reader users. Declare the Language Tagging in the file’s metadata (e.g., xml:lang="en-US").
Non-Negotiable Final Steps
Never skip platform validations. If Previewer Warnings appear (e.g., “font not embedded”), fix them. For print, perform Print Book Specific Checks (PDF) for margins and bleed. Most importantly, ALWAYS ORDER A PHYSICAL PROOF COPY. Digital previews are insufficient. Check for binding alignment, image quality, and final print appearance.
AI accelerates production, but your discerning eye ensures quality. This systematic checklist bridges the gap between automation and professionalism, protecting your brand and reader experience.
For a comprehensive guide with detailed workflows, templates, and additional strategies, see my e-book: AI-Assisted E-book Formatting for Self-Publishers.