If you plan to write and publish an eBook, you’ll need some eBook authoring tools.
You are reading: Free e books software
Luckily, you have plenty of options when it comes to apps and tools for writing, formatting, and preparing your new eBook.
Better yet, all the tools in this article are free to use.
Desktop publishing an e-book is free, fun, and can be profitable for some authors. Let’s see what you will need to prepare and publish your ebook.
what you need to know about eBooks
an ebook is an electronic file. When you prepare an eBook for publication, you may need to convert your manuscript. There are many types of eBook files, but the main ones are:
1. epub is the most common e-book format. almost all ebook retailers except amazon use it and it is compatible with most smartphones, tablets and computers.
2. mobi is one of the original e-book formats. several different reading devices adopted the mobipocket reader format. but amazon bought mobipocket in 2005. it is not a current amazon format, but it still works on kindle devices. this makes it useful for sharing ebooks with kindle readers.
3. azw is the broad file type used by Amazon for e-books. When you self-publish an eBook with Kindle DirectPublishing, Amazon automatically converts your manuscript.
4. pdf is a well-known file extension. while not a dedicated ebook file type, it is useful for sharing an ebook so anyone can read it on any device.
When you write your book, you don’t have to worry about file types. but later on, you’ll need some ebook creation tools to help you format and convert your ebook.
choosing the best free ebook creation tools
You’ll need to write your book, create a book cover, and check the formatting of your eBook before publishing.
It’s a simple process, but the tools below will make it easy for you every step of the way.
so let’s take a look at the options you have so you can decide which ones will be best for you.
1. word microsoft
Although it’s not free, if you already have ms word installed on your computer, you’re ready to write your eBook.
The word docx file format is compatible with most desktop publishing services, so you can upload your file without converting it.
2. apple pages
if you use a mac, apple pages is the best option for you.
is a great word processor and has many benefits. you can export to docx and epub and also publish directly to apple books.
all new macs have it installed by default. but if you don’t have it, you can download it for free from the app store.
3. google docs
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google documents is an ideal alternative for both pc and mac users.
It is an online word processor, but you can configure it to work offline.
if you are familiar with word, you will have no problem writing your ebook with google docs.
4. canvas
every e-book needs a cover. but hiring a graphic designer or buying pre-made covers can be expensive.
The best free solution is to use canva to create your ebook cover.
It’s very easy to use and comes with a variety of free book cover templates.
you can read our tutorial on how to create a free ebook cover with canva.
5. kindle create
Before publishing your eBook, you will need to format it perfectly.
the easiest way to do this is to use kindle create. you can design your manuscript to be a joy to read on kindle devices.
is free software from amazon kdp, available for pc and mac.
6. kindle preview
kindle previewer is freeware from amazon and is available for windows and mac.
is a useful tool for authors who want to check the quality of a kindle ebook before publishing it on amazon kdp.
If you have images in your eBook, this is the most reliable way to verify that you have formatted them correctly.
It also has an import and export function that can help you convert your eBook to an epub file.
7. caliber
caliber is often referred to as the swiss army knife of ebook authoring tools.
There are so many things you can do with it. but for most new authors, you will use it to convert your ebook manuscript to mobi, epub and pdf.
if you’re technically minded, you can also edit your ebook in epub or html.
It really is one of the most useful e-book creation tools for authors.
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it is available for pc, mac and linux.
8. probe
Before self-publishing on amazon, you must select two categories and seven search keywords.
Many new authors make the mistake of not doing any research and then guessing when filling in the boxes.
You should thoroughly research your keyword selections before publishing your ebook.
The most popular tool for finding keyword data for books on Amazon is Publisher Rocket. but it’s not free.
if you want a free alternative to publisher rocket, sonar will help you find relevant search keywords for your ebook.
I did a lot of searching with sonar and didn’t notice any restrictions. Another good point is that it doesn’t ask for your email address.
9. book description generator
When you publish your book, you must include your book description.
however, after you publish it, it will appear as plain text on your amazon book sales page.
A great way to improve your ebook’s chances of selling is to creatively format your book description. but unless you’re familiar with editing html, it’s not easy.
The fastest and easiest way to format your description is to use Kindlepreneur’s free book description generator.
As a bonus, you can also format your description and editorial reviews for amazon as well as barnes & noble and kobo.
10. free 3d book covers
You always need to promote your book to find readers and book buyers.
Most authors use social media and a blog to help spread the word about a new book.
but using a flat version of your cover is not as attractive as creating a 3d version of your cover.
There are many coverage tools available, but I found one that is free and doesn’t require you to sign up or provide your email address.
diy book covers is very easy to use and you can create your eye-catching covers in just a minute or two.
summary
You don’t need to spend a dime on e-book creation tools.
The tools on my list have you covered on all aspects of writing, formatting, publishing, and promoting your new eBook.
All you need to do now is start writing your new book.
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