Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't my eBook look exactly like my print book?
Because of the way eReaders display content, your eBook will never be a mirror image of your print book. Different eReading devices allow users to personalize their reading experience. This means that users can choose different font sizes and styles. Other factors that affect the look of your eBook include screen size and the display technology used by each device. Read more about the Differences Between eBooks and Print Books.
When will my eBook be for sale?
You can expect to see your eBook for sale in about 6-8 weeks from the time you upload your files, however, rush formatting is available. For a more in-depth look at each step in the process, see our ePublishing Timeline.
Why does my PDF need to be converted?
An eReader simply cannot display the PDF. The way eReaders are built limits how content can be displayed. This is why MOBI and EPUB files need to be created. These are the file types that eReaders are able to recognize. It’s difficult for eReaders to display fancy designs and images that are often found in PDFs and print books. Read more about the Differences Between eBooks and Print Books and eBook Limitations.
How long does the process take?
When you upload your files to Publish Green, we assess them to make sure that we don't need anything else from you. If we don't, then we'll get started on the formatting, which takes 15 business days. You have the opportunity to purchase Rush Formatting for $199, and we will format your book in 7 business days if you've opted for Rush Formatting. Read more about our timeline.
What are MOBI and EPUB?
These are words that you will see a lot in the ePublishing industry. They refer to an eBook’s file type. (Think PDF vs. DOC or JPG vs. GIF.) Different eReaders recognize different file types. Amazon’s Kindle can read a MOBI file, while the iPad, Nook, Sony Reader, and most other eReaders only recognize an EPUB file. Publish Green formats your eBook for both file types, so all of your bases are covered.
What is a software eReader?
Not everyone uses a device, like a Kindle or a Nook, to read their eBooks. You can also download software to your computer that is capable of reading eBook files. This is just like downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader to open PDFs on your computer. Many people opt to read on their laptops using a software eReader rather than buying a separate device. Microsoft eReader and eReader Pro are just a couple examples of the software eReaders you will find.
Will you take a scanned document?
No. Unfortunately, we can’t take a scanned document. If you upload a scanned version of your book, we will ask you to upload a different version as a PDF, Microsoft Word, or InDesign file. Even though the text in a scanned document is makes sense when you look at it, a computer only recognizes it as one giant image. We need to be able to access the "raw" text of your book in order to format it.
Can I use my own ISBN?
Yes. If you have already purchased your own ISBN, we can use this. However, it cannot be the same as the one that appears in your print book. Each version of your eBook needs its own ISBN.
When you distribute through Publish Green, we provide ISBNs free of charge. Read more about eBook ISBNs.
What is PDF Prep?
PDFs can be very difficult to convert to eBooks, and they often require extra time and attention to achieve the same quality as eBooks created from other file types. PDF prep is additional hand-formatting that is required to ensure proper conversion to our eBook platform. All PDFs are subject to a $30 PDF prep fee. The PDF prep fee will be charged after we have completed our assessment, if we find that your PDF needs additional formatting. Read more about Additional Fees.
Will I ever have to pay more than what my package costs?
Sometimes. When you place an order with Publish Green, we will ask for a word, image, and footnote count for your book. If any of these exceed the amount included in the package (75,000 words, 10 images, 10 footnotes), we will charge you for these at the time you place your order.
Once you upload your book files, we will conduct an assessment to determine the exact number of words, images, and footnotes. If these differ from the counts you gave us when placing your order, we will charge or refund you accordingly. Read more about Additional Fees.
