Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Mastering EPUB formatting can feel intimidating, especially when your book needs to look great on every device and storefront. In this session, Anna from PublishDrive sits down with ebook production expert Wir Bula to break down how EPUBs actually work, why “convert from Word and hope” often creates problems, and what to check (and fix) before you publish.
In this video, you will learn:
* The real difference between PDF and EPUB, and why EPUB is designed to reflow and adapt to screens
* Why automated conversions (even from professional tools) still need manual cleanup
* The two core building blocks of EPUB formatting: HTML (structure) and CSS (styling)
* The importance of using relative sizing (percentages, em units) so spacing and images scale correctly
* How to preview your ebook across devices and catch issues before readers do
* Common Amazon/Kindle formatting pitfalls and why you may need Amazon-specific tweaks for complex books
* A beginner-friendly workflow: convert, review, edit, validate, and publish
Tools and concepts mentioned:
* PublishDrive’s online conversion workflow (Word to EPUB)
* Sigil (EPUB editor) for inspecting and fixing HTML/CSS
* Kindle Previewer for checking how the ebook renders on Kindle devices and apps
* Metadata basics (title, author, contributors, keywords, description, publisher info)
* EPUB validation checks to avoid upload and publishing errors
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and what we are covering
01:00 Meet the expert: Wir Bula and his ebook production background
02:00 PDF vs EPUB: why reflow matters on screens
04:00 Why conversions break: what automation misses
07:00 EPUB editing overview in Sigil (HTML/CSS)
10:00 Formatting fundamentals: relative units (em, %) and responsive images/tables
14:00 Fonts and reader-controlled settings
16:00 Kindle limitations and why Amazon can require special adjustments
20:00 A recommended beginner workflow with PublishDrive conversion
23:00 Previewing on devices using Kindle Previewer
26:00 Validation and final publishing steps
29:00 Wrap-up and next steps
If you are publishing wide (or planning to), clean EPUB formatting helps you deliver a better reading experience across Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, and more. For additional support, you can also reach out to the PublishDrive team or consider hiring a professional formatter if you prefer to skip the learning curve.
Keywords: EPUB formatting, EPUB editing, ebook formatting, Word to EPUB, Sigil EPUB editor, HTML CSS ebook, Kindle formatting, Kindle Previewer, ebook conversion, EPUB validation, ebook metadata, PublishDrive, self-publishing wide, Apple Books formatting, Kobo formatting, Google Play Books formatting
#EPUB #SelfPublishing #BookFormatting
For more information about PublishDrive, visit: publishdrive.com
Read our blog: publishdrive.com/blog
Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14431...
Facebook: facebook.com/publishdrive
Twitter: twitter.com/publishdrive
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/publ…
Subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our latest videos!
Disclaimer: This video was recorded on a prior date and is provided for informational purposes only. Any pricing, promotions, store availability, feature details, or other offers mentioned may have changed since recording and are not guaranteed to be current or valid at the time of viewing. Guest comments and third-party offers are their own and do not constitute an offer from PublishDrive. For the most up-to-date information, current offers, and applicable terms, please visit PublishDrive.com.
Mastering EPUB formatting can feel intimidating, especially when your book needs to look great on every device and storefront. In this session, Anna from PublishDrive sits down with ebook production expert Wir Bula to break down how EPUBs actually work, why “convert from Word and hope” often creates problems, and what to check (and fix) before you publish.
In this video, you will learn:
* The real difference between PDF and EPUB, and why EPUB is designed to reflow and adapt to screens
* Why automated conversions (even from professional tools) still need manual cleanup
* The two core building blocks of EPUB formatting: HTML (structure) and CSS (styling)
* The importance of using relative sizing (percentages, em units) so spacing and images scale correctly
* How to preview your ebook across devices and catch issues before readers do
* Common Amazon/Kindle formatting pitfalls and why you may need Amazon-specific tweaks for complex books
* A beginner-friendly workflow: convert, review, edit, validate, and publish
Tools and concepts mentioned:
* PublishDrive’s online conversion workflow (Word to EPUB)
* Sigil (EPUB editor) for inspecting and fixing HTML/CSS
* Kindle Previewer for checking how the ebook renders on Kindle devices and apps
* Metadata basics (title, author, contributors, keywords, description, publisher info)
* EPUB validation checks to avoid upload and publishing errors
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and what we are covering
01:00 Meet the expert: Wir Bula and his ebook production background
02:00 PDF vs EPUB: why reflow matters on screens
04:00 Why conversions break: what automation misses
07:00 EPUB editing overview in Sigil (HTML/CSS)
10:00 Formatting fundamentals: relative units (em, %) and responsive images/tables
14:00 Fonts and reader-controlled settings
16:00 Kindle limitations and why Amazon can require special adjustments
20:00 A recommended beginner workflow with PublishDrive conversion
23:00 Previewing on devices using Kindle Previewer
26:00 Validation and final publishing steps
29:00 Wrap-up and next steps
If you are publishing wide (or planning to), clean EPUB formatting helps you deliver a better reading experience across Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books, and more. For additional support, you can also reach out to the PublishDrive team or consider hiring a professional formatter if you prefer to skip the learning curve.
Keywords: EPUB formatting, EPUB editing, ebook formatting, Word to EPUB, Sigil EPUB editor, HTML CSS ebook, Kindle formatting, Kindle Previewer, ebook conversion, EPUB validation, ebook metadata, PublishDrive, self-publishing wide, Apple Books formatting, Kobo formatting, Google Play Books formatting
#EPUB #SelfPublishing #BookFormatting
For more information about PublishDrive, visit: publishdrive.com
Read our blog: publishdrive.com/blog
Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/14431...
Facebook: facebook.com/publishdrive
Twitter: twitter.com/publishdrive
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/publ…
Subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our latest videos!
Disclaimer: This video was recorded on a prior date and is provided for informational purposes only. Any pricing, promotions, store availability, feature details, or other offers mentioned may have changed since recording and are not guaranteed to be current or valid at the time of viewing. Guest comments and third-party offers are their own and do not constitute an offer from PublishDrive. For the most up-to-date information, current offers, and applicable terms, please visit PublishDrive.com.
