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EPUB Formatting Hub for Indie Authors

A complete hub of EPUB formatting guides: KDP setup, Kobo rejection fixes, Windows workflows, Vellum alternatives, and EPUB migration tutorials.

M Marcus 4 min read

This hub is the central index for Libba’s EPUB formatting guides.

If you are publishing your first ebook, fixing retailer rejection errors, moving from Vellum/Atticus, or trying to publish wide, start here and pick the path that matches your current problem.

Choose Your Path in 30 Seconds

Use this quick map:

Start Here: First-Time Formatting

Fix Rejection and Validation Errors

Windows + Vellum Alternative Workflows

Import, Migration, and Backlist Cleanup

Your Amazon Listing

Design Details Readers Notice

Wide Publishing Workflows

Not Sure Where to Begin?

Use this sequence:

  1. Start with KDP formatting basics.
  2. Fix any validation/rejection issues.
  3. Move to wide-publishing workflow.
  4. Clean and migrate older backlist titles.

That path reduces technical rework and helps you publish faster with fewer retailer surprises.

First-time indie author

  1. How to Format an EPUB for Amazon KDP
  2. EPUB vs PDF: Which Format Does Your Book Need?
  3. Why Your EPUB Gets Rejected by KDP (And How to Fix It)

Windows author evaluating alternatives

  1. Vellum for Windows: What to Use Instead
  2. How to Format a Book on Windows Like Vellum
  3. Vellum Alternatives for Windows Users in 2026

Backlist/migration author

  1. How to Import an EPUB from Vellum or Atticus and Keep Editing
  2. How to Import an Old EPUB and Clean Up Messy Formatting
  3. Format Once, Publish to Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books

Most-Searched Questions This Hub Covers

How to format an ebook for KDP without Vellum?

Start with: How to Format an Ebook for KDP Without Vellum or a Mac

Why does my EPUB fail on Kobo but pass on KDP?

Start with: Why Your EPUB Gets Rejected by Kobo (But Not KDP)

Is there a real Vellum alternative for Windows?

Start with: Vellum for Windows: What to Use Instead

Can I import an existing EPUB and keep editing?

Start with: How to Import an EPUB from Vellum or Atticus and Keep Editing

Long-Tail Search Intents This Hub Targets

This hub and linked guides are built to answer real-language searches such as:

  • “How to format ebook for KDP without Vellum”
  • “Vellum alternative for Windows”
  • “Why EPUB rejected by Kobo but accepted by KDP”
  • “Import old EPUB and clean formatting”
  • “Format once publish Kindle Kobo Apple”

If your query sounds like one of those, start with the closest section above and follow internal links to the next step in your workflow.

Keep reading

12 min read EPUBCheck Errors Explained: What Each One Means and How to Fix It Read article → 6 min read Can You Format a Book on an iPad, Chromebook or Mobile? Read article → 6 min read How to Format Text Messages in a Novel (So They Work in Ebooks) Read article →
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$39/year, or $99 lifetime · Works on Mac, Windows, iPad and phones · EPUBs for Kindle, Apple Books and Kobo