See How Easily You Can Validate Your EBook

Validating your eBook is easier than you may think.

Let’s dive into some tools and processes that will make your eBook validation process much simpler.

If you’re already at the point where you’re trying learn more about ebook validation, then congratulations! It must mean you’ve already written, edited, and possibly even formatted your manuscript for print. If that’s where you are right now, then you deserve a round of applause—most of the hard work is behind you. But these commendations are not what eBook validation means, nor is eBook validation a call from grandma praising your YA fantasy novel.

From this point forward, you’re seeking the validation of eBook retailers and the World Wide Web Consortium. If you’re at an earlier stage in the self-publishing process, not to worry—you might find some useful tips in this blog that you can implement even at the earliest stages of the writing process.

Broad Strokes: 2 Types of eBook Validation

EBook validation can be defined as the process of ensuring an eBook conforms to certain pre-determined standards. These standards can be divided into two main categories: W3C standards (formerly IPDF) and vendor-specific standards.

W3C standards for eBooks are set by the World Wide Web Consortium, which is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web. The standard is constantly being tweaked and improved, and as of this writing, the current standard for EPUB files is EPUB 3.3. Compliance with the W3C standard ensures accessibility for all readers–including those using assistive reading technologies–and compatibility with all devices.

The second type of eBook validation is vendor-specific validation. In most cases, online eBook vendors use the W3C standard for EPUB files, but they may have a few of their own additional rules and standards for how eBooks are set up. For example, Barnes & Noble and Fable don’t allow fixed layout EPUB3 files on their sites. Apple Books has a few additional rules as well. For example, all files included in EPUBs must be listed in the book manifest or OPF file. These rules may seem a little daunting, but don’t worry—I’m about to show you how most of these issues are much easier to solve than you may think.

The Tools of the Trade

Calibre

The first thing you’ll want to do when beginning to validate an eBook is download Calibre. You might be thinking, “Hey, why does it look like I’m about to download a mid-2000s fantasy MMORPG?” I know…the website looks a little dated (just wait until you see the UI), but there is simply no better tool for working on EPUB files. With Calibre, you can easily convert nearly any file into an EPUB or open up your files and edit the HTML and CSS directly. It’s a powerful, versatile, and surprisingly intuitive tool with lots of online support through forums like mobileread.com.

Calibre is one of the most powerful and user-friendly tools for eBook design, validation, and management.

Pagina EPUB-Checker

Once you have your EPUB file, you’ll want to run it through an EPUB check like Pagina EPUB-Checker. Don’t let the wall of German text dishearten you. This is one of the most powerful tools you can use when validating your EPUB file. Just drag and drop your file into Pagina EPUB-Checker and it will provide a line by line analysis of your EPUB file according to W3C standards. If your eBook isn’t instantly validated, Pagina EPUB-Checker will point to specific lines of code with a detailed description of what needs to be modified.

Pagina EPUB-Checker allows you to drag and drop files and quickly see what’s preventing validation.

This might seem scary at first, but remember you have Calibre at your side. Every issue raised by Pagina EPUB-Checker will point to a specific line of code in your EPUB file that you can easily locate. If you receive an error you don’t quite understand, do what the pros do: Google it! Just copy and paste the error message, and you’ll quickly find that a dozen other eBook designers have asked about the same error message before. If you don’t find a clear answer right away, you can always post on mobileread.com, or reach out to a Foglio Custom Book Specialist for assistance.

Once you’ve combed through you EPUB to clear up all those pesky errors, your eBook is validated. Congratulations!

Uploading Your eBook File: The Final Frontier

Currently, there is no program or application like Pagina EPUB-Checker that will assist you in validating your EPUB to vendor-specific standards. You could do research on the standards of specific vendors and find some helpful information, but in my decade of experience producing eBooks, I’ve found there’s one method to complete vendor-specific validation that beats all others: just upload the file.

Use a service like Draft2Digital to upload your file. Draft2Digital will send your eBook to all major online retailers, including Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books, and others, and create listings for your book that you can manage from one dashboard. If there are any vendor-specific validation issues, you will be notified and directed to fix the issue and upload a new file.

At this point, the process will be similar to validating with Pagina EPUB-Checker. Try and try again until your file is approved, and you’ve reached the finishing line—your eBook is listed online, ready to sell. Just write your descriptions, add your keywords, and set your price and you’re ready to kindle the admiration of a global audience

It’s a wonderful feeling.

If You’re Still Stuck…

Validating an EPUB file can seem like a daunting task, but with the rights tools in your arsenal and a little patience, the process can be made fairly straightforward. If you’re still having trouble getting your eBook validated—not to worry. You can reach out to a Foglio Custom Book Specialist to get quick, expert help in validating your eBook.

Foglio is here to help you self-publish your book. Our comprehensive publishing services include editing, cover design, formatting, print, eBook design, and so much more. We want to empower authors to tell their stories and share their expertise on their own terms. Contact a Foglio Custom Book Specialist to begin your self-publishing journey today!