A comprehensive pre-publication review covering the non-story elements that must be correct
before a book goes to market. This skill assumes the manuscript content is finalized and focuses
entirely on packaging, formatting, metadata, and platform compliance.

## Key Points

- User says "is my book ready to publish", "publication checklist", "prepare for KDP"
- User has finished editing and wants to verify they haven't missed anything
- User is self-publishing for the first time and needs guidance on requirements
- User wants to check formatting, metadata, or front/back matter completeness
- **The manuscript file** — to check formatting and structure
- **Target platform(s)** — KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Smashwords, or print
- **Genre and target audience** — for metadata validation
- **Cover file** (optional) — to verify specifications
- **Title**: Exact match between cover, title page, and metadata fields
- **Subtitle**: If present, consistent everywhere
- **Author name**: Pen name consistent across all platforms
- **Book description/blurb**: 150-300 words, formatted for the platform (HTML for KDP)

Publication Readiness Checklist Skill

A comprehensive pre-publication review covering the non-story elements that must be correct before a book goes to market. This skill assumes the manuscript content is finalized and focuses entirely on packaging, formatting, metadata, and platform compliance.

When to Use This Skill

• User says "is my book ready to publish", "publication checklist", "prepare for KDP"
• User has finished editing and wants to verify they haven't missed anything
• User is self-publishing for the first time and needs guidance on requirements
• User wants to check formatting, metadata, or front/back matter completeness

Input Requirements

• The manuscript file — to check formatting and structure
• Target platform(s) — KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Smashwords, or print
• Genre and target audience — for metadata validation
• Cover file (optional) — to verify specifications

Checklist Sections

Section 1 — Front Matter

Check for presence and correct ordering:

Element	Required?	Notes
Half title page	Optional	Title only, no author name — traditional in print
Title page	Required	Full title, subtitle, author name
Copyright page	Required	Copyright notice, year, ISBN, edition, rights statement
Dedication	Optional	Keep it short; typically its own page
Epigraph	Optional	Verify you have rights to quoted material
Table of contents	Required for non-fiction; optional for fiction	Must be hyperlinked in ebooks
Foreword	Optional	Written by someone other than the author
Preface/Author's note	Optional	If present, should not duplicate the blurb
Map or character list	Genre-dependent	Common in fantasy, thriller, ensemble fiction

Copyright page must include: copyright symbol + year + author name, "All rights reserved", ISBN-13, publisher/imprint name, country of publication, fiction disclaimer, and content warnings if applicable. Edition number and cover designer credit as needed.

Section 2 — Back Matter

Element	Required?	Notes
Acknowledgments	Optional	Common and expected in traditionally published; optional in indie
Author bio	Strongly recommended	50-100 words, third person, genre-relevant
Also-by page	Recommended if backlist exists	Hyperlinked in ebooks
Call to action	Recommended for indie	Newsletter signup, review request, social links
Excerpt of next book	Optional	Effective for series — first chapter of Book 2
Glossary	Genre-dependent	Fantasy, sci-fi, or technical fiction
Appendices	Genre-dependent	Historical notes, research bibliography

Section 3 — Interior Formatting

Universal checks: Consistent heading hierarchy, chapter title format, scene break markers. No orphans/widows. Consistent paragraph indent (0.3-0.5 in). Single space after periods. Smart (curly) quotes throughout. Em dashes, en dashes, hyphens correct. Consistent ellipses. Page breaks before chapters. Print headers/footers with author/title/page numbers.

Ebook-specific: Functional hyperlinked TOC, no blank-screen page breaks, alt text on images, licensed fonts, file size within platform limits.

Print-specific: Correct margins for trim size (gutter wider than outer), spine width matches page count, bleed settings correct, Roman numerals for front matter, recto starts for chapters.

Section 4 — Metadata

Required metadata:

• Title: Exact match between cover, title page, and metadata fields
• Subtitle: If present, consistent everywhere
• Author name: Pen name consistent across all platforms
• Book description/blurb: 150-300 words, formatted for the platform (HTML for KDP)
• BISAC codes: 2-3 codes that accurately represent genre (check bisg.org)
• Keywords: 7 keywords/phrases for KDP (use all 7 slots, research competition)
• Price: Appropriate for genre, length, and market position
• Series name and number: If applicable, consistent formatting

Blurb checklist: Hook in first sentence, clear stakes, no spoilers past 25%, ends with tension, no typos. The blurb is the most-read text after the title.

ISBN guidance: Ebook, print, hardcover, and audiobook each need separate ISBNs. Free KDP ISBNs list Amazon as publisher — buy from Bowker (US) or Nielsen (UK) for your own imprint.

Section 5 — Platform-Specific Requirements

Amazon KDP (Ebook): EPUB or DOCX, cover 2560x1600px ideal (JPEG/TIFF), under 650 MB. Decide DRM and KDP Select exclusivity before publishing — cannot change after.

Amazon KDP (Print): Press-quality PDF interior, PDF cover sized via KDP calculator. Common trim sizes: 5x8, 5.5x8.5, 6x9. Cream paper preferred for fiction.

IngramSpark: PDF/X-1a:2001 interior, CMYK 300 DPI cover. Setup fee applies. Set returns policy (bookstores won't stock non-returnable). Wider distribution than KDP print.

Draft2Digital / Smashwords: DOCX or EPUB, wide distribution (Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries), no exclusivity, automatic format conversion.

Section 6 — Legal and Administrative

• Copyright registration: Filed with the US Copyright Office (or equivalent)?
• Pen name setup: If using a pseudonym, DBA filed? Bank account linked?
• Tax information: W-9 (US) or W-8BEN (non-US) submitted to platforms?
• Content rights: All quoted material, song lyrics, or brand names cleared?
• Beta reader / editor NDAs: If pre-release content was shared, are agreements in place?
• ARC distribution: Advanced reader copies sent with clear review timeline?

Output Format

# Publication Readiness Report
**Title**: [title]
**Date**: [today]
**Target platform(s)**: [platforms]

## Readiness Score: [X/Y items complete]

## Checklist Results

### Front Matter: [Complete / Incomplete]
- [x] Title page
- [ ] Copyright page — MISSING: ISBN not included
- ...

### Back Matter: [Complete / Incomplete]
- [x] Author bio
- [ ] Also-by page — MISSING
- ...

### Formatting: [Complete / Issues Found]
- [list of issues found]

### Metadata: [Complete / Incomplete]
- [list of missing or problematic metadata]

### Platform Compliance: [Ready / Not Ready]
- [platform-specific issues]

### Legal: [Complete / Items Pending]
- [list of pending items]

## Priority Actions Before Publication
1. [most critical missing item]
2. [next most critical]
3. ...

Anti-Patterns

Treating this as a content review. This skill checks packaging, not story quality. If the manuscript has plot holes, that is a different skill's problem. Do not mix content feedback into a publication readiness checklist.

Requiring every optional element. Not every book needs a dedication, foreword, or glossary. Report missing optional elements as suggestions, not failures.

Ignoring platform differences. What works for KDP may not work for IngramSpark. Always check requirements against the specific target platforms the author intends to use.

Skipping the blurb review. The book description is the single most important marketing asset. A technically ready book with a weak blurb will not sell. Always review it.

Assuming US-only publication. ISBN sources, tax requirements, and legal frameworks vary by country. Ask where the author is based before giving legal or administrative guidance.