Converting your Word file for eBook publishing is not the nightmare you imagine it to be.

You don’t have to waste your time converting your Word document into ePub or MOBI or any other format before uploading to the bookseller platforms you’ve chosen.

Each site, be it Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Kobo, and many of the booksellers, convert your Word document into their preferred format. There will be a minimal amount of set-up required from your end, e.g., table of contents (TOC) before uploading your Word document. As with any experience, the first time will test you some, but you don’t have to stress over it.

Amazon Kindle offers KINDLE CREATE software for download to your computer at no charge. The download will take minutes. Once downloaded, upload a Doc or Docx format of your Word document and follow the simple step-by-step instructions. You can proof your manuscript, make any necessary changes, or, if needed, restart the process as many times as you like. You can even view your script on a Kindle reader or mobile device for appearance.

Easier yet, you can upload your Word Doc file directly to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing site.

Kobo requires a Docx format of your Word document upload. They magically do the rest.

Smashwords requires a Doc format of your Word document. The only challenge I encountered with the upload was the Table of Contents, which must be formatted to their requirements. This took me some (arghhh #$@) time to figure out, but I love a challenge. The Table of Contents generated by Word is not suitable for Smashwords. It must be deleted and replaced with a manually linked bookmark to your chapters. The process is not complicated, just time-consuming, but once you have the process in place, it’s smooth sailing. Before you start, watch this Create a Linked Table of Contents video. The video provides you the necessary information on how to set up your Table of Contents.

If you don’t have the time to watch the video, below is a Step-By-Step guide.

• With your cursor, highlight the name or number at the beginning of each chapter.
• Click INSERT, then BOOKMARK.
• Spell out the chapter name or number click ADD.
• Repeat the above step for every chapter.
• Once you’ve created a BOOKMARK list, go to your TABLE OF CONTENTS page and type in the list of your chapter names or numbers.
• List completed, highlight chapter name or number.
• Click INSERT then HYPERLINK. The EDIT HYPERLINK window appears.
• On The LINK TO: table to the left of the opened window, ensure PLACE IN THIS DOCUMENT is highlighted. Now scroll to the BOOKMARKS drop table.
• Click on the linking chapter name or number and click OK. Repeat the process for each chapter name or number est voila you’ve created your TOC.

It sounds more complicated than it is. Try it once or twice, and the rest becomes a breeze, and you can use this TOC format on all bookseller’s platforms.

Tip: Set the Display Bookmark Indicator On on Word to ensure you’re bookmarking the correct content. Follow these simple instructions to set it on.

• Click the File tab located at the far left corner of your Word document and then click Options.
• Click Advanced
• Roll down until you find the Show document content section.
• Click the Show bookmarks checkbox under
• Click OK.

Godspeed!

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