{ "schema_version": "1.0", "name": "Frontlist Self-Publishing Platform Metadata and File Specification Matrix", "description": "A source-linked comparison of metadata, identifier, manuscript, cover, and preflight requirements for eight self-publishing destinations.", "canonical_url": "https://www.frontlistpro.com/resources/publishing-specs", "markdown_url": "https://www.frontlistpro.com/publishing-specs.md", "json_url": "https://www.frontlistpro.com/publishing-specs.json", "publisher": { "name": "Frontlist", "legal_name": "Aunesty, LLC", "url": "https://www.frontlistpro.com/" }, "last_verified": "2026-10-07", "review_interval_days": 90, "disclaimer": "Platform rules change. Verify every final upload against the linked first-party source.", "universal_metadata_fields": [ "title", "subtitle", "author", "contributors", "series_name", "series_number", "description", "publisher", "imprint", "language", "categories", "keywords", "audience", "publication_date", "release_date", "rights", "territories", "price", "format", "edition", "isbn_or_platform_identifier", "approved_file_version", "retailer_url" ], "cross_platform_rules": [ "Match title, subtitle, author, contributor, and series metadata to the cover and book file.", "Create a separate product record for every format and edition.", "Never reuse one ISBN for different formats or editions.", "Use a destination-ready content file and cover file for each format.", "Verify rights, territories, price, release date, categories, keywords, and live links per destination.", "Preview the uploaded file rather than relying on a local source file." ], "platforms": [ { "id": "amazon-kdp", "name": "Amazon KDP", "formats": ["ebook", "paperback", "hardcover"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "subtitle", "series", "author", "contributors", "description", "publisher", "keywords", "primary_audience", "primary_marketplace", "categories", "rights", "territories", "price"], "title_rule": "Title must be the actual book title and must match the cover.", "title_plus_subtitle_limit_characters": 200, "keyword_slots_max": 7, "categories_max": 3, "conditional_fields": ["reading_age", "sexually_explicit_content"] }, "identifiers": { "ebook_isbn_required": false, "paperback_isbn_required": true, "hardcover_isbn_required": true, "notes": "KDP states an exception for eligible low-content print books. KDP can provide a free print ISBN or accept a publisher-owned ISBN." }, "files": { "ebook_content_recommended": ["EPUB", "KPF", "DOC", "DOCX"], "ebook_cover": { "front_only": true, "preferred_format": "JPEG", "width_pixels_recommended": 1600, "height_pixels_recommended": 2560, "resolution_dpi_min": 300, "color_space": "RGB", "max_file_size_mb": 5 }, "print_cover": { "format": "PDF", "layout": "single file containing back, spine, and front", "bleed_inches_top_bottom_outside": 0.125, "image_resolution_dpi": 300, "color_space": "CMYK", "paperback_spine_text_min_pages": 79 } }, "preflight": [ "Match cover, manuscript, and title setup metadata.", "Preview the ebook in Kindle Previewer.", "Resolve print preview trim, bleed, margin, font, barcode, and spine errors.", "Confirm categories, keywords, audience, marketplace, rights, territories, and price.", "Confirm KDP Select enrollment is compatible with the distribution plan." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Metadata Guidelines for Books", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201097560"}, {"title": "Supported eBook manuscript formats", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200634390/"}, {"title": "Kindle eBook cover guidelines", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G6GTK3T3NUHKLEFX"}, {"title": "Paperback cover requirements", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201953020"}, {"title": "KDP keywords", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201743260"}, {"title": "KDP categories", "url": "https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G200652170"} ] }, { "id": "ingramspark", "name": "IngramSpark", "formats": ["ebook", "paperback", "hardcover"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "subtitle", "contributors", "contributor_bio", "description", "BISAC", "Thema", "keywords", "audience_code", "age_range", "grade_range", "series", "rights", "territories", "price"], "title_plus_subtitle_recommended_max_characters": 80, "contributor_bio_words_recommended": {"min": 50, "max": 250}, "description_words_recommended": {"min": 200, "max": 600}, "bisac_subjects_recommended": {"min": 2, "max": 3}, "thema_subjects_max": 3, "keywords_recommended_min": 7 }, "identifiers": { "unique_isbn_required_per_distributed_format": true, "notes": "Paperback, hardcover, and ebook versions require different ISBNs." }, "files": { "ebook_content": "EPUB", "ebook_cover": { "format": "JPG", "front_only": true, "longest_side_pixels": 2560, "shortest_side_pixels_min": 1600, "color_space": "RGB" }, "print_interior": { "format": "PDF", "separate_from_cover": true, "pages": "single pages, not spreads", "fonts_embedded": true, "crop_marks": false, "image_resolution_ppi_recommended": 300, "bleed_inches_top_bottom_outside": 0.125 }, "print_cover": { "format": "PDF", "separate_from_interior": true, "resolution_ppi": 300, "color_space": "CMYK", "bleed_inches_standard": 0.125, "case_laminate_wrap_inches": 0.625, "type_safety_inches": 0.25, "paperback_spine_text_min_pages": 48, "barcode_clear_area_inches": {"width": 1.75, "height": 1} } }, "preflight": [ "Match metadata to the cover, title page, copyright page, and identifier record.", "Validate the EPUB and use a front-only ebook cover.", "Embed fonts and confirm trim, margins, bleed, resolution, and color in the interior PDF.", "Use a current cover template for the exact ISBN, trim, binding, paper, and page count.", "Confirm wholesale discount, return status, price, territories, publication date, and on-sale date." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Metadata Checklist", "url": "https://www.ingramspark.com/hubfs/downloads/metadata-checklist.pdf"}, {"title": "Print file requirements", "url": "https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/file-requirements-for-print-books"}, {"title": "Ebook file requirements", "url": "https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/file-requirements-for-ebooks"}, {"title": "Cover Template Generator", "url": "https://myaccount.ingramspark.com/Portal/Tools/CoverTemplateGenerator"} ] }, { "id": "draft2digital", "name": "Draft2Digital", "formats": ["ebook", "paperback"], "metadata": { "shared_fields": ["front_cover", "title", "series_name", "publisher_name", "author_name", "language", "volume_number", "search_terms", "BISAC_subjects"], "bisac_rule": "Order subjects by importance and do not mix fiction with nonfiction or incompatible audience groups." }, "identifiers": { "free_isbn_available": true, "platform_issued_isbn_reusable_elsewhere": false, "notes": "A Draft2Digital-provided ISBN may be used for identification and promotion but not to publish that edition through another service." }, "files": { "ebook_content": "Finished EPUB preferred; supported manuscript formats can be converted.", "ebook_cover": "Front cover art.", "print_cover": { "generated_option": true, "custom_formats": ["PDF", "PNG"], "custom_layout": "single wrap containing front, spine, and back", "template_basis": ["interior", "trim", "paper", "page_count"] } }, "preflight": [ "Review shared metadata and cover for both ebook and print.", "Order accurate BISAC subjects by importance.", "Approve ebook and print proofs.", "Avoid duplicate delivery to stores already controlled by another distributor.", "Review price, library price, territories, release timing, and partner restrictions." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Draft2Digital Knowledge Base", "url": "https://draft2digital.com/knowledge-base/"}, {"title": "Publishing steps", "url": "https://draft2digital.com/steps/"}, {"title": "Content guidelines", "url": "https://draft2digital.com/content-guidelines/"} ] }, { "id": "apple-books", "name": "Apple Books", "formats": ["ebook"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "author", "description", "subject_categories", "language", "interest_age", "explicit_content", "publisher", "original_publication_date", "price", "territories"], "interest_age_required_for": ["children", "teen"] }, "identifiers": { "epub_unique_identifier_required": true, "notes": "Use the identifier associated with the Apple Books record and do not reuse it for a different format or edition." }, "files": { "content": "EPUB that passes the latest EPUBCheck", "additional": ["sample", "description"], "cover": { "formats": ["JPEG", "PNG"], "color_space": "RGB", "shorter_axis_pixels_min": 1400, "resolution_dpi_recommended": 300 } }, "preflight": [ "Pass the latest EPUBCheck.", "Confirm external marketing cover and internal cover quality.", "Complete title, contributors, categories, language, audience, explicit-content status, publisher, and original date.", "Set price and clearances for every intended country or region." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Publish from the web", "url": "https://authors.apple.com/support/4574-publish-book-from-web"}, {"title": "Apple Books Asset Guide", "url": "https://help.apple.com/itc/booksassetguide/en.lproj/static.html"}, {"title": "Book cover art", "url": "https://help.apple.com/itc/booksassetguide/en.lproj/itc1bda991ba.html"}, {"title": "EPUB package document", "url": "https://help.apple.com/itc/booksassetguide/en.lproj/itc6000a3603.html"} ] }, { "id": "google-play-books", "name": "Google Play Books", "formats": ["ebook"], "metadata": { "required_fields": ["title", "genre", "identifier"], "recommended": "Complete as many additional metadata fields as possible and connect related-format identifiers." }, "identifiers": { "isbn_required": false, "google_assigned_identifier": "GGKEY", "accepted_isbn_lengths": [10, 13] }, "files": { "content_formats": ["EPUB", "PDF"], "both_content_formats_recommended": true, "book_min_pages": 4, "max_file_size_gb": 2, "epub_requirements": ["complete book", "front cover included", "EpubCheck validated"], "pdf_requirements": ["complete book", "not password protected"], "cover": { "formats": ["JPEG", "PNG", "TIFF", "PDF"], "minimum_pixels": 640, "maximum_height_or_width_pixels": 7200 } }, "preflight": [ "Validate EPUB with EpubCheck and include the complete book and cover.", "Keep PDF complete and unprotected and add useful bookmarks when applicable.", "Complete title, genre, identifier, contributors, description, language, related formats, rights, territories, price, and release date.", "Follow identifier-based filename rules for the selected upload method." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Book file guidelines", "url": "https://support.google.com/books/partner/answer/3424254"}, {"title": "ISBNs and GGKEY", "url": "https://support.google.com/books/partner/answer/3431108"}, {"title": "Book metadata", "url": "https://support.google.com/books/partner/answer/3237055"} ] }, { "id": "kobo-writing-life", "name": "Kobo Writing Life", "formats": ["ebook"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "subtitle", "series_name", "series_number", "authors", "synopsis", "publisher", "imprint", "publication_date", "release_date", "eISBN", "primary_print_ISBN", "language", "public_domain", "subject_categories", "geographic_rights"], "release_date_required": true, "subject_categories_recommended": 3 }, "identifiers": { "eisbn_optional": true, "platform_assigns_when_missing": true, "unique_per_format": true }, "files": { "content_formats": ["DOC", "DOCX", "ODT", "EPUB", "MOBI"], "non_epub_files_converted": true, "cover": { "formats": ["JPG", "PNG"], "resolution_dpi_recommended": 300, "max_file_size_mb": 5, "target_width_pixels": 1072, "target_height_pixels": 1448 } }, "preflight": [ "Match title, subtitle, series, contributors, synopsis, and cover.", "Fix EPUB validation errors before publishing.", "Confirm publisher, imprint, dates, language, public-domain status, categories, and rights.", "Review Kobo Plus and OverDrive selections." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Setting up a new eBook", "url": "https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058975732-Setting-up-a-New-eBook"}, {"title": "Cover image tips", "url": "https://kobowritinglife.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059385711-Cover-Image-Tips"} ] }, { "id": "barnes-and-noble-press", "name": "Barnes & Noble Press", "formats": ["ebook", "paperback", "hardcover"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "author", "binding", "edition", "identifier", "imprint", "description", "category", "audience", "rights", "release_date", "price", "AI_disclosure"] }, "identifiers": { "ebook_isbn_required": false, "unique_isbn_required_per_print_binding": true, "free_print_isbn_available": true, "free_print_isbn_reusable_elsewhere": false, "notes": "B&N Press applies current platform and title-transfer restrictions to author-supplied ISBNs. Verify the ISBN FAQ before moving an existing edition." }, "files": { "ebook_content": "EPUB", "print_interior_formats": ["PDF", "Microsoft Word"], "print_cover": { "format": "PDF", "separate_from_interior": true, "remove_existing_barcode": true, "platform_adds_barcode": true } }, "preflight": [ "Open and validate the ebook EPUB.", "Pass print prepress with exact trim and binding.", "Remove duplicate barcode from the uploaded cover.", "Finalize identifier, title, author, binding, imprint, rights, disclosure, price, and release date." ], "sources": [ {"title": "ISBN FAQs", "url": "https://help-press.barnesandnoble.com/hc/en-us/articles/5358254743963-ISBN-FAQs"}, {"title": "Creating print books", "url": "https://help-press.barnesandnoble.com/hc/en-us/articles/5359164624283-Creating-Print-Books"}, {"title": "ePub formatting guide", "url": "https://help-press.barnesandnoble.com/hc/en-us/articles/46990297345691-B-N-Press-ePub-Formatting-Guide-for-eBooks"}, {"title": "Cover and interior troubleshooting", "url": "https://help-press.barnesandnoble.com/hc/en-us/articles/5359031189787-Cover-Interior-Not-Accepted"} ] }, { "id": "acx", "name": "ACX", "formats": ["audiobook"], "metadata": { "important_fields": ["title", "subtitle", "author", "series", "narrator", "description", "category", "language", "copyright", "chapters", "distribution", "opening_credits", "closing_credits"], "source_title_requirement": "Eligible ebook already for sale in the Amazon.com Kindle Store" }, "identifiers": { "claim_identifier": "Kindle ebook ASIN", "notes": "Record the final Audible product identifier and live URLs after release." }, "files": { "audio": { "requirements": "Follow the current ACX audio submission requirements and audio analysis check.", "retail_sample_max_minutes": 5, "credits_must_match_metadata": true }, "production_manuscript_formats": ["Word", "PDF", "TXT"], "cover": { "formats": ["JPG", "PNG", "TIF"], "aspect_ratio": "1:1", "width_pixels_min": 2400, "height_pixels_min": 2400, "resolution_dpi_min": 72, "color_space": "RGB", "color_depth_bits_min": 24, "max_file_size_mb": 8, "prohibited": ["pricing", "marketplace references", "external URLs", "barcodes", "QR codes", "physical media imagery", "Audible branding"] } }, "preflight": [ "Confirm audio rights, account eligibility, and Kindle source title.", "Match metadata, cover, manuscript, and spoken credits.", "Pass current audio-file and retail-sample requirements.", "Pass square-cover size, format, color, content, and file-size rules.", "Finalize distribution choice and production approvals." ], "sources": [ {"title": "Rights holder checklist", "url": "https://help.acx.com/s/article/the-acx-rights-holder-s-audiobook-checklist"}, {"title": "Claim my title", "url": "https://help.acx.com/s/article/claim-my-title"}, {"title": "Audio submission requirements", "url": "https://help.acx.com/s/article/what-are-the-acx-audio-submission-requirements"}, {"title": "Cover art requirements", "url": "https://help.acx.com/s/article/cover-art-requirements"}, {"title": "Title metadata guidance", "url": "https://help.acx.com/s/article/acx-audiobook-profile"} ] } ] }