Format decision check

• □ Kindle eBook only.
• □ Paperback only.
• □ Hardcover only.
• □ Kindle eBook plus paperback.
• □ Paperback plus hardcover.
• □ Kindle eBook, paperback, and hardcover.
• □ Workbook, guided journal, manual, or visual-heavy book that needs extra layout care.

Master manuscript cleanup check

• □ One final source file has been chosen.
• □ Old draft sections have been removed.
• □ Placeholder notes have been removed or clearly resolved.
• □ Chapter order is final.
• □ Chapter titles match the table of contents.
• □ Headings are styled consistently.
• □ Random font changes have been cleaned up.
• □ Extra spaces, repeated blank lines, and broken paragraph spacing have been reviewed.
• □ Page breaks or section breaks are intentional.
• □ Title, subtitle, author name, and series information match the intended KDP setup.
• □ The file has been saved with a clear version name.

Front matter check

• □ Title page included.
• □ Subtitle matches the cover and metadata, if used.
• □ Author name matches the cover and metadata.
• □ Copyright or rights notice reviewed.
• □ ISBN appears only where it is final and correct for that format.
• □ Disclaimer included where appropriate.
• □ Dedication included only if intended.
• □ Table of contents included where useful or required for the format.
• □ Foreword, preface, or introduction included only if it serves the reader.

Back matter check

• □ About the author section included if useful.
• □ Reader next step included where appropriate.
• □ Newsletter, website, or community link reviewed.
• □ Related books, guides, or resources listed only if relevant.
• □ Source notes, acknowledgments, or bibliography included if needed.
• □ Calls-to-action do not overpromise results.
• □ Links are checked before export.

AI-assisted manuscript cleanup check

• □ Repeated phrases and repeated paragraph patterns reviewed.
• □ Generic claims replaced with clearer examples.
• □ Unsupported legal, tax, financial, copyright, trademark, or platform claims removed.
• □ Repeated “in conclusion” or summary-style endings cleaned up.
• □ Voice checked against the intended audience.
• □ Chapter introductions do not all sound the same.
• □ Checklists and examples match the actual content.
• □ AI-generated text, images, artwork, or translations are documented for KDP disclosure review.
• □ AI-assisted material has been reviewed by a human before export.

Kindle/eBook formatting check

• □ Chapter headings are styled consistently.
• □ Table of contents works.
• □ Chapter starts are clear.
• □ Images are inserted cleanly and not floating unpredictably.
• □ Large tables have been simplified or reviewed carefully.
• □ Text boxes, sidebars, and multi-column layouts are avoided unless tested.
• □ Internal links and external links are checked.
• □ Footnotes or endnotes are reviewed if used.
• □ Kindle Previewer or KDP Online Previewer has been used before publishing.
• □ KDP Select, DRM, territories, and eBook pricing are reviewed before the final publish step.

Paperback interior check

• □ Trim size selected and used consistently.
• □ Margins reviewed for the book size and page count.
• □ Gutter margin reviewed where needed.
• □ Bleed setting understood and used correctly where needed.
• □ Page numbers are consistent.
• □ Headers and footers are consistent.
• □ Blank pages are intentional.
• □ Fonts are embedded or handled correctly in the final print file.
• □ Images are high enough quality for print.
• □ The final print interior has been exported as a separate file.
• □ The final print file has been backed up.

Hardcover preparation check

• □ Hardcover format is supported for the book setup you want.
• □ Trim size and page count are reviewed for hardcover use.
• □ Interior file is checked separately from the paperback version.
• □ Any ISBN shown inside the book matches the hardcover ISBN if used.
• □ Hardcover cover requirements are reviewed before export.
• □ ISBN choice is reviewed for the hardcover format.
• □ Distribution limits are understood.
• □ Proof review is planned where possible.

Cover file check

• □ Cover title matches the manuscript and metadata.
• □ Subtitle matches the manuscript and metadata.
• □ Author name matches everywhere.
• □ Front cover text is readable at thumbnail size.
• □ Back cover copy is proofread.
• □ Spine text is used only if the book has enough pages for it.
• □ Paperback cover file matches the final trim size and page count.
• □ Hardcover cover file is created separately if publishing hardcover.
• □ Safe areas, bleed, barcode area, and edges have been reviewed.
• □ Image quality is high enough for print.
• □ Final cover file is saved separately from the editable source file.

Preview check

• □ eBook table of contents works.
• □ Chapter starts look clean.
• □ Images appear where expected.
• □ Links work where used.
• □ Print margins are acceptable.
• □ Text is not too close to the edge.
• □ Bleed pages are handled correctly.
• □ Page numbers and headers look consistent.
• □ Cover alignment is reviewed.
• □ Barcode area is clear for print formats where relevant.
• □ Proof copy is ordered or planned where useful.

Source vs. upload file check

• □ Editable manuscript source file saved.
• □ Editable cover source file saved.
• □ Final Kindle/eBook upload file saved separately.
• □ Final paperback interior upload file saved separately.
• □ Final hardcover interior upload file saved separately if used.
• □ Final eBook, paperback, and hardcover covers saved separately.
• □ File names include format and date or version number.
• □ Old drafts are not mixed into the final upload folder.

Before opening the KDP upload screens

• □ Files are ready.
• □ Metadata is ready.
• □ Rights notes are ready.
• □ AI disclosure notes are ready.
• □ ISBN and imprint choices are ready for print formats.
• □ Pricing and distribution choices are ready.
• □ Backup folder is complete.
• □ Main KDP readiness checklist has been reviewed.

• □ Formatting the book before the structure is final: changes to chapters, sections, and page count can break later file work.
• □ Using one file for every format: Kindle, paperback, and hardcover may need different final files.
• □ Finalizing the print cover too early: page count changes can affect the spine and cover size.
• □ Ignoring image quality: images that look fine on screen may not be good enough for print.
• □ Using the paperback file as the Kindle file without review: print layout and eBook layout serve different reading experiences.
• □ Forgetting hardcover differences: hardcover may need a separate ISBN, separate cover, and separate proof review.
• □ Not checking links: broken links can create a poor reader experience.
• □ Skipping preview: many file issues only become obvious after export.
• □ No backup folder: later corrections become harder when you cannot identify the exact uploaded files.

• □ First-time KDP authors preparing files.
• □ AI-assisted writers turning drafts into books.
• □ Coaches creating workbooks, frameworks, or training manuals.
• □ Educators preparing teaching guides or student resources.
• □ Faith-based writers preparing devotionals or teaching content.
• □ Designers helping authors prepare covers.
• □ Freelancers helping clients clean up manuscripts and files.
• □ Creators building lead magnets, manuals, or publishing-ready assets.

• How to Publish Your Book on Amazon KDP Without Getting Lost — use this as the main KDP readiness checklist before upload.
• AI Writing & Publishing Resource Hub — use this to find the right writing, editing, formatting, KDP, Shopify, and publishing resource for your current stage.
• Righteous AI Authors Toolkit — use this before formatting if the book idea, reader promise, draft, or chapter path still needs work.
• AI Copyright for Authors — use this to strengthen your documentation habit for human authorship, source notes, rights notes, and AI-use records.
• Build and Market AI-Assisted Products From Your Existing Framework — use this if your book comes from a coaching method, teaching system, course, worksheet, or original framework.
• Why Creators Get Stuck Between Learning and Actually Publishing — use this if the real issue is not formatting but hesitation before shipping.
• AI Creator Roadmap — use this to see where publishing fits inside the full Jack Righteous creator system.