ebook-publishing-skill

Built by Artur Ferreira @ The GEO Lab · 𝕏 @TheGEO_Lab · LinkedIn · Reddit

The most comprehensive ebook and audiobook self-publishing skill for Claude Code. Covers the full lifecycle: write → format → convert → distribute → launch.

What Makes This the "Ultimate" Skill

Most publishing skills cover one thing — EPUB conversion, or KDP setup, or cover specs. This skill covers everything, including things no other skill addresses:

• ✅ HTML→PDF Puppeteer screenshot workflow (WeasyPrint/page.pdf() warnings included)
• ✅ Verified cover specs for 11 platform/format combinations with ratio and DPI
• ✅ AI audiobook production (ElevenLabs Studio, KDP Virtual Voice, distribution matrix)
• ✅ INaudio/Findaway Voices (rebranded August 2025) — wide audiobook distribution
• ✅ Google Play Books via PublishDrive
• ✅ ISBN strategy — the KDP free ISBN trap, buying your own, KDP+IngramSpark dual strategy
• ✅ IngramSpark 2026 update — upload fee removed, 1.875% Market Access Fee
• ✅ Permafree strategy and BookBub eligibility requirements
• ✅ Series pricing and read-through economics
• ✅ Gumroad MCP automation (rmarescu/gumroad-mcp)
• ✅ Python EPUB generation script (inspired by smerchek/claude-epub-skill, MIT)
• ✅ Full EPUB tool chain with Pandoc commands and epub-styles.css
• ✅ Platform MCP/API status for all platforms
• ✅ Production-tested — part of the The GEO Lab toolkit for AI-assisted content operations

Platforms Covered

Ebook Retailers

Aggregators

Print-on-Demand

Audiobook Distribution

Install

Via Claude Code plugin marketplace

/plugin marketplace add YOUR_GITHUB_USERNAME/ebook-publishing-skill
/plugin install ebook-publishing@ebook-publishing-skill

Manual install

git clone https://github.com/YOUR_GITHUB_USERNAME/ebook-publishing-skill.git ~/.claude/skills/ebook-publishing

Via skills CLI

npx skills add YOUR_GITHUB_USERNAME/ebook-publishing-skill

File Structure

ebook-publishing/
├── SKILL.md                        # Main skill — always loaded (~100 tokens)
├── project-context.md              # Your brand + publishing setup (edit this)
└── references/
    ├── platforms.md                # All platforms, royalties, API status (2026)
    ├── cover-specs.md              # Verified cover dimensions for 11 platforms
    ├── formatting.md               # EPUB tool chain, HTML→PDF, Pandoc, Python script
    ├── audiobooks.md               # ACX, ElevenLabs, KDP VV, INaudio, distribution matrix
    ├── isbn-strategy.md            # ISBN buying guide, KDP trap, KDP+IS dual strategy
    └── promotion.md                # BookBub, permafree, series, ARC, launch playbook

Contributing

Platform specs change constantly — royalties shift, fees change, new platforms emerge. PRs with sourced updates are always welcome.

See CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines. Use the issue templates for:

• Platform spec updates
• Bug reports
• New platform requests

Attributions & Licence

Built and maintained by Artur Ferreira · Part of the The GEO Lab toolkit.

Best Practice Attribution

This skill was built following the open source Best Practice Approach — reading community work for inspiration, then writing original content, and crediting every source.

Based on:

• Agent Skills specification by Anthropic (Apache 2.0)

Inspired by community repos researched during development:

• smerchek/claude-epub-skill — Markdown→EPUB3 conversion with Python (MIT) — Python script pattern in references/formatting.md
• coreyhaines31/marketingskills — marketing skill patterns (MIT)
• alirezarezvani/claude-skills — skill structure conventions (MIT)
• ThomasHoussin/Claude-Book — multi-agent fiction writing with EPUB/MOBI build

Platform data compiled from official documentation:

• Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Gumroad, Payhip, Draft2Digital, B&N Press, IngramSpark, Google Play Books, PublishDrive, StreetLib
• Audiobook sources: ElevenLabs, INaudio (formerly Findaway Voices), ACX, KDP Virtual Voice
• Industry sources: Reedsy, ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), IngramSpark Blog, selfpublishing.com

All skill content is original writing. No files were copied or adapted from any source. MIT licence.

Found this useful? ⭐ Star the repo and connect: 🌐 thegeolab.net · 𝕏 @TheGEO_Lab · LinkedIn · Reddit

Changelog

v2.0.0 (March 2026) — The Ultimate Edition

Added:

• Complete audiobook reference — ElevenLabs Studio workflow, KDP Virtual Voice (US beta), INaudio/Findaway Voices (rebranded Aug 2025), AI narration distribution matrix
• ISBN strategy reference — the KDP free ISBN trap, buy your own (Bowker/Nielsen), KDP+IngramSpark dual publish strategy
• Promotion & launch reference — permafree mechanics, BookBub eligibility, series read-through economics, ARC strategy, email list building from back matter
• Google Play Books, PublishDrive (400+ stores), StreetLib platforms
• IngramSpark 2026 update — upload fee removed, 1.875% Market Access Fee
• Python EPUB generation script (inspired by smerchek/claude-epub-skill, MIT)
• EPUB CSS template (epub-styles.css)
• Kindle Unlimited KENPC mechanics

Updated:

• Cover specs expanded to 11 platform/format combinations
• Platforms reference restructured with aggregators and POD as separate sections
• Royalty calculator updated for all platforms

v1.1.0 (March 2026)

• Added HTML→PDF Puppeteer screenshot workflow (6-step, with WeasyPrint/page.pdf() warnings)
• Updated cover specs to 9 platforms with ratio and DPI columns
• Added Gumroad MCP documentation (rmarescu/gumroad-mcp)
• Added platform API/MCP status table for all platforms
• Added DPI requirements table by output type
• Added interactive elements strategy for designed ebooks

v1.0.0 (March 2026) — Initial release

Core skill built from scratch following the Agent Skills specification. Covers: book structure, EPUB formatting, cover design, metadata, pricing, launch strategy. Platforms: Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Gumroad, Payhip, Draft2Digital, Kobo, B&N Press, IngramSpark.

Licence

MIT — see LICENSE

Built and maintained by Artur Ferreira · Part of the The GEO Lab toolkit · MIT License