Our Apple Books publishing services set up your eBook so it reaches readers on iPhone, iPad and Mac. We open your Apple Books for Authors account, prepare your EPUB file and details, set your prices and submit the book, so it is published correctly in your own account.
Apple Books is one of the largest eBook stores outside Amazon, and it does not require exclusivity. This service is part of our book distribution services.
Publish on Apple Books: what we handle
- Your Apple Books for Authors account, tax and payment details
- A valid EPUB file that passes Apple’s checks
- Title, series, description, categories and keywords
- Prices for each country and currency
- Cover and sample, checked before submission
Apple’s file and identifier requirements are updated from time to time, and we confirm the current ones before we start.
Apple Books for Authors setup
You can publish directly through Apple Books for Authors, which works from a Mac or a PC. Direct publishing gives you control over pricing and pre-orders and keeps the account in your name. Apple reviews each book before it goes on sale, and we fix any file issues that come up.
Apple Books pre-order setup
A pre-order lets readers buy before the release date and gives you something to promote during the launch. We set the release date, upload the files and plan the timing with your other stores. See our book launch strategy services for the wider plan.
Direct or through an aggregator?
You can reach Apple Books directly or through an aggregator such as Draft2Digital. Publishing directly gives you the most control, and an aggregator saves time if you are reaching many stores. We recommend the route that fits your plan.
How readers find books on Apple Books
Apple Books readers browse charts, curated collections and search results, and they often read samples before buying. Your title, subtitle, description and category carry the weight in search, while the cover and sample decide whether the reader goes on. Series information helps readers find the next book. We prepare the metadata and the sample so the listing is clear and consistent with your other stores.
File and cover requirements
Apple Books uses EPUB files and checks them for errors, so a clean, valid file is the first requirement. The cover must be a high-resolution image that meets Apple’s current size and format rules, and the interior should not contain a copy of the cover as a first page. We validate the file before upload and fix problems that would delay approval, so you are not stuck waiting for a rejection.
Prices in different countries
Apple lets you set prices for different countries and currencies, and you need the right to sell in each territory. A sensible approach is to set one base price and review the others so that they look fair to local readers. You also need to complete the tax and payment details Apple asks for. We explain what each step means, but tax advice should come from a qualified adviser.
Updating the book and handling reviews
If you find a typo or want to refresh the cover, you can upload a corrected file, and Apple will review it before it replaces the old one. Apple Books shows ratings and reviews from readers, so a book that is well formatted and honest in its description tends to earn better feedback. We never buy reviews and we advise against any service that offers them.
Preparing launch day on Apple Books
Apple Books readers often discover books through collections and new-release lists, so a launch works best when the listing is complete on day one. That means the final cover, the description, the categories and a sample that opens cleanly. Plan the price and the release date together, and check that your series page shows the right order. We prepare a launch-day checklist and test the listing on a phone and a tablet before the book goes live, so your first readers see a polished page and not a work in progress.
Questions about Apple Books publishing
Does Apple Books require exclusivity?
No. You can sell your eBook on Apple Books and in other stores. If your eBook is in KDP Select, though, Amazon requires exclusivity for the eBook during enrolment.
Do I need an ISBN for Apple Books?
Requirements can change, so we confirm Apple’s current rules before you publish and explain your options.
Do I need a Mac?
No. Apple Books for Authors can be used from a Mac or a PC, and we handle the account setup for you.
Can I set a pre-order?
Yes. We can set a release date and open pre-orders when it suits your launch plan.
How long does it take?
Once your file is final, setup takes a few days. Apple then reviews the book, and review times vary.
Do I need to buy special software?
No. We help you use whichever author tools Apple currently provides and we confirm the requirements when we set up your account.
Can I sell on Apple Books and Amazon together?
Yes, unless your eBook is enrolled in KDP Select, which requires Amazon exclusivity for the eBook. See KDP Select.
Is an ISBN required on Apple Books?
Requirements change, so we check what Apple asks for at setup. We generally recommend your own ISBN if you sell beyond Amazon.
How long does Apple review take?
Review times vary, so we build extra days into your plan and never leave a launch to the last minute.
Do Apple Books readers buy different books from Amazon readers?
Reading habits overlap, but audiences differ by country and device. Apple Books is strong among people who use Apple devices, and it is a good second store for many authors. Your own sales reports will show whether it works for your genre and your readers.
Related services
- Book distribution services
- eBook distribution services
- Draft2Digital publishing services
- Book formatting services
Why authors work with us
- You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts
- You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts
- You approve every file before it moves to the next step
- One project manager keeps you informed at every stage