Understanding ebook Publishing: Does a Human Read Your Content Before It’s Published?

As more authors look to self-publish their ebooks, the process becomes increasingly important to understand. One common question is whether publishers or platforms like Amazon KDP and Google Books review the content of submitted ebooks. This article aims to clarify the process and answer the burning question: does a human actually read your content to decide if it's publishable or not?

Amazon KDP: No Human Review of Content

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) does not actively review the content of ebooks prior to publication. The primary responsibility is placed on the self-publisher to ensure the submission meets the necessary quality standards. However, KDP does engage in certain checks, even if these are mechanical in nature.

KDP performs a series of automated checks to ensure that the submission meets the necessary formatting and quality standards. These checks include verifying the pagination, spelling, and overall formatting of the content. While these checks can help catch basic errors, they do not involve a thorough examination of the content by a human reviewer. According to insiders, KDP is guided more by algorithms and automated checks than by human intervention.

Google Books: Mechanics and Algorithms

Google Books also operates under an automated process. While specific details might differ, the general principle holds that Google Books also relies on algorithms and automated checks for submission evaluation. The platform does not require a human to review each submission in depth.

Google Books has a similar approach to KDP, which means that once an ebook is submitted, it goes through a series of mechanical verifications. This includes checks for formatting, quality, and any potential copyright infringement issues. However, it's important to note that the core process is driven by automated systems rather than human reviewers.

The Human Element in Publishing

Despite the reliance on automated systems, both KDP and Google Books do have mechanisms in place to ensure that they address potential issues. For instance, if copyright concerns arise or if the submission is suspected of a breach, KDP will contact the author to seek clarification. Similarly, Google Books may investigate claims of copyright infringement or other issues that arise after submission.

It's crucial for authors to understand that while automated checks are in place, these platforms are not entirely immune to human interaction. However, this engagement tends to be minimal and typically happens if a significant issue is flagged, rather than as a routine part of the submission process.

Conclusion

When it comes to self-publishing an ebook through Amazon KDP or Google Books, the reality is that a human reviewer is rarely involved in the initial stages. Both platforms rely heavily on algorithms and automated checks to ensure that the submissions meet the necessary standards.

While automated systems can provide robust and efficient content checks, authors should be aware of the automated checks and ensure that their submissions are free of errors. Additionally, understanding the processes and potential points of human intervention can help authors address any issues proactively and ensure a smoother publication journey.

Keywords: KDP, Google Books, Human Review, Publishing Process, Algorithmic Checking