Updated February 2026

Ebook Launch Checklist

Go from a single prompt to a published, professional ebook in under 30 minutes. This is the complete ebook launch checklist for creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs who want to stop planning and start publishing.

No writing experience needed. No design skills required. Just your idea and this checklist.

How to Create an Ebook in 30 Minutes

Here is exactly how fast you can go from idea to published ebook with Inkfluence AI. No templates to fill. No blank pages to stare at.

1
0:00

Write Your Prompt

Type one sentence describing your ebook idea. That's it.

2
2:00

AI Generates Book

Complete chapters with content, structure, and flow. Not outlines - actual written content.

3
10:00

Review and Edit

Read through, tweak anything, add your personal touch. Regenerate sections you want different.

4
20:00

Design Your Cover

Pick a template, set colours, add your title. Professional cover in 2 minutes.

5
25:00

Export and Publish

Download as PDF or EPUB. Upload to KDP, Gumroad, or your website. Done.

Average time from prompt to published ebook: 27 minutes

Pre-Launch Checklist

🎯

Choose your ebook topic and target audience

Pick a specific niche. 'Meal prep for busy parents' beats 'cooking tips'.

1/8
✍️

Write your prompt in Inkfluence AI

One sentence is all you need. The AI generates a full manuscript with chapters, structure, and content.

2/8
📝

Review and edit your chapters

Read through, add your personal expertise, adjust tone. The AI gives you 80% - you make it yours.

3/8
🎨

Design your cover

Use the built-in cover designer. Choose a template, set your colours, add your title. Done in 2 minutes.

4/8
🔍

Write your title and subtitle with keywords

Include your main keyword in the title. Add a benefit-driven subtitle. This is your SEO.

5/8
💰

Set your price

$2.99-$9.99 for KDP (70% royalty). Free for lead magnets. $14.99+ for premium guides.

6/8
📦

Export in the right format

EPUB for KDP and Apple Books. PDF for your website and lead magnets. Inkfluence exports both.

7/8
🏠

Build a landing page or listing

Write a compelling description. Include 3-5 bullet points of what readers will learn.

8/8

Launch Day Checklist

🚀

Upload to your platform

KDP, Gumroad, your website, or all three. Publishing takes under 5 minutes per platform.

1/5
📧

Send to your email list

Your existing audience is your best launch asset. Send a personal email about why you wrote it.

2/5
📱

Share on social media

Post on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram. Share the story behind the book, not just a buy link.

3/5

Ask for early reviews

Send free copies to 10-20 people. Ask for honest reviews on Amazon or wherever you publish.

4/5
🌐

Submit to Google for indexing

If hosting on your site, submit the URL to Google Search Console. Use IndexNow for faster crawling.

5/5

Post-Launch Checklist

📊

Track your sales and downloads

Check KDP reports, Gumroad analytics, or your website stats daily for the first week.

1/4
💬

Respond to feedback

Reply to reviews, answer questions, engage with readers. This builds your author brand.

2/4
📄

Create supporting content

Write blog posts, social media content, or a free chapter preview to drive ongoing traffic.

3/4
📚

Plan your next ebook

Successful authors build a catalogue. Use insights from your first launch to improve the next one.

4/4

Traditional Ebook Launch vs Inkfluence AI

Step Traditional With Inkfluence AI
Write the manuscript 2-6 months 2 minutes (AI generates)
Edit and refine 2-4 weeks 10-15 minutes
Design the cover $200-500 (designer) 2 minutes (built-in)
Format for export $50-150 (formatter) 1 click
Total time to publish 3-8 months Under 30 minutes
Total cost $500-2,000+ Free to start

Ebook Launch Strategy: What Actually Works in 2026

Most ebook launch advice was written for a world where creating a book took months. You had to justify the effort with elaborate marketing plans, pre-launch campaigns, and complex funnels. That world is gone.

In 2026, the winning ebook launch strategy is speed. Create fast, publish fast, learn fast, iterate. Here is why:

The Speed Advantage

When you can create a professional ebook in 30 minutes, the economics of publishing change completely. You do not need to spend $2,000 on a designer, editor, and formatter. You do not need to plan a 6-week launch campaign to justify your investment. You can test ideas quickly, see what resonates, and double down on winners.

This is how successful digital creators operate now. They publish a lead magnet on Monday, see 200 downloads by Friday, and create a paid follow-up the next week. Speed is the strategy.

Where to Sell Your Ebook

Amazon KDP is still the largest marketplace. List your ebook at $2.99-$9.99 for 70% royalties. Optimise your title with keywords, write a compelling description, and choose the right categories. KDP handles global distribution to millions of Kindle readers.

Your own website gives you 100% of the revenue and your customer's email address. Use Gumroad, Payhip, or Shopify to sell directly. This works especially well for non-fiction guides and niche content where your audience already trusts you.

Lead magnets are the highest-ROI use of ebooks. Give your best content away free in exchange for email addresses. A well-targeted lead magnet can build your email list by hundreds of subscribers per month, and those subscribers become customers for your paid products.

The KDP Launch Formula

  1. Research your keywords first. Use Amazon's search bar to see what people actually search for. Pick a specific niche where you can rank on page one.
  2. Create your ebook with AI. One prompt in Inkfluence AI generates a complete manuscript. Review it, add your expertise, and export as EPUB.
  3. Design a scroll-stopping cover. The cover is your single most important marketing asset on Amazon. Use the built-in cover designer to create something professional.
  4. Write a keyword-rich description. Your KDP description should include your main keywords naturally. Focus on benefits, not features.
  5. Launch at a promotional price. Set your price at $0.99-$2.99 for the first week to drive initial sales and reviews. Then raise to your target price.
  6. Ask early readers for reviews. 10-20 honest reviews in the first month will significantly boost your Amazon rankings.

Ready to Launch Your Ebook?

Stop planning. Start publishing. Your first ebook is one prompt away.

Start My Ebook - Free

No credit card required. Create your first ebook in under 30 minutes.

Ebook Launch FAQ

How long does it take to create and launch an ebook?
With Inkfluence AI, you can go from a single prompt to a published ebook in under 30 minutes. The AI generates your chapters, you review and edit, design a cover, export as PDF or EPUB, and upload to your platform of choice. Traditional ebook creation takes weeks or months.
What format should I export my ebook in?
For Amazon KDP, export as EPUB or PDF. For your own website or lead magnets, PDF works best. For Apple Books and other retailers, use EPUB. Inkfluence AI exports in all major formats so you are covered everywhere.
Do I need to hire a designer for my ebook cover?
No. Inkfluence AI includes a built-in cover designer with professional templates, custom colours, fonts, and layouts. You can create a bookstore-quality cover in minutes without any design skills.
How do I price my ebook for launch?
For KDP, price between $2.99-$9.99 to qualify for the 70% royalty rate. For lead magnets, offer it free in exchange for email addresses. For premium guides, $14.99-$29.99 works well. Consider a launch discount of 50% off for the first week.
What is the best platform to sell my ebook?
Amazon KDP is the largest marketplace with the most buyers. Gumroad is great for direct sales with higher margins. Your own website gives you full control. Many authors publish on multiple platforms simultaneously.
Do I need an ISBN for my ebook?
For Amazon KDP, no - Amazon assigns a free ASIN. For other retailers, a paid ISBN is recommended but not always required. If you are only selling on your website or as a lead magnet, you do not need one.
How do I get my first ebook reviews?
Send advance copies to your email list, ask friends and colleagues to leave honest reviews, offer free copies to bloggers in your niche, use Amazon's 'Request a Review' button after each sale, and include a review request at the end of your ebook.
Can I update my ebook after publishing?
Yes. On Amazon KDP you can update your manuscript anytime. On your own website, simply replace the PDF. Inkfluence AI keeps your project saved so you can edit and re-export whenever you need to.
What makes a successful ebook launch?
A successful launch combines: a well-written book on a topic people search for, a professional cover, optimized title and description with keywords, a pre-launch email list, social media promotion, and competitive pricing. The checklist on this page covers every step.
How many words should my ebook be?
For lead magnets, 3,000-5,000 words is ideal. For KDP non-fiction, 10,000-25,000 words performs well. For fiction, 40,000+ words is expected. Inkfluence AI generates the right length based on your chosen format and topic.