Why Ebook Platforms Reject Files

Amazon KDP

KDP rejected your ebook? Here are the most common reasons Amazon KDP rejects EPUB and DOCX files — from validation errors and metadata issues to content policy flags — and how to fix each one.

Apple Books

Apple Books rejected your EPUB? Apple's validation is stricter than most platforms. Here are the most common Apple Books rejection reasons and how to fix them before resubmitting.

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital rejected your file? D2D distributes to 40+ retailers and has its own validation step. Here are the most common Draft2Digital rejection reasons and how to resolve them.

Kobo

Kobo Writing Life rejected your ebook? Here are the most common Kobo-specific causes — KEPUB conversion stalls, Nickel CSS incompatibilities, 100MB file limit — and how to fix each one.

Google Play Books

Google Play Books rejected your ebook? Google has the strictest content policy of any major platform and ISBN requirements that differ from KDP. Here's what to check and fix before resubmitting.

Smashwords

Smashwords rejected your book or blocked it from retail distribution? The Meatgrinder DOCX requirements, Premium Catalog gate, and D2D merger transition cause most Smashwords-specific issues. Here's how to fix them.

IngramSpark

IngramSpark rejected your file? IngramSpark's print PDF/X-1a specification is stricter than KDP's. Here are the most common print and ebook rejection causes — bleed, spine width, barcode, embedded fonts — and how to fix each one.

OverDrive

OverDrive (Libby) distributes ebooks to public libraries worldwide. Getting into library catalogs requires ONIX metadata, no pre-applied DRM, an ISBN, and content that meets library standards — not just retail approval.