How to Read an Ebook

A Practical Guide to Opening EPUB Files on Any Device

The world has space for all kinds of readers! A lot of authors I know stick with physical books and have a love affair with the library, and that’s great! Many book lovers prefer the practicality of an ereader, and don’t want to fill their homes with piles upon piles of paperbacks. Plenty of readers need to multitask, can’t decipher printed text, or prefer not to stare at a page, and instead listen to the words or the book spoken to them.

One of my goals as an author is to make purchasing and reading my books as simple as possible for people. I know how easy it is to skip watching a popular show because it’s not on a subscription platform you currently pay for, pirate a movie when it’s not available to stream anywhere, or pass over a book because you’re not sure how to open an EPUB file on your phone, tablet, or computer. Instead of skipping over great indie books and missing out on the fantastic stories smaller creators tell, I’ve put together this step-by-step guide to reading EPUB ebooks on any device you already own.

Support the Authors You Love

Many indie authors and small publishers offer their ebooks for direct purchase from their websites. This is the best way to purchase an ebook if you’re interested in supporting your favorite creators, since it gives the highest royalty to the authors. Even mega-book platforms like Amazon and Barnes & Noble take a 35% cut or higher off of every ebook sale.

When you direct purchase an ebook, you’ll download the ebook file as an EPUB. Great! But what do you do with that file? How do you read it?

I’m here to help you out! Reading ebooks is super easy on most devices, including your phone! Got an EPUB and want to read it, or eying one of the sci-fi thrillers or short stories in my store? Awesome! Let me give you the details on the best way to open EPUBs on iPhone, Android, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Mac, or PC so you can start reading right away.

I’ve broken down the guide into three sections, each one going into detail for each device. Even though this guide looks long, simply skip to the part you need, read it, follow the steps, and start reading your new ebook right away!

Apple Devices

iPhone & iPad | Mac Computers

Windows & Android Devices

PC (Windows) | Android Phones & Tablets

Dedicated Ereaders

Kindle | Nook | Kobo

Apple Devices

Apple devices just get it: people like reading books! Both Mac computers and iOS devices come with the Books app, which handles ebook files beautifully. Once you open an ebook on one Apple device, it’s automatically saved to your cloud so you can view the book on any Apple device logged into the same account. The Books app also links to the bookstore, which makes it even easier to buy new ebooks.

iPhone & iPad

This is super simple! Download the file or click the link to the ebook to open the preview, click the share icon (), and then select Books. Your book has now been added to your Books library and will open on your device!

Mac Computers

Start by downloading the EPUB file. You can save it in a specific folder if you want, but this isn’t necessary; the Books app will add the book to your library. Simply double-click the file, and it will automatically open in Books. Read and enjoy!

Windows & Android Devices

PC (Windows)

Unlike Mac Computers, Windows doesn’t include software for opening ebook files, but there are a number of free programs that will handle this for you.

I recommend using Calibre. Download it here:

Calibre Ebook Management

Once you have Calibre set up on your computer, simply open the program and click the Add Books button, and select the ebook files you downloaded. Once you’ve added books, highlight the book you want to read and then click the View button to start reading!

Android Phones & Tablets

If the Google Play Books & Audiobooks app isn’t already on your device, start by downloading and installing it. The first time you download an epub or try to open it, you’re device may ask which app to use. Select Google Play Books as the default, and your ebook will be automatically added to your Google Books library.

Dedicated Ereaders

Ereader devices are typically paired with a store: Kindle works with Amazon, Kobo has its own store, and Nook pairs with Barnes & Noble ebooks. Since these devices are so closely linked with a retailer, the easiest way to add books to them is to purchase the ebook through their linked retailer. However, they all have a way of adding your own personal documents and ebooks in case you want to read books not purchased through their store.

The process is a little more involved than that for a computer or phone, but definitely worthwhile to open up a new world of reading possibilities on your dedicated ereader. And once you’ve transferred the first ebook to your device, future ebooks will be much easier and faster.

Kindle

In the past, sending documents to your Kindle device was quite challenging, but Amazon has put tools into place to make it much easier to add content to your devices.

On the device where you downloaded the ebook file, go to the Amazon Send to Kindle tool. Sign in to your Amazon account if you aren’t already signed in, and then use the tool to add your files.

Your files will show on your device's library (make sure your Kindle is connected to wi-fi), and you can download them on your device and start reading!

Nook

For Nook devices, the best way to get personal files and ebooks onto the device is through a process called sideloading. Basically, you’ll want to connect the Nook to a computer using the cable that came with the device, and send the files from your computer to the Nook.

Since the process looks a little different depending on the device you have, I’m going to direct you to the Barnes & Noble support site for detailed instructions:

Transfer Personal Files to Your Nook Device

Kobo

Similar to the Nook, Kobo also uses a sideloading process to transfer ebooks from a computer to the device. However, there is also a way to add ebooks to a Kobo device using Google Drive or Dropbox if connecting your Kobo to a computer isn’t an option.

Kobo has an amazing article detailing the steps for all of these options, so instead of attempting to reproduce the instructions here, I’ll direct you to the Kobo website to get everything set up.

Kobo: Add documents to your eReader

Additional Tips

Most of the time, your ebook will open without any hiccups, but here are a few quick pointers just in case:

The file won’t open – Double-check that it’s an EPUB file. Some ebooks might be in PDF format, or you could have received a compressed ZIP folder with the ebook and extras that you’ll need to unzip first.

Stay organized – Keep a dedicated “Ebooks” folder on your computer or in your cloud storage so you can always find your downloads later—future you will thank present you.

An ebook and your ereader just don’t jive – Some devices just don’t like certain ebooks.

• Technical manuals with colorful graphics will display in black and white on e-ink readers.
• Large images will be scaled down too small to decipher on your phone
• The sword graphic used for scene breaks on the paperback will look like a glowing rectangle when you read in dark mode.

Ebooks tend to be a little quirky, and that’s an unfortunate trade-off for the convenience and lower price tag. You may find it more enjoyable to read certain ebooks on a different device. However, if you can’t make an ebook work, feel free to reach out to the creator and ask for help!

Most ebook issues can be fixed with a quick check or change of settings. If you ultimately feel like ebooks aren’t for you, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with print books. Plus, most indie authors would be more than happy to autograph the physical book for you!

Conclusion

First of all, thank you for showing interest in supporting indie authors! Even if you read through this article and decided you’ll continue purchasing all your ebooks through the Amazon Kindle store, you didn’t come across this post by accident.

Purchasing art and content directly from the creator is a great way to show your support and ensure that most of your money spent actually goes to the creator without some sales platform taking a huge cut. I think I speak for all creators when I say we appreciate the support and hope you thoroughly enjoy all the amazing things we create.

If you’re ready to try it out, you can browse my ebooks, including sci-fi thrillers and short stories, directly in my online store.

Beth Martin’s Store

Oh, and don’t forget to leave a review and let friends know about the great new book you read!

Book Review: Sleep Diet by Melisa Peterson Lewis

Go to sleep, wake up thin. That’s the branding for Viotech’s new procedure called the “Sleep Diet.” Still in the experimental phase, the sleep diet protocol administers patients a continuous stream of medication that detoxes their bodies while they listen to a hypnosis script for an entire month—all while fast asleep. It’s a big ask, but the participants are paid for their time and trouble.

Sleep Diet follows a peer group of four participants, as well as the doctors involved, as they prepare for their month-long slumber, their interlude into sleep while things go wrong around them, and their attempts to stick together in the aftermath as many nefarious plots begin to unravel.

I love the complex characters in this book. Everyone has something to hide. They all make messy mistakes, and overall, are incredibly relatable and human. My favorite character, Richard, is a withdrawn young man who is terrified of navigating life without his overbearing mother. The sleep diet presents him with the perfect opportunity to get away from her for a while. Even after a freak accident removes her from his life, he’s still haunted by her at every turn.

There are a lot of story threads woven through this book, but all of the characters’ plots and secrets are beautifully motivated. At no point does the story become confusing, or the ridiculous situations the characters get into feel unearned.

I wanted more of the relationship between Kara and Tony. Since this is the first in a planned series, I’m hopeful the next books will explore that a little more. I’m also dying to see what happens with Summer, Richard, and Amy as the trial progresses to future stages and more of their secrets begin to unravel.

Although the idea of sleep diet is pretty sci-fi at heart, contemporary fiction readers and thriller fans will love the complex characters and intertwined storylines that make Sleep Diet an engaging and enjoyable read.

Read all of my Book Reviews

My First Author Signing: A Tell-All

I’ve done tons of events—book festivals, comic cons, craft fairs. I know how to set up a table, give my pitch, and sell in person. But when I was the main attraction? I was a wreck, y’all.

This post is NOT a tutorial on how to host a book signing—there are plenty of those out on the net. Instead, this is my tell-all-behind-the-scenes look at how my first-ever book signing went.

An Idea Emerges

I went to my local Barnes & Noble, as one does, and was pleased to see my author friend B.L. Mostyn there with copies of her debut novel, Heroes of Another Age. After gushing over her book’s gorgeous cover, snagging some bookmarks, and wishing her luck for the day, an idea started forming in my head.

Chat, I was locked in.

I had been wanting to plan something to mark the launch of my upcoming Puzzling Escapes book. I could do another online launch party like we did for Starship Blunder but was wanting something in-person. However, a launch party would need a venue—hopefully outside of my house—along with snacks/food/beverages, some form of entertainment (maybe a puzzle demo?), and a big stack of books to sell. I’d need to plan and pay for everything myself as well as handle sales transactions during the event.

It sounded like a big headache.

However… I could do a signing at a bookstore. My local B&N has a café, so I wouldn’t need to worry about snacks. Plus, the store would handle ordering books and processing sales. At a signing, people are welcome to come and go as they please, so I wouldn’t need to prepare anything or do a reading. (On that note, how does one do a reading for a puzzle book?)

After mulling it over, I decided to reach out to Mostyn and get her thoughts.

Dear B.L. Mostyn,

I want to copy you and plan a signing too. Please show me the way.

Love, Beth Martin^*

She quickly replied, saying,

DO IT!^*

^* This is not our actual email exchange; I’m just summarizing for pacing and humor.

We exchanged a few more emails, where Mostyn gave me helpful information and encouragement, convincing me that a signing would be easy to set up and totally chill.

But I would not chill.

Getting on the Schedule

After getting more encouragement from other author friends during our weekly writing sessions at a coffee house, I stormed into my local B&N with the one-page summary Parragon had put together of the Puzzling Escapes series, a business card, a couple bookmarks, and a puzzle pamphlet which I had forced my D&D group to test play the previous week.

I walked up to the register, where there were a couple of staff and introduced myself as an author and asked who I should talk to about the possibility of scheduling an author signing.

Any initial hesitation on the staff’s behalf melted quickly as I began talking about my books. Even though I try to be a humble person, you have to admit, the Puzzling Escapes series is really cool. The assistant manager snapped pictures of my stuff to show the manager and gave me the email for the person I needed to contact to set up the signing.

My author friend quickly replied, saying, “DO IT!”

I agonized over the wording of that email, and once it was perfect, I hit send. Then all I had to do was wait.

Naturally, I began freaking out as the days went by and I hadn’t received a reply. I began formulating backup plans in case B&N decided not to host me. I could ask a coffee shop to host something. Maybe I could plan an event at an escape room place. I could book a different bookstore. I meticulously listed out my plan B, C, and D just in case.

When enough time had passed, I emailed my local B&N again, hoping they just needed a nudge and hadn’t completely forgotten about me. The very next day, I got a message back stating they’d be happy to host my signing.

Phew!

No One Will Come

Recently, a woman’s post about no one showing up to her book signing at a local teashop went viral on TikTok and X. She’s not the first to have this happen, and certainly won’t be the last.

I told myself that no matter what happened, I would host the best book signing I could.

I’ve been to a few bookish parties, and I know that it’s completely up to the author to drive interest in the event. This is part of why I was afraid to host a solo book signing. The venue and my publisher might promote the event a little bit, but if no one came, I could only blame myself.

Even famous and prolific authors have held signings to lackluster turnouts, so I wasn’t taking any chances. As soon as the date and time were confirmed, I spread the word like my life depended on it. I told everyone I knew to come say hi. They didn’t even have to buy a book—just stop by, take a picture, and gush with me for a moment.

I promoted the event on social media and announced it through my newsletter. I rallied my friends, asked my writing critique group for help, and hopped onto Discord to share the news with my online writing crew. If this thing flopped, it wouldn’t be for lack of trying.

Copies Come in the Mail

Nothing hits quite like the first time you see an actual print copy of your new book. Although I knew what The Haunted House Mystery would look like, I had a hard time imagining all the elements put together. Seeing the books for the first time, with the spiral binding, tabbed dividers, and gorgeous artwork, was so special.

I immediately emailed Parragon to gush about how gorgeous the books were. I also mentioned that I set up a signing soon after the launch. A whirlwind of awesome followed that—they put out a gorgeous book trailer, one of the staff reached out to B&N to help organize details for the signing and ensure the store ordered enough books, and their local rep contacted other bookstores willing to host signings. It felt like me and my book were actually a big deal, and I couldn’t wait until the book launch.

The Other Author

Everything was finally coming together. My first traditional book launch was approaching, and I had planned a launch event, posted about it on my social media, shared it in my newsletter, and bought a banner and bookmarks specifically for the event.

Chat, I was locked in.

I got an email from my Parragon liaison. Another author would be doing a signing at the same place, day, and time as me. Was I cool with that?

Absolutely not.

After crying to my hubby, friends, writing group, and Chat GPT, I responded asking that they pretty please move the other event. I didn’t want to be a diva, but this book had been SEVEN YEARS in the making, and I wanted my one day.

Rationally, I knew it wouldn’t be a problem. Both authors could simultaneously hold signings. In fact, it could be a good thing! People who came in for the other author might also be interested in my book, and vice versa.

If no one came, I could only blame myself.

I told myself that no matter what happened, I would host the best book signing I could. I made sure to order plenty of business cards and bookmarks, printed out cute signs for my table, ordered new tablecloths, and put together an outfit that balanced spooky haunted vibes with I’m totally a pro author.

The Day Comes

I asked another amazing author friend of mine, J.L. Birchwood, to help me set up. I didn’t need help setting up (which she keenly pointed out while still agreeing to come), but I knew I’d be a ball of nerves, and she’s the kind of person who gets things done and would keep me on track.

We arrived way too early and ended up killing time for a few hours before we could actually set up my table. I enjoyed chatting about all things writing and reading, and then we grabbed a quick bite for lunch before returning to Barnes & Noble to decorate my signing table. There, another talented author, Melisa Peterson Lewis, met us and offered her help as well.

As we set out bookmarks and fairy lights on top of the dark blue tablecloth, the B&N staff wheeled out the copies of my book they had ordered. I had heard tales of other authors selling out the ten copies of their novel they brought to a signing. Apparently, the bookstore staff had been confident that they would sell more than ten copies of my book, and I stared in a mixture of horror and delight at the huge stack of 50+ copies of my haunted house-themed puzzle book.

I was in for a really good day... or a very bad one.

It’s Go Time!

My friends and I hadn’t quite finished setting up when a crowd of people began flocking to my display at the front of the bookstore. I still needed to take pictures of my pristine setup and post on social media! But more pressing was the line of excited people who wanted me to sign a copy of my new book.

See, it turns out, when you host a signing that lasts from 1 PM until… some other time… and you know a lot of punctual people, quite a few of them will show up at 1 PM on the dot. It was such a rush chatting with that first wave of readers, signing book after book, making sure to thank every individual for coming while still keeping the line of book-lovers moving.

Most of the event, I was too busy chatting with bookstore customers, gushing about my book, and greeting my many friends who showed up to worry about hard selling my book, achieving a certain number of sales, or the other author doing a signing event elsewhere in the store. As I talked to people about how I crafted a puzzle book which included hints and solutions to ensure that readers never got stuck, I saw bookstore patrons flip through copies of my book, tackling the puzzles while lounging in the café. The pile of books the store provided for my signing quickly dwindled until only a dozen or so copies remained.

There’s one thing I know for sure: I’m not done.

By 5 pm, I was pretty damn tired and ready to wrap up. Some of my friends and members of my writing group helped me pack up my cute banner and stuff my remaining bookmarks and the fairy lights into my tote. We migrated to the Mexican restaurant next door, where many margaritas were consumed.

Conclusion

So, what did I learn from my launch event book signing?

First off, I have amazing friends and an S-tier writing group. I was really counting on them to help make my event a success, and they went above and beyond to support me.

As for the things in my control:

Write the best god damn book you can.

Pour your heart and soul into it, and edit the shit out of it until it’s something you can be truly proud of.

This whole author journey thing has been exactly that: a journey. If I’m only known for my puzzle books and not my quirky anthologies and thought-provoking fiction, I’m okay with that. But there’s one thing I know for sure: I’m not done. In fact, to quote Backman-Turner Overdrive,

“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”

Puzzling Escapes: The Haunted House Mystery Trailer

I am so excited to share this! Parragon created an official book trailer for Puzzling Escapes: The Haunted House Mystery, and it’s AMAZING. The book is amazing too, so definitely give the trailer a watch!

You can get your own copy of the book on July 1st. If you love escape rooms, haunted houses, or solving puzzles that test your brain power, then you’re going to love this spooky adventure!

Or, if you’re willing to wait a few days, then come meet me in person! I’ll be signing books at Columbia Barnes & Noble on July 12. Stop by, grab your copy, and say hi! I’ll have some fun extras at the table, too, including Puzzling Escapes bookmarks.

Thanks for being part of this wild (and haunted) ride. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on this book!