KDP Manuscript Formatter
Budget: $750 – $1,500 CAD
I need a Python backend developer to create a manuscript formatting web app. Users will upload a Word document, and the app will auto-reformat it to meet Amazon KDP print specifications using python-docx. The frontend is already built, and Stripe is integrated. The processed manuscript should be available for download in Microsoft Word (DOCX) format.
Key requirements:
- Change margins, page size, font style, size, and header/footer settings.
- Provide on-screen confirmation message upon successful processing.
Ideal skills and experience:
- Strong Python and python-docx knowledge
- Experience with web app development
- Familiarity with Amazon KDP formatting specifications is a plus
I am building KDP NOW, a web app that accepts manuscript uploads and automatically reformats them to Amazon KDP publishing specifications. The frontend is fully built in Bolt.new and includes file upload, Stripe payment processing (test mode), and a download button. I need a Python backend developer to build the processing engine and connect it to the existing frontend via API.
This is a phased project. Phase 1 is the immediate requirement. Phases 2 and 3 are planned follow-on work for the right developer.
Phase 1 — Print DOCX Formatter (Required Now)
Accept an uploaded Word document (.docx), apply full KDP print formatting using python-docx, and return a download-ready .docx file.
KDP print specs to apply:
• Page size: 6x9 inches
• Margins: mirrored — inner 0.8”, outer 0.6”, top 0.75”, bottom 0.75”
• Body font: Garamond 12pt
• Text: fully justified
• First-line indent on all body paragraphs
• First-line indent suppressed on chapter opening paragraphs
• Headers: alternating — even pages show author name, odd pages show book title
• No header on chapter opening pages
• No headers or page numbers on front matter (half-title, title, copyright, dedication pages)
• Page numbers begin at Chapter 1
• Chapters begin on odd-numbered pages
• Black text only
• Output format: .docx
Phase 2 — Kindle EPUB Converter (Planned)
A separate module to convert the uploaded manuscript to Kindle-ready EPUB format meeting KDP ebook specifications. This will be scoped and priced separately but we want a developer who can handle both phases.
Phase 3 — KDP Cover Generator (Planned)
A module to generate a basic KDP-compliant book cover based on user inputs (title, author name, page count for spine width calculation, colour/design choices). Output: print-ready PDF or image meeting KDP cover specifications.
Technical Requirements
• Python backend (Flask or FastAPI preferred)
• python-docx for DOCX manipulation
• REST API or webhook to connect with existing Bolt.new frontend
• Secure file handling (upload, process, return, delete)
• On-screen confirmation and download trigger upon successful processing
• Stripe webhook handling for payment confirmation before processing begins
• Clean modular code — each phase should be a self-contained module
What Is Already Built
• Frontend UI (Bolt.new)
• File upload interface
• Stripe integration (test mode)
• Download button
You are connecting the backend to an existing working frontend — not building from scratch.
Ideal Candidate
• Strong Python and python-docx experience
• Experience building and deploying REST APIs
• Familiarity with Amazon KDP formatting standards
• Able to work fixed-price per phase
• Responsive communicator — this is an active project with a motivated client
Detailed developer notes (KDP-NOW-Developer-Notes) available upon request or can be uploaded here. Fixed-price bids only please. Budget and timeline flexible for the right developer.
Key requirements:
- Change margins, page size, font style, size, and header/footer settings.
- Provide on-screen confirmation message upon successful processing.
Ideal skills and experience:
- Strong Python and python-docx knowledge
- Experience with web app development
- Familiarity with Amazon KDP formatting specifications is a plus
I am building KDP NOW, a web app that accepts manuscript uploads and automatically reformats them to Amazon KDP publishing specifications. The frontend is fully built in Bolt.new and includes file upload, Stripe payment processing (test mode), and a download button. I need a Python backend developer to build the processing engine and connect it to the existing frontend via API.
This is a phased project. Phase 1 is the immediate requirement. Phases 2 and 3 are planned follow-on work for the right developer.
Phase 1 — Print DOCX Formatter (Required Now)
Accept an uploaded Word document (.docx), apply full KDP print formatting using python-docx, and return a download-ready .docx file.
KDP print specs to apply:
• Page size: 6x9 inches
• Margins: mirrored — inner 0.8”, outer 0.6”, top 0.75”, bottom 0.75”
• Body font: Garamond 12pt
• Text: fully justified
• First-line indent on all body paragraphs
• First-line indent suppressed on chapter opening paragraphs
• Headers: alternating — even pages show author name, odd pages show book title
• No header on chapter opening pages
• No headers or page numbers on front matter (half-title, title, copyright, dedication pages)
• Page numbers begin at Chapter 1
• Chapters begin on odd-numbered pages
• Black text only
• Output format: .docx
Phase 2 — Kindle EPUB Converter (Planned)
A separate module to convert the uploaded manuscript to Kindle-ready EPUB format meeting KDP ebook specifications. This will be scoped and priced separately but we want a developer who can handle both phases.
Phase 3 — KDP Cover Generator (Planned)
A module to generate a basic KDP-compliant book cover based on user inputs (title, author name, page count for spine width calculation, colour/design choices). Output: print-ready PDF or image meeting KDP cover specifications.
Technical Requirements
• Python backend (Flask or FastAPI preferred)
• python-docx for DOCX manipulation
• REST API or webhook to connect with existing Bolt.new frontend
• Secure file handling (upload, process, return, delete)
• On-screen confirmation and download trigger upon successful processing
• Stripe webhook handling for payment confirmation before processing begins
• Clean modular code — each phase should be a self-contained module
What Is Already Built
• Frontend UI (Bolt.new)
• File upload interface
• Stripe integration (test mode)
• Download button
You are connecting the backend to an existing working frontend — not building from scratch.
Ideal Candidate
• Strong Python and python-docx experience
• Experience building and deploying REST APIs
• Familiarity with Amazon KDP formatting standards
• Able to work fixed-price per phase
• Responsive communicator — this is an active project with a motivated client
Detailed developer notes (KDP-NOW-Developer-Notes) available upon request or can be uploaded here. Fixed-price bids only please. Budget and timeline flexible for the right developer.