hello@bukubase.com Your Digital Book Marketplace

Help Center

Find answers to common questions or watch our tutorials to get started

FAQ Tutorials
Getting Started
What is this platform?

We are a digital ebook marketplace that connects readers with talented authors from around the world. You can browse, purchase, and instantly download ebooks in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI formats — all from one place.

How do I create an account?

There are several ways to join:

  • As a buyer: No signup needed — just browse and checkout. An account is created automatically during your first purchase and login details are emailed to you.
  • As an author: Click Become an Author on the login page and fill in your details.
  • With Google: Click Continue with Google on the login or register page for instant signup.
Do I need an account to buy books?

No! You can browse and add books to your cart without an account. At checkout, just enter your name and email — we create your account automatically and email your login credentials so you can download your books anytime.

What ebook formats are available?

Authors can upload books in:

  • PDF — Works on all devices, preserves exact layout
  • EPUB — Reflowable text, ideal for e-readers and phones
  • MOBI — Compatible with Kindle devices

The format is shown on each book's detail page before you buy.

How do I search for books?

You can find books several ways:

  • Search bar — Type a title, author name, or keyword from any page
  • Browse page — Filter by category, price range, rating, and sort by newest, trending, or price
  • Categories — Click any category on the homepage or browse page
  • Author pages — Visit an author's profile to see all their books
Is there a mobile app?

We don't have a native app yet, but our website is fully mobile-responsive. You can add it to your home screen for an app-like experience:

  • iPhone/iPad: Safari → Share button → Add to Home Screen
  • Android: Chrome → Menu (⋮) → Add to Home Screen
What devices can I read my ebooks on?

Your purchased ebooks can be read on any device that supports the file format:

  • PDF: Any computer, phone, or tablet with a PDF reader
  • EPUB: Apple Books, Google Play Books, Calibre, Kobo, and most e-readers
  • MOBI: Amazon Kindle devices and the Kindle app

Simply download the file from your Library and open it with a compatible reader app.

Buying & Downloads
How do I buy a book?

Buying is simple:

  1. Find a book you like and click Buy or Add to Cart
  2. Go to your Cart and review your items
  3. Click Checkout
  4. Choose your payment method (Mobile Money, Card, or Bank Transfer)
  5. Complete payment — your book is instantly available in your Library!
Where do I find my purchased books?

All purchased books are in your Library:

  • Click your avatar in the top bar → DashboardMy Library
  • Or click the direct link in your purchase confirmation email

You can download your books as many times as you need — they never expire.

Can I download a book multiple times?

Yes! Once purchased, a book is yours forever. You can download it unlimited times from your Library with no expiry.

Can I preview a book before buying?

Most books have a Preview button on their detail page that lets you read a sample (typically the first few pages or chapters) before deciding to purchase.

What payment methods do you accept?

We currently support:

  • Mobile Money — MTN, Airtel, and Zamtel (via USSD prompt on your phone)
  • Card Payments — Visa and Mastercard (debit or credit)
  • Bank Transfer — Direct transfer to our bank account (manual verification)

All payments are processed securely through trusted payment providers.

How does Mobile Money payment work?

When you select Mobile Money at checkout:

  1. Enter your mobile money number and select your network (or we auto-detect it)
  2. Click Send Payment Prompt
  3. You'll receive a USSD push on your phone — enter your PIN to authorize
  4. The page updates automatically once payment is confirmed

The process usually takes less than 60 seconds.

My payment was deducted but I did not get the book. What do I do?

This can happen with network delays. Try these steps:

  1. Wait 2–3 minutes and refresh your Library page
  2. Check your email for a purchase confirmation
  3. If still missing after 10 minutes, contact support with your order number or the phone number / card used

We can verify and resolve any payment issue quickly.

Can I get a refund?

Because ebooks are digital products delivered instantly, refunds are handled case-by-case. You may qualify if:

  • You were charged but never received the book
  • The content is significantly different from what was described
  • The file has serious technical issues making it unreadable

Contact support within 7 days of purchase to request a refund.

What is the Wishlist?

The Wishlist lets you save books for later. Click the heart icon on any book to add it. View your full wishlist from Dashboard → Wishlist. It's a great way to track books you want to buy in the future.

Do you offer discount coupons?

Yes! We occasionally offer coupon codes for discounts. Enter your code on the Cart page before checkout and the discount is applied to your total. Follow our social media pages for exclusive coupon announcements.

Can I buy books as a gift for someone?

Currently we don't have a built-in gift feature, but you can purchase a book using the recipient's email address at checkout. An account will be created for them automatically with download access. Let them know to check their email for login details!

For Authors
How do I become an author and sell books?

Getting started is easy:

  1. Click Become an Author and create your account
  2. Complete your Author Profile — pen name, bio, avatar, and payment details
  3. Go to Upload Book — fill in title, description, price, category, then upload your cover image and ebook file
  4. Submit for review — our team reviews and approves within 24–48 hours
  5. Once approved, your book goes live on the marketplace!
What file formats can I upload?

You can upload ebooks in:

  • PDF (most common)
  • EPUB
  • MOBI

Maximum file size is 50MB. Cover images should be high-quality JPG or PNG (recommended 600×900px portrait ratio).

How long does book approval take?

Most books are reviewed within 24–48 hours. We check for:

  • Content quality and completeness
  • Accurate title, description, and category
  • Proper cover image
  • No copyright violations

You receive an email notification when approved or if changes are needed.

How much commission does the platform take?

The default revenue split is:

  • Author receives: 70% of the sale price
  • Platform keeps: 30% as commission

Check your Author Dashboard for your exact commission rate. We believe in fair compensation for creators.

When and how do I get paid?

Your earnings become available 7 days after each sale (to allow for payment disputes). Once your available balance meets the minimum withdrawal amount, request a payout from Dashboard → Withdrawals.

Withdrawal methods:

  • Bank Transfer — Direct to your bank account
  • Mobile Money — To your mobile wallet

Requests are typically processed within 1–3 business days.

What is the minimum withdrawal amount?

The minimum is set by the platform admin and displayed on your Withdrawals page. You need at least this amount in available earnings (not pending) before requesting a payout.

Can I edit my book after publishing?

Yes! Go to My Books → Edit to update:

  • Title, description, and category
  • Price and discount price
  • Cover image
  • The ebook file itself (for updated editions or fixes)
  • Preview file

Some changes may require re-approval.

Can I set a discount price for my book?

Yes! When editing your book, set a Discount Price lower than the original. The original price shows with a strikethrough and a discount percentage badge appears. Great for promotions and sales events.

Can I offer pre-orders?

Yes — when uploading or editing a book, mark it as Pre-order and set a release date. The book appears on the marketplace with a "Pre-order" badge. Buyers can purchase it, and you upload the final file when ready.

How do I track my sales and earnings?

Your Author Dashboard gives you a full overview:

  • Dashboard — Quick stats: total earnings, pending earnings, total sales, book count
  • Earnings — Detailed breakdown of every sale and amount earned
  • Analytics — Charts showing sales trends over time
  • Withdrawals — History of all payout requests and their status
Can I upload multiple books?

Absolutely! There is no limit on how many books you can publish. Upload as many titles as you like — each goes through the same review process before going live.

What makes a good book listing?

To maximize sales, make sure your listing has:

  • A professional cover image — First impressions matter
  • A compelling description — Tell readers what they will learn or experience
  • The right category — So readers can find your book easily
  • A preview file — Letting readers sample your book builds trust
  • Competitive pricing — Research similar books to set a fair price
Payments & Billing
Is my payment information secure?

Absolutely. We take security seriously:

  • All payments go through trusted, PCI-compliant payment providers
  • We never store your card details or mobile money PIN on our servers
  • All data is transmitted over SSL/TLS encryption (HTTPS)
  • Mobile money uses secure USSD prompts from your network provider
What currencies do you support?

The platform primarily operates in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). All prices are displayed in the configured currency. If paying from abroad with a card, your bank handles currency conversion at their rates.

I was charged twice for the same order. What should I do?

Double charges are rare but can happen with network issues:

  1. Check Dashboard → Orders — you should see only one completed order
  2. If you see duplicate charges on your bank or mobile money statement, contact support immediately
  3. Include your order number and a screenshot of the duplicate charges

We will investigate and refund any duplicate charge promptly.

How does Bank Transfer payment work?

When you select Bank Transfer:

  1. You see the bank account details and transfer instructions
  2. Make the transfer from your bank (include your order number as reference)
  3. Our team verifies the payment manually (usually within a few hours on business days)
  4. Once confirmed, your books appear in your Library and you receive a confirmation email

Bank transfer orders stay in "Pending" status until manually verified.

Can I pay from outside Zambia?

Yes! If card payments are enabled, you can pay with any Visa or Mastercard from anywhere in the world. Your bank handles currency conversion. Mobile Money is currently limited to Zambian networks (MTN, Airtel, Zamtel).

Why is my card payment being declined?

Card payments may be declined for several reasons:

  • Insufficient funds
  • Your bank is blocking international or online transactions
  • Incorrect card details entered
  • Your bank requires 3D Secure verification — follow the redirect to complete it

Try contacting your bank to authorize the transaction, or use an alternative payment method.

Do you charge any extra fees?

The price you see on a book is the price you pay — no hidden fees. However, your bank or mobile money provider may charge their own small transaction fees depending on your account type and provider.

Account & Security
How do I reset my password?

If you forgot your password:

  1. Go to the Login page
  2. Click Forgot password?
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check your email for a reset link (valid for 1 hour)
  5. Click the link and set a new password

If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder or contact support.

How do I change my profile details?

Go to Dashboard → Profile to update:

  • First name and last name
  • Email address
  • Profile avatar / photo
  • Password
  • Bio and pen name (for authors)
  • Payment details — bank account and mobile money info (for authors)

Changes take effect immediately.

Can I sign in with Google?

Yes! Click Continue with Google on the login or registration page. If you already have an account with the same email, it will be linked automatically. If not, a new account is created instantly.

How do I delete my account?

To delete your account, please contact our support team via email. We will process your request and permanently remove your account data. Please note:

  • Any purchased books will no longer be accessible
  • If you are an author, your books will be removed from the marketplace
  • Any pending earnings or withdrawals must be settled first
I received a suspicious email claiming to be from this platform. Is it real?

We only send emails from our official email address (shown in the site footer). Be cautious of:

  • Emails asking for your password — we will never ask for your password
  • Links to unfamiliar domains
  • Urgent threats about account suspension

If in doubt, do not click any links — go directly to our website and log in, or contact support.

What is the Affiliate Program?

Our Affiliate Program lets you earn commissions by referring new buyers:

  1. Go to Dashboard → Affiliate to find your unique referral link
  2. Share the link with friends, on social media, or your website
  3. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission on that sale
  4. Track your clicks, sales, and earnings from your Affiliate Dashboard
  5. Request a withdrawal once your balance meets the minimum

The commission rate is set by the platform (typically 10% of each referred sale).

How do I withdraw my affiliate earnings?

Go to Dashboard → Affiliate Earnings to see your balance and request a withdrawal. You can withdraw via:

  • Bank Transfer
  • Mobile Money

Your affiliate earnings are separate from author earnings (if you are also an author).

Technical Support
I cannot download my book. What should I do?

Try these steps:

  1. Make sure you are logged in to the correct account
  2. Go to Dashboard → My Library and click the download button
  3. Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  4. Disable any ad blockers or download blockers temporarily
  5. Check that your device has enough storage space

If the issue persists, contact support with your order number.

The website is not loading properly. What can I do?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Clear your browser cache — Settings → Clear browsing data
  • Try a different browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • Disable browser extensions — Some extensions interfere with websites
  • Check your internet connection — Try loading other websites
  • Try incognito/private mode — This loads without extensions or cached data
I am not receiving emails from the platform.

If you are not getting our emails:

  • Check your Spam / Junk folder
  • Add our email address to your contacts or safe senders list
  • Make sure your email address is correct in Dashboard → Profile
  • If using Gmail, check the Promotions or Updates tab

If you still don't receive emails after trying these steps, contact support.

The ebook file I downloaded seems corrupted or will not open.

Try the following:

  • Re-download the file from your Library — the first download may have been interrupted
  • Use the correct app — PDF needs a PDF reader, EPUB needs an EPUB reader (Apple Books, Google Play Books), MOBI needs Kindle
  • Try a different device — Some older devices may have trouble with certain file formats
  • Update your reader app — Make sure your PDF or ebook reader is up to date

If the file is genuinely corrupted, contact support and we will investigate with the author.

How do I open an EPUB file?

EPUB files can be opened with many free apps:

  • iPhone/iPad: Apple Books (built-in)
  • Android: Google Play Books, ReadEra, or Moon+ Reader
  • Windows: Calibre (free), Sumatra PDF, or Microsoft Edge
  • Mac: Apple Books (built-in) or Calibre
  • Kobo/Nook: Transfer via USB and they open natively
How do I open a MOBI file on my Kindle?

To read MOBI files on Kindle:

  • Send to Kindle: Email the file to your Kindle email address (found in Amazon account settings)
  • USB transfer: Connect your Kindle via USB, then copy the MOBI file to the documents folder
  • Kindle app: On phone/tablet, open the file with the Kindle app

Note: Amazon is transitioning from MOBI to EPUB. Some newer Kindles support EPUB directly.

How do I contact support?

You can reach our support team by:

  • Email: Send a message to the support email shown in the site footer
  • Social media: Send us a direct message on any of our social media pages

Please include as much detail as possible — your username, order number, screenshots, and a description of the issue. We typically respond within 24 hours.

What browsers are supported?

Our platform works best on modern browsers:

  • Google Chrome (recommended) — version 90+
  • Mozilla Firefox — version 90+
  • Apple Safari — version 14+
  • Microsoft Edge — version 90+
  • Opera — version 76+

We recommend keeping your browser updated for the best experience and security.

Still need help?

Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out to our support team.

Contact Support