This disclosure describes techniques for appending representations of handwritten inscriptions into electronic books, such that electronic books may be customized through the use of inscriptions akin to physical books. To append inscriptions into physical books, a user may provide an inscription on a physical medium. An image of the physical medium including the inscription may be obtained, and the image may be embedded into contents of an electronic book, thus creating a copy of the electronic book that includes a custom inscription in addition to the book contents.