How To Format Your Book

Formatting your book is a crucial step in the self-publishing process. A well-formatted book not only enhances the reading experience but also adds a level of professionalism that can significantly impact sales. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you format your book for various platforms.

1. Choose the Right Software

Microsoft Word: Ideal for simple formatting. It's widely accessible and compatible with most platforms.
Scrivener: Great for organizing and writing, but requires export to another format for final formatting.
Adobe InDesign: Perfect for complex layouts and highly designed books, especially for print.
Vellum: User-friendly software specifically for formatting eBooks. It's popular among indie-publishers.

2. Set Up the Document

Page Size: For print books, standard sizes are 5” x 8”, 6” x 9”, or 8.5” x 11” (US Trade). Ensure you choose the correct size before starting, as changing this later can cause significant issues.
Margins: Set appropriate margins. For a 6” x 9” book, the standard is 0.75” on all sides, with an additional 0.125” for the gutter (the inside margin for binding).
Font: Choose a readable font like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Georgia. For body text, 11 or 12-point font is standard. Use a larger font for chapter titles and headings.
Line Spacing: Set line spacing to 1.5 or double for the body text. Ensure consistent spacing throughout the document.
Paragraph Indentation: Use a 0.5” first-line indent for paragraphs, but avoid indenting the first paragraph of a chapter or after a section break.

3. Create a Consistent Structure

Chapters: Start each chapter on a new page. Use a larger font or bolding for chapter titles. Add a table of contents if your book is long or complex.
Headers and Footers: Include the book title, author name, or chapter titles in the header or footer. Add page numbers, typically at the bottom center or bottom outside corner.
Section Breaks: Use section breaks to separate chapters or major sections. Avoid using too many blank lines for this purpose, as it can lead to inconsistencies.

4. Handle Special Content

Images and Graphics: Insert images in high resolution (300 dpi for print). Center them and add captions if necessary. Ensure they’re placed in the correct position and don’t interrupt the flow of text awkwardly.
Tables and Lists: Format tables and lists to fit within the page margins. Use consistent styling for bullets and numbering.
Footnotes and Endnotes: Format footnotes and endnotes with a smaller font size. Ensure they’re properly linked and placed at the bottom of the page or end of the book, depending on your preference.

5. Final Checks

Proofread: Before finalizing the format, thoroughly proofread the document. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies.
Preview: Use the preview function in your formatting software to see how your book will look on different devices (for eBooks) or in print. Pay special attention to how images, tables, and special text appear.
Test Print: If publishing a print book, order a proof copy to check the physical format. Look for issues like font size, margin alignment, and overall readability.

6. Export to the Correct Format

eBook Formats: Most platforms require EPUB files. Vellum and other eBook-specific software make this step straightforward. Ensure your eBook includes proper metadata, such as title, author, and ISBN.
Print Book Formats: For print, export to PDF. Make sure the PDF is in high resolution (300 dpi), with all fonts embedded. Confirm that the book size, margins, and layout match the specifications of your chosen print service.
Consider Accessibility: Ensure that your eBook is accessible to readers with disabilities. This might include adding alternative text to images and ensuring proper tagging in the EPUB file.

7. Upload to Publishing Platforms

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Accepts both print and eBook formats. Follow their specific guidelines for cover size, margins, and file types.
Apple Books: Requires an EPUB file for eBooks. Make sure it’s validated and meets Apple’s requirements.
IngramSpark or Other Print-on-Demand Services: They usually require a high-quality PDF for print books. Check their specific requirements for bleed, spine width, and other formatting details.

8. Monitor and Adjust

Post-Publication Reviews: After publishing, keep an eye on reader feedback. If readers report issues with formatting, address them quickly and update your files.
Update Your Files: If you make any changes to the content or discover formatting errors after publication, revise your document, export new files, and re-upload them to your distribution platforms.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your book is not only well-formatted but also professional and ready to sell on any platform. Happy publishing!