You have spent hours, and even years to write your book. Now, it's time to prepare it for the market. However, how can you transform your text from a blank page into a book-like appearance? Simply by formatting it. A professional formatter is an option if you feel you need one, but it can be costly. The good news? With some help, you can do it yourself. Here, we’ll discuss how to format a book, what software to use for it and how you can hire professional book companies with affordable packages to book format.
If you want to format your book yourself then let's see some free and premium softwares you can use for it.
Free Softwares for Book Formatting
If you are new author and have tight budget for book publishing then you can use free softwares for formatting a book:
Google Docs
One of the easily available software or apps for book formatting is Google Docs. It has a cloud-based word processor with basic book formatting tools, collaboration features, and export options (PDF, EPUB). It’s best for text-heavy books with simple layouts. However, it has limited advanced design options.
Scribus
You can also use Scribus as it is an open-source desktop publishing tool with professional features like color management and versatile PDF creation. It is best for authors looking for professional-grade formatting for eBooks and PDFs. However, it is hard to use as compared to simpler tools.
Calibre
You can also use Calibre which is free eBook library management software that supports multiple formats and allows conversion between them. It is best for formatting eBooks in various formats (e.g., EPUB, MOBI). However, it has complex layouts.
Reedsy Book Editor
Reedsy Book editor is another option for writing, editing, and formatting books with clean templates. It is best for authors looking for a simple, user-friendly interface for manuscript preparation. However, it has limited customization options and requires internet access.
Kindle Create
If you want to format a book through Amazon then Kindle Create is an option for Kindle devices. It has pre-designed templates and automatic table of contents generation. It is best for self-published authors using Amazon KDP. However, it is exclusively for Kindle and has no print formatting options.
Paid Software for Book Formatting
If you want to format a book with advanced features then here are some options:
Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign offers high quality layout tools, typography control, preflight checks and support for both print and digital formats. It is best for professional publishers and authors looking for advanced design options. It's price is $34.49/month (subscription-based).
Vellum
Vellum has customizable templates, metadata integration, automatic widow/orphan control, and compatibility with major platforms like Kindle and Apple Books. It is best for Mac users creating eBooks or print books. Its price starts at $199.99 for eBooks and $249.99 for eBooks + print.
Atticus
Atticus offers prebuilt themes, drag-and-drop chapter management, image handling, device previews and print-ready formatting. Its price is $147 for a lifetime license.
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How to Set Up Your File for Self Publishing on Multiple Platforms
If you are working with a traditional publisher then they will set up your file for publishing. However, if you are self publishing your book then you can either do it yourself or use a professional book formatting services. Let's discuss both options:
Choose Your Publishing Platforms
When you are self publishing a book, you may have to format your file according to the platform you are choosing for it. Some of them are Amazon book publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press and Apple Books, Kobo, Smashwords, and Draft2Digital for additional eBook distribution.
Format Your Manuscript
Set up your book file in PDF for print books and EPUB for eBooks. Most of the retailers use these formats for files. You can also convert your files into different formats according to requirements. For a consistent layout:
- You have to use consistent margins, fonts, and spacing. [Standard format is discussed in the section below]
- Include front matter (title page, copyright notice) and back matter (author bio, acknowledgments).
- Avoid headers/footers in eBooks. Use them only in print versions as they work better for it.
Purchase an ISBN
If you plan to publish on multiple platforms then buy your own ISBN from Bowker (US) or Nielsen (UK). Avoid free ISBNs provided by platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, as they may limit flexibility and cause duplicate listings.
Prepare Metadata
You have to prepare metadata for your file as it ensures discoverability across platforms:
- Title, subtitle, author name.
- Genre/category.
- Keywords for search optimization.
- Book description.
Create Cover Files
Next, you have to design separate covers for print and eBooks. Print covers require dimensions based on trim size and spine width whereas, EBook covers should be high-resolution images optimized for digital screens.
Upload Files to Platforms
You can follow each platform's specific requirements while uploading the file:
- On Amazon KDP you can upload MOBI, AZW file for eBooks and PDF for print book.
- In IngramSpark you can upload both print-ready PDFs and EPUB files.
- You can select Ace Book Writers to publish books on multiple retailers and also you don't need to format your file as Ace Book Writers professional book formatting services can make your book outclass with affordable packages.
Test Your Files
Before you click on publish remember to preview your files on each platform using their tools to ensure proper formatting. You can use Amazon’s Kindle Previewer and IngramSpark’s file review system.
How To Design Your Pages Like A Pro
If you want to design your book yourself then here are some principles of novel formatting, standard book formatting, and eBook formatting. These tips will help you create a polished and professional layout for self-publishing across platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and others.
Standard Book Format (for Print)
First you need to prepare your manuscript for formatting by fully editing it. Make sure there is no grammatical error in it. Next, you can use a word processor document like Google Docs or the one mentioned in the blog.
Page Size
Choose a standard book size based on your genre:
- For novel format, 5" x 8" or 6" x 9".
- For photo books square formats like 8" x 8".
Margins
- Outer margins can be at least 0.5 inches.
- Inner (binding) margins should be at least 0.8 inches to account for the gutter.
- For images or graphics that extend to the edge of the page, set a bleed of 0.125 inches.
Font
Choose a readable serif font like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Caslon in 11 or 12 point size for the body text. For chapter titles, you can use a slightly more decorative but still clear font.
Paragraphs
Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.25" to 0.5". Also, avoid using extra space between paragraphs if you're using indentation. Alternatively, you can use a block paragraph style with no indentation and a small space between paragraphs to maintain consistency.
Line Spacing
Use 1.15 or double line spacing for readability. You can choose a line editing company like Ace Book Writers to make your book error-free.
Headers and Footers
You can include your last name and the book title (or a shortened version) in the header, and page numbers in the footer.
Chapter Breaks
Start each new chapter on a new page. Center the chapter number and title about a third of the way down the page.
Scene Breaks
Use a blank line or a centered symbol (like an asterisk or hash mark) to indicate scene breaks within a chapter.
Front Matter
You should include elements like the title page, copyright page, dedication, acknowledgments, and table of contents (if applicable).
Back Matter
Consider including an "About the Author" section or links to your website/social media.
Save as PDF
For print-on-demand (POD) platforms like Amazon KDP Print and IngramSpark, you'll need to save your formatted interior as a high-resolution, print-ready PDF with embedded fonts.
Optimize for eBook Formatting
For an eBook formatting, you only need to follow a few easy steps.
- Remove complex formatting like multiple columns, excessive tabs, and elaborate graphics that might not translate well to all e-readers.
- Utilize your word processor's "Styles" feature (e.g., Heading 1 for chapter titles, Normal for body text). It is essential for creating a navigable table of contents.
- Make sure you create an automatic, clickable table of contents. It allows readers to easily read between chapters.
- Use page breaks or section breaks to clearly delineate chapters.
- If you are including images then make sure they are high-resolution but optimized for web viewing to keep file sizes manageable.
- Center images and avoid wrapping text tightly around them.
- Don't add page numbers or headers/footers (in the main content).
- E-readers handle pagination dynamically, so you don't need to include page numbers in the main body. Headers and footers are also generally unnecessary and can be distracting.
- For ebook you can setup pages according the file format like:
- EPUB for most ebook retailers (Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, Google Play Books, etc.).
- AZW/AZW3 is Amazon's proprietary format, although their platform now largely accepts EPUB as well. KDP can convert EPUB files to their preferred formats.
Pro Tip: If you're not comfortable with formatting and editing, consider hiring professional book editing services from Ace Book Writers. They can ensure your book looks professional across all platforms.
7 Common Mistakes To Avoid In Book Formatting
When you format your book yourself, there are alot of common mistakes you ignore that can create a big impact on your book’s quality.
Mistake #1: Using Hard Indents
You need to avoid manually creating indents with the Tab key. It leads to inconsistent spacing and formatting issues, especially when converting to eBook formats.
Solution
Use the paragraph style settings in your word processor or formatting software to set automatic first-line indents.
Mistake #2: Incorrect Justification
You also need to avoid left-justified text with a ragged right edge that looks unprofessional in print books.
Solution
Always use full justification for print books to create clean and aligned edges on both sides of the text. For eBooks, left justification is acceptable since text reflows dynamically.
Mistake #3: Poor Line Spacing
Single-spacing makes text dense and hard to read, while overly wide spacing wastes space.
Solution
For a proper writing format use line spacing between 1.15 and 1.5 for body text. Adjust leading (space between lines) in design tools like InDesign for better readability.
Mistake #4: Inconsistent Margins
Avoid margins that are too narrow cause text to crowd the page, while overly wide margins make the book look amateurish.
Solution
Set appropriate margins based on trim size.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Widows and Orphans
Single lines of text at the top or bottom of a page (widows/orphans) disrupt flow and look unprofessional.
Solution
Try to use formatting tools to control paragraph breaks and adjust spacing to eliminate widows and orphans.
Mistake #6: Overusing Hyphens
Improper hyphenation can lead to awkward breaks or inconsistent word spacing.
Solution
You can follow standard hyphenation rules and use automatic hyphenation settings in your formatting software to maintain balance.
Mistake #7: Default Fonts and Styles
Using default fonts like Times New Roman or Arial can make your book look generic.
Solution
Try to choose professional fonts such as Garamond, Baskerville, or Georgia for body text. Make sure to use consistent font size and style throughout the book.
You can minimize these common mistakes and reduce your book publishing costs by using professional tools like Adobe InDesign, Vellum (Mac), or hiring a professional book writing company like Ace Book Writers.
Understanding File Types for Book Formatting
You must be thinking why there are so many file formats and why do you need a specific one to publish your book. Let's see one by one why you need to understand different file types for book formatting.
EPUB
You'll use EPUB for most eBooks, because it adapts to different screen sizes and supports images and links. But remember, you'll want to check it with a tool like Kindle Previewer before uploading.
For print books, you'll lean on PDFs. They keep your layout consistent, which is crucial for things like photo books or cookbooks. However, you'll find they aren't ideal for reflowable eBooks.
DOC/DOCX
You might be using DOC/DOCX files, which are great for editing in Word. Just know they need to be converted to EPUB or PDF later.
KPF
If you're only on Amazon, consider KPF, which works smoothly with Kindle devices.
AZW/ AZW3
You'll see AZW/AZW3, Amazon's format, which is optimized for their devices, but only works on Amazon.
MOBI
In March 2025, MOBI is becoming outdated, so you'll want to avoid it. It only works on older Kindle devices.
To keep it simple
EPUB for eBooks, PDF for print, and KPF/AZW3 for Amazon exclusives. You'll make sure your book looks great, no matter where readers find it.
13 Novel Formatting Guidelines
Let's see the important novel formatting guidelines based on industry standards and best practices for both print and eBooks:
- You can use standard U.S. letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) for manuscripts submitted to agents or publishers. For print books, choose a trim size like 5" x 8" or 6" x 9", depending on your genre.
- Set 1-inch margins on all sides for manuscripts. For print books, adjust inner (gutter) margins to accommodate binding (typically 0.75–1 inch).
- Double-space your manuscript for readability and editing purposes. This is especially important for submissions to agents or editors.
- Use a legible serif font like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Courier New for manuscripts. For eBooks, sans-serif fonts like Arial may be better for screen readability.
- Use a 12-point font for body text throughout the manuscript. Make sure you avoid fancy fonts. Decorative fonts can distract readers and look unprofessional.
- Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Do not use the Tab key, set this up in your word processor's paragraph settings.
- Do not indent the first paragraph of each chapter or after scene breaks.
- Avoid adding blank lines between paragraphs unless indicating a scene break.
- Use visual markers like three asterisks (***) or a centered hashtag (#) to indicate scene breaks within chapters.
- Add headers with your last name, book title, and page number in the top-right corner of each page.
- Save as a PDF with embedded fonts when formatting a book for print.
- Start a new paragraph every time a new character speaks. Use double quotation marks for dialogue.
- Use proper punctuation within quotation marks (e.g., “I’m here,” she said.)
Bottom Line
With this guide, you can easily format your book in 2025 without breaking a bank. Keep in mind that good formatting makes your book easier to read and look more professional. It also helps readers enjoy your work more. By following these tips and using the right tools, you’re ready to share your story in the best way possible. Now go ahead and turn your finished manuscript into a well-formatted book that readers will love for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can format a book by using a professional formatting software like Google Docs or Calibre. You can keep your page size for novels 5" x 8" or 6" x 9", margins typically 0.75" to 1", choosing a readable serif font (like Times New Roman, Garamond, or Caslon in 11 or 12 point), indenting the first line of paragraphs (0.25" to 0.5") or using block paragraphs with a space between, using 1.15 or double line spacing, including headers and footers (with your name/title and page numbers), starting each chapter on a new page, and indicating scene breaks.
The "correct" format for a book depends on whether you are referring to the manuscript format for submissions to agents and publishers or the final format for publication. For manuscript submissions, the standard is typically 8.5" x 11" paper size, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced lines, and 0.5-inch paragraph indents. For the final published book, the format varies based on genre and publisher preferences.
Every novel genre has their own page count for publishing. Like, a general guideline is that a novel is at least 40,000-50,000 words. In terms of page count, this can translate to roughly 200 pages or more in a standard print format. Average novel lengths can range from 200 to 400 pages, but some genres like fantasy and science fiction often have longer novels. Young adult novels might be shorter, around 200-300 pages.
The first step to publishing a book is generally considered to be writing and polishing your manuscript. It's not just completing a first draft but also revising, editing, and formatting your work to the best it can be before pursuing publication, whether through traditional or self-publishing routes.
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