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How to Format Your Novel Like a Pro: Step-by-Step Guide
Michael Adams
What an incredible achievement it is to finally complete the novel or book you have been working tirelessly on. Even with a great story, a book can’t be successful without good book formatting, which improves the overall book structure.
Let’s face it: how your book looks on the page is just as important as the story itself. An impeccable book format is a real deal as it not only makes your manuscript look polished and professional but also increases readability so that the readers find themselves captivated in it utterly, and that too without any distractions.
In this guide, all your questions about how to format a book will be answered as we’ll walk you step-by-step through formatting your novel like a pro.
Key Takeaways:
- Book formatting is as essential as developing an incredible storyline and captivating characters.
- Multiple factors like page count, genre, and target audience need to be considered before the process of formatting begins.
- The right margins define the look of pages within any book.
- Different fonts instill different moods within the readers, and choosing the right font is the real game changer.
- The legibility of a text increases if it is perfectly aligned coupled with the right line spacing.
- Consider adding page numbers and headers as navigational tools for your reader.
- The coherence of dialogues should not be limited to prose but also how they appear on a book or screen.
- There are multiple formats in today’s publishing landscape, such as eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers. Knowing the nuances of each will equip authors to know better.
- Many authors seek affordable book design services to ensure that their manuscripts have increased readability, consistency, and an overall professional layout.
Why Book Format is the Most Important Element
Formatting is an essential aspect of design. As Steve Jobs once said, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” In this sense, book formatting is more than just a mere aesthetic. It plays a crucial role in:
Improving Readability: Proper novel format improves readability. It allows the reader to read while reducing eye strain and fatigue comfortably.
Better Organization: Book design and formatting are important for organizing the content. If your content appears scattered or too clumsy, it can make it difficult for readers to follow the flow of ideas. A proper structure provides clarity.
Displaying Book Properly Across All Formats: Gone are the days when people only read hardcover books. Since there are e-books now, people have been consuming/reading them on various devices such as e-readers, tablets, and smartphones. This is why formatting is important to ensure that your book appears consistent and enjoyable across all devices.
Leaving a Good First Impression: First impressions matter a lot. If you want to impress readers immediately, you must get the best book design services for attractive font covers and proper formatting. This not only leaves a positive impression but also encourages people to read further.
Step By Step Guide: How to Format a Book
1. Picking the Right Book Size
First things first, let’s talk about book size. This refers to the size and dimensions of your book. The most common sizes for novels are 5″x8″ inches and 6″x9″ inches. If you’re self-publishing through platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, you’ll have these and several other size options, such as 5.5″ x 8.5″, to choose from.
The book size you choose can depend on a few factors:
- Genre: For example, a literary fiction novel might suit a smaller, more traditional size like 5×8, while a fantasy novel with maps or illustrations might be better suited for a larger size like 6×9.
- Page Count: If your novel is long, opting for a larger format can help reduce the number of pages, which can also lower your printing costs.
- Target Audience: Focus on the right audience and ask yourself who you are writing for. For example, picture books and early readers often come in larger sizes (8.5″ x 8.5″, 8″ x 10″, or 7″ x 10″) to accommodate colorful illustrations, whereas YA novels follow standard trade paperback sizes (5″ x 8″ or 5.5″ x 8.5″), which balance portability and readability.
2. Setting the Right Margins
If it is your first time publishing a book, you might be tempted to cram up as many words as possible on a single page. Well, this might reduce your printing cost, but it will also shift some of your words into the gutter side (inside edge.) This will make readers try prying open the books just to read them. It can even damage the book and frustrate the reader.
So, when setting the margins during book formatting, you must keep them nice and roomy. Tight margins make the page look crowded, while overly generous margins can make your text feel lost on the page.
Here’s a good rule of thumb:
- For a 6×9-inch book, set the margins to 0.75 inches on the top, bottom, and outside edges.
- For the inner margin, make it slightly larger—about 0.9 to 1 inch—so that the text doesn’t disappear into the spine when the book is bound.
It’s the magic of proper margins that makes the book look inviting and gives readers enough space to hold the book comfortably without their thumbs obscuring the text. Margins ensure sufficient empty space, which is easier on the eyes and gives people space to write small notes.
3. Choosing the Right Font
The next important thing you need to decide when formatting a book is font. Why? Your aim should be to find a font that seamlessly disappears into the story and makes your book beautiful, not a struggle for people to read.
The goal is to pick a font that is easy on the eyes for long reading sessions. This is why serif fonts are often the preferred choice for novels, as the small lines at the ends of letters help guide the reader’s eye from one letter to the next.
Here are some tried-and-true fonts for novel formatting:
- Garamond: A classic serif font that is elegant and increases readability.
- Baskerville: Another traditional font with a slightly more modern feel.
- Times New Roman: A reliable and common choice, though it’s sometimes viewed as overused.
- Georgia: A bit larger and chunkier, making it a good choice for longer books or for readers with weaker eyesight.
Whichever font you choose, make sure it’s simple, clear, and doesn’t distract from the content. Also, keep the size between 11 to 12 points for body text. Anything smaller may strain your readers’ eyes, while anything larger could make the book feel like a children’s book unless that’s your intended audience.
4. Setting Line Spacing and Paragraph Alignment
Once you’ve chosen your font, you’ll need to decide on the line spacing. For novel format, the ideal line spacing is around 1.15 to 1.5. This ensures there’s enough white space between lines for readability without wasting too much page space.
As for paragraph alignment, always justify your text. Justifying means the text will align perfectly on both the left and right sides, creating clean, even blocks of text. This is how professionally printed books are formatted, and it gives your novel a more polished appearance.
In terms of paragraph breaks, it’s standard practice to indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.25 to 0.5 inches. This visually signals to the reader that a new paragraph has begun. You’ll also want to avoid adding extra space between paragraphs (as you might do for web articles or blog posts). Instead, rely on indentation to separate paragraphs.
5. Formatting Book Titles and Chapter Headings
Do you find it puzzling to format a book title and search online on how to format a book title? Well, we are here to simplify this for you. The first thing to remember is how important it is to have a well-formatted book title. Your book title and chapter headings play a key role in shaping the overall structure of your book.
Here are some key things you must remember about book titles and headings during book formatting.
Book Title
On the title page, use a larger font size (typically 20-30 points) and bold or italicize the title to make it stand out. You can also experiment with different fonts for the title, as long as it complements the tone of your novel. For example, a gothic-style font might work well for a mystery novel, while a more traditional font suits literary fiction.
Tip: Make sure you keep your text centered vertically and horizontally. The book title page also has the name of the author, but the title should be the most prominent element. Keep font style simple and consistent so it matches the rest of your manuscript.
Chapter Headings
First things first, start each chapter on a new page. Remember that chapter headings are a key aesthetic element. When formatted properly, it guides readers smoothly through the narrative and simultaneously reinforces your book’s design.
You might choose to center the chapter headings or align them to the left, but whichever you choose, be consistent. You can also add small visual elements, like a line or symbol, to give your chapters a little extra flair. Make sure there’s plenty of space between the chapter heading and the first paragraph of the text, as this helps the reader transition into the new section.
6. Running Headers and Page Numbers
To give your book a more professional feel, consider adding running headers and page numbers during book formatting. Running headers are small bits of text that appear at the top of each page and usually include the author’s name, the book title, or the current chapter title. These headers help orient the reader as they move through the book and make the novel appear more polished.
Page numbers should be included at the bottom or top of each page, typically in the center or aligned with the outer margin. This is basically to help readers flip back and forth between sections; having these navigational tools is a must.
7. Deal with Widows and Orphans
These two are typographic issues in book formatting that can affect the readability of the book.
- A widow is a word or small group of words that is alone at the bottom of the page.
- An orphan is a single word or short phrase that is carried over to the next page, and it creates a disconnected look.
You can prevent this issue by:
- Adjusting line spacing to prevent some words from being left isolated.
- Use proper paragraph breaks to ensure continuity in text flow
- If you are using professional typesetting software, you can apply widow and orphan control. This will automatically adjust the spacing in your manuscript.
8. Scene Breaks and Dialogue Formatting
Scene breaks occur when there’s a shift in time, location, or perspective within a chapter. To indicate a scene break, insert a blank line between paragraphs. You can also add a small symbol, such as an asterisk (*), or a decorative design to make the break stand out. Keep it simple, though, so it doesn’t distract from the flow of your story.
Dialogue should be formatted clearly and consistently. Each new speaker’s dialogue should start with a new line to avoid confusion. This is especially important in conversation-heavy scenes where multiple characters are speaking.
9. Distinguishing Between Different Formats
Now comes the extremely important part: Book Format.
Types of book format
Few people confuse book format with document file formats, assuming that “format” refers to PDFs and Word documents. However, book format actually refers to the physical or digital form in which a book is published. This includes:
Hardcover: This is the traditional format that is known for durability and elegant presentation. This format is ideal for special edition books. They also have a higher perceived value because they have higher-quality paper and more durable binding, allowing for more elaborate design elements, such as embossed covers and custom chapter headings.
Paperback: They are a common choice for readers because of how affordable and convenient they are. Although they are cost-effective, they are also prone to creases and wear over time.
Ebook: With the rise of Kindles and smartphones, many people are switching to electronic books. Three in ten Americans now read e-books. People love them because of instant access, adjustable font sizes, and easy storage. eBooks must be in a way that it reflows, allowing the text to adjust to different screen sizes and orientations. It is also cost-effective for you as an author because it eliminates the printing cost. For e-books, make sure you save the manuscript in EPUB or MOBI format.
Audiobook: As of 2024, 52% of US adults have listened to an audiobook. They are becoming famous, especially among those who do not have time to sit down and read a book.
Note: Maintaining readability, consistency, and a professional layout is crucial to presenting your work in the best possible light, regardless of the format.
Why Is Understanding These Formats a Must for You?
According to Forbes, platforms like Amazon are democratizing the publishing landscapes, giving authors the power to publish their work more autonomously. Forbes substantiated their argument by presenting a study of Words rated, which established that the number of self-published books has increased by 264% in the last five years.
Keeping this in mind, if you, as an author, are also going for self-published books, then you must know finer nuances about formatting and different variations of formatting to ensure success.
10. Exterior Book Formatting
When we talk about book formatting – it is important to cover the exterior of the book as well. The exterior of the book is the first thing people see, and no, please don’t fall for “people don’t judge a book by its cover” because, well, let’s be honest, we all do!
So, here are a few things that are included in exterior formatting:
Cover Design
Again, this is the first thing people see, and within seconds, readers judge and make perceptions about your book. If you can’t design a good cover that tells readers a little about what the book is about, then you must hire affordable cover design services.
They will include eye-catching imagery, illustrations, and suitable typography that reflects the book’s tone and genre. By using a color scheme that is consistent with the story, they can improve the aesthetic appeal of the book.
Another important element that you need to choose here is the cover finish.
Matte Finish: This finish is soft, non-reflective, and modern. It is used for literary fiction, memoirs, and professional books.
Glossy Finish: This finish is shiny, vibrant, and resistant to smudges. It is ideal for children’s books, cookbooks, and highly visual books.
Spine
It is the part of the book that faces outward when it is on a shelf. This part of the book displays the title of the book, the author’s name, the design, and the publisher’s logo. Best book design services ensure the spine is not only readable but also visually striking, using the right fonts, colors, and layout to grab attention on a crowded shelf.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the fundamentals of book formatting is essential for every writer before they publish their novel. While writing an engaging and entertaining story is the goal, it is important to note that poor formatting can hinder your content from reaching its intended audience.
Readers may not consciously identify or praise the formatting, but they will instinctively recognize these features from other books that have poor formatting. This will make them more comfortable with your work.
FAQs
Can book formatting impact book marketing and sales?
A well-formatted book looks professional, helps gain trust, and makes it easier for readers to enjoy it. This can lead to better reviews and more sales.
Does book formatting affect printing costs?
Yes. If you avoid mistakes and perfect your formatting, like adjusting margins, font size, and line spacing, you can reduce page count. This will lower printing costs without sacrificing readability.
What is the role of back cover formatting in book design?
The back cover is crucial for marketing. This is why if you hire the best cover design services, they will format every detail (book blurb, author bio, ISBN, and publisher details) correctly and in a visually appealing way.
About Author
Hi My name is Micheal Adams, When I am not watching horror movies and helping my kids with homework or reading my favorite fantasy/supernatural novels – I’m writing to guide aspiring authors. I focus on exploring and simplifying both the technical aspects and the often-overlooked details of book writing and publishing so I can empower new writers to climb the Amazon bestseller list and connect with more readers.
