The Step-by-Step Guide to Formatting Your Manuscript for Publishing

Hey there, authors! It’s Renee Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your book, and now it’s time to turn that manuscript into a polished, professional document that’s ready for publishing. Whether you’re planning to self-publish or go the traditional route, book manuscript formatting is a crucial step.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through how to format a manuscript properly. With this manuscript formatting guide, you’ll have everything you need to get your manuscript looking its best, whether you’re sending it to an editor, a publisher, or preparing it for a self-publishing platform.

Why Manuscript Formatting Matters

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of formatting, let’s talk about why it matters. Proper manuscript formatting is essential because it makes your book easy to read, professional, and ready for production. It ensures that your manuscript follows industry standards and can be easily transferred to the publishing platform of your choice. If your manuscript is all over the place in terms of formatting, it could be rejected or cause unnecessary delays.

So, let’s get your manuscript looking polished and ready for the world!

Step 1: Set Up Your Document

The first step in how to format a manuscript is setting up your document correctly. Here's how to start:

• Font and Size: Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial. The size should be 12 pt. This is the industry standard and ensures readability.

• Margins: Set your document margins to 1 inch on all sides. This is another standard for manuscripts, making sure there’s enough room for editing and printing.

• Line Spacing: Set your line spacing to double. This is a must for manuscripts, as it allows for easier reading and editing.

• Page Numbers: Include page numbers at the top or bottom of the page. This helps editors and readers navigate your manuscript easily.

• Header: Your header should include your book title (or a shortened version if it's too long) and your name or pen name. This makes it easier to track your work if it gets separated.

Step 2: Organize Your Manuscript

Now that your document is set up, it’s time to start organizing your manuscript. Here’s what you need to do:

• Title Page: The first page should be your title page. This includes the title of your book, your name, and your contact information (email or phone number). Make sure it’s centered on the page and formatted neatly.

• Table of Contents: If your book has chapters, include a Table of Contents after the title page. This is especially important for nonfiction books. For fiction, it's typically not necessary unless you have a lot of chapters or sections.

• Chapters: Start each chapter on a new page. Leave about 2-4 lines of space before the first line of text on the chapter page. For chapter titles, use a consistent format throughout the manuscript—this could be centered or aligned to the left, depending on your style. Bold or underline your chapter titles for clear visibility.

• Headings/Subheadings: For nonfiction books, use headings and subheadings to organize your content. Make sure these are distinct from your main text, either by using bold or italics, or by increasing the font size slightly.

Step 3: Review Your Formatting

After you've set up the basics, it’s time to fine-tune your manuscript. Here are some self-publishing formatting tips to make sure everything is looking sharp:

• Paragraphs: Make sure your paragraphs are properly indented (usually about half an inch) at the beginning. This helps readers differentiate between paragraphs and improves the overall readability.

• Spacing Between Paragraphs: There should be no extra spaces between paragraphs in a manuscript. The only exception is for a new chapter or a scene break (which is usually indicated by a blank line or a symbol like “#”).

• Consistent Style: Be consistent throughout your manuscript. Use the same formatting for headings, subheadings, fonts, and spacing. This uniformity ensures that your manuscript looks clean and professional.

• Scene Breaks: If you’re working on a novel, you might have scene breaks. To make it clear that a scene has ended, you can use a symbol (like # or §) or leave a few blank lines to signal a break.

If you really want a high-quality finish without the headache, consider investing in book formatting software like Atticus or Vellum. A good formatting software will do the heavy lifting for you while being user friendly.

Step 4: Convert Your Manuscript

Once your manuscript is formatted and polished, it’s time to convert it into the right file format. Most self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark accept Word documents (.docx) or PDFs. Before submitting, make sure your manuscript file meets the specific guidelines for the platform you're using.

If you’re unsure, here are a few things to double-check:

• File Type: Most platforms will accept .docx or .pdf. Always double-check the submission guidelines for your specific platform.

• File Size: Make sure the file size is within the platform’s limits. If it’s too large, consider compressing it or using a different format.

• Review: Once you’ve converted the file, open it on multiple devices to check for formatting errors. Make sure everything looks as it should before hitting “submit.”

Wrapping It Up

And that’s it! With these manuscript formatting guide steps, you’re ready to take your manuscript from rough draft to polished final product. Remember, book manuscript formatting doesn’t have to be intimidating. By following these steps, you can ensure that your manuscript is professional, readable, and ready for publication.

At Smart Publishing, we help authors just like you with the final touches on their manuscripts. If you need assistance formatting your book or navigating the self-publishing process, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Our high-touch service means we can’t work with everyone. Share your book idea with us, and we'll schedule a time to see if you're a good fit for our author family.