So, you have finished writing your book, and now you are ready to publish. Then you realise one teensy detail stands in your way—formatting. Formatting doesn’t have to look like a big deal if you get the book layout right. You might want to print it out or make a digital version. Don’t worry, it is not as hard as it sounds. Let us break it down for you.
What is the Big Difference Between Print and E-Book Formatting?
First, let us discuss the two formats: print books and e-books. They might seem similar, but they are pretty different when it comes to how you lay them out.
Print Books: Think of a print book like a physical thing. You pick it up, flip through pages, and it doesn’t change. Every page stays the same size, the text doesn’t shift around, and everything has to fit in a specific way.
If you don’t get the layout right, the book might look all cramped or uneven, which is not great.
E-books: E-books, on the other hand, are way more flexible. They change based on the size of the screen you are reading on. It could be a Kindle, tablet, or phone; the text will surely adjust to fit. So, you can’t just throw everything into a PDF and call it a day. You need to think about how to make the text flow well on different devices.
How Do You Format a Print Book?
- Page Size and Margins: Every print book has a “trim size,” or the actual size of the page. You can choose this based on what looks good for your genre, but make sure to leave some space around the edges (margins) so the text is not too close to the edge of the page.
No one likes reading texts that are too close to the binding, right?
- Fonts and Size: Choose a font that is easy to read. Fonts like Times New Roman or EB Garamond can be good options depending on what will seem clearer for your readers. For the body text, you want something that is not too small or too big, usually between 10 and 12 pt. Just remember, it has to be easy on the eyes for readers.
- Spacing Between Lines and Paragraphs: Make sure there is enough space between lines and paragraphs; line space can be 0.1 or any other spacing limit that makes the reading experience better for you and your readers. This will make reading easier and feel less crowded.
Readers lose interest easily when texts are crammed together in the book.
- Headings and Titles: Titles and chapter headings should stand out. You can use a larger or bold font for chapter titles to make them look different from the body text. Readers will find it easy to identify when a new chapter starts.
Example: Chapter Title
Text
Page Numbers and Layout: Keep the page numbers in the same spot (usually bottom or top) and make sure they are not too close to the edge. Your front pages (like the title page) don’t need numbers, but the main content will.
How About E-Book Formatting?
E-books are a little trickier because they need to adjust depending on the device. Here is how you can make sure your e-book looks great:
- Flexible Text: Since e-books adjust to different screen sizes, the text has to flow well. You don’t want everything crammed into one screen or too much space on another. You need to make sure it looks good no matter what device someone uses.
- Font Size: One awesome thing about e-books is that readers can change the font size. So, avoid using strange fonts or anything hard to read. Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman to make sure it works well on all devices.
- Clickable Links: E-books are digital, so if you have a table of contents or links to websites, make sure they work! You want your readers to be able to click on a chapter or link and go straight to it.
- Images: If you have images, make sure they are optimised for screens. Large images might look great on a computer but can be a pain on smaller devices. Make sure the images resize properly.
- File Types: Different platforms (like Kindle, Apple Books, or Google Play) have their requirements. You will usually need to convert your file into formats like ePub or mobi. Just make sure you know which one is best for the platform you are using.
What Tools Can Help with Formatting?
You don’t need to be a tech genius to format a book. There are a bunch of tools that make it easier:
- Adobe InDesign: This is one of the best desktop publishing applications for print books. It lets you get super detailed with your layout. It is great for professionals but is a little complicated for beginners.
- Vellum: This platform is excellent for e-books. It is easy to use and will turn your manuscript into a polished ebook in minutes. However, it is only available on Mac.
- Scrivener: It is mostly a writing tool, but also helps with formatting. You can export your book into the right format for both print and e-books. But there’s also a steep learning curve for beginners.
Don’t stress too much about formatting. Once you understand the basics, you will be able to format your book so that it looks great in both formats. You can also get professionals like us to format your books.
Remember to keep it simple; focus on easy-to-read fonts, clear headings, and making sure things are aligned properly. Your book deserves to look polished and professional if you are publishing on paper or digitally.
Are you curious about publishing? Or maybe you need help? Reach out to us at admin@chowilson.com and get professional formatting for your print and e-books.