8 Essential Steps to Format Your Book in MS Word
A Badman Publishing Guide for Members
Introduction
As a self-publishing author, formatting your book correctly is crucial for a professional look and feel. Follow these eight steps to save time and create a polished, print-ready manuscript that will impress your readers.
By following these steps, you'll create a professionally formatted book that's ready for self-publishing. Remember, attention to detail in formatting can significantly impact your readers' experience and the perceived quality of your work.
1. Choose your platform and book size
The very first step is to choose your self-publishing platform, for example, Amazon, Lulu, Barnes & Noble, Apple, etc. Make a decision on your book size taking into consideration factors such as the number of pages, colour or mono, cover sizes, etc.
We have a companion guide in our resources library about these in more detail.
2. Set your page and trim size
Begin by opening a new document in your preferred word-processing software. Navigate to the layout panel and set your page size to match your chosen trim size. Common trim sizes for books include 5.5" x 8.5" for fiction and 6" x 9" for non-fiction. This step ensures your book will print consistently, correctly and look professional.Â
We have a companion guide in our resources library about this in more detail.
3. Set your margins and gutters
Proper margins are essential for readability and aesthetics. Therefore, your outer margins to at least 0.5 inches and your inner margins (gutters) to 0.75-0.9 inches, depending on your page count. Remember, the gutter needs extra space to accommodate the book binding. Use the layout panel to input these measurements accurately.
4. Fonts, line spacing and indenting
For novels, serif fonts are traditionally considered the best choice for body text. Serif fonts are preferred in book publishing because they enhance readability and help guide the reader's eye along the text. Choose a readable serif font such as Times New Roman or Garamond in 11-12 point size for the body text.
Set your line spacing to 1.15 or 1.2 for improved readability.
For fiction books, authors traditionally use a 0.3-0.5 inch first-line indent for new paragraphs. Non-fiction often uses block paragraphs with no indent and extra space between paragraphs. Whichever you choose, consistency is important!
5. Title, Copyright, and Table of Contents
For print books, leave a blank page to act as your inside cover. For eBooks, this is not really needed. The next page would ideally be your title page, copyright information, and table of contents. The title page should include your book title, a subtitle if applicable, and your name or pen name. The copyright section page should contain your copyright notice, ISBN, and any necessary disclaimers.
For the next page, your Table of Contents page, insert your table of contents (TOC) with page numbers. MS Word has a built-in feature for creating your table of contents automatically.
6. Automating your page numbers
Use the header and footer function to add automatic page numbers. Start numbering from your first chapter, not from the first page of your document. You can use Roman numerals for the front matter if desired. Ensure the page numbers are positioned consistently throughout the book, typically at the bottom centre or outer corners of the pages, i.e. alternate left and right bottom corners.
7. Insert your front and back cover
Your front cover is the first thing potential readers will see, so make it count! Design a compelling cover or hire a professional designer. (We can make flat and 3D covers for you) Once you have your front cover image, insert it as the first page of your document. Ensure it fits the dimensions of your chosen trim size perfectly. Make sure the cover fills the whole page from edge to edge rather than within the margins of the page.
8. Export your book as a PDF
Once you've completed formatting, it's time to export your book as a PDF. This format preserves your layout and fonts, ensuring your book looks exactly as intended when printed. Use the "Save As" or "Export" function in your word processor, selecting "PDF" as the file type.
Now is the time to preview your PDF version to make sure everything looks exactly as you want it, and that the whole book fits the parameters of your publisher's criteria. If not then re-edit the Word document and export to PDF again. Once all is as it should be then you can upload to your chosen Publisher.
Next Steps
- Can we help you with your publishing? Arrange a free 1-to-1 consultation to discuss.
- Explore other guides in our member's resource library
Acknowledgements & Hat-Tips
- Formatting in MS Word header image created inhouse
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