How to Format Your Manuscript for Submission or Self-Publishing

How to Format Your Manuscript for Submission or Self-Publishing

If you’ve poured your heart into writing a book, the last thing you want is for formatting issues to trip you up before it even reaches readers—or agents and editors. Whether you’re planning to submit your manuscript to a literary agent or self-publish, proper formatting makes your work look professional and easier to read. It shows respect for your craft, for the publishing professionals reviewing your work, and ultimately for your readers.

Formatting can seem overwhelming at first, especially with different rules floating around online, but the good news is that the basics are simple once you break them down. Let’s walk through how to format your manuscript step by step, so you can feel confident when it’s time to hit send—or publish.

Formatting for Submissions

When you’re submitting your manuscript to an agent, publisher, or editor, the key is consistency and readability. Publishing professionals read hundreds of manuscripts, so your goal is to present your work in a clean, standard format that doesn’t distract from the writing.

Standard Manuscript Format Basics

Most agents and editors prefer a simple, no-frills format often referred to as “standard manuscript format.” Here are the essentials:

• Font and size: Use a legible, classic font like Times New Roman or Courier, 12-point size. Avoid fancy fonts—they might look nice to you, but they can be distracting and harder to read.

• Spacing: Double-space your manuscript. This allows space for comments or notes during review.

• Margins: Use one-inch margins on all sides. This gives the text room to breathe.

• Indentations: Start each new paragraph with a half-inch indent. Don’t add extra space between paragraphs unless it’s a scene break.

• Alignment: Keep your text left-aligned, not justified. Justification can create uneven spacing that makes reading harder.

• Page numbers and header: Include a header with your last name, the title (or a keyword from the title), and the page number, usually aligned right. For example: “Smith / Shadow Games / 45.”

Title Page

Your title page should include:

• The book title centered about halfway down the page

• Your name (or pen name) beneath the title

• Your contact information—name, address, phone, email—aligned in the top left corner

• Word count (rounded to the nearest hundred or thousand) in the top right corner

Chapter Formatting

Start each chapter on a new page, about one-third of the way down. Center the chapter title or number. After one blank line, begin the text. Scene breaks within chapters can be shown with a centered symbol, like three asterisks, or simply a blank line.

Formatting for Self-Publishing

When you’re preparing for self-publishing, formatting takes on a different role. Instead of presenting your manuscript for review, you’re preparing it for readers—whether in print or as an ebook. A sloppy format can pull readers out of the story and damage your credibility.

Print Formatting

For print, you’ll need to consider trim size, fonts, and design elements. Here are the basics:

• Trim size: Common fiction sizes are 5”x8” or 6”x9.” Choose one that suits your genre and reader expectations.

• Margins and gutter: Margins need to account for binding, so the inner margin (the gutter) should be wider than the outer edge. Most self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark provide templates that make this easier.

• Fonts: Serif fonts (like Garamond, Palatino, or Times New Roman) are easier to read in print. Stick to 11- or 12-point size.

• Paragraphs: Unlike submissions, most print books use single spacing with no extra space between paragraphs, just the standard indent.

• Headers and footers: Typically, the book title appears on one side and the author’s name on the other, with page numbers included. Chapters usually start on a fresh page with no header at the top.

Ebook Formatting

Ebooks are a little different, since they need to adapt to different screen sizes and devices. Keep formatting simple and flexible.

• Flowing text: Avoid fixed layouts unless your book is image-heavy (like a children’s book or cookbook). For fiction and most nonfiction, use reflowable text that adjusts to the reader’s device.

• Fonts: Readers can choose their own fonts, so stick to standard text formatting. Don’t try to control the look too much.

• Chapter breaks: Use proper styles or page breaks rather than hitting “Enter” multiple times. This ensures chapters display correctly across devices.

• Table of contents: A clickable, hyperlinked table of contents is essential for navigation. Most formatting software can generate this for you.

Tools and Software That Can Help

You don’t need to be a design expert to format well. Plenty of tools can take care of the technical side so you can focus on the writing.

• Word processors: Microsoft Word and Google Docs can handle basic manuscript submissions just fine. For self-publishing, though, you’ll need more control.

• Scrivener: Popular among writers for drafting, Scrivener also has built-in compile features for both manuscript submission and ebook formats.

• Vellum: A favorite for Mac users, Vellum creates beautiful print and ebook layouts with minimal effort.

• Reedsy Book Editor: A free online tool that helps you format for both print and digital publishing.

• Platform templates: Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and IngramSpark all provide free templates you can use for consistency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with templates, it’s easy to slip up. Some of the most common formatting mistakes include:

• Using tabs instead of proper indents. Always set automatic indents in your word processor.

• Inconsistent spacing—mixing single and double spacing.

• Extra line breaks for new pages instead of using page break functions.

• Mixing fonts or using decorative fonts that distract from the text.

• Forgetting to check formatting on multiple devices for ebooks.

Remember, consistency is more important than perfection. A clean, simple layout always wins over something overly designed but inconsistent.

Wrapping It All Up

At the end of the day, formatting isn’t about stifling your creativity—it’s about giving your book the best chance to shine. Proper formatting removes barriers between your story and the person reading it, whether that’s an agent skimming submissions or a reader curled up with your self-published book.

Think of formatting as dressing your manuscript for success. You’ve done the hard work of writing—now give your story the polished presentation it deserves. That way, nothing stands between your words and the people eager to discover them.

Manuscript Formatting for Submission and Self-Publishing