Typically, book formatting is one of the last steps that some individuals decide to skip. Even though the content of your book is critical, the presentation of that content has an undeniable effect on the reader and the overall success of the book. Bad formatting will bring down a beautiful story that has been put across in good English. As for professional formatting, it gives the book an enticing touch and makes it easy to read. This does not exclude the authors from self-publishing processes. Whether you’re self-publishing or coordinating with a layman publisher, every author must master book formatting.
In this guide, you will go through the basic steps on how to correctly format the book like a professional.
Finding Appropriate Software
Just like any other process, the formatting process will need some tools for a successful outcome this includes finding appropriate software. The common tools for book formatting include the following: Microsoft Word: Book writing typically includes the use of Microsoft Word along with other word processors. Such tools require little effort as they are very user-friendly to the majority of the authors. However, it may not support high-end layouts and design to be able to cater to expensive and advanced layouts.
- Adobe InDesign: However, a more polished result will depend on the advanced use of the writer. If the writing is for the composition then this choice makes for a work of art rather than just words. This application is useful for typesetting and layouts, for complex graphics and artworks, and for writing nonfiction works.
- Scrivener: This software is popular with authors when writing and ordering their content into chapters but also includes some elementary tools for correlating images with text. However, an additional software tool may still be necessary for those finishing touches.
- Vellum (only for Mac users): Its easy-to-use interface and professional results make Vellum one of the fastest and simplest software for creating eBooks and their print versions. This way, a lot of time is used when formatting.
Your project’s software selection will depend on many factors, including the composition of the project and your personal choice.
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Knowing The Book Interior
When we refer to the layout of your book, we are referring to the division of chapters, placement of images, text, and other relevant objects on the page. It is good to organize a book in terms of flow and clarity of ideas.
- Margins: Maintain uniform margins that allow some space for the text to breathe. In the case of printed books, account for “gutter” margins that add space at the inner side of the book to cater to the binding.
- Headers and Footers: Each page can navigate you with page number, chapter heading, and author last name norms either at the top page or at the bottom page. Be careful with their position because they might interfere with the text.
- Text Alignment- Fiction novels commonly justify text, aligning both left and right margins for a professional appearance. This format is practical for written works, but you are more likely to see left-aligned content depending on the nature of the writing.
When producing visual materials, uniformity in appearance is one of the most important factors, particularly in ensuring professionalism.
Font Selection
Readability is one of the most important aspects of any document and the selection of a font is one step closer to achieving this goal. It can be very appealing to make a stylish font choice, however, the designing of a book is often better off using plain fonts. Here are a few general rules:
- Serif vs. Sans Serif: Serif typefaces (e.g., Times New Roman, Georgia Garamond) will generally in most cases be utilized for print forms, as small protruding edge lines serve a function of sight direction aids. EiSans serif fonts include Arial and Helvetica, whose designs are used mainly on the screen as other dimensions owing to their clean sight and modern nature.
- Font Size: For print materials, the right fonts fall between the range of, Arial 11 or 12. eBooks now enhance devices, so you need to consider more than just simple fonts, using responsive fonts that adapt to users’ devices. Remember to leave your line spacing, also known as leading, wide enough so that it’s not too close.
- Avoid Overused Fonts: Avoid using funny and funny-looking fonts like Comic Sans, cartoon-type fonts, or any other nonsensical fonts. These create an unprofessional environment and cause distraction from the views.
Choosing the right font for the readers’ demographic will also improve comprehension of the subject matter.
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Making a Mention of the Table of Contents
Table of contents, which stands for table of contents, should be highly structural, as this is an indispensable tool, more so when it comes to non-fiction authors or novels that contain a good number of chapters or sections. When creating an eBook, the TOC should be made clickable, so the reader can go straight to the chapter by clicking on its title. Try the best book promotion services for you.
Conclusion
Formatting a book may seem easy but it calls for discipline and patience which most might be unwilling to put up with. Many advantages come with having a well-formatted book. It makes reading easier, it presents a professional appearance, and it assists in establishing the author’s brand image. By adopting these simple but important book formatting techniques, the outcome will satisfy you, and the task of formatting your book won’t be arduous.
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