Manuscript Formatting Guide: How to Format Your Book for Submission
Why Manuscript Formatting Matters
Proper formatting tells agents and publishers that you're a professional. A badly formatted manuscript can get rejected before anyone reads the first page. Whether you're submitting to traditional publishers or self-publishing, formatting matters.
Standard Manuscript Format
The industry-standard manuscript format has been consistent for decades. Here are the rules:
- Font: 12-point Times New Roman or Courier
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- Alignment: Left-aligned (not justified)
- Indentation: 0.5-inch first-line indent for each paragraph
- Page numbers: Top-right corner, starting from the first chapter page
- Header: Your last name / shortened title / page number
Chapter Formatting
Each chapter should start on a new page with the chapter title centered, about one-third of the way down the page. The first paragraph of each chapter is typically not indented.
Scene Breaks
Use a centered hash mark (#) or three asterisks ( *) to indicate scene breaks within a chapter. Don't just add extra blank lines — they can get lost during typesetting.
Front Matter
Front matter appears before your main content:
- Title page: Your book title, your name, word count, and contact information
- Dedication (optional)
- Table of contents (primarily for non-fiction)
Back Matter
Back matter appears after your main content:
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Bibliography (for non-fiction)
Formatting for Self-Publishing
If you're self-publishing on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or similar platforms, the formatting requirements differ:
- EPUB format is standard for e-books
- PDF format is used for print-on-demand
- Pay attention to trim size — 6x9 inches is common for trade paperback
- Use styles consistently for headings, body text, and quotes
Formatting Tools
BookWriter Pro makes formatting simple. Write your manuscript with proper chapter organization, then export to your desired format:
- PDF export maintains your formatting for print review
- Word export gives you a .docx file ready for agent submission
- Plain text export strips all formatting for clean content
- EPUB export (Pro plan) creates e-book-ready files
Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
- Using tabs instead of paragraph indentation settings. Tabs can cause inconsistent formatting.
- Adding extra spaces between paragraphs. Use proper paragraph spacing settings instead.
- Using fancy fonts or colors. Stick to standard, readable fonts.
- Inconsistent heading styles. Use the same formatting for all chapter titles.
- Not removing track changes or comments before submitting.
Conclusion
Good formatting is invisible — readers and agents should focus on your words, not your layout. Follow these guidelines, use a dedicated writing tool like BookWriter Pro, and you'll submit a manuscript that looks as professional as it reads.