Formatting a book according to professional industry standards is crucial in ensuring your work is presented professionally and is readable. Here are some of the most common guidelines:
Size and Margins: Common book sizes (trim sizes) for
print include 5" x 8", 5.5" x 8.5", and 6" x 9".
Depending on your trim size, margins typically range from 0.5" to 1."
The inner margin (also known as the gutter) should be larger to account for
binding.
Font: Most books use serif fonts, like Times New
Roman or Garamond, for the main text. Size 10 or 12 is typically used. Sans
serif fonts, like Arial or Helvetica, are often used for chapter headings or
subheadings.
Line Spacing: The final layout, it should be
"single" or "1.5" depending on the font size and page size.
Alignment: Text is usually justified, meaning it
aligns with both the left and right margins. However, the alignment might vary
based on the genre and style of the book.
Indentation: The first line of each paragraph is
typically indented, except for the first paragraph of a new chapter or section.
Page Numbers: Page numbers (also known as folios)
should start from the first chapter. They can be centered, placed in the upper
right corner, or lower right corner.
Headers and Footers: These often include the author's
name, book title, and part or chapter title. Typically, the book title is on
the left-hand page and the author's name is on the right-hand page.
Chapters: Each chapter should start on a new page,
typically a right-hand page. Chapter titles or numbers are often formatted in a
larger font size.
Front Matter: This includes the title page, copyright
page, dedication, table of contents, foreword, preface, and acknowledgments.
Each element starts on a right-hand page.
Back Matter: This might include an afterword, an
appendix, a glossary, endnotes, a bibliography, an author bio, and an index.
Again, each section should start on a new page.
It's important to look at books in your genre to see common
practices. Additionally, if you plan to self-publish, each platform (like
Amazon KDP, Smashwords, etc.) may have its own specific formatting requirements
that you should adhere to. Consider hiring a professional book formatter or
using a professional tool, especially for complex layouts.
