Ebook formatting service from experienced book editor.
Format your book or novel to publish and sell on Amazon Kindle (KDP) or other self-publishing platform.
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I can professionally format your book ready to upload onto Amazon Kindle or I can apply specific requirements if you are using another self-publishing service. Whether your book is to be read by family and friends or published for the world to enjoy, I provide ebook formatting services so your manuscript has a professional layout and can be published as an ebook. Contact me to enquire about this service or to place an order. To check there are no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors before self-publishing, check out my Book Proofreading Service. If you require a more in-depth edit of your book to improve sentence structure, flow and the quality of wording, please see more information on my Book Editing Service. |
What is Book Formatting?
Formatting your manuscript ensures your book looks professional and is readable on devices such as e-readers, tablets, smartphones, laptops and PCs.
So, the two main aspects of book formatting in the service I offer are layout and the ability for your material to be read electronically.
Layout is obviously important because your manuscript may not receive the kudos it should or consideration from potential readers if it is not formatted to publishing standards. This is essential to provide a seamless read and a layout that doesn’t scream amateur to your readers.
Compatiblity to be read on a device involves saving the Microsoft Word document as a specific file type (a digital file as discussed in more detail below) so the text can be read on a Kindle/iPad as well as a smartphone or laptop without affecting the layout or readability. This is why ebooks don't have numbered pages, as separate pages don't exist. Instead, it is a continuous flowing text that automatically fits the various screen sizes of devices.
So, the two main aspects of book formatting in the service I offer are layout and the ability for your material to be read electronically.
Layout is obviously important because your manuscript may not receive the kudos it should or consideration from potential readers if it is not formatted to publishing standards. This is essential to provide a seamless read and a layout that doesn’t scream amateur to your readers.
Compatiblity to be read on a device involves saving the Microsoft Word document as a specific file type (a digital file as discussed in more detail below) so the text can be read on a Kindle/iPad as well as a smartphone or laptop without affecting the layout or readability. This is why ebooks don't have numbered pages, as separate pages don't exist. Instead, it is a continuous flowing text that automatically fits the various screen sizes of devices.
Here is a brief overview of the aspects covered in this service to explain further:
✔ Produce front matter (front pages).
✔ Amend font, line spacing and margin indentations.
✔ Remove tabs and inconsistent formatting.
✔ Format chapter breaks and chapter titles.
✔ Add table of contents (list of chapters).
✔ Produce file to upload onto self-publishing platforms such as Amazon Kindle or other as required.
A more in-depth breakdown of this service is provided below.
✔ Produce front matter (front pages).
✔ Amend font, line spacing and margin indentations.
✔ Remove tabs and inconsistent formatting.
✔ Format chapter breaks and chapter titles.
✔ Add table of contents (list of chapters).
✔ Produce file to upload onto self-publishing platforms such as Amazon Kindle or other as required.
A more in-depth breakdown of this service is provided below.
Book Formatting Process
The formatting process is carried out once the client's work has been edited and/or proofread. See my Proofreading and Copy-editing pages for more information on these services.
Once the manusript is complete and finalised, here is a full breakdown of the ebook formatting service I provide:
Once the manusript is complete and finalised, here is a full breakdown of the ebook formatting service I provide:
- Creation of front matter (front pages).
- Title page.
- Copyright information.
- Acknowledgements.
- Dedication.
- About the author.
- Also by the author.
- Clickable table of contents listing the chapters. Links are checked to make sure they navigate to the correct location in the book.
- Preface/Prologue as required.
- Amend font, line spacing and margin indentations.
- Make sure each of these aspects are to publisher standard and formatted consistently throughout the book.
- Remove tabs and inconsistent formatting.
- Delete the use of tab key or space bar for margin indentations, for example, as they don't translate well to being viewed on an e-reader.
- Format chapter titles so the font size, alignment, line spacing, capitalisation, style, etc. are consistent.
- Format chapter breaks (breaks within chapters to indicate a lapse of time, change of scene, for example, so they are clear and consistent).
- Ensure Microsoft Word ‘page breaks’ are used correctly and consistently to separate chapters, or are removed as these are not always required in ebooks.
- Page numbers are removed for ebook formats.
- These are removed because the book will be viewed on different sized devices; therefore, the page numbers won’t show correctly or match the table of contents.
- Produce appropriate file format to upload onto self-publishing platforms Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, etc. (See more information on file formats below.)
Edited and formatted fiction novella
Alex did a wonderful job of editing and formatting my book for release, very friendly and easy-going manner. I will definitely use Alex's services for my future projects.
Nicholas Plumridge
Information on Ebook File Formats
As mentioned in the list above, I will convert your manuscript into a file type that is compatible with the relevant self-publishing platform you are using, as Microsoft Word files can’t be read on e-readers.
Once you have set up your author account on whichever publisher you decide to use (check out my Self-Publishing Resources page for a list of publishing services), this file is then uploaded along with your book cover (see below for more information on designing your book cover) and published as your final and complete book.
For example, for most of my clients I have converted their manuscript to a HTML file to upload and publish on Amazon.
You can also use my formatting service if you need a professional layout and PDF file to produce hard copies of your book using the print option on Amazon KDP (previously CreateSpace), Lulu, Ingram Spark or a printing company.
There are many file types (ebook formats) for all the different e-readers available:
As you can see, this area can be a bit complicated, slightly technical and not really what authors need to get their heads around to actually produce a published book. Check out my Self-Publishing Resources page for links to self-publishing services so you can carry out your own research on the option which meets your requirements, the costs and the information you need to create and sell ebooks and print copies.
Once you have set up your author account on whichever publisher you decide to use (check out my Self-Publishing Resources page for a list of publishing services), this file is then uploaded along with your book cover (see below for more information on designing your book cover) and published as your final and complete book.
For example, for most of my clients I have converted their manuscript to a HTML file to upload and publish on Amazon.
You can also use my formatting service if you need a professional layout and PDF file to produce hard copies of your book using the print option on Amazon KDP (previously CreateSpace), Lulu, Ingram Spark or a printing company.
There are many file types (ebook formats) for all the different e-readers available:
- ‘EPUB’ file – this is a standard format which can be used to view books on many devices. This format is compatible on Apple devices, Kobo reader, Barnes & Noble NOOK, and Smashwords (where you can also upload a Word document).
- ‘MOBI’ file – this is the format used to publish on Amazon. These could only be viewed on Amazon e-readers initially, but the Amazon Kindle app can now be downloaded onto other brand e-readers. But as mentioned previously, a HMTL file also works with Amazon KDP.
- As far as I’m aware, self-publishers can’t publish direct onto Apple’s platform because it only allows certain third-party companies to upload books to the iBook store.
As you can see, this area can be a bit complicated, slightly technical and not really what authors need to get their heads around to actually produce a published book. Check out my Self-Publishing Resources page for links to self-publishing services so you can carry out your own research on the option which meets your requirements, the costs and the information you need to create and sell ebooks and print copies.
Ebook Formatting Rates
The price to format for Amazon Kindle is £100 when ordered with other services or £150 stand-alone fee. The cost is discussed individually for other self-publishing platforms or if producing paperback/hardback copies.
This is the price for manuscripts up to 120,000 words. If your book is longer, please contact me for a quote.
This service does not involve the formatting or insertion of photographs, images, illustrations or tables. You can find out how to format images for your ebook at the following Amazon KDP Resources page.
Once the formatted manuscript has been returned, any additional work required thereafter (reformatting of further changes made by author, etc.) is charged at £25 per hour (minimum charge £25).
If you only need proofreading or copy-editing without the ebook formatting service, any inconsistencies such as different font sizes, non-uniform line spacing and uneven margin indentations will be amended. The cost for this will be included in the quote provided for my editorial services.
How to make payment:
I accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer. Payment is required in advance of the work commencing and within 48 hours of receiving the payment request or invoice. See my Terms and Conditions for more information.
Enquire about this or any of my book editorial services by using the secure Contact Form.
This is the price for manuscripts up to 120,000 words. If your book is longer, please contact me for a quote.
This service does not involve the formatting or insertion of photographs, images, illustrations or tables. You can find out how to format images for your ebook at the following Amazon KDP Resources page.
Once the formatted manuscript has been returned, any additional work required thereafter (reformatting of further changes made by author, etc.) is charged at £25 per hour (minimum charge £25).
If you only need proofreading or copy-editing without the ebook formatting service, any inconsistencies such as different font sizes, non-uniform line spacing and uneven margin indentations will be amended. The cost for this will be included in the quote provided for my editorial services.
How to make payment:
I accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer. Payment is required in advance of the work commencing and within 48 hours of receiving the payment request or invoice. See my Terms and Conditions for more information.
Enquire about this or any of my book editorial services by using the secure Contact Form.
DIY Formatting Tips
When writing/creating your manuscript:
- Don’t use the tab key to indent your margins as these won’t convert to Kindle format.
- Also, don’t use the space bar to indent your paragraphs as there will invariably be variations in the amount of spaces you use on different occasions, which means the alignment of your text won’t be uniform. This will be apparent especially when it occurs on consecutive lines, for example, and obviously doesn't look very professional.
- When writing in Microsoft Word, you can use the default paragraph indentations, bold text, italic font and headings options in your book. But avoid using special fonts, headers and footers as some of these will not be adapted into Kindle format, for example.
- Avoid hitting ‘Enter’ at the end of a line unless you are creating a new paragraph. Microsoft Word automatically moves your text to the next line as you type.
- Don’t change your ‘Margin’ settings (go to Page Layout on the top toolbar in Word and then select ‘Margins’. This should be set to ‘Normal’).
- If you are adding images, insert .jpg formatted images and align to ‘centre’. Copy and pasting from another source may not ensure your pictures are displayed correctly.
- If you are saving your Word file as a HTML file, the images will be extracted and stored in a separate folder, which is then saved in the same location as the HTML file.
- Amazon provides free tools that you can use to convert your Word document to a Mobi file, so you shouldn’t need to pay for this stand-alone service.
- If the layout looks out of sync or the spacing has gone awry, use the ¶ (pilcrow symbol) via the 'Home' tab on the top toolbar so you can see the formatting of your document as shown below.
If you would like to format your book yourself to sell via Amazon, you can find out more here on getting started with Kindle Direct Publishing and how to prepare and format your ebook and paperback.
Design Your Book Cover
A professional and impactful book cover is essential for selling books, because most people do actually judge a book by their cover. They are part of the story, a hook to draw in readers. The cover shows that the author has thought as much about the packaging as the rest of the masterpiece inside. It also conveys who the intended audience is and provides a visual snapshot of the story's theme for fiction or content/information provided in non-fiction.
Also, it needs to be professional and stand out when potential readers are searching for particular genres, such as when the image of your book is shared via social media or displayed in a bookstore.
As the exterior of an ebook/paperback/hardback is a completely different process to ebook formatting, and as I'm not a designer and Microsoft Word is not a design tool/program, I would recommend you use a professional book designer.
With regards to book cover designers, the authors I work with have used many different designers covering a wide range of genres. A UK-based designer is The Cover Collection (they also format for the paperback/hardback version). Another for self-publishers with off-the-shelf options is Self Pub Book Covers. Just to note, I am not given commission for recommending these companies. I've either had contact with them myself or they have been recommended by others.
If you are self-publishing on Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing, there is an option to use Kindle Direct Publishing Cover Creator. This gives you the specifications to produce your own print-ready custom designed book cover.
If you’re on a budget, there are agencies such as Fiverr where you can hire a cover designer at a reasonable price – make sure you see a portfolio so you can check out examples of their work.
Also, you can use free image websites such as Pexels or Pixabay to produce your cover, and ‘create your own’ sites such as Canva, but I personally recommend using a professional book cover designer as they are usually a graphic designer/artist.
Also, it needs to be professional and stand out when potential readers are searching for particular genres, such as when the image of your book is shared via social media or displayed in a bookstore.
As the exterior of an ebook/paperback/hardback is a completely different process to ebook formatting, and as I'm not a designer and Microsoft Word is not a design tool/program, I would recommend you use a professional book designer.
With regards to book cover designers, the authors I work with have used many different designers covering a wide range of genres. A UK-based designer is The Cover Collection (they also format for the paperback/hardback version). Another for self-publishers with off-the-shelf options is Self Pub Book Covers. Just to note, I am not given commission for recommending these companies. I've either had contact with them myself or they have been recommended by others.
If you are self-publishing on Amazon via Kindle Direct Publishing, there is an option to use Kindle Direct Publishing Cover Creator. This gives you the specifications to produce your own print-ready custom designed book cover.
If you’re on a budget, there are agencies such as Fiverr where you can hire a cover designer at a reasonable price – make sure you see a portfolio so you can check out examples of their work.
Also, you can use free image websites such as Pexels or Pixabay to produce your cover, and ‘create your own’ sites such as Canva, but I personally recommend using a professional book cover designer as they are usually a graphic designer/artist.
Contact Book Editing Services
If you would like to get in touch, let me know about your project and which service you're interested in by using the secure Contact Form. You can also use the form to discuss your editorial requirements, request a no-obligation quote or check availability.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
