Writer's Guide: Formatting Your Book
A series by Jake Zuurbier
Formatting your manuscript correctly is a very important step in your writing process—or definitely should be. Not just for readability, but for making sure your story flows effortlessly for readers, agents, and publishers alike. It doesn't matter if you're writing a fantasy epic, a fast-paced thriller, or a cozy romance, your formatting choices can make a huge difference in how your book is perceived. It's difficult to know, especially for new writers, how you should be formatting your book.
This guide covers the essentials of formatting your book, from paragraph structure to chapter length, and even when to use scene break icons. For many of these topics, there will be separate in-depth guides, but for now, let’s get you started on formatting your novel the right way!
1. Paragraph Formatting: Indents, Spacing & Structure
Standard Formatting:
Indentation: Every new paragraph should start with a 0.5-inch indent (do not use the space bar—this should be done with the formatting settings in your word processor).
Paragraph Spacing: There should be no extra space between paragraphs unless intentionally breaking a scene.
Line Spacing: Double-spaced for submission to agents/publishers, but for self-publishing, 1.15–1.5 spacing is acceptable for readability.
Dialogue & Inner Monologue:
Dialogue should be separate from actions and thoughts.
Each new speaker gets a new paragraph.
Inner monologue is usually in italics to distinguish it from spoken dialogue.
Example:
Wrong Formatting (blocky, confusing structure)
John grabbed his coat. “We need to leave.” He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Now.” They weren’t going to make it in time, and he knew it. Why do I even bother? Sarah was still looking for her shoes.Correct Formatting (clearer separation of action, dialogue, and thought)
John grabbed his coat.“We need to leave.” He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Now.”They weren’t going to make it in time, and he knew it. Why do I even bother?Sarah was still looking for her shoes.2. Chapter Length & Word Count by Genre
Each genre has different expectations for chapter and book length. Here’s a breakdown.
Book Length by Genre
Genre | Word Count Range |
Flash Fiction | 500–1,500 words |
Short Story | 1,500–7,500 words |
Novella | 20,000–50,000 words |
Romance | 60,000–90,000 words |
Fantasy | 90,000–120,000 words |
Science Fiction | 80,000–110,000 words |
Thriller/Suspense | 70,000–90,000 words |
Horror | 60,000–90,000 words |
Historical Fiction | 80,000–120,000 words |
Literary Fiction | 70,000–100,000 words |
Young Adult (YA) | 50,000–90,000 words |
Middle Grade (MG) | 30,000–50,000 words |
How Long Should Your Chapters Be?
Romance: 3,000–5,000 words (short, engaging, emotional pacing)
Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 4,000–8,000 words (deeper world-building and complex plots)
Thrillers/Mysteries: 2,000–4,000 words (fast-paced, punchy scenes)
Horror: 2,500–5,000 words (atmospheric but keeps tension tight)
Young Adult: 3,000–4,500 words (quick but immersive storytelling)
Middle Grade: 1,500–3,000 words (shorter, fast-moving chapters)
Longer chapters work well for epics, character-driven stories, or slow-burn narratives, while shorter chapters increase tension and keep the pacing brisk in thrillers and horror.
3. Naming Chapters (or Not?)
Should You Name Your Chapters?
YES, name them if:
You’re writing fantasy or middle grade (adds a whimsical or structured feel).
Your book is heavily themed (e.g., The Night Circus has poetic chapter titles).
You’re emphasizing character POVs (Game of Thrones style).
NO, stick to numbers if:
You want a streamlined, cinematic feel.
You’re writing a fast-paced thriller or contemporary novel.
Examples of Chapter Naming Styles:
Numbered: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 (most common format).
Named: Chapter 1: The Secret Door (adds mystery or structure).
POV-Based: John – The Escape (helps in multi-POV narratives).
Date/Location-Based: London, 1874 (historical fiction often uses this).
If you’re unsure, simple numbered chapters are always a safe bet.
4. Scene Breaks & Time Jumps
How to Indicate a Scene Break
Standard Format: Use three centered asterisks (***), or a single blank line for smaller scene shifts.
Thematic Icons: Some books use a small symbol (like a leaf, moon, or sigil) between sections, but this works best for epic fantasy, fairytales, and heavily stylized fiction.
When Should You Use Scene Breaks?
A time jump of several hours or more.
A POV shift within the same chapter.
A shift in location or scene tone.
Example of Scene Break Formatting
The sun dipped below the trees as they walked. Why did I ever agree to this?***The next morning, the sky was still gray when John rolled out of bed.Best for Epic Fantasy & Highly Stylized Books: Books like The Priory of the Orange Tree or The Starless Sea use symbols between breaks for aesthetic appeal.
Best for Contemporary & Thriller Books: Stick with blank lines or asterisks for clarity and fast readability.
5. Font, Size, and Spacing: The Visual Readability Factor
Choosing the right font and formatting settings can make or break the reading experience.
For Manuscript Submissions (Traditional Publishing)
Font: Times New Roman
Size: 12 pt
Line Spacing: Double
Alignment: Left-aligned (never justified)
Margins: 1-inch on all sides
Page Numbers: Top right or bottom center
Scene Breaks: *** or # (centered)
💡 Publishers and agents expect clean, professional formatting. A poorly formatted manuscript can get rejected before they even read the first line.
For Self-Publishing (eBooks & Print)
📌 Font: Serif fonts like Garamond, Baskerville, or Georgia (for print).
📌 Size: 11-12 pt for body text, 14-16 pt for chapter titles.
📌 Line Spacing: 1.15 to 1.5 (double-spacing can look odd in print books).
📌 Alignment: Justified (cleaner look for published books).
📌 Margins: Print books: Use wider inner margins for binding space.
📌 Page Numbers: Not on first chapter pages.
📌 Header/Footer: Title or author name in header; page numbers in footer.
💡 For eBooks, avoid using extra spaces or fancy fonts—they often don’t translate well across devices.
6. Title Page & Front Matter
Before the reader even gets to your first chapter, they’ll see your front matter. Here’s what to include.
Title Page
Title (Centered, large font)
Author Name
Publisher Name (if applicable)
Copyright Page (Essential for Publishing)
Typically on page 2. Should include:
Year of publication
Author's name
ISBN number (if applicable)
Disclaimer (for fiction, usually: "This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people or events are purely coincidental.")
Publisher info
Optional: Dedication & Acknowledgments
A dedication is usually short and centered on its own page.
Acknowledgments (if not placed at the back) can go after the title page.
7. Back Matter (After the Book Ends)
What to include after your last chapter?
Acknowledgments (if not at the front)
Author Bio & Social Media Links
Bonus Content (Book Club Questions, Author Notes, etc.)
Teasers for Next Book (if part of a series)
💡 If self-publishing, this is a great place to include a call to action: “Loved this book? Leave a review on Amazon/Goodreads!”
8. Formatting for Multiple POVs
Writing in multiple points of view? Make sure each switch is clear.
Best practices for POV formatting:
Label the POV character at the beginning of the chapter (Example: “Chapter 5 – Sarah”).
Use scene breaks (* or #) when switching POVs within the same chapter.
If using first-person multiple POVs, ensure each voice is distinct.
💡 Books like A Song of Ice and Fire (George R.R. Martin) use chapter headings to indicate which character is narrating, while others subtly switch POV within a chapter using scene breaks.
9. Avoiding Formatting Mistakes
Watch out for these common errors:
Using Tabs Instead of Indents → Always set a 0.5-inch indent in paragraph settings rather than using the tab key.
Extra Spaces Between Paragraphs → Fiction should have no extra spacing between paragraphs (except scene breaks).
Overusing Bold/Italics/Underlining → Italics should be used sparingly for emphasis, thoughts, or book titles.
Inconsistent Chapter Headings → If one chapter title is bold, center-aligned, and large, keep them all the same.
10. Special Formatting for Genre-Specific Books
Fantasy & Sci-Fi (World-Building Details)
Consider adding:
A map at the front of the book (if applicable).
A glossary for invented terms.
Character lists (useful for large casts).
Thrillers & Mysteries (Pacing Matters)
Shorter paragraphs & more scene breaks help keep tension high.
Cliffhanger chapter endings work well.
Historical Fiction (Time Jumps & Accuracy)
Use date/location headings at the start of chapters for clarity.
Be careful with period-appropriate formatting if using letters or documents.
11. Final Formatting Checklist
Before sending your manuscript to an agent, publisher, or self-publishing platform, double-check the following:
✅ Paragraphs are properly indented (0.5")
✅ No extra spaces between paragraphs (unless for scene breaks)
✅ Chapter titles are consistent (font, size, alignment)
✅ Page numbers & headers are correctly placed
✅ All dialogue is correctly formatted (new speaker = new paragraph)
✅ Front and back matter are complete
Final Thoughts: Why Formatting Matters
Proper formatting ensures your book is easy to read, professional, and industry-standard. It helps your work stand out in the best way possible—whether you’re submitting to an agent or self-publishing.
More In-Depth Guides Coming Soon:
📖 How to Format Dialogue Like a Pro
📖 How to Create Clean Chapter & Scene Breaks
📖 Self-Publishing Formatting Tips for Kindle, EPUB, and Print
📖 Writing Multiple POVs Without Confusing Readers
Got formatting questions? Drop them below or tag me @author.jakezuurbier for more writer’s tips!
Jake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a writer with a broad background. With a degree in both Business and Management, his work in writing is combined with a business in books & home decor and multiple forms of other output like art pieces or meditations. He also started Sporttonix, a gym-wear & equipment store with workout programs, informative articles on health and sports and more. He has worked jobs in retail and horeca, ranging from working kitchen in a hotel-restaurant to refugee center work.
In his free time, he is just as occupied. Photography, weight lifting, kickboxing, cooking and reading are amongst his hobbies. Most of the art in his books (and some pieces on this site) are made by himself.
To learn more, or get in contact, visit www.apolloimperium.com/jakezuurbier
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