How To Format Your Book and Be Publish-Ready
- Jake Zuurbier
- Nov 2, 2025
- 11 min read
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. There is so much to keep in mind that it might be a bit overwhelming. There are people out there that can format your book for you, but I find it much more gratifying to do it myself. You slowly see it turning into a real-looking book the more you format, and that feeling is one I want you to have, too.
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.
Skip ahead
Or, a TLDR;
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
Where to Format Your Book
Let's start easy. There are many word processors you can use to format your book, or to write your story down in general. You don't need fancy tools or addons, you just need a place where you can write, and it is ideal if that place has options for formatting, too. I mainly use Pages in my formatting and writing process as I've found it works best for me, but I know plenty of people who use other platforms, and with great success, too. For this article, I will be showing where to find everything from a Pages perspective, but you can find all of them in the other platforms, too.
Most commonly known ones are:
Font, Size, Alignment, Indents & Spacing
There is much to be explored, but we'll start with the basics. In this section, I'll start introducing you to which fonts, font sizes and spacing types are most commonly used in writing and publishing. It's not as complicated as you might think, there is just a lot of information to swallow. We'll break it up in easily managed chunks, and I'll lead you to where you need to be in order to have a fully formatted book.
See in the graphic below where to find all the settings mentioned in the upcoming section in pages.
Font
The basics of formatting start with choosing your font and your letter size. For fonts, you have Serif fonts, and Sans Serif fonts. Serif fonts are fonts like Times New Roman, like this article is written in, they are the fonts with the 'decorations,' so to speak. Sans Serif fonts are fonts like Helvetica, where the letters are as straight forward as they come, made up of simple lines. For books, Serif fonts are the way to go. Readers read the Serif fonts with a lot more ease than they do the Sans Serif fonts, because it takes less focus. Some great Serif fonts to consider are Times New Roman, Garamond, Baskerville, or Georgia.
Size
Font size usually goes from 10 pt to 12 pt. You can choose within this range to whatever suits your story best, but smaller or larger than the 10-12 range close to never happens. For chapter titles, unless you have a creative kind of chapter heading, 14-16 pt is common.
Alignment
In print books, always use justified alignment. Justified alignment looks cleaner than left alignment or center alignment (unless you write poetry, in that case either is fine).
Indents
Indents are the white spaces before every new paragraph starts. Making an indent there ensure that readers can follow easily where a new paragraph starts. It breaks the text up and makes it less daunting to read a text. You should always use a 0.5 indent, and never resort to using your space bar or tabs.
Spacing
Spacing between lines ranges from 1 to 1.5 as double spacing in print books can look odd. There should be no extra space between paragraphs (so no using the enter bar) unless intentionally breaking a scene.
There is also spacing before and after paragraph. I have mine set to 3 pt after paragraph, but nothing before paragraph. This way, you have a bit of space between paragraphs instead of the same spacing everywhere. You can set it to 0 pt just as well––a lot of books use the 0 pt approach. I just like the 3 pt look better. It looks more organized.
Putting it all together
Here an example of a piece that uses Times New Roman font in 11 pt, with justified alignment, 0.5 indent, 1.1 line spacing and 3 pt after-paragraph spacing.
Dialogue & Inner Monologue
On the topic of spacing and indents, let's talk about how to format dialogue and 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.
Creating Sections for your Chapters
See in the graphic below where to find all the settings mentioned in the upcoming section in pages.
A true gamechanger is to create sections in your document. Have you ever felt the pure rage that sets in when your chapter heading shifts halfway down the page just because you decided to add some text in the chapter before it? Fear no more. Sections will save you a great headache.
You can find it under the 'Section' section in pages. Your chapter headings will stay in place, and you have a a better base to work with for our next section.
Headers, Footers and Page Numbers
Page Numbers
One thing you should always include in your book is page numbers. It makes it a whole lot easier for people to track where they are when you have a number to remember, and it helps for the chapter index at the front of your book, because people can then skip to whichever chapter they want, just using page numbers. But where do you put them?
It does not matter much if you put page number in the header or the footer. Page numbers in the footer are a lot more common, but page numbers in the header are not unheard of. However, you should take note to not put page numbers on the first page of each chapter. If you've created sections in your document, you have the option to toggle, underneath the Headers & Footers section, 'hide on first page of section'. That will make sure that only the chapter heading and your body text will be visible on the first page of your chapter.
If you put the page numbers in the footer, you can either put it in the center, or in the outer corners. To have them in the outer corners, you need to toggle on the option of 'facing pages'. If you can't find it, you can type it into the 'help' bar, and you'll be directed on how to do it. For pages users, you have to toggle from Format to Document in the top right corner, there you will find the sections document, section & bookmarks. You will find it under document, by document margins. Additionally, you'll need to toggle on 'Left and right pages are different', otherwise you'll have them on just the right or left side of both pages, and not on the outer corners.
If you put the page numbers in the header, you'll put it in the top outer corners. The same thing applies as with the footer in that case, you'll need to toggle on 'facing pages'. Page numbers in headers are less common, but they are used in some cases.
Page Header
Along with the option to put page numbers in the header, it is common for authors to put either their name or their book's name in the center of their headers (and sometimes the chapter name). If you use the toggle option of 'left and right pages' are different, you can put your author name on one page, and the book's name (or chapter name) on the right page.
Putting it all together
You'll see here that the first page of the chapter has no header and footer, has the page numbers in the outer bottom corner, and features the chapter's name in the top right page header's center.
A Bit About Chapters: Length, Names, Scene Breaks and POVs
How Long Should Your Chapters Be?
Romance/General Fiction: 3,000–5,000 words (short, engaging, emotional pacing)
Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 3,000–8,000 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.
Naming Chapters (Or Not?)
Naming chapters can be incredily fun to do. You can leave clues for readers that they'll only understand when they read the story a second time, you can use symbolism, or you can just let your creativity go wild and give each chapter a very distinct title. So, when should you use chapter titles, and when should you refrain?
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: 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.
Scene Breaks & Time Jumps
The standard way to indicate that time has passed or you're entering a new scene, is to use three centered asterisks (***), or a single blank line for smaller scene shifts. Stick with blank lines or asterisks for clarity and fast readability. Works great for Contemporary Fiction and Horror.
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. Books like The Priory of the Orange Tree or The Starless Sea use symbols between breaks for aesthetic appeal.
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.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.
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. You don't want your two POVs sounding too similar. They're two different people, so try and find each of their own voices. A good method to do this is writing letters or diary entries in their voice before you go and sit down to write.
What Should You Add to Your Title Page, Front Matter & Back Matter
Front Matter and Title Page
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 and Copyright symbol
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
Here is an example:
Cover by [artist name]
Published by Apollo Imperium
Copyright © 2025 [author name]
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people or events are purely coincidental.
ISBN:
www.apolloimperium.com (publisher's website)
Table of Contents
Don't forget to add a table of contents. In pages, you can find it in the 'insert' tab, see the image below. A table of contents is where you'll show which chapters there are, and on what pages people can find them.
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.
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!”
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 |
CONCLUSION
That concludes the writer's guide to formatting. Before you go, here are some common mistakes to avoid.
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.
If you're curious to my other writer's guides, or want to read other writer's articles, click here.
Until next time,
Jake Zuurbier
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
Explore captivating literary worlds within the pages of our thoughtfully curated books. Apollo Libraries, a proud subsidiary of Apollo Imperium, is committed to delivering literary excellence that ignites imagination and nurtures knowledge. Our extensive collection spans diverse genres, encompassing both timeless classics and contemporary masterpieces, all meticulously crafted with a dedication to the art of storytelling. We also proudly present "Neuroasis", a meditation, science and neurology based mental health branch; many artists; home decor and art & design; music & more.
Work with us
Review our books
If you're interested in becoming a reviewer, contact us at info@apolloimperium.com with the subject REVIEW. If we think you're a good fit for us, you will receive the books you wish to review for free, either as an EBook or a physical copy for you to keep, depending on the book. In case of a physical copy, we will cover shipping costs, too.
Mention where you're active (bookstagram, goodreads etc) and your account, where you're from (country suffices), why you enjoy reading and which books or genres you like most.
Contact Us
For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or any assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch:
Email: info@apolloimperium.com
Comments