Best Software for Formatting Book Interiors for Startup Authors

Formatting a book for publication takes technical knowhow, some creativity, but there a lot of tools out there for people wishing to format their own book, but that have no experience in this field. 

Keep in mind 

What is the format? Are you formatting for e-book or paperback? 

For multiple styles you may need to format multiple times. You can't just publish with the same format for e-book that do with your paperback. 

As well, check your format. check your e-book distributer and print on demand service to know what file format and trim sizes they require. You don't want to check this after the fact and then realize you have formatted in a trim size that the print on demand service doesn't accept. 

If you're formatting for print make sure to order a proof copy to check any errors. 

MICROSOFT WORD 

A lot of authors just jump to word because it’s very popular. You can format in WORD but of all the options it’s the most challenging. It’s very tricky and intensive. It can be fussy. Word was not designed to format interior layouts. 

But you can do it, download a template from the print on demand service you wish to use. It can also glitches. Get the document size and margins correct before you take the plunge. 

The default settings won't export properly to print or e-book. KDP allows you to download a template which allows you to choose the trim size and page count and from there you can customize the formatting. 

TIP: 

Don't publish in double spacing. Set it to single spacing with a 0.2 inch indent on the first line. Then you can edit chapter headings. All the chapter headings should be 'one' which will make it the same size and style. 

THE REEDSY BOOK EDITOR 

Unlike WORD, the RBE is designed to format for book publishing. It's also free by the way, how about that! You can incorporate pictures, chapter headings, templates. I think I will be choosing this as a free option when I come to format my book for publishing. You can find a link to that here. 

VELLUM 

is the most popular. For eBooks it costs $199 and it allows you to export unlimited eBooks. And the press & e-book version costs $249. It may not be worth, if you're formatting one book. But if you’re looking to make a career out of this then taking the plunge could be the way to go. 

Its designed specifically for formatting. So you import the file and Vellum will format that. I've heard however that editing a draft in Vellum can be very cumbersome. So make sure you import the final version. 

The book style templates are very well rated and reviewed. Lots of options, chapters and seam breaks. But the software is only for Mac. Even though it has a few quirks, it’s supposed to be very good when you get going. 

ABACAS 

This is the Vellum alternative. Lot less fussy, cheaper at $149. Abacas can be used on the PC. 

SCRIVENER

can export to e-book file formats. It’s not designed specifically for formatting but it is a powerful tool. Scrivener has a bit of a learning curve so someone trying to learn formatting in this platform might find it trying. 

Have a finished manuscript before importing. 

Cover Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash