Get your manuscript ready for layout

Writing in Google Docs or Pages? Export your text as .docx and check that all text and intended formatting have been preserved. If in doubt, I can help.

1. Title page

   Right at the start: book title, any subtitle, and your official author name.

2. Colophon & credits

   After the title page: ISBN, copyright, publication year, edition and credits for contributors such as the editor and cover designer. If your ISBN is not available yet, add [ISBN to follow] as a placeholder.

3. Dedication or quotation

   A personal dedication or an opening quote before Chapter 1 (optional).

4. Back matter

   Acknowledgements, sources or author bio after the final chapter, starting each section on a fresh page via Ctrl + Enter.

Need a table of contents? Let me know. I add the page numbers during layout.

TypefaceOne font

Use a single font throughout, such as Calibri or Georgia, including special text passages. Keep intended formatting such as italic and bold. Use the markers below to identify passages that need their own design.

Chapter titlesStyle ‘Heading 1’

Apply Word’s ‘Heading 1’ style to every chapter title and ‘Heading 2’ to subheadings. Use ‘Heading 3’ if you need another level. This keeps the structure of your manuscript clear.

ParagraphsOne Enter per paragraph

Press Enter once at the end of each paragraph. Do not use spaces or tabs to indent; I set paragraph indents during layout.

New chapterCtrl + Enter (Page break)

Start each chapter on a new page using a page break (Ctrl + Enter / Cmd + Enter). Do not use a series of empty paragraphs to reach a new page.

SpacingOne space after punctuation

Use ‘Find & Replace’ to replace double spaces with single spaces. Remove unnecessary spaces at the start and end of paragraphs too.

I take care of margins, headers and page numbering. Do not insert blank pages to make chapters start on the right, or manually hyphenate words at line ends.

She closed the ledger and extinguished the flame.

* * *

Three weeks later, the letter arrived.

[Start letter]
Dear Noor,
By the time I found your letter, the train had left.
[End letter]

[Start chat]
Alex: Are you here yet?
Noor: Almost, standing by the bridge.
[End chat]

Chapter 4
[Viewpoint: Elin]

The morning mist still hung over the field.

[Image: northern_map.png]
Caption: The northern kingdom in spring

Images and illustrations: • Submit raster images (TIFF, PNG or JPEG) at a minimum of 300 DPI at the intended print size. Submit vector originals as SVG or as the original illustrator file. • Submit images as separate original files, rather than only pasting them into Word. Send the original from the camera, phone or illustrator, rather than a reduced copy from a chat app or social media. • Add the filename and any caption beside the marker in your manuscript. Include the creator or source and make sure you have permission or the necessary licences for publication. • Unsure whether an image is suitable for print? Send me the original and I will check it.