When should you get your manuscript formatted?
Formatting should be the last step before you submit it to a publisher—or publish it yourself, if you’re going the self-publishing route. It should occur after all edits (developmental, line, copy, and proofreading) have been completed and you’ve finished revising the manuscript. At this point, no further changes will be made to the text itself—formatting simply ensures the manuscript adheres to submission or publication standards, including consistent font, margins, headings, and page layout. It’s essential before submitting to publishers, agents, or self-publishing platforms, as properly formatted manuscripts look professional and are easier to read. Formatting should be the last step before preparing your manuscript for printing, digital publishing, or distribution.
Here are some of the things I will be taking care of:
Document layout
- Proper margins
- Consistent page size and orientation
- Correct alignment
- Uniform line spacing
- Correct use of widow and orphan control to avoid single lines at the top or bottom of pages
Typography
- Consistent font type and size
- Appropriate font choices for headings, subheadings, and body text
- Consistent use of bold, italics, or underlining for emphasis
- Clear distinction between regular text, quotes, footnotes, and dialogue
Paragraphing and indentation
- Consistent paragraph indentations
- Adequate space between paragraphs and sections
- Uniformity in line breaks and paragraph breaks
Headings, subheadings, and titles
- Clear and consistent hierarchy of headings (e.g., chapter titles, section headings, and subheadings)
- Properly formatted titles, with correct capitalization and placement
- Consistent use of numbering (e.g., Chapter 1, Chapter 2) and any subsections (e.g., 1.1, 1.2)
Page numbers and pagination
- Correct placement of page numbers
- Consistent pagination throughout the manuscript
Consistency and style adherence
- Uniform formatting throughout the manuscript
- Adherence to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the publisher, agent, or self-publishing platform
Final touches
- Ensuring the manuscript is ready for print or digital distribution, meeting industry standards
What is included in the service?
- Formatted manuscript
- Style guide or formatting guidelines outlining the formatting decisions I made (e.g., font type, font size, margin measurements, heading styles). If I encountered any issues (e.g., font compatibility, visual elements) that you may need to address, I’ll include notes on this as well.
- Table of contents (if applicable): If the manuscript includes a table of contents, I’ll make sure it is updated and accurately reflects chapter titles, sections, or page numbers.
- Digital files for publishing (if agreed upon):
- Ebook formats (EPUB, MOBI)
Pricing
I follow suggested rate guidelines provided by the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). For copyediting, that means $2.50–3.50 per page. This means that a full proofread for a 50,000-word fiction novel would cost $500.00–$700.00 (one page is approximately 250 words).