The manuscript
There are several programs out there which let you create and format a manuscript, with varying levels of sophistication. On the one hand, you have professional programs like Adobe Indesign, which provides a lot of specific tools but requires certain knowledge to use effectively. But you can also create a perfectly good manuscript with more accessible programs like Microsoft Word. A good way to minimize your own workload is to start working with a manuscript template and edit it according to your needs.
The most important things to keep in mind when creating a manuscript are:
- Using the correct format
- The colophon
- The position of the page numbers
- Page layout and margins
Download free manuscript templates
Setting up a manuscript with the correct layout, margins and format can be time-consuming. To make this part of the process easier for you, we’ve created a manuscript template corresponding to each of the book formats available on our platform. This means that once you’ve selected a format for your book, you can simply look up the corresponding manuscript template here, download it, and add your text.
With the layout already set up, including margins and page numbers, all you have to worry about is content. You’ll also notice that we’ve added some headings for your title and chapter headings. You can edit these without affecting the rest of the layout.
Manuscript templates for paperbacks
These are the templates available for paperback books on our platform. Paperbacks are the most popular book format, thanks to their low cost and portability.
Manuscript templates for hardcover books
These are the templates available for hardcover books on our platform. Hardcovers more exclusive and durable than paperbacks, and as such they’re more expensive to produce.
Further tips on creating your manuscript
These templates can provide you with a shortcut to creating your print-ready manuscript. Whether you’re typing your content in them directly or copying it over from a previous document however, there are a few things worth keeping in mind:
- Make good use of chapter headings. By doing so, you can automatically generate a table of contents, which will save you a lot of time whilst making your book more reader-friendly.
- If your book is particularly thick, you might want to consider increasing the inner margins of your book (also called the ‘gutter’), to increase readability.
- Make sure to order a proof copy before placing any larger orders. We can pretty much guarantee you’ll find something you want to change or improve once you hold the first draft of your book in your hands. It’s much easier to spot errors and inconsistencies on paper than on a screen.