Standard and Custom Manuscript Formatting

While many authors may feel confident that they have successfully formatted their work for print, a professional design may contain design elements or formatting standards unfamiliar to authors. These elements can include proper gutter and margin settings, standardized headers, front matter, running heads, multi-level table of contents, image layout (including scanning, adjustment, and placement), section breaks for correct page numbering, or other custom elements. We offer a number of professional interior design and layout options for authors choosing to self-publish and for those working with print-on-demand publishers. Our services include text conversion, page layout and design, and custom formatting for images, tables, lists, and other special needs. We will also provide you with a free custom sample format. (This includes a high-quality, printer-ready PDF.)

Option 1: Standard Formatting ($150.00)

Page/Margin Setup: Professional interior design and layout for common book sizes, including 5x8 and 6x9.
Front Matter: We will set up and organize your title page (half title pages may be requested), copyright notice and disclaimer, acknowledgments, dedication, table of contents, author's notes, preface, foreword, and other introductory pages.
Chapter Headings: All chapter headings will be standardized with a common font, size, and layout.
Table of Contents: Authors may choose to include a table of contents from chapter headings and subheadings.
Page numbering: Page numbers may be formatted in "headers" or "footers."
Font Standardization: All fonts will be standardized according to style guidelines.
Paragraph Layout: All text will be justified, paragraphs indented, and spacing set to single. (You may also request 1.5 to 2.0 spacing.)
Running Heads: Author name and book title on odd and even pages.
PDF Creation: Includes Free PDF Creation for publication or print. You may use this file to submit directly to most publishers and printers. (You may also request a PDF that has been optimized for e-book publication.)
View Sample Layouts

Option 2: Custom Formatting (Begins at $250.00)

Custom Formatting includes the design and layout options for Standand Formatting but may also include:

Text Conversion: This allows us to create a Microsoft Word, OpenOffice.org, Plain Text, or Adobe Acrobat PDF file from most older file types. We can also format your manuscript from HTML.
Layout for Tables, Graphs, Bulleted and Numbered Lists
Graphic Insertion, Layout, and Alteration
Case Change (from all caps to sentence case, if necessary)
Paragraph Reset (removal of manual line breaks)
Custom Running Heads
Special Layout Requests: We can fulfill most special formatting requests.
PDF Creation: Includes Free PDF Creation for publication or print.
View Sample Layouts

We will provide you with a sample format and quote, free of charge. Formatting quotes will include total job fee, turnaround, and possible start dates. If you are already working with a publisher or printer, please let us know, and we will work within your specific formatting guidelines. All listed prices are base rates and may change based on manuscript page count or custom requirements. (Request a sample.)

Return to Publishing Services