How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Formatter
Essential Design Differences Every Self-Published Author Should Know.
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Formatter
Sending a clean, well-organized manuscript makes the formatting process smoother—and often faster, which can save you money. Here's what I recommend.
The Basics
Use a Standard Font
Times New Roman or Garamond at 12pt is perfect. I'll be changing the font anyway, but standard fonts ensure I can see your content clearly.
This means everything about how we approach formatting is different.
Single Document
Please send your entire manuscript in one file. Separate chapter files create extra work and increase the chance of errors.
Minimal Formatting
- Use your word processor's heading styles for chapter titles
- Indent paragraphs OR add space between them (not both)
- Don't use multiple spaces or tabs for alignment
- Remove any manual page breaks within chapters
Things to Include
- Front matter (title page, copyright, dedication, etc.)
- Main content with clear chapter breaks
- Back matter (acknowledgments, about author, etc.)
- Any special instructions ("I want a decorative element between scenes")
Things to Remove
- Front matter (title page, copyright, dedication, etc.)
- Main content with clear chapter breaks
- Back matter (acknowledgments, about author, etc.)
- Any special instructions ("I want a decorative element between scenes")
Image Guidelines
If your book includes images:
- Send them as separate high-resolution files (300 DPI minimum)
- Name them clearly (chapter-3-diagram.jpg, not IMG_4532.jpg)
- Include a note about where each image should appear
Not sure if your manuscript is ready? Send it over and I'll let you know if anything needs attention before we begin.
Post-Submission & Technical FAQ
Where can I find the official ACX technical requirements?
You can find the full list of submission standards directly on the ACX Audio Submission Requirements page. These include strict rules for bitrates, sample rates, and channel types that every narrator must follow.
How do I know if my audio meets the correct RMS levels?
You can use professional analysis tools or the ACX Audio Analysis Tool to check your files. If your levels fall outside the -23dB to -18dB range, our audiobook editing services can precisely re-master your tracks to ensure full compliance.
Does AudioFormat provide help with book formatting rejections too?
Yes! Just as we fix audio issues, we also specialize in resolving professional book formatting errors for KDP and print. Whether it's a "bleed" issue in your PDF or a "reflow" error in your eBook, we ensure your visual layout is as polished as your audio.
If my book is rejected, how quickly can you fix the files?
We prioritize "Rejection Recovery" projects. Depending on the complexity of the errors (such as surgical noise floor repair), we can typically return compliant files within 3–5 business days to get your launch back on track.
