Formatting a NovelMAKING YOUR FICTION STAND OUT

Where do you start?

Fonts Readers find it hard to get

through fancy fonts, even if they look cool.

Use a Serif font like Baskerville or Century Schoolbook

E-BOOKS: A Sans-Serif font is arguably better than Serif: Verdana, Optima and Arial

Font Size Make sure you have no more

than twelve words per line 12 point font is the best size for

reading, so you may have to adjust your margins

Chapters

Your chapters should always start on a new page

Headings should be set half-way down the page

Optional: Put CHAPTER ONE in all caps

Also, it’s a good idea to spell out your chapter headings

Headers and Footers

Your last name and the title of the book should alternate on each page

The page number should be centered on the bottom of each page

The Title and Copyright Page

In-text Formatting

Dialogue Always start dialogue on a new

line and indented. He said, “I need to leave.” “I need to leave,” he said. “I need to leave.” His expression

was angry. His expression was angry. “I need

to leave.”

Narration Narration should only relate one

character’s perspective per scene if in 3rd person. If necessary, you should have a

smooth transition between character perspectives:

Her mind in turmoil and her body broken, she collapsed to the ground. As she fell, Mark scooped her into his arms, hoping she would survive.

Transition scenes with three asterisks ***

The “About the Author” Page