Why Book Formatting Is More Important Than You Think


Why Book Formatting Is More Important Than You Think

Many authors believe formatting is just about making a book “look pretty.”

In reality, formatting is about readability, professionalism, and credibility.

A poorly formatted book can:

  • frustrate readers

  • damage your reputation

  • lead to bad reviews

  • make your work look amateur

What good formatting includes

Professional formatting ensures:

  • Consistent fonts and spacing

  • Correct margins for printing

  • Clean chapter headings

  • Proper table of contents

  • eBook compatibility

For colouring books or workbooks, formatting is even more critical — page alignment, bleed, and image placement can make or break the final product.

DIY vs professional formatting

Some authors enjoy formatting their own books, and tools like Atticus and Vellum make this easier.

However, many authors find that DIY formatting takes far longer than expected — and still doesn’t look as polished as they’d like.

That’s where working with a professional formatter can be a smart investment. You get a clean, publication-ready file without the stress.

At Peak Valley Publishing, we specialise in helping authors transform manuscripts into books that look just as good as traditionally published titles.