Authors can learn how to format their books themselves, or they can hire freelancers. Whether you choose to format your own book or hire someone, these tips will help with the formatting process.

1. Research or Hire a Freelancer
If you choose to format your own book, there are many guides, tutorials, and videos available to help with e-book formatting.

Recommended Guides

• Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines (PDF document)
• Amazon KDP Simplified Formatting Guide
• Publish on Amazon Kindle with Kindle Direct Publishing (free e-book download)
• Building Your Book For Kindle (free e-book download)
• Unruly Guides (Self-Publishing Tips, Tutorials, and Guides)

If you choose to hire someone, thoroughly vet that individual or company. Consider pricing, turnaround time, testimonials from previous clients, experience, work samples, and files you’ll receive.

Recommended Formatters

• Paradox Book Covers & Formatting
• Champagne Formats
• The Author Blog—Purdum Formatting
• Make My E-book
• B10 Mediaworx

2. Use Page Breaks
Use a page break for each new chapter/heading. Kindle doesn’t use actual page numbers as pages change based on e-reader settings (e.g., font, text size, line spacing).

Using page breaks after each chapter will ensure the chapters are clearly sectioned for readers and the next chapter begins on a new “page.”

In Microsoft Word, create a page break by simultaneously pressing the CTRL and Enter keys or by going to the Insert tab in the ribbon menu and then clicking the Page break button.