Expert Techniques for Choosing the Perfect Formatting Style for Your Genre 📚

Jan 6
2 min read

Formatting your manuscript is a key but under-appreciated task.

Formatting your manuscript is crucial not only for making the text look clean and professional but also for aligning with genre-specific conventions. These conventions help shape how readers engage with your book, and mastering the right style ensures your manuscript resonates with your audience.

In this article, we will explore the best formatting techniques and practices across genres, provide relevant examples, recommend tools and resources, and address common formatting mistakes. Additionally, we’ll cover common components of an ebook, offer step-by-step guidance for using formatting tools like Vellum, Kindle Create, Atticus, and Scrivener, and discuss how to optimize formatting for mobile devices.

Fiction Genres

Formatting for fiction genres varies widely, reflecting the unique characteristics and reader expectations of each type of story. Understanding these distinctions ensures your manuscript aligns with genre conventions and enhances the reader's immersive experience. Let’s explore the specific formatting practices for popular fiction genres to help your book stand out.

Romance

Romance novels typically begin each chapter on a new page.
Chapter titles are centered and often feature elegant fonts.
Fonts like Times New Roman or Garamond, at a size of 12, are commonly used for the body text.
Line spacing of 1.15 or 1.5 is ideal for readability.
For dialogue, proper indentation and clear paragraph breaks are crucial. This enhances the flow of emotional scenes, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the characters' experiences.

An example of this formatting can be seen in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The novel uses clean, well-structured chapter headings, aligning perfectly with the expectations of the romance genre.

Key Takeaways for Romance:

Ensure chapters begin on a new page.
Center and use elegant fonts for chapter titles.
Use Times New Roman or Garamond for the body text.
Apply 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing for clarity and readability.
Dialogue must be properly indented to enhance emotional flow.

Fantasy

In fantasy novels, formatting reflects the magical or mythical tone of the story.
Elaborate fonts are often used for chapter titles, giving the reader a sense of the book's epic or otherworldly nature.
Thematic elements such as illustrations, maps, and decorative dividers are incorporated to enhance world-building.
Many fantasy novels also include glossaries or appendices, which should be formatted seamlessly into the design.

The Harry Potter series is a great example of how decorative chapter headings and illustrations contribute to the magical atmosphere of the story. These additional elements

draw readers deeper into the fantasy world and maintain consistency throughout the book.

Key Takeaways for Fantasy: