Formatting an ebook for Amazon Kindle might seem complicated, but it’s actually quite simple and can be done in just a few minutes. This article will guide you through how to format your ebook in Microsoft Word quickly and efficiently, saving you time and money.
Why Format Your Own Ebook?
Many people think that ebook formatting should be left to professional companies or services. However, formatting your own ebook offers several benefits:
- Cost Savings: You don’t have to pay for formatting services, which can cost hundreds of dollars per book.
- Control Over Editing: You can easily edit and update your ebook yourself without relying on a third party.
- Understanding the Process: Understanding the formatting process helps you control the quality of your ebook and ensure it meets Amazon KDP requirements.
How to Format Your Ebook in Word
1. Show Hidden Characters:
First, enable the display of hidden characters in Word to clearly see spaces, line breaks, etc. Click the ¶ symbol in the Home tab.
2. Remove Extra Spaces:
Delete all extra spaces between paragraphs. Instead of pressing Enter multiple times to create a new line, use Page Break (Insert > Page Break) for clear page separation.
3. Format Headings and Subheadings:
- Main Heading (H1): Centered, bold, large font size (e.g., 16pt).
- Subheadings (H2, H3…): Bold, left or center aligned, smaller font size than the main heading. Use the Heading tags (Heading 1, Heading 2…) in the Home tab for formatting. Note: Each chapter should start with Heading 1.
4. Format Body Text:
- Alignment: Justify the entire text.
- Font Size: Use a readable font size (e.g., 12pt).
- Line Spacing: Use 1.5 or double line spacing.
- Font Type: Choose a readable, common font like Times New Roman or Arial.
5. Create an Automatic Table of Contents:
After formatting chapters with Heading 1, you can create an automatic table of contents. Go to References > Table of Contents > Custom Table of Contents. Select “Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers” to create links to each chapter.
6. Insert Hyperlinks:
You can insert a hyperlink to your Amazon product review page to encourage readers to leave feedback. Highlight the text you want to link, right-click, and select Hyperlink.
Conclusion
Formatting an ebook for Kindle is not as difficult as you might think. With just a few simple steps in Microsoft Word, you can create a professional ebook that meets Amazon KDP standards and is ready for publishing. Formatting your own ebook saves you money, time, and gives you more control over managing your product. Start practicing today!