Book Formatting & Publishing FAQ for First-Time Authors
A practical guide to the things authors panic about before they hit publish.
If you're preparing to publish your book, chances are you've found yourself staring at a page break, a strange Kindle preview, or an Amazon status update and wondering whether you've accidentally broken everything,
take a breath.
If you're currently losing sleep over a widow, orphan, a typo Aunt Agatha found that you hadn't noticed in twelve rounds of edits, or if a scene break on page 147 is about to bring down your entire book launch, you're in good company.
Questions about formatting, ebooks, proof copies, page breaks, Amazon uploads, and publishing platforms are incredibly common, especially when you're publishing your first book.
The good news is that most of the things authors panic about aren't actually problems at all.
This FAQ is always being updated, as it answers some of the most common formatting and publishing questions I hear from first-time authors, whether you're using Atticus, Vellum, Reedsy, Kindle Create, or working with a professional formatter.
-
Short answer: Prioritise print.
Why?
The print PDF is fixed.
Every reader sees exactly the same pages.
The ebook will change depending on device settings.
What should I do?
Make the print PDF look polished.
Then check the ebook for functionality rather than perfection.
-
Although the content of your book may be the same, print books and ebooks use different file types and cover files.
Interior files
Print books require a PDF file because the layout is fixed. Every reader sees the same page breaks, margins, headers, and page numbers.
Ebooks usually require an EPUB file. Ebooks are reflowable, which means readers can change font size, spacing, margins, and device settings, so the text will display differently from one device to another.
Cover files
Print book:
You'll need a full wrap cover that includes:
Front cover
Spine
Back cover
The spine width is calculated based on your final page count and paper type, so your cover designer will usually need the completed manuscript before creating the final print cover.
Ebook:
You'll only need the front cover image.
There is no spine or back cover because readers see only the cover image when browsing and purchasing the ebook.
What should I do?
Before uploading:
✅ Export a print PDF for your paperback or hardcover.
✅ Export an EPUB for your ebook.
✅ Make sure you have the correct cover files for each format.
Most formatting software, including Atticus, Vellum, and Reedsy, can generate both print and ebook files from the same manuscript, making the process much easier than it used to be.
-
Short answer: In print, probably. In ebooks, usually not.
What's happening?
A scene divider may appear in different positions depending on device settings.
What looks awkward on your Kindle today may disappear completely on another reader's device.
What should I do?
For print:
✅ Fix anything that looks visually distracting.
For ebooks:
✅ Make sure the scene break displays correctly.
✅ Make sure readers can clearly tell the scene has changed.
Then move on.
-
What's a widow?
A single line of a paragraph stranded at the top of a page.
What's an orphan?
A single line stranded at the bottom of a page.
Should I fix them?
Print book:
✅ Yes, where practical.
Ebook:
❌ Don't obsess over them.
Reader settings will constantly change where they appear.
-
Short answer: Because books are physical objects.
What's happening?
Paper stock, ink, trim size and binding all affect how the finished book feels.
Things often look different in your hands than they do on screen.
What should I do?
Check:
✅ Margins
✅ Chapter openings
✅ Cover alignment
✅ Headers and footers
✅ Page numbers
✅ Readability
-
What's happening?
Printers use bleed areas and trimming tolerances.
Tiny shifts are normal.
What should I do?
Watch for:
❌ Text too close to edges
❌ Spine text misalignment
❌ Important elements sitting in bleed zones
Small variations are expected.
Major shifts need correction.
-
Short answer: Probably not.
What's happening?
Ebooks are designed to be reflowable. Unlike a printed book, the reader controls how the content appears on their device.
Readers can change:
Font size
Font style
Line spacing
Margins
Device orientation
Screen size
As soon as they do, page breaks and spacing will shift.
What should I do?
Focus on:
✅ Correct chapter breaks
✅ Proper scene breaks
✅ Consistent paragraph formatting
✅ No missing text or strange spacing
Don't try to make every page look identical across every device. That's impossible.
-
Short answer: More than once. Less than forever.
What should I do?
Review:
Manuscript
Formatted PDF
Proof copy
At some point you will stop improving the book and start feeding your anxiety.
That's usually when it's time to publish.
-
Seriously, you’re like “It's been 24 hours. Has Amazon rejected my book? Did I break something? Should I upload it again?”
Short answer: Usually between a few hours and 72 hours is standard, although occasional delays can happen.
What's happening?
When you upload your manuscript, cover, and book details, Amazon reviews everything before making your book available for sale.
They're checking things like:
File integrity
Cover formatting
Metadata
Copyright concerns
Content that may require additional review
Most books move through this process fairly quickly, but review times can vary depending on Amazon's workload and whether you've made recent changes.
What should I do?
If your book has been in review for:
Less than 24 hours
✅ Relax. This is completely normal.24-72 hours
✅ Still normal for many books.More than 72 hours
✅ Check your KDP dashboard for messages or requested changes.✅ Check the email attached to your KDP account.
✅ Contact KDP support if you're concerned.
Before you assume something is wrong...
Ask yourself:
Did I recently upload a revised manuscript?
Did I change the cover?
Did I update keywords, categories, or pricing?
Is this a new book rather than an update to an existing one?
Any of these can trigger another review period.
A note from someone who's watched a lot of authors publish books...
The closer you get to publication, the more every hour feels like a week.
Most of the time, Amazon is simply doing what Amazon does.
Resist the urge to keep re-uploading files or making unnecessary changes while the book is being reviewed. That can actually slow the process down and create new issues to fix.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is close the tab, make a cup of tea, and let Amazon finish its job. 😄
-
Short answer: Probably.
Ask yourself:
Will fixing this improve the reader's experience?
Or will it simply make me feel safer?
There comes a point where the next step isn't another edit.
It's courage.
Publish the book.
-
Short answer: Absolutely not.
What's happening?
Almost every published author finds something after publication.
Many traditionally published books contain typos.
What should I do?
If it's minor:
✅ Note it for the next update.
If it's significant:
✅ Upload a revised file.
Most platforms allow updates.
Still Feeling Overwhelmed?
Publishing a book involves a lot of moving parts. Formatting, covers, ISBNs, Amazon uploads, proof copies, categories, keywords... and that's before we get to marketing.
Focus on clarity over perfection, progress over procrastination, and getting your message into the world.
If you'd like support with the writing, editing, publishing and marketing journey, check out Influential Author (there’s a community of writers for random questions and support from me too)
