How to Format Your Book for KDP Print | Free Self-Publishing Course | Video #14

About this video

Sean explains paperback formatting after ebook formatting, saying paperback formatting is harder and he does not do it himself — he outsources it to a personal VA. He gives three outsourcing options for viewers without a VA: 100 Covers as a premium option, Edward, who formats with Vellum and offers an ebook and paperback package, and Fiverr, which he says works well for basic formatting even though he no longer recommends Fiverr for covers. On length, he says a 15,000-word book can struggle to reach 150 pages, and he generally aims for 150 to 200 pages: around 100 pages feels too short, while over 200 pages increases Amazon’s delivery costs and reduces royalties. Page count can be adjusted with trim size and line spacing. He recommends staying between 1.25 to 1.5 line spacing and not exceeding 1.5 to avoid reader complaints, and keeping trim size simple at 5 by 8 or 6 by 9. If more pages are needed, he prefers increasing word count over stretching a book with the smallest size and widest spacing.

Key takeaways

• Outsource paperback formatting if you do not do it yourself, via a VA, 100 Covers, Edward with Vellum, or Fiverr
• Sean no longer recommends Fiverr for covers but says it works well for basic formatting
• Aim generally for 150 to 200 pages, as over 200 pages raises delivery costs and lowers royalties
• Keep line spacing between 1.25 and 1.5 and avoid going above 1.5
• Use 5 by 8 or 6 by 9 trim sizes, and add words rather than over-stretching layout to gain pages

Episode details: published March 31, 2020 · 4:27 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Business results and any income figures mentioned are Sean Dollwet’s own claims, shared for education — they are not typical or guaranteed.

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