Formatting your book is one of the final steps before publishing—but if you wait too long, you could find yourself scrambling at the last minute. Let’s talk about when to schedule book formatting in your launch timeline so you can publish without panic.
📚 You Typed “The End.” Now What?
You’ve edited your book, survived beta readers, and you’re almost ready to upload to your favorite bookstores. But suddenly, your to-do list explodes:
- Write your book blurb
- Finalize your cover design
- Plan your launch
- And yes—format your book files
It’s a lot. So when exactly should formatting happen in your launch plan?
🕓 Book Formatting Happens Last—But Plan Ahead
While your book is with your editor, you can get a head start on your blurb, cover design, and marketing. But formatting can’t happen until your final edits are complete. It’s one of the last pieces of the publishing puzzle.
⏳ How Much Time Should You Allow for Formatting?
If this is your first book—or the first time using formatting software—give yourself at least 3 weeks. Formatting involves more than just uploading a Word doc and hitting export. You’ll need time to:
- Choose fonts and font sizes
- Decide on trim size for paperbacks
- Prep any images (maps, graphs, charts)
- Troubleshoot tech issues
- Learn your software or work with a formatter
And that’s assuming everything else is ready to go!
🛠️ What You Need Before You Format
Before you (or your formatter) can dive into layout, here’s what you’ll need:
✅ Your final manuscript
✅ A finalized cover (at least the eBook version)
✅ All images in PNG, JPG, or TIFF format
✅ A decision on print vs. eBook—or both
If you’re planning to offer a paperback version, you’ll also need to go back and forth with your cover designer. Trim size and page count directly affect the print cover’s spine width, so factor in a buffer for those revisions.
🎁 Planning for ARCs? Format Early!
If you’re sending your book to early readers, launch team members, or ARC reviewers, don’t wait to format. You want those advanced copies to look clean, professional, and polished—not like a draft.
✅ TL;DR: Book Formatting Timeline Recap
- Finish edits
- Finalize your cover (at least the eBook version)
- Prep images and make formatting decisions
- Schedule 3 weeks for formatting (especially if you’re DIY-ing)
- Allow time for back-and-forth if working with a designer or formatter
- Format early if you’re sending ARCs
😩 Feeling Overwhelmed?
You are not alone. Formatting can be technical, confusing, and time-consuming—which is why I created a free Indie Author Formatting Checklist to guide you through it step-by-step. Download it now and avoid last-minute stress.
💬 Let’s Connect!
I post new tips every week on my YouTube channel, where I cover formatting advice, launch planning, and indie author life. Subscribe and come hang out with me!