Professional book formatting and design help for independent authors preparing their books for publication.
I work closely with authors to create clean, professional ebook and print interiors that suit the style of their books and provide readers with an enjoyable reading experience. Services range from straightforward Vellum formatting to custom interior design and book cover preparation.
All prices are in Canadian dollars. GST is added where applicable.
Authors can upload a manuscript file to many publishing services, such as Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), but to have more control over the final look of the interior book file, and frankly less frustration, authors will be happier using the most popular file format for digital books—the industry standard EPUB format, which is the abbreviation for electronic publication.
The EPUB file not only contains the novel, but also the book cover, important meta data, store book links, and social media links. The EPUB file is supported by many e-readers and compatible software for smartphones, tablets, and computers to give readers the best reading experience.
Formatting Fiction
Books by Author Shelley Kassian
My clients may choose from one of eight templates for their interior book file. Whether the Chapter Heading has a custom design, such as The Scarlet Mark below, or simply says: Chapter One, what matters most to each author is to keep the reader reading. Though a little something extra might be the hook you need.
Shelley Kassian designed the following pages:
Book Formatting Rates
E-book Formatting
Ebook formatting includes preparation of your manuscript in Vellum and delivery of a professional EPUB file suitable for major ebook retailers, including Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books and other platforms that accept EPUB files.
Up to 50,000 words — $75.00
Ideal for novellas and shorter works.
50,001 to 75,000 words — $95.00
Ideal for most full-length novels.
75,001 to 100,000 words — $135.00
Over 100,000 words Custom Quote
Ideal for epic-length novels, collections and longer works.
Standard formatting includes front and back matter, chapter headings, paragraph structure, page numbering, scene breaks, text conversations, written notes, and links appropriate to the ebook edition.
Pricing assumes a standard fiction manuscript. Books with extensive images, tables, footnotes, special formatting, or other complex elements may require a custom quote.
Paperback Formatting
Most authors publishing an ebook also choose to offer a paperback edition.
Basic Paperback Interior — $50.00
Includes preparation of a print-ready PDF using professional Vellum layout and typography, including:
- Half-title and full-title pages
- Copyright and front matter
- Chapter formatting
- Page numbering
- Running headers where appropriate
- Print-ready PDF prepared to your selected trim size
Custom Paperback Interior — $100.00
For authors who want the interior of the book to visually complement the cover.
Includes everything in Basic Paperback Formatting, plus custom design work such as:
- Custom half-title and full-title pages
- Typography coordinated with the book cover
- Custom chapter headings
- Decorative scene breaks
- Additional design elements appropriate to the book
More complex interiors involving numerous photographs, illustrations, tables, diagrams or other specialized elements are quoted individually.
Ebook & Paperback Packages
For authors who want both formats:
Up to 50,000 words
Ebook + Basic Paperback — $125
Ebook + Custom Paperback — $175
Up to 75,000 words
Ebook + Basic Paperback — $145
Ebook + Custom Paperback — $195
Up to 100,000 words
Ebook + Basic Paperback — $185.
Ebook + Custom Paperback — $235
Boxsets
Collaborating in a Boxset can help authors find new readers. In the example below, A Cowboy This Christmas (published November 2023) was released in e-book and paperback editions. It has a custom interior file with a half and full title page that match the cover’s typeface and contributes to the overall cowboy theme. The interior file also includes matching Chapter Headings and Scene Breaks.
In the boxset example below, Hugs, Kisses and Mistletoe Wishes (published November 2022) has a basic interior file and due to its epic size was released in e-book only. The software generated the full title page complete with all authors names, however, Chapter Headings and Scene Break dividers were added to contribute to the Christmas theme.
Post-Formatting Corrections & File Updates
After final files have been approved and delivered, authors sometimes discover a typo, spelling error, name change, or other small correction that needs to be made.
Minor author-requested changes to previously formatted files are billed at a minimum service fee of $30, which includes reopening the project, making the requested corrections, checking the affected files, and preparing updated publication-ready files.
More extensive revisions are billed at $40 per hour in 15-minute increments.
Corrections required because of a formatting or design error on my part are always made at no charge.
For efficiency, authors are encouraged to send several minor corrections together whenever possible.
Formatting Non Fiction
I’ve just begun formatting non fiction novels. I’m currently charging fiction rates, but this could change with the additional degree of difficulty, such as adding images, diagrams, or catch phrases. If your non fiction work requires complicated formatting, please request a quote for this service.
In the example below, A Journey Unfolding, a memoir, includes custom design elements in the half and full title page, as well as custom Chapter Headings and Scene Breaks. It was a real joy formatting Cheryl’s debut novel.
My Clients
I work closely with authors to help them produce original, affordable, high-quality interior book files that may assist them in selling more books online and in store.
I require:
- A manuscript in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
- An e-book cover. To ensure the best quality for your image, especially on high definition devices, the height of the image should be at least 2,500 pixels.
- Please ensure your creative work is error-free, however, if my software reveals a few spelling mistakes, with the author’s permission, I will correct them. Given that I’m an author and an editor as well, I understand the importance of an error-free book.
- Don’t forget to include your ISBN on your copyright page.
I provide:
When the formatting meets the author’s expectations, I provide EPUB and MOBI e-book files required by publishing platforms (Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, Nook & Generic) and a PDF for the print book.
Get in touch
Don’t hesitate to send me an email at shelleykassian@gmail.com for those interested in formatting services, or send a message using the form.
