About our Format Your Book course

  • Learn how to set your book size and margins.

  • Learn how to create a constant style.

  • Create a cover with the right dimensions.

  • Export your book to your printer's requirements.

  • Designed by professional typesetters.

  • Professional desktop publishing software included.

  • Lifetime access to work at your pace.

Who is this course for?

Whether you are a new writing or established author,  and whatever genre you are writing, this course can help you:

  • if you don't know where to start with formatting your book
  • if you're struggling to get the look you want
  • if you want quick ways to set and edit your layout and design
  • if you don't know how to export your book for print
  • if you want your book to look professionally created
  • If you want to create consistency across a series of books
  • if you want to add illustrations or images to your book
  • if you are unsure how to create a cover template 

Start your journey to becoming a published author

Enroll today

Is this course for me?

Watch our video to find out more

Course topics

    1. What is the Format Your Book video course?

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    2. Who are The Book Typesetters?

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    3. What is typesetting?

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    4. What is Affinity Publisher?

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    1. What printer should I use?

    2. What are my book binding options?

    3. What page size is best for my book?

    4. What are page margins?

    5. How do I use Affinity Publisher?

    1. How do I set a page size for my book?

    2. How do I set my page margins?

    3. How do I save my work?

    4. How do I add text to a page?

    5. What are text styles?

    6. Should I remove the default text styles?

    7. How do I import text into Affinity Publisher?

    8. How do I put my text on other pages?

    9. How do I create character text style?

    10. What font should I use?

    11. What size text should I use?

    12. Should I align, centre or justify my text?

    13. What is a baseline grid?

    14. What size leading should I set?

    15. What is an automatic hyphen?

    16. How do I create a group style?

    17. How do I create a paragraph style?

    18. How do I remove local formatting?

    19. How do I edit a text style?

    20. How should I divide up my book and style my headings?

    21. How do I make the first paragraph look different?

    22. How do I create a chapter heading style?

    23. How do I force the text to start on another page?

    24. How do I start my chapters further down the page?

    25. How do I apply a baseline grid to my page?

    26. How do I format letters, poems or other distinctly different paragraphs in my story?

    27. What do I do now that my text styles are set up?

    1. What should appear at the beginning of my book?

    2. How do I create a title page?

    3. How do I create a half title page?

    4. How do I fix the spacing issues in my dedication?

    5. Should I right align my name in the author's note?

    6. What should appear in my copyright page?

    7. How do I layout my copyright page?

    1. What are master pages?

    2. How do I add page numbers?

    3. How do I remove page numbers?

    4. How do I start my page numbering at 1?

    1. Can I get my book printed now?

    2. How do I produce a print ready file?

    3. How do I produce an electronic copy to proofread?

    4. Should I do a final read through?

About this course

  • £199.00
  • 80 lessons
  • 5 hours of video content

FAQ

  • What software is included?

    The current version of Affinity Publisher (by Serif) is included in the price. You will receive a download code that can be used against either the Windows or Mac version of the software. Professional desktop publishing software has the tools needed to create, design and export your book to a high standard. This award-winning software is easy to learn and requires no ongoing subscription.

  • Which operating system do I need?

    The course is delivered using Windows but has been successfully completed by students using a Mac.

  • What is a BETA version?

    This course is currently a BETA version because it is in its early days of development. We have reworked the videos and added extra content since this course was initially launched so we are offering it to you at a discounted rate. The course has enough videos for you to work through to format your book ready for print. We will be modifying the course based on any feedback from this BETA version and also adding additional content.

  • Will this course help me sell more books?

    We can't guarantee you'll sell more books, but a professional looking layout and cover design won't put a buyer off.

  • What if I get stuck?

    We have broken the course into small steps but if anything is unclear then do drop us an email.

  • My book is illustrated or contains images, can I still do your course?

    The software included does have the tools required to add images and illustrations, however, the step-by-step instructions included in our course are currently aimed at novels without illustrations or images. In time we plan to add this content.

  • What language is the course in?

    The course is delivered in UK English.

  • Do I have to follow the course in order?

    We have created a step-by-step guide in a logical order, just as we would do when professionally typesetting a book for someone and would recommend following the videos in that order, however, all the videos will be available for you to watch, and you won't need to watch one to move onto the next. Therefore you can dip in and out and re-watch videos as much as you need.

  • I'm not in the UK, can I still do your course?

    Yes. However, some of the information provided may be specific to publishing in the UK and you may need to check any specific requirements in your own country or the country in which you wish to publish.

Take the next step to publishing your book today

Enrol now

Bonus

Our course is more than just typesetting and includes all these.

  • Desktop Publishing Software

    The latest version of Affinity Publisher is included. This is professional, award-winning software and is the same software we use in our day-to-day work. There is no ongoing subscription required. We will send you a code to download the software for either Windows or MacOS.

  • Templates

    Save money on barcodes by using our handy template included in this course to create your own (using your ISBN). Save time and use our downloadable copyright page template to help you complete all the necessary information in the front of your book.

  • More Help From Professionals

    We've asked other professionals in the publishing industry to add their tips to help you get the best out of your book and realise your dreams of becoming a published author. We will add more content to help you with your publishing journey so keep a look out for extra tips and tricks.