Book formatting has traditionally been a specialized (and often expensive) skill, but Atticus was built to give authors the core tools they need—without the steep learning curve of complex programs like InDesign. While you don’t need a degree to format your book in Atticus, understanding a few key formatting principles will help you create a clean, reader-friendly manuscript. As a self-publishing author, the final decisions are yours, but following standard formatting expectations ensures a smooth, immersive reading experience where your audience can focus on the story—not the layout. This guide will help you prepare your manuscript for both efficient use of Atticus and the best possible reader experience.
TL/DR Summary
Do not copy and paste your content from any program other than Atticus
Keep your chapters under 8000 words or reference this post: Handling Extra-Long Chapters.
Save images separate from your manuscript and insert them directly into Atticus
Size images properly before importing into Atticus. See Calculate Image Size for Print and eBooks.
Title all pages and chapters so they have unique, relevant names – even if you aren’t showing them on the page
Do not import hyperlinks, insert them from inside Atticus
Leave Advanced Settings at the Atticus defaults to meet general industry standard
Always carefully proof both ePub and Print version before publishing!
Use Kindle Previewer for ePub
Use Adobe Acrobat Reader for Print
We hope this helps!