Before submitting your book to an agent or editor, you should always check their guidelines, but the requirements for manuscript format are essentially the same.
I’d check out these simple instructions (including a template for ease of use) for manuscript format. This will help you create a draft that meets industry standards and is clear and easy to work with.
While a freelance editor can assist you with this, there’s less leeway with a publisher. Follow their guidelines exactly, as they likely won’t give your manuscript a read if it doesn’t follow them. I’ll typically place a writer’s manuscript in this format myself, though I might ask for a new file in some cases (e.g., if there are no paragraph breaks).
The above is the standard for submitting your manuscript, not the final form. This is not to be mistaken for what a typesetter or formatter does.
If you’re publishing traditionally, your publisher will have in-house or freelance typesetters who handle book layout using software like InDesign. They focus on typography, spacing, and readability for both print and digital formats.
On the other hand, if you’re self-publishing, you’ll have to find a formatter or typesetter who can prepare your manuscript for the relevant platforms. Formatters typically handle e-book formatting, while typesetters handle print books with more complex designs (i.e., a children’s book or cookbook). Typesetters manage design elements and ensure the final product looks polished and professional, especially for print versions.
Some self-publishing writers choose to format their own books, especially if their manuscript has a simpler structure. These authors typically use tools like Vellum or Atticus, which make formatting straightforward and provide a clean, professional result for ebooks and print books without needing advanced design elements. You can also do basic formatting in Word if you don’t mind a bare bones format.
Let me know if you have any questions about how to format your manuscript for submission, and good luck.
Cypress Editorial 
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