Choose the trim size before final pagination
A5, mass-market and larger formats do not contain the same number of lines per page. The final page count only becomes meaningful after trim size, margins and typography are chosen.
Allow margins for binding
The inside margin must account for binding and book thickness. The thicker the volume, the more important it is to prevent text from sitting too close to the gutter.
Keep typography readable
Choose a typeface suited to long-form reading, a sensible size and consistent line spacing. Decorative effects are usually more effective in headings than in the body of a novel.
Export and check
After generating DOCX or PDF, check chapter openings, intentional blank pages, paragraph breaks and the final lines on each page.
Put these ideas into practice in one workspace
The callen-jf.com Writing Studio lets you move directly from advice to practice: write, structure the manuscript, prepare characters and chronology, then export and format the book. The account is free and the tool remains separate from the public pages of the site.