5 Common eBook Formatting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Whether you're self-publishing your first novel or converting a screenplay to an eBook, proper formatting can make or break your reader’s experience. With millions of digital books available today, standing out means delivering clean, professional, and readable content. Unfortunately, many authors fall into common formatting traps.

Here are five of the most frequent eBook formatting mistakes—and how you can avoid them.

1. Inconsistent Paragraph Styling

From weird indents to random spacing, inconsistent paragraph formatting is one of the fastest ways to look unprofessional. It distracts readers and can hurt your credibility.

How to avoid it: Use eBook-specific styles in programs like Microsoft Word, Scrivener, or Vellum. Avoid tab spaces and manual line breaks. Opt for consistent paragraph indents and spacing throughout the document.

2. Improper Use of Headings and Subheadings

Headings not only help structure your content—they also affect how your eBook displays in readers like Kindle or Apple Books. Many authors bold text manually instead of using proper heading styles.

How to avoid it: Apply hierarchical heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) so devices and apps can interpret your layout correctly. This ensures a navigable Table of Contents (ToC) and enhances readability.

3. No Clickable Table of Contents

Without a clickable ToC, your readers can't easily navigate chapters or sections, especially in non-fiction or self-help books. It’s one of the most overlooked elements.

How to avoid it: Use bookmarks and internal links to create a dynamic, clickable table of contents. Most formatting software will generate this automatically if you use proper heading tags.

4. Poor Image Placement or Sizing

Images that are too large, misaligned, or distorted can ruin your layout. Worse, oversized files can bloat your eBook and affect loading speed on eReaders.

How to avoid it: Resize images to web-friendly dimensions (around 300 dpi) and test across devices. Anchor images to paragraphs and avoid floating elements, which may not render correctly on mobile.

5. Not Testing on Multiple Devices

Many authors format their book once—then never test it on actual devices. This leads to layout issues that only show up on certain platforms.

How to avoid it: Preview your eBook on multiple devices (Kindle, tablet, smartphone, etc.) or use Kindle Previewer and EPUB readers to spot inconsistencies early.

Final Thoughts

Professional eBook formatting isn’t just about looks—it’s about function, flow, and a seamless reader experience. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you’ll improve your book’s readability and make a better impression on your audience.

Need help formatting your manuscript or screenplay into a professional-grade eBook? Contact Scribes & Scripts for expert formatting, editing, and conversion services tailored to authors like you.