Atticus book formatting makes it possible to turn a raw manuscript into a professionally formatted ebook and print book without hiring a designer. This guide walks you through every step, from importing your manuscript to exporting files ready for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or any other publishing platform.
What Is Atticus?
Atticus is a browser-based writing and formatting tool built by Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur. It runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook, which makes it one of the most accessible formatting tools on the market.
Unlike Vellum, which only works on Mac, Atticus gives every author access to professional formatting regardless of their operating system. It costs a one-time fee of $147 with free lifetime updates and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Atticus handles both the writing and formatting sides of book production. You can draft your manuscript inside the app or import an existing file, then format it for ebook and print in one place.
Our Pick — Chapter
If you want AI-powered writing assistance alongside formatting, Chapter handles the entire book creation process from outline to finished manuscript. It pairs well with Atticus for authors who want AI help with the writing and a dedicated tool for final formatting.
Best for: Authors who want AI to help write the book before formatting Pricing: $97 one-time (nonfiction) Why we built it: Writing and formatting are separate problems, and Chapter handles the writing side so you can focus formatting tools on what they do best.
Getting Started With Atticus
Creating Your Account
Head to atticus.io and purchase a license. After payment, you will get immediate access to the web app. Atticus runs in your browser but also works offline once the page has loaded.
Importing Your Manuscript
Atticus supports importing from several file formats:
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| .docx (Word) | Most common import method. Preserves basic formatting. |
| .epub | Import existing ebooks for reformatting. |
| Scrivener | Export from Scrivener as .docx first, then import. |
| Plain text | Works for clean manuscripts without complex formatting. |
To import, click the + button on the dashboard, select Import, and choose your file. Atticus will parse your document and split it into chapters automatically based on heading styles.
Tip: Before importing, make sure your Word document uses Heading 1 styles for chapter titles. This gives Atticus the cleanest import with proper chapter breaks.
Organizing Your Book Structure
Once imported, the left sidebar shows your book’s chapter list. From here you can:
- Drag chapters to reorder them
- Add front matter (title page, copyright, dedication, table of contents)
- Add back matter (acknowledgments, about the author, also by)
- Create chapter groups or parts for longer works
Atticus automatically generates a title page, copyright page, and table of contents. You can customize each one or replace them with your own content.
Choosing and Customizing Themes
Themes are where Atticus formatting really shines. The software offers over 17 built-in themes, each with a distinct visual style suited to different genres.
Built-In Themes
Each theme controls the overall look of your book, including:
- Chapter header style and positioning
- Font choices for headings and body text
- Scene break ornaments
- Drop cap style (if any)
- Page header and footer layout
Browse the themes by clicking Format in the top menu, then Theme. Preview each one on your actual manuscript before committing.
The Theme Builder
If the built-in themes do not match your vision, the Theme Builder lets you customize every element:
- Fonts: Choose from a library of professional book fonts for headings and body text. Serif fonts like Garamond, Crimson Text, and Libre Baskerville work best for print fiction. Sans-serif options are available for nonfiction and modern designs.
- Chapter headers: Control alignment (left, center, right), add subtitle lines, adjust spacing before and after the header.
- Scene breaks: Pick from ornamental dividers or use a simple blank space. You can also upload custom scene break images.
- Drop caps: Enable or disable decorative first letters at the start of chapters. Choose how many lines the drop cap spans.
- Paragraph style: Set first-line indent size or use block paragraphs with spacing between them. Most fiction uses indented paragraphs; nonfiction often uses block style.
Theme Recommendations by Genre
| Genre | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|
| Literary fiction | Classic serif font, centered chapter headers, ornamental scene breaks |
| Romance | Decorative headers, drop caps, elegant scene dividers |
| Thriller / Sci-fi | Clean sans-serif or modern serif, minimal ornamentation |
| Nonfiction / How-to | Block paragraphs, clear heading hierarchy, minimal drop caps |
| Memoir | Traditional serif, simple scene breaks, personal feel |
| Children’s chapter books | Larger font size, wider line spacing, playful headers |
Formatting for Ebook
Ebook formatting in Atticus is straightforward because ebooks are reflowable. The reader controls font size and style on their device, so your formatting choices focus on structure rather than pixel-perfect layout.
Key Ebook Settings
- Table of contents: Atticus generates a clickable, linked TOC automatically. You can choose which sections to include.
- Chapter headers: These remain styled according to your theme. Most ebook readers will display them faithfully.
- Images: Insert images within chapters. Atticus handles the resizing for different ebook devices. Keep images under 5MB for best results.
- Links: Add hyperlinks to external sites or internal cross-references between chapters.
Ebook Export Options
Atticus exports ebooks as .epub files. This format is accepted by:
- Amazon KDP (converts to .mobi/.azw automatically)
- Apple Books
- Kobo
- Barnes & Noble Press
- Google Play Books
- Draft2Digital and other aggregators
Click Export, select eBook, and Atticus generates the file in seconds. You can also preview the ebook on simulated devices (Kindle, iPad, phone) before exporting.
Formatting for Print
Print formatting requires more attention to detail than ebook. Page size, margins, bleed, headers, and page numbers all need to be set correctly or your files will get rejected by the printer.
Setting Your Trim Size
Trim size is the finished dimensions of your printed book. The most common sizes for self-published books:
| Trim Size | Best For |
|---|---|
| 5” x 8” | Standard fiction paperback |
| 5.25” x 8” | Slightly wider fiction, popular on KDP |
| 5.5” x 8.5” | Fiction and general nonfiction |
| 6” x 9” | Nonfiction, business books, textbooks |
| 8.5” x 11” | Workbooks, cookbooks, large format |
In Atticus, set your trim size under Format > Print Settings. Choose from the preset options or enter custom dimensions.
Tip: Amazon KDP’s most popular trim size is 5.5” x 8.5” for fiction. If you plan to distribute through IngramSpark as well, confirm they support your chosen size before formatting.
Margins and Gutter
Atticus sets sensible default margins, but you can adjust them. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Outside margins: At least 0.5 inches on all sides.
- Inside (gutter) margin: At least 0.8 inches to account for the binding. Thicker books need a larger gutter because more of the page disappears into the spine.
- Top and bottom margins: 0.5 to 0.75 inches works for most books.
The gutter is the most important margin to get right. If it is too small, readers will have to crack the spine to read words near the binding. Atticus calculates a recommended gutter based on your page count, which is a helpful starting point.
Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers
Under print settings, configure:
- Page numbers: Choose placement (bottom center, bottom outside, top outside). Most fiction uses bottom center; nonfiction often uses top outside.
- Running headers: Display the book title on left pages and chapter title on right pages, or turn them off entirely. Running headers are standard in nonfiction but optional in fiction.
- First page of chapter: Most books suppress the header and move the page number to the bottom on the first page of each chapter. Atticus handles this automatically.
Print Export
Atticus exports print-ready PDF files. These PDFs include proper bleed settings, embedded fonts, and crop marks if needed.
When you export for print:
- Click Export and select Print
- Review the page count estimate
- Download the interior PDF
- Upload it to Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or your chosen printer
Always order a proof copy before approving your book for sale. Screen previews do not catch everything, and seeing the physical book reveals margin, font size, and spacing issues that look fine on screen.
Formatting Nonfiction in Atticus
Nonfiction books often need more complex formatting than fiction. Atticus handles several nonfiction-specific elements well.
Callout Boxes and Special Formatting
Atticus supports callout boxes, which are perfect for:
- Key takeaways or summaries
- Tips, warnings, or notes
- Quotes or case studies that need visual separation
Add a callout box by selecting text and choosing the callout option from the formatting toolbar. You can style the box border, background, and text separately.
Multiple Heading Levels
While fiction rarely needs more than chapter titles, nonfiction requires a clear heading hierarchy. Atticus supports H2 through H6 headings, letting you create structured content with proper visual hierarchy for:
- Main sections (H2)
- Subsections (H3)
- Sub-subsections (H4)
This heading structure also translates into a detailed, linked table of contents for your ebook, improving navigation for readers.
Tables and Lists
Atticus allows you to insert tables and formatted lists directly. Tables are especially useful in how-to books, reference guides, and business books. Keep tables simple for best results in ebook format, as complex tables can break on small screens.
Previewing Your Book
Before exporting, use the preview feature to check your formatting across multiple devices. Atticus lets you preview on:
- Kindle device simulations
- iPad and tablet views
- Phone screens
- Print page layout
Toggle between ebook and print preview to make sure both versions look right. Pay special attention to:
- Chapter opening pages (do headers and spacing look balanced?)
- Scene breaks (are they visible and properly spaced?)
- Images (do they display at the right size?)
- Table of contents (do all links work?)
- First and last pages of each chapter (watch for widows and orphans)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the proof copy. Screen previews miss issues that only show up in a physical book. Always order a print proof before going live.
- Using too small a gutter margin. The most frequent complaint from readers about self-published books is text disappearing into the spine. Err on the side of a larger gutter.
- Overloading fonts. Stick to one serif font for body text and one font for headings. Using three or more fonts makes your book look unprofessional.
- Ignoring ebook preview on small screens. Tables and images that look great on a tablet can become unreadable on a phone. Always check the smallest screen size.
- Forgetting to update the table of contents. If you add or remove chapters after generating the TOC, regenerate it before exporting. Atticus usually handles this automatically, but verify it.
Atticus vs Other Formatting Tools
Atticus is not the only option. Here is how it compares to the main alternatives:
| Feature | Atticus | Vellum | Reedsy Book Editor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $147 one-time | $249.99 one-time | Free |
| Platform | All (browser) | Mac only | All (browser) |
| Writing features | Yes | No | Yes |
| Print export | |||
| Ebook export | EPUB | EPUB | EPUB |
| Nonfiction features | Strong (callouts, multiple heading levels) | Limited | Basic |
| Offline use | Yes | Yes | No |
Vellum produces slightly more polished output and runs smoother as a native Mac app, but it costs more and locks out Windows and Linux users. Reedsy Book Editor is free but lacks the customization depth of Atticus or Vellum.
For most self-published authors, especially those on Windows or who write nonfiction, Atticus offers the best balance of features, flexibility, and value. If you are formatting your book for Kindle specifically, Atticus handles the export natively.
FAQ
Can Atticus format hardcover books?
Yes. Atticus exports print-ready PDFs that work for both paperback and hardcover. You will need to adjust your trim size and margins for hardcover specifications, which vary by printer. Case laminate and dust jacket options depend on your printing service (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.), not on Atticus itself.
Does Atticus work offline?
Yes. Once the web app has loaded in your browser, you can write and format without an internet connection. Your work saves locally and syncs to the cloud when you reconnect. This makes it reliable for working on the go.
Can I use Atticus with Amazon KDP?
Absolutely. Export your ebook as .epub and your print interior as PDF, then upload both to KDP. KDP accepts both formats directly. Atticus also lets you set your trim size to match KDP’s supported dimensions so your files pass their automated review without errors.
Is Atticus better than Vellum?
It depends on your situation. Vellum has a more polished interface and slightly smoother performance since it is a native Mac app. Atticus works on every platform, costs $100 less, includes writing features, and has stronger nonfiction formatting support. For most authors, Atticus is the better value. See the comparison table above for a detailed breakdown.
Can I import my Scrivener project into Atticus?
Not directly. Export your Scrivener project as a .docx file first, then import the .docx into Atticus. Make sure your Scrivener compile settings use Heading 1 for chapter titles so Atticus can detect chapter breaks correctly.
Next Steps
Once your book is formatted in Atticus, you are ready to publish. Here are the logical next steps:
- Order a print proof through KDP or IngramSpark before approving for sale
- Upload your ebook file to each platform you want to distribute on
- Set up your book listing with optimized keywords, categories, and description
- Plan your launch with a marketing strategy that drives early reviews and sales
If you are earlier in the process and still working on your manuscript, check out our guide on how to self-publish a book for the full step-by-step workflow. For a broader look at the tools available, see our roundup of self-publishing tools and AI book formatting tools.
For authors who want AI assistance writing their manuscript before formatting, Chapter handles the writing process end to end, and you can export your finished manuscript to Atticus for final formatting and layout.
