Publishing glossary
Book formatting guide
Book title page format: the elements and their order.
The title page carries the book title, subtitle, and author name. The copyright page follows on the verso.
Checked:
✓Title, subtitle, author name✓Copyright page on the back✓Template builds it in one step
Create a clean KDP manuscript template
Download a real DOCX with book-sized pages, mirrored margins, title and copyright pages, and a reusable Heading 1 chapter style.
A template is a clean starting point, not a guarantee. Recheck margins, page count, fonts, images, and the exported PDF after the manuscript is final.
The two pages that open a book
The title page holds the title, subtitle, and author. Its verso holds the copyright line, ISBN, and publisher name. Both follow fixed conventions.
- Match the title to the metadata exactly
- Copyright page carries the ISBN
- Keep the layout quiet and centered
Building both pages without design work
The manuscript template includes pre-formatted title and copyright pages. Fill in the details and they are ready to publish.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What goes on the verso of the title page?
The copyright notice, year, author name, ISBN, and publisher or imprint name.
Can the ebook and paperback share one title page?
Yes. Keep the same title and author casing in both files and in KDP metadata.
Should I put my publishing imprint on the title page?
Optional. The title page traditionally shows title, author, and legal line; the imprint is conventional on trade books and common in indie publishing, but a pen-name-only title page is perfectly acceptable. Most important is stability: use the same legal and imprint lines on every edition so the store's metadata stays aligned.
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Start with the correct title page.
Use the manuscript template so the title page and copyright page come out right the first time.