Here is a list of what to look for when editing and formatting a book.

Formatting checklist for a paperback book:

• Same style and size of headers, footers, and page numbers throughout.
• Chapter headers on even-numbered pages match the actual chapter headings.
• Pages are numbered correctly and the style is consistent throughout the book (except for switching from Roman numerals to Arabic numbers).
• Look for strange page breaks, line breaks, changes in alignment, changes in font style or size, inconsistent indents, and inconsistent vertical spacing.
• Check the page references in the contents and index.
• Match the contents entries with the chapter headings.
• Consistent heading and subheading styles.
• Check that all references to pages, figures, tables, equations, etc. are correct.
• Consistent bullet formatting.
• Examine page borders, figures, equations, tables, captions, and textboxes.
• Quickly thumb through the book to verify the vertical justification.
• Manually deal with hyphens, widows, orphans, and rivers when editing is complete.

Editing checklist for a paperback book:

• Inspect the title page carefully.
• Match the title and contributors on the cover, spine, title page, and copyright page with published information.
• Check copyright page and front matter carefully.
• Spelling and grammatical mistakes, and word confusion (like homophones).
• Repeated words like the the (can also search on the word processor).
• Punctuation, like proper use of -, –, and —.
• Storyline, plot, character development, chronology, etc.
• Quotes face the right way.
• Inappropriate changes in tense and person.
• Passive writing that may function better as active writing.
• Too many –ly adverbs.
• Too much use of to be (is, was, been, etc.).
• Useless words and redundancies.
• Overused words.
• Long paragraphs, good variation in sentence length and structure, readily flowing text.

Chris McMullen, self-published author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers