Accessibility in Book Formatting: 8 Tips for Self-Publishing Authors
Image by Beatriz Camaleão via Unsplash
When you’re deep in the process of self-publishing a book it’s easy to get swept up in the visual side of things: beautiful chapter headings, sleek typography, maybe even a custom flourish or two. But one crucial aspect often gets overlooked in the excitement: accessibility.
Accessible design isn’t just for websites or large print editions. It’s something that every author and editor should consider when formatting a book, because it affects how easily your words reach all your readers. And if you’re self-publishing, the responsibility (and opportunity!) to create an inclusive, reader-friendly book lies entirely with you (or your editor, if you outsource the formatting).
What is accessibility in book design?
Accessibility in book formatting means designing your book in a way that makes it easier to read for as many people as possible, including readers with dyslexia, visual impairments, ADHD, or even just tired eyes after a long day. It’s not about stripping down your style or making your book look dull. Quite the opposite: good accessible design often leads to a cleaner, more professional layout overall.
Why it matters for indie authors
As an indie author, you have more control than traditional authors do, but that also means more decisions to make. And while genre expectations and aesthetics are important, accessibility is what ensures your message reaches everyone it can.
In traditional publishing, accessibility is often baked into the process: editors, designers, and even dedicated accessibility reviewers work behind the scenes to ensure a book is legible and user-friendly. But in self-publishing, that layer is easy to overlook. Adding it back in, intentionally, is one of the best ways to make your book feel just as polished and reader-focused as any professionally published title.
It’s a way to extend respect to your readers by meeting them where they are and making sure your book welcomes them in.
So, how do you actually make your book more accessible? Whether you’re formatting it yourself or working with a professional, here are some small considerations that can make a big difference.
8 Accessibility Tips for Your Book Design
Here are a few key things to keep in mind whether you’re doing your own formatting or hiring someone to help:
1. Choose reader-friendly fonts
Stick with clean, legible fonts like Georgia, Palatino, or Garamond for print books, or sans serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica for digital formats. Avoid decorative or script fonts for body text. Consider using a dyslexia-friendly font like OpenDyslexic or Lexend in eBooks. If you’re using Vellum to format your book, consider one of these clean, reader-friendly options:
Trace – Great for fiction and narrative nonfiction. My personal favorite.
Legible – The name says it all! Balanced and clear, ideal for general nonfiction.
Meridian – Elegant without sacrificing readability.
2. Use a comfortable font size and line spacing
Tiny fonts and tightly spaced lines might save space, but they make reading harder, especially for older readers or those with vision difficulties. For print, 11–12 pt font with at least 1.2–1.5 line spacing is usually ideal.
3. Avoid justified text (especially in eBooks)
While fully justified text may look neat, it can create uneven spacing that’s harder to track, especially for people with dyslexia. Left-aligning your text gives a smoother reading experience.
4. Mind your color contrast
Stick to high-contrast combinations: black or dark gray on white or off-white. Avoid pale text on light backgrounds, and be cautious with red/green combos (which can be hard to distinguish for colorblind readers).
5. Use headings to create a clear structure
Consistent heading levels not only help readers navigate your book but are also essential for screen reader accessibility in digital formats. Think of headings as signposts that help all readers follow your message.
6. Avoid excessive italics, ALL CAPS, or underlining
These styles may seem like emphasis, but they can be tiring or confusing to read. Instead, use bold or smart layout choices (like short paragraphs and headings) to guide attention.
7. Describe images thoughtfully (especially in eBooks)
If your book includes charts, graphs, or photos, provide meaningful captions or alt text. This ensures that readers who can’t see the image still understand the content.
8. Include a clickable table of contents in digital editions
In ePUB and PDF formats, a well-structured, clickable table of contents is a must. It allows readers (and screen readers) to navigate easily without having to scroll or guess.
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You don’t have to do it all alone
If this list feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. Accessibility doesn’t mean perfection. It means intention. Even small changes can make a big difference to your readers.
That said, if you’re not sure how to implement these best practices or you just want to make sure your book is the best it can be, I’d love to help.
At Bold & Italic Editing, I offer:
Book formatting that balances genre style with readability
A Self-Publishing Companion Package that walks you through the whole process (editing, formatting, publishing)
Friendly, expert guidance for authors who want to get it right without the guesswork
Whether you’re publishing a nonfiction guide, an academic text, or something a little more creative, I’ll help you design a book that looks great and feels good to read for everyone.
