Echoes of the Dead
by Wouter Van Goethem
Manuscript Formatting and Interior Layout
A complete interior layout for a 645-page fiction manuscript — front matter, chapter openings, decorative flourishes, drop caps, logbook-style labels and consistent pagination — formatted to the author’s requested direction.
- Agreed fee
- £4,500.00
- Manuscript
- 645 pages
- Formatting status
- Completed
Approximately £6.98 per page · More than two months — approximately two and a half months or longer
Publication status: Publication preparation ongoing
Project overview
Wouter Van Goethem commissioned Author Growth Pro to format the complete interior of his 645-page fiction manuscript, Echoes of the Dead. The agreed fee was £4,500.00 — approximately £6.98 per page — paid in four instalments.
The work covered the manuscript’s front matter, chapter headings, decorative flourishes, drop caps, body text, internal headings, logbook-style labels and pagination. The project took more than two months — approximately two and a half months or longer — and the author accepted the completed formatting after the requested layout direction was followed.
The formatting commission is complete. Further publication-preparation work remains ongoing, so the book has not yet been published or released.
The client journey
How the project began
I first encountered Wouter while browsing my social-media For You Page and exploring the work of writers who might benefit from professional publishing support.
After reviewing his profile, I reached out to introduce myself and establish a conversation. Rather than immediately presenting a paid service, I focused on getting to know the author, understanding his writing journey, and learning more about the project he was working on.
Our communication developed over time. I continued checking in, maintaining the conversation, and learning about his progress. This helped establish a professional relationship before a specific service was discussed.
Discovering the formatting challenge
During one of our conversations, Wouter explained that he was struggling to format his manuscript himself and was finding it difficult to achieve the appearance he wanted.
He had spent approximately 42 hours attempting the formatting without completing the chapter he was working on. Repeatedly trying different settings, correcting problems, and encountering new layout issues had left him frustrated and exhausted.
The challenge was not simply placing words on pages. It involved making the chapter structure, headings, spacing, page layout, decorative details, and pagination work together consistently across a long manuscript.
Initial guidance
I initially tried to guide the author through the formatting process and explain how he could organise the manuscript more effectively himself.
However, he continued to encounter difficulties. Each new problem required additional attention, and the repeated attempts were making the task more exhausting.
This demonstrated that explaining a technical process and implementing it consistently throughout a long manuscript are two different things.
Moving to a professional service
I explained that, if the author was comfortable entrusting the manuscript to me, I could handle the formatting as a defined service rather than continuing to ask him to troubleshoot every issue himself.
The aim was to examine the manuscript, establish a consistent interior layout based on his preferences, and carry out the formatting systematically.
Agreeing on the payment arrangement
Wouter explained that he was experiencing financial limitations and could not comfortably manage the full fee as one payment.
We discussed dividing the 645-page manuscript into four sections and arranging the payment in four instalments. The final agreed fee was £4,500.00, with the exact allocation shown in the instalment schedule on this page.
Formatting and acceptance
The manuscript was formatted according to the author’s requested direction. The work included the manuscript’s front matter, chapter headings, decorative flourishes, drop caps, body text, internal headings, and pagination.
The project took more than two months, approximately two and a half months or longer. The author accepted the completed formatting after I followed his instructions and developed the layout to match the presentation he wanted.
The four-instalment arrangement
The 645-page manuscript was divided into four sections, with payment arranged in four instalments to suit the author’s circumstances.
| Instalment | Pages covered | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| First instalment | 161 | £1,122.48 |
| Second instalment | 161 | £1,122.48 |
| Third instalment | 161 | £1,122.48 |
| Fourth instalment | 162 | £1,132.56 |
| Total | 645 | £4,500.00 |
The formatting work
The commissioned service was formatting and interior layout — no editing, proofreading, rewriting or substantive manuscript changes were part of this project.
- Title page
- A centred title-page layout with display typography and a decorative flourish, setting the tone for the interior.
- Copyright and fiction disclaimer
- Rights, disclaimer and publication information presented cleanly on the copyright page.
- Contents page
- A structured contents page listing the front matter and every chapter with accurate page references.
- Dedication and acknowledgments
- Front-matter pages typeset consistently with the rest of the interior.
- Centred chapter numbers and titles
- Each chapter opens with a centred chapter number and title — for example Chapter 1, “Night and Day”, and Chapter 2, “Crossroad of Dreams”.
- Decorative flourishes
- A consistent flourish sits beneath each chapter heading, giving every chapter opening the same finished presentation.
- Drop caps
- Enlarged initial letters open each chapter, creating a clear visual entry point into the text.
- Consistent body text
- Body text is presented with even spacing and paragraph treatment across all 645 pages.
- Internal headings and logbook-style labels
- The story’s logbook entries are set in a distinct italic label style so readers can recognise them instantly.
- Page numbering and contents references
- Consistent pagination throughout, matched to the contents page.
Design approach
- Readability: a comfortable text block, even spacing and consistent paragraph treatment keep a 645-page novel easy to read.
- Consistency: every chapter opening repeats the same structure — centred number, flourish, title, logbook labels and drop cap — so the interior feels like one coherent book.
- Visual hierarchy: chapter numbers, titles, logbook labels and body text are clearly distinguished, so readers always know where they are.
- Chapter-opening presentation: flourishes and drop caps give each chapter a deliberate, finished opening without distracting from the text.
Inside the formatted manuscript
Genuine pages from the finished 645-page interior, displayed with the author’s permission. Selected pages only — the complete manuscript is not publicly downloadable.
Formatted-interior showcase (PDF)
A downloadable showcase of the finished interior, with genuine pages from the formatted manuscript. The author’s original unformatted pages have not been supplied, so this document is an honest showcase of the completed work rather than a before-and-after comparison — a verified comparison will be added if the original pages become available.
Scope and deliverables
Formatted interior
- Complete 645-page manuscript formatting
- Title page and copyright page
- Contents page with page references
- Dedication and acknowledgments
- Centred chapter numbers and titles
- Decorative flourishes beneath chapter headings
- Drop caps at chapter openings
- Logbook-style internal labels
- Consistent body text and pagination
Service scope
- Interior layout developed to the author’s requested direction
- Formatting carried out systematically in four sections
- Four-instalment payment arrangement
- Formatting only — no editing, proofreading or rewriting
Client feedback
“I’m genuinely delighted with how my manuscript has turned out! ❤️ When I first started trying to format my book myself, I became so frustrated because I knew how I wanted it to look, but I just couldn’t get everything to work the way I envisioned. I spent hours trying to fix things, only to run into more problems. Having someone take the time to understand my vision and work on the manuscript professionally made such a difference. The chapter headings, decorative details, page layout, and overall presentation were important to me, and I wanted everything to feel consistent and polished throughout the book. What I appreciate most is the attention given to the details and the effort to follow the formatting direction I had requested. Seeing the manuscript come together in a more organised and professional way has made the whole experience much less stressful. I’m especially grateful for the communication throughout the project and for working with me to find a payment arrangement that suited my circumstances. My manuscript means a great deal to me, so having support with something that had become such a difficult obstacle was a real relief. Thank you for helping me move past the frustration and bring my book closer to the presentation I had envisioned. I truly appreciate the time, patience, and care put into this project, and I’m happy with the result!”
Project outcome
The completed 645-page interior was accepted by the author after the requested layout direction was followed.
A formatting task that had cost the author approximately 42 hours without completing a single chapter was resolved as a defined professional service.
The four-instalment arrangement allowed the project to proceed within the author’s financial circumstances.
The formatting commission is complete; further publication-preparation work remains ongoing, and the book has not yet been published.