Format your book in word

Now, select an area of text, such as the title in the image above, and then click on the style and your text will be changed to the new format. Then change the style of the first chapter heading. Its recommended that you adjust these setting before writing the content of your book to prevent formatting issues late on. No doubt about it, word has hundreds of features and tools, but you dont need all of them when formatting a book. In the first section, go to format page numbers option. If you are a selfpublishing author who wants to know how to typeset a book, there are plenty of tools and resources available to you. Files can be converted to pdf using open office a free suite of programs similar to microsoft office, or a variety of other free or paidfor pdfcreating software. Ensure you take the time to explore the different options available for formatting your manuscript because a clean design is a vital part of publishing success. How to format your book for amazon kindle using microsoft. Many writers use ms word for ebook formatting but this shouldnt be your choice by default. In a few clicks, it can help you format your title page, table of contents, and individual paragraphs and change your books look and feel by applying themes. The goal when youre selfpublishing is to always make your book look as traditionally published as possible, so im giving you a stepby0step guide on formatting your novel. Here are some tips that would ensure that you book looks professional and is printed well. Word is the best word processor to write your book in.

Tips for formatting your book correctly in microsoft word. Here are some tips that would ensure that you book looks professional and is printed well with. And because any style can be tweaked, you get to change your mind as often as you like. If you use microsoft word, heres how your paragraph settings should look. Are you spending too much time on your novels text design. The margin size you will want will depend on a few different factors final page length of your book. Click the insert tab, then click the bookmark button. Create your book in five steps with our easytouse online tools. Sign up for our free book templates in word and indesign, so you can quickly format your book without the amateur mistakes and hairpulling frustration.

Typesetting and formatting your book completelynovel. To reserve space on the inside fold for binding, increase the width of the gutter. Are your formatting your book in ms word or other word processors. In word, do this either by using the ruler bar at the top of the page, or by setting first line by 0. Plus, that makes it really easy to update your manuscripts. And even if you dont plan to do your own book formatting, there is a wealth of knowledge to be had by reading this book. Select the normal indoarabic format in number format dropdown. If you dont use microsoft word you can still use completelynovel, but we will ask you to convert your manuscript into a pdf format. Even if you dont use a book template, you can still write a book using microsoft word just be aware that you may have to spend more time formatting your book when its time to publish it. Here are the basics steps on formatting your manuscript in microsoft word for self publication. Every time you publish a new book, all you have to do is open the word file and add the new title to your backlist section. In how to format your book in word, you are taken from book formatting basics through the steps to format your ebooks and paper book, all the way to upload your book files online. However if your ebook does not contain these formatting issues, here are 6 easy steps to turn your microsoft word document into a kindle book. Applying a style to an element of your book file takes a fraction of the time required for manual formatting.

When youre done, share your writing in the comments. Change the setting for multiple pages to book fold. Start with the word document i developed while filming this video and tweak to your liking. Also in the page numbering option, select start at and type 1 in the text box. Format book in word everything you need to format your. Go to format page numbers option in the second section. How to format a book in microsoft word with pictures getting started. Formatting a book in microsoft word book formatting made easy. Free book design templates and tutorials for formatting in. The list of supported page sizes is available here.

Adobe acrobat takes your word document and displays it. A clear hierarchy and readable typeface help create a layout that is inviting to your reader. Drop down two more lines and type by and then your author name. You can use the preset styles in microsoft word or modify them for a custom look. This book is a goldmine for anyone trying to learn how to format their own books. Please select one of the page sizes available, according to the nature of your book.

Do the same for any credit text you have at the beginning of the book by selecting the text and then clicking the centred style. Common mistakes made when writing a book in microsoft word. If youre interested in being a beta reader, please contact me using the email form here. Our unique approach gives you all the tools, help and information you need to create outstanding books and enable you to keep every penny of your book royalties. Highlight the address, rightclick, and select copy. How to format your word document for book printing on mac. Within ebooks, hyperlinks, with a touch of a finger or the click of the mouse, will take your readers to where you want them to be. Attention to proper formatting will help your submission stand out. Its filled with stepbystep instructions, pictures, and a hyperdetailed process for.

Because word is a flexible word processing system, you can simply use a book template within word, and start typing your book directly onto the page. Make sure to apply to the whole document instead of this section. Once the file has been inserted, view the page size on your as two pages. Next, click the margins tab, click custom margins at the bottom of the options, and change top. Word automatically compresses images when converting to pdf so, if you have a nonfiction book with images and complicated formatting, consider using a thirdparty service or plugin to convert your. To do this, click on the table of contents in your word document so that you select the table, go to the references tab, and choose update table in the bar this will open a dialog box with additional options page numbers only if you only edited, added, and removed parts of the.

Here in the number format dropdown, select the roman numeral format. Build your book format a paperback manuscript word for. How to format your book in word is complete with examples, many screenshots, and example files. If your book is in separate files, for example each chapter in its own file, you must insert chapter one, then place the cursor at the end of chapter one and insert chapter two, and so on, into the main book file. Well walk you through the steps to format your word document for printing a book that is a 5. Once your title page is complete, youll want to insert a page break. You have now put your book in the correct basic format. How to format your book for kindle using microsoft word in. Using the styles function in word can help you ensure your books font and spacing is consistent.

How to format a picture book manuscript for publishers. Word expert and indie author ian andrew is based in australia. For the layout, a professional book designer would take your word document and format it in adobe indesign, but the book should not be written in indesign, which is a page layout program. After you format your manuscript in word, add finishing touches with kindle create. You need to see the formatting marks, so turn them on.

Drop down to the middle of the page, and type the title of your manuscript in all capital letters. Chapter 1 offers the basic structure of paper books. Any word processor like word will have the same issues shown in the article. Dont worry about page setup, formatting, or which program youre going to use. Do not use tab or spaces to indentthis will be invisible on the page, but will drive your typesetter crazy. Heres how to use the styles function in microsoft word to ensure the various. You want to ensure they see your every last word, so give your words room to breathe on the page. The book version of how to format your book in word is very near to being published, and im looking for beta readers. Publish beautiful books and keep 100% royalties at completelynovel, we like to do things a little differently.

How to format a book in word a stepbystep tutorial youtube. Depending on your ebook, some steps may be unnecessary e. Go to the amazon page of each of your books and copy the url of the page. If you make any changes in the book later on, youll have to manually update the table of contents though. Its also a good place to include advertisements for any other books that you are selling. The orientation automatically changes to landscape. On the bookmark window, type toc in the bookmark name field see below. Type it clean use the default settings in microsoft word. How to format a novel in microsoft word selfpublishing. Word is better at converting to a pdf than it used to bebut its still not awesome, and its especially bad if your book contains images. How to format your book for self publication bookstand publishing. List all your books on this page using the normal style.

The stepbystep guide to formatting your print book for kdp. Keep in mind that even though your book may be formatted in one page size, you can easily include 8. How to format your book for self publication bookstand. For the many indie authors who still favor microsoft word for formatting their. Open up word or get out a pen and paper if youd like. Dont forget to comment on your fellow writers work. Every section you include in your manuscript foreword, dedication, chapters, etc. Professionally formatted text is an important part of book design.