Support for Indie Authors discussion

It took me six weeks to get the hang of formatting my book, getting the headers, footers (page numbers correct, situating it to keep words from running off the page or into the binding). I used a template but, it didn't make it any easier. Is there an easier way to do this?

It depends on how you are submitting your book. If it's an ebook I think most publishing sites format it for you. I used BookTango and it did all that for me.

No, I meant the print version.

You can pay someone to do it, but other than that the best way is just to find a good step by step guide.

This might help: http://completelynovel.com/self-publi...

ok.

a desktop publishing program such as ms publisher, adobe in design, or serif page plus helps setting up books with ease

free desktop publishing programs such as scribus and page plus starter

page plus is made for that (widows orphans etc) and is not really any different than what professionals use. if you have a decent computer and can read a book it's not hard to figure

There is no easy short cut for formatting the interior of a print book. I use Adobe In Design - which is perfect for a task like this. But I also have years of experience formatting for print. Unless you want to invest in page layout software and learn how to use it (there's quite a learning curve) you might want to consider paying someone to do it for you. Just make sure you hire someone who knows what they're doing.

Hi Angel. It's a pain, but making your own template is actually a lot easier than using the one CS offers. You don't necessarily need any special software. I set up a simple Word template and now it's just a matter of dumping my info in and tweaking. Takes maybe all of fifteen minutes now. I sent a quick guide to how to set this up to one of my friends this summer. If you want to take a look at that, I'd be happy to dig out the email for you. Just send me a PM. :)

Angel wrote: "It took me six weeks to get the hang of formatting my book, getting the headers, footers (page numbers correct, situating it to keep words from running off the page or into the binding). I used a t..."

Here's a little Christmas gift for you Angel - a free coupon to my CreateSpace formatting course. It drove me mad at first - I wasted so much time trying to do my own formatting. I created a course to help others get the hang of CreateSpace and so I could refer back to it as I forget things really quickly! I'm passionate about CreateSpace now, it's such a good POD service.
Best wishes, hope it helps.
https://www.udemy.com/how-to-get-your...

I have experience in dealing layouts and assumed it was quite easy to learn. not everyone is that inclined to deal with complex software...

K.P. wrote: "a desktop publishing program such as ms publisher, adobe in design, or serif page plus helps setting up books with ease"

Thanks!

no problem!

Christina wrote: "Hi Angel. It's a pain, but making your own template is actually a lot easier than using the one CS offers. You don't necessarily need any special software. I set up a simple Word template and now i..."

I sent you a pm.

Michelle wrote: "Angel wrote: "It took me six weeks to get the hang of formatting my book, getting the headers, footers (page numbers correct, situating it to keep words from running off the page or into the bindin..."

Thank you!

April wrote: "There is no easy short cut for formatting the interior of a print book. I use Adobe In Design - which is perfect for a task like this. But I also have years of experience formatting for print. Unle..."

I can't afford it. I'm a single parent taking care of a disabled child. Besides, I'm willing to learn on my own.

Sent! :)

Angel wrote: "It took me six weeks to get the hang of formatting my book, getting the headers, footers (page numbers correct, situating it to keep words from running off the page or into the binding). I used a t..."

If you are publishing in PDF format, just set it up in Word. You can set margins, getters etc. I recommend Amazon's guide (whether you are going with them or not) to give you a better than general idea. Good luck

Michelle wrote: "Angel wrote: "It took me six weeks to get the hang of formatting my book, getting the headers, footers (page numbers correct, situating it to keep words from running off the page or into the bindin..."

Great resource!! Thanks for sharing :-)

I would also recommend getting someone else to do it if you want it to look professional. But if you want a free resource... I used Bookwright, which you could download from blurb.com. It just costs a little bit to download an official PDF, but it's much cheaper than paying someone else.

Microsoft Word will do in a pinch, if you have no other options. But Word cannot provide the typographical controls that a professional layout and design package does - tracking, kerning, and a host of other features. If you want your book to look professionally formatted, you have to use a professional layout package.

Formatting an e-book in Word is a piece of cake. Formatting a book's interior for print is a completely different story - if you want it to look professional.

With the will to do it and a bit of patience, one can have a professional look even if not done by a third party. I wouldn't go as far as to say one MUST pay to have it done. Depends on how much someone actually wants to work.

(Edited: Darn typos.)

hence using desktop publishing

argh stupid phone. was trying to say hence using desktop publishing programs. they give you utmost percise control over spacing kerning widows orphans and such. I read up on typesetting and doing it by hand was a pain. word isn't as precise as I wanted (made for business docs after all) and word perfect gave me more control but it didn't look 'pro'. I had in design 3 back in the day and once I upgraded I couldn't use it anymore. my sister had page plus 2 . it was years before I saved up for page plus 14 and it still works (in design got too expensive ). though most of my early works I used publisher 98, it was too much for simple things and templates were horrific to call since my books used different layouts. I hadn't used scribus which is free but heard good things about it.
check out some books on typography typesetting and book design. that will help you understand how to beat use whatever package you decide to roll with. once you figure that program's inherent quibbles you should be all right.

K.P. wrote: "argh stupid phone. was trying to say hence using desktop publishing programs. they give you utmost percise control over spacing kerning widows orphans and such. I read up on typesetting and doing i..."

Thanks!

*best use not beat damn auto correct. lolz and you're welcome

April wrote: "Microsoft Word will do in a pinch, if you have no other options. But Word cannot provide the typographical controls that a professional layout and design package does - tracking, kerning, and a hos..."

This is an argument that I see amongst those with a background in design, but believe me, Word and even the free open source versions of Word are more than capable of producing a professional layout. It'snot as push button as some of the expensive design programs, but your book will not suffer anymore than POD suffers vs printed on a press.

Topic closed at the request of the OP.