Publishing Series: #15 A Closer Look at the Page

Let's take a closer look at preparing the pages for print.

Hopefully, you've been working in Word, since that is the most flexible program when it comes to formatting pages for a book. You've probably been typing in 8.5x11, but if you look under "layout" in the top toolbar, you will see the icon for changing the size of the page. Depending on the publishing program you are using, find out the size options for your published page. These are usually about 5x7, but they vary slightly. It is important that you know the exact size the published page will be.

At the bottom of Word's layout dropdown menu, you will see "more paper sizes." This will allow you to type in the exact size of the page you need. When you apply to the entire document, you will magically see your book in real book size! This is a very exciting part of the process!

Start to visualize your pages as you would a book, with a left page and a right page. The next thing you will want to do is to adjust the margins for the entire document. You have probably been using Word's default margins, which is one inch all around. Book margins are not that big. Start using a well published book from your bookshelf as a model. Bring a few samples to your workstation as references. The outside margins -- the one on the far left and the one on the far right of the double page -- should each be about a half inch, maybe even smaller depending on your preference. The two margins that meet in the middle of the double page -- the gutter, however, should be larger because space is needed for the bend of the pages as the reader opens the book. If this inside margin is too small, the words will flow into the crease formed by the meeting of the pages and your reader will struggle to read the story.

Once the margins are applied to the entire manuscript, it will really start looking like a book! These measurements are not set in stone. They can be adjusted during the process, so experiment until you are satisfied with the appear
ance.

Next Time: A Closer Look at the Front Matter

Publishing Series: #13 Prepping the Manuscript

So, you've decided to indie publish. Good for you, but remember, some hard work lies ahead.

First, you must commit to being a detail person. You want the best version of your work out there for public consumption. Your author reputation is on the line.

Second, decide on the publishing platform you will use and become familiar with it. For instance, I found that if using Kindle Direct Publishing, my manuscript transferred easily if it was written in Word rather than in a Google doc. 

Third, prepare the entire book document before you transfer it. This means preparing what is called the front and back matter as well. What do I mean by this? Pull some books off your bookshelf, and look at what is written on the pages before the story actually starts -- this is the front matter. There are blank pages, a copy right page, a dedication, extra title pages, sometimes a table of contents. If you want your book to appear professional, you need all these "extra" pages. These pages appear in a certain order. Model the appearance, type font, and order and your work will appear professionally published.

Look at the back matter in these books as well. Back matter is anything that comes after the book is finished. You'll need an "about the author" page. Read some professionally done examples and model yours after theirs. Will you need author notes? Look at several examples of what other authors do.

Then you'll need to finalize the actual text. This involves inserting either a heading or a footing for page numbers. Again, look at several professional examples and decide which basic design will work for you. Word offers you several options that can be tailored to fit your needs.

This is also the time to finalize other details. What font do you want the body of your text to appear in? Take out spaces between paragraphs, unless it is used as a device to indicate a change in setting. Make sure that paragraph indents are only about 3 spaces, not the typical 5. Don't indent the first paragraph of each chapter. (Don't believe me on this one? Check out some professionally published works!) Do you want an oversized letter at the start of each chapter? Play around with that. What font and size should your chapter headings be? Should they be centered? Flush to the right or left margin? Should they have titles? If they have titles, you'll definitely need that table of contents.

As you can see, there are a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of work to be done. Take your time, and do it right. Now is not the time to rush. Remember, you want your work to look its best out there in the world!