Completing the Book Text

The Formatting Essentials

      The most common program used in the initial formatting of a book is Microsoft Word and most of the resources and tutorials listed here are for that program, unless otherwise noted.  For formatting instructions for other other programs please contact us and we will attempt to find those resources. 

Margins and Gutters
       Margins are easily placed in a Word document using page setup and can vary depending on design, preferences of the author, or the need to keep page counts to a certain limit.  The gutter is the space, generally on the left side of a book as it is open, on the left side of a n odd numbered page, and on the right side of an even numbered page to allow for the binding.  We have included resources that explain how to set these spacings in documents.
Microsoft Word Margins
Changing Margins for Part of a Document
Margins and Page Setup
Changing the Margins in Word
Three Ways To Change Your Margins in MS Word
Margins
Working With Gutters In Word

Letter Spacing - "Ligatures"
       The spacing between letters is an aspect too few authors or editors consider.  Kerning and tracking are typographical terms that refer to the adjustment of space between characters of type.  Kerning is the act of adjusting the space between pairs of letters. Particular pairs of letters, known as 'ligatures', create uneven spaces. Kerning allows you to add or subtract space in those awkward pairs of letters give more visually even and easier to read text. There can be more than a thousand kerning pairs for any one font. Tracking is act of adjusting space for groups of letters or text blocks. Tracking will change the overall look of the text, ether by making it more open or dense.  Here are some links on how this is accomplished:
Kerning and Tracking - All Spaced Out Type Composition
Graphic Design Publishing - What is a Ligature?
Kerning and Tracking Text in Adobe Illustrator
Kerning and Track in Quark
Letter Spacing

Headers And Footers
       Open most books to the main body of text and you will find titles at the top and numbers at the bottoms of each page.  These components are added and controlled through the use of headers and footers.  This is a moderately easy application to learn and we have collected several resources to aid you in the learning process.
MS Word: Headers & Footers Demystified
Headers and Footers Sections, and Section Breaks, in Microsoft Word
Headers and Footers in Microsoft Word 2000
Headers and Footers
How to Insert a Page or Section Break in a Microsoft Word Document
Insert a Page Break in Word
Insert a Page Break
How to Control the Page Numbering in a Word Document
Microsoft Word Page Numbers
Page Numbers
Page Numbering
Use Page Numbering
Ins and Outs of Page Numbering in Word

Sizing the Book
       Choosing the size of the book is a matter personal choice determined by a number factors such as number of pages required to fit the text, book sizes common to that genre of writing, or even cost of printing.
► Short Short Story / Flash Fiction - Under 500 words (Some markets consider between 250-1000 words to be flash fiction)
► Short Story - Under 7500 words (Some markets consider up to 10,000 words to be a short story)
► Novelette - Between 7,500-17,499 words
► Novella - Between 17,500 - 39,999 words
► Novel - Over 40,000 words
       (Source: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America)
       One of the first decisions you will have to make is what size you would like your finished book to be. Common finished books range from 4 x 6 to 8.5 x 11 and unless the printer or distributor you use has restrictions highly variable trim sizes are available. You can choose the size yourself by looking at other similar books or simply follow your instincts.  If you are locked into a publishing contract you may have no say in this process, but if you do, or are self publishing, work with your agent, distributor, or printer on this issue.

Dropping the Chapter Titles
       The beginning of a chapter can be given a distinctive look by dropping your chapter titles and other book sections a few spaces below the top margin, to a particular and consistent spacing distance.  Again this is a matter of design and can be aided by looking through templates of interior design, looking for examples in your personal library, the public library, or bookstores.  Another way to view diversity of style is the "Look Inside" feature that is available on many of Amazon.com's individual book pages. 

Columns
      Columns can be used throughout the book if that is one's preference, or for condensing lists, numbers, or other material in one or more sections of the book.
AutoTools: Columns
How to Add Columns to a Microsoft Word Document

Tables
      Tables have a wide variety of applications in books and should be explored carefully for any potential enhancement to the presentation you may desire. 
Tables
Guide to Using Tables in Microsoft Word® (Columns info)
Adding A New Column to a Table
11 Tips for Creating Tables in Word 2002
Inserting Tables
MS Word Table Mania

Indexing
      Indexing can be accomplished manually by the author or editor, using an indexing program, or by having it professionally done; the latter being the most expensive.  It is best learned and begun at the beginning of a writing project or during the initial edit
Indexing with Microsoft Word
Indexing in Microsoft Word 2000
Adding a Dynamic Index to Microsoft Word Documents (Flash Presentation)
Creating an Index

General Microsoft Word Resources and Tutorials
Microsoft Word Tutorial
Microsoft Word Tutorials
Page Formatting Microsoft Word
Using Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word Computer Course
Microsoft Word - Fast, Fun and Easy
Cross References
FAQs, Help, and Tutorials

For other resources on the basics of book writing and formatting
The Basics