Book Manuscript Formatting Software
How Make Your Manuscript Into a Book
By Jeff McRitchie
Turning your manuscript into an actual book may entail a little bit of a learning curve. Here are some steps to get you started.
Final Edit
This should go without saying, but it must be said anyway. While your manuscript is still in MS Word, or whatever word-processing software you use, it should be thoroughly proofread by a professional or a trusted friend. There is nothing more disheartening than getting your final product back and finding spelling or grammar errors.
Choose a Layout Program
Whichever layout or typesetting software you choose, if you are doing the job yourself, there may be a little bit of a learning curve involved. Some of the most common choices on the market are Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress, although there are a few other choices out there, including some that are free.
The Layout
While we can’t provide all of the information you will need to do a complete layout, here are a few things to keep in mind as you get started.
1.Decide the trim size you want your book to have and if you want the pages in a normal (portrait) format or landscape (long ways). Make sure that all the pages reflect the orientation that you prefer.
2.When it comes to setting the margins, there are a couple of choices. Most of the time you will see books with margins that are a half inch from the edges, while some prefer to go as much as three quarters of an inch. Just do some experimenting to see what works best for you.
Importing
Now you can start to import the text from your manuscript file into your pages. Make sure that the columns are linked together so the text will flow from one to the next seamlessly. It is usually better to use the import function of your typesetting software rather than simply copy and pasting from your word processing program, because in the latter case there is the possibility of losing your formatting.
In a lot of cases, you will have to work with your spacing and font size to create a total page number that is divisible by 32.Meaning that your book should be, for example, 192 or 224 pages rather than 200. Remember to use the master page function to place the book title at the top of each page (or alternate title with author name). And don’t forget to number your pages.
Use your program’s PDF function (in InDesign, it is the “export” function) to make a PDF out of your file. Send the file to your printer.
Binding
If you are sending the manuscript to a publisher, punch and bind the pages into a three-ring binder. If you are publishing the book yourself, consider purchasing your own thermal binding machine to finish your book. These types of machines create bookstore and library-ready books in a matter of minutes and the process is amazingly simple. Thermal binding machines can be had for less than 0 in some places, so take a good look around for a machine that suits your needs.
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The best software is the one you are most comfortable with.
Some people use Notepad/Wordpad, others use Microsoft Word, others use Wordperfect, others don’t even use software at all. But if you can write and you like it, then that is the best option for you.
However, sometimes publishers like to have electronic copies of submissions. In that case, .txt or .rtf are the standard submission formats so you’d need a software program that can save the file in one of those formats (all writing software can, which is entirely the point: those are universal formats that are accepted across software systems and even between PCs and Macs).
What is the best software to use if your writing a paperback book?
Some printers and publishing houses like one software over another. Is there one that formats the manuscript that makes it more compatable with this “electronic publishing”. How about ease of use. I have VISTA and I don’t like it.
How can I publish my manuscript in ebook format?
I would like to know if there is a way to self publish in e-book format. Please provide links to websites for more information, software etc.
Use Desktop Author, I think it is best for e-books. U can also export in SWF format.
gotot http://www.download.com and search for Desktop Author
Use Microsoft Word. There is no special program to make it look nice. Double space, 12pt times new roman font, with 1 inch margins. There is a button for numbering pages. Every time you have a new chapter, start it on a new page. That’s all you need to do. Then, once it is ready and if you want to send it out, see the different publishers guidelines
I want to know about Handwriting recognition software. The regular OHR software reocgnise only the digital pen
The regular Optical Handwriting Recognition(OHR) software works withonly on digital pen writing But I am Having a lot of documents written in normal pen on normal papers. These handwritten manuscript is in English Is there any apt technology to convert these manuscript into digital word format so that I can make a digital archive of these manuscript which will be later used as an e book making
The OHR algorithims would recognize a scanned signature as well as any done with a tablet. After all, the tablet’s software needs to rasterize the tablet’s signal. At that point, the tablet’s output would be the same as the scanner’s output.
Details should be in your OHR manual, or Help file.
“Max c” would lose his shirt in Vegas. He likes to make his point the hard way.
Is there a program to format manuscript?
Writing a book, and looking for a program/software that will help by making it print ready, ie page numbers, chapters, italics, etc.
Anyone know a good program?