Writing a book can be a daunting task, but Microsoft Word is a powerful tool that can help you bring your manuscript to life. Whether you’re an author or a self-publisher, this guide will walk you through the key steps and common challenges of writing a book in MS Word and even some tips on formatting book artwork in Word. With the right method and patience, it can be done.
Steps to writing a manuscript
1. Set up your document
Before you start typing away, be sure to set up your document correctly. Here’s how:
Page layout: Go to ‘Layout > Margins’ and choose ‘Custom Margins’. Set your margins to 1 inch on all sides. Set your paper size to A4 or your preferred book size under ‘Layout > Size’.
Font and paragraph settings: Use a readable font like Times New Roman, Georgia, or Aptos in size 12. Set your line spacing to 1.5 or double for better readability. Ensure paragraph settings have no extra spacing before or after paragraphs but do have a first line indent. Find these options under the ‘Home’ tab in ‘Paragraph > Line and Paragraph Spacing Options > Line Spacing Options’.
2. Structure your manuscript
A well-organised manuscript is easier to edit. Use the following tips:
Headings (use Styles): Use ‘Heading 1’ for chapter titles / chapter numbers and ‘Heading 2’ for subheadings. This helps with navigation and later formatting your table of contents. If you have both chapter numbers and chapter titles, you can either define a new style for one or use the same style for both.
Page breaks: Use ‘Ctrl + Enter’ to insert a page break at the end of each chapter. This keeps each chapter starting on a new page.
Laying out a book interior
1. Formatting page numbers
Proper page formatting is essential to make your manuscript look professional.
When formatting your page numbers, go to ‘Insert > Page Number’ and choose the bottom of the page. Then, select a centre alignment for a consistent look, or get creative and assign odd and even pages to have page numbers on the right and left respectively. (Alternating page numbers need formatted so they print on the outer margins.)
2. Formatting chapter openings
To ensure professional-looking chapter openings, make sure they stand out from the text and are consistent.
Make your chapter title style visually pleasing: Format your chapter titles using a larger font size and a font that matches or compliments the cover design. Ensure they are all set to ‘Heading 1’ or a custom style. Add extra space between the chapter title and top of the page to give it some breathing room. Do this in the ‘Paragraph’ settings of the style.
Consider adding imagery to your chapter openings: You can also add imagery to the chapter openings. Be sure that you own the rights to the image, that it is a high resolution, and that the placement and size is consistent throughout the manuscript.
3. Formatting running headers and footers
Running headers and footers provide a professional touch. Go to ‘Insert > Header’ or ‘Footer’ and choose ‘Different Odd & Even Pages’. This allows you to have the Author Name on one side and Book Title on the other.
4. Typography
Good typography improves readability and aesthetics:
Consistent font usage: Stick to one or two fonts throughout your manuscript for consistency. Use one for body text and another for headings if needed.
Hyphenation and justification: Find ‘Hyphenation’ under ‘Layout’ to control word breaks. Full justification (‘Ctrl + J’) gives your text block a clean edge.
First line indentation: Make sure that your paragraph settings are set to first line indentation for all paragraphs except for the first in a chapter and those directly after a heading or scene break.
Using Microsoft Word Styles
With both writing and designing a book, it is really important that you understand how to use styles. Understanding and mastering styles will save you a lot of time and lead to a more polished book.
Styles are pre-set formatting options that help you maintain a consistent look throughout your document. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Find the Styles Pane: First things first, open your Word document and head to the ‘Home’ tab on the ribbon. You’ll see a section called ‘Styles’.
- Apply a style: Highlight the text you want to format. In the ‘Styles’ section, you’ll see a variety of options like ‘Title’, ‘Heading 1’, ‘Heading 2’, and so on. Click on one, and watch your text magically transform!
- Modify a style: If the default styles aren’t quite to your taste, you can easily tweak them. Right-click on the style you want to change and select ‘Modify’. A dialogue box will pop up, allowing you to adjust the font, colour, size, and more.
- Create a new style: Feeling creative? Need a style that isn’t yet defined? You can create your own! Click on the little arrow at the bottom-right corner of the ‘Styles’ section to open the ‘Styles Pane’. At the bottom, click ‘New Style’ and design away.
Styles make your document not just beautiful and consistent, but also easier to navigate and edit, especially for longer texts. Give them a try, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Common challenges and solutions
Formatting pages
Problem: Improperly formatted pages can look cluttered and unprofessional.
Solution: Use consistent margins, spacing, and alignments.
Formatting chapter openings
Problem: Chapter titles may blend into the text or appear inconsistent.
Solution: Use ‘Heading 1’ for chapter titles and ensure they are bold and larger.
Formatting running headers and footers
Problem: Headers and footers may not align or display correctly.
Solution: Use section breaks and adjust settings for different odd and even pages and first page.
Typography
Problem: Inconsistent fonts and poor text alignment can affect readability.
Solution: Stick to one or two fonts and use hyphenation and justification properly.
Best book publishing templates for word
When it comes to publishing your book, having the right template can make all the difference. Microsoft Word offers a variety of templates that cater to different genres and styles, simplifying the formatting process.
When you are ready to start, use File > New and search for your genre in the search box.
No matter what type of book you’re writing, these templates can help you present your content in the best possible light, making the process of preparing your manuscript for publication smoother and more enjoyable.
If you really want to step things up, you can use one of Author Freely’s templates, designed by our expert book designers.
How to build your own custom template
Sometimes you might just want to do it yourself and build a template that meets your very own preferences.
Step 1: Setting Up the Layout
First things first, let’s open Microsoft Word. You’ll be greeted by the start screen where you can either open an existing file or begin a new one. For our book template, we’re starting fresh, so click on “Blank Document.”
Before we dive into the finer details, let’s get the layout sorted. Head over to the “Layout” tab on the ribbon. Click “Margins” and select “Custom Margins.” Books often have different inner and outer margins to account for binding, so set your inner margin to 3 cm and outer margin to 2 cm. Next, make sure the orientation is “Portrait.”
Step 2: Choosing the right paper size
Still in the “Layout” tab, click on “Size” and select “More Paper Sizes” at the bottom. For most books, the A5 (14.8 cm x 21 cm) size works well, but you can set custom book sizes too, such as trade-standard 6 x 9” (15.24 x 22.86 cm) and 5 x 8” (13 × 20 cm).
Make sure to click “Set as Default” if you plan on using this size often.
Step 3: Adding headers and footers
To give your book a professional touch, use headers and footers. Navigate to the “Insert” tab, then click on “Header” or “Footer” and choose a style that appeals to you. You could add page numbers, the book title, your author name, or even the chapter name here.
Step 4: Setting up styles
Word styles make it easy to keep your book’s formatting consistent. Go to the “Home” tab, and you’ll see a variety of styles in the “Styles” group. Right-click on “Normal” and modify it to your preferred font, font size, and spacing. Repeat this process for “Heading 1,” “Heading 2,” and any other styles you’ll regularly use.
Step 5: Creating a table of contents
Finally, a book template wouldn’t be complete without a table of contents (TOC). Place your cursor where you want the TOC to appear, then go to the “References” tab and click on “Table of Contents.” Pick a style, and Word will automatically generate a TOC based on your headings.
And there you have it! With these simple steps, you now have a functional book template ready to fill with your masterpiece.