How To Format a Novel in Microsoft Word - Self-Publishing

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 116

  • @MandiLynnWrites
    @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому +8

    Want to learn how to format like a professional? Check out my book formatting course: bit.ly/formattingcourse
    I also offer professional novel formatting! Visit my website for details or to schedule your design: bit.ly/2I3tCvA
    Note: I will be designing using Adobe Illustrator, NOT Microsoft Word.

    • @zaneari4730
      @zaneari4730 3 роки тому

      I dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a trick to get back into an instagram account..?
      I was stupid lost the password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me!

    • @tristanari4343
      @tristanari4343 3 роки тому

      @Zane Ari instablaster :)

    • @zaneari4730
      @zaneari4730 3 роки тому

      @Tristan Ari It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
      Thanks so much you saved my ass :D

    • @tristanari4343
      @tristanari4343 3 роки тому

      @Zane Ari happy to help xD

  • @MandiLynnWrites
    @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому +25

    Formatting a novel can be one of the trickier parts of self-publishing. I've made this video not only for all of you, but for myself as well because I know when I go to format my next novel I'll probably forget how to do it and will need to re-watch this video.
    Let me know in the comments if you found this video helpful!

    • @britt3044
      @britt3044 5 років тому

      This was a great video

  • @torgervedeler6949
    @torgervedeler6949 2 роки тому +7

    Formatting for print is a skill that many of us learn through trial and error (I know I have), and this video is extremely helpful if you are willing to watch it multiple times and work through a manuscript as you do. A slightly different approach I use is to do each section (front matter, text, and so on.) as a separate Word file in the correct page size, etc., and then merge them into one final PDF at the end. But I’ll take what I have learned here and use your tips on my next book project. Thanks!

  • @alisonf.haring3411
    @alisonf.haring3411 6 років тому +25

    THIS!! Formatting is one of the things I hate the most! Thanks for this video Mandi, I'm sure it'l help a lot of indie authors :)

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому +3

      I hope the video prevents at least a few headaches :)

    • @middysart
      @middysart 5 років тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Absolutely did, thank you!!

  • @chrishannon3357
    @chrishannon3357 5 років тому +13

    Finally! i was losing my mind with various section breaks and page numbering calamities which was all cleared up by this super helpful - thanks so much Mandi

  • @andyshouldbewriting
    @andyshouldbewriting 4 роки тому +4

    I'm gearing up to format my book and so many videos just didn't SHOW me what to do for a story I plan to self publish! You've translated formatting into something I understand so thank you! :') This video is a blessing on youtube!

  • @davidlinzee163
    @davidlinzee163 6 років тому +3

    This is a very helpful video. It warns against many of the mistakes I made my first time formatting.

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому

      Glad to hear! I made plenty of mistakes myself, so this video is half for myself to reference in the future haha

  • @tedd.berner3989
    @tedd.berner3989 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks Mandi! When would we want to have "link to previous" turned on? I guess I'm confused on what it's really for. Thank you again!

  • @1chuckcrenshaw
    @1chuckcrenshaw 4 роки тому +3

    I love your voice and the way you pronounce button it was beautifully said lol great recording sound very clear

  • @imit1989
    @imit1989 6 років тому +3

    This was really helpful, I have learned to format in school but still, I learned a few new stuff from this video. Have a blessed day, Mandi!

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому +3

      You learned some of this in school? I wish I had! Would have made my life a lot easier, that's for sure!

    • @imit1989
      @imit1989 6 років тому +1

      Yes, I had informatics in high school and as optional at university :) where we learned about using word, excel and powerpoint correctly

  • @d-engineascender1181
    @d-engineascender1181 5 років тому +2

    Hello, this is an informative vid.
    I was wondering, how did you type out the copyright page info (or where did you get that particular information) with regards to your book? Thanks.

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  5 років тому

      I have another video on my channel where I talk just about the copyright page

    • @d-engineascender1181
      @d-engineascender1181 5 років тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Great. I will check it out.

  • @ZickIt123
    @ZickIt123 2 роки тому

    Is there an updated version of this for KDP? I have a book In Word but no formatting other than my section titles, guess they maybe should be chapters.

  • @GiftedCrew2
    @GiftedCrew2 2 роки тому

    What should the line spacing be?

  • @royaltyreclaimed8027
    @royaltyreclaimed8027 Рік тому

    Mandi, which version of MS Word are you using? I only have access to their limited online version and it doesn't have anywhere near this many tools. The navigation button doesn't even list the option to view multiple pages. I can't follow any of these steps, even starting from the very first ones.

  • @sergiomeza9316
    @sergiomeza9316 2 роки тому

    I want to know how to set up to start writing a novel on microsoft Word. Please
    Thank you

  • @sarahfenlonfalk
    @sarahfenlonfalk 6 років тому +3

    Do you know if you use the same formatting for KDP and Ingram or are they different? Thanks for the video-very helpful!

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому +1

      They're all more or less the same. The only thing that changes usually is the margin sizes. But the formatting I did in this video was compatible for Ingram, KDP and Createspace.

    • @sarahfenlonfalk
      @sarahfenlonfalk 6 років тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Perfect! Thanks so much!

  • @annpippin6388
    @annpippin6388 2 роки тому

    This information is helpful for. the mystery novel I ve written which is being typed. .Some of these videos. can help avoid self publishing that may be too expensive so will.probably just .plan to have it printed. .As for talking about agents don t plan to get one . I ve read mystery novels all of my adult life before writing one. And some I don t stop reading just because the story. Is. more slowly developing. . I always finish every one I read.
    Some But this is. helpful information. .Thanks.

  • @allauk8790
    @allauk8790 2 роки тому

    Thank you for these topics.
    How do I reference topics from one chapter to another chapter with Microsoft word 2016?
    For example, I have some sentences that are similar that’s written in another chapter, or I have answers answered in one chapter that correlate with another chapter. And I want the reader able to reference the topic or the scenes without having them read the book all over again.
    In addition, how can I add or create my own emoji to reference a topic?
    For example, I have a scripture and I want a specific symbol like Star of David or crescent moon…etc. to reference, it pacifically I need that size symbol.

  • @ScottSkinner-k2x
    @ScottSkinner-k2x Рік тому

    Great tutorial, Mandi!

  • @pmcallcenterservicesllc5638
    @pmcallcenterservicesllc5638 5 років тому

    I am sitting here dying laughing. I forgot I slowed the speed down to listen to a different UA-camr that talks way too fast to teach anything. When I came to your page I was thinking, "Man, she must be on drugs." Your words were dragging and your eyes were mostly closed. I was thinking again, "I do not want to read any of her books. She is slow!" LOLOL I then remembered I needed to put my setting back on normal speed. Great info by the way. Thanks for posting!

  • @heartlandauthor
    @heartlandauthor 4 роки тому

    I found this video to be extremely helpful, especially where you described using section breaks. Thank you, Mandi!

  • @vizeath
    @vizeath 2 роки тому

    What if we publish the books in 2 formats? PDF and printed...

  • @Brendathesoulutionist
    @Brendathesoulutionist Рік тому

    You are a blessing. Thank you this was so very helpful.

  • @ladyangelaIII
    @ladyangelaIII Рік тому

    But with good doc's is not like that.
    Can't seem to remove the header for at the three pages prior the story begins and the blank page.
    Will you help me on that part? Like make a video about it?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  Рік тому

      You’ll have to download and convert it to a Word Doc. Google sheets isn’t designed to be used for book formatting

  • @stephenIV177
    @stephenIV177 4 роки тому +1

    Thx a lot!!!
    This is really helpful and saved me quite the hassle👍😁😁

  • @ravensnow6152
    @ravensnow6152 6 років тому +3

    How do you format your writing on google docs?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому +2

      Gabby Ramsey personally I wouldn’t recommend formatting it on Google Docs. If you wrote your novel on Google Docs I would download it as a word document and then begin to format from there. I’ve never tried to format it via Google Docs but I’m sure you can once you find where the commands are.

    • @ravensnow6152
      @ravensnow6152 6 років тому

      Mandi Lynn thank you also google docs was all i have thank you for answering

  • @tedd.berner3989
    @tedd.berner3989 4 роки тому

    Thank you for the info! I have a question if you don't mind. How do you get the text to line up at the bottom of the pages? Mine keeps breaking at a paragraph instead of where the page ends.

  • @abelzoni2138
    @abelzoni2138 3 роки тому

    I can not figure out page numbers and headers. More specific, how to not page number or header the front matter and start my page 1 at the Introduction.

  • @zatazhamaat8098
    @zatazhamaat8098 2 роки тому

    Do you format the novel before hiring a proofreader or after it has been proofread?

  • @raynizzle143
    @raynizzle143 4 роки тому +1

    What about margins? Did I miss that?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому +1

      You start off in a template so the margins are already in there.

  • @QueenLadyMac
    @QueenLadyMac 5 років тому +1

    How did you create your interactive outline? That is that part that I am having the most trouble with. SMH

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  5 років тому

      What do you mean by interactive outline?

    • @QueenLadyMac
      @QueenLadyMac 5 років тому

      After many hours I figured it out. Thanks!

    • @QueenLadyMac
      @QueenLadyMac 5 років тому

      Mandi Lynn sorry to answer your question. Interactive is being able to click on the section like you presented in your video and go directly to the location.

  • @sergiomeza9316
    @sergiomeza9316 5 років тому

    I have Microsoft 2007 and I don't have the navigation panel

  • @patrickskramstad1485
    @patrickskramstad1485 6 років тому +3

    Thank you so much :) I think this video will come in handy soon. :)

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  6 років тому

      Awesome! Good luck with the publishing process!

  • @sphchurch
    @sphchurch 11 місяців тому

    I write pamplets in 4 X 6 size, facing pages. I want to create booklets to self print on my HP ColorLaser Jet printer. I try and do this in Affinity Publisher When I try to get the booklet to create I get a print workflow error. Any ideas there. I also want to learn how to setup ebooks. Any help appreciated. This is for my congregation use not trying to make my first Million, Hi.

  • @anandahuja4319
    @anandahuja4319 4 роки тому

    Really fantastic, a great help indeed; thank you Mandy

  • @carolelehrjohnson8246
    @carolelehrjohnson8246 4 роки тому

    Great video on solving formatting issues. Such a big help to me!

  • @johnsaltzohuigin6660
    @johnsaltzohuigin6660 5 років тому +2

    Book Formatting. New Blank Page. When showing how to format a book, why can no one start with a single blank page? Show us how to set up a page by coping and pasting from an existing text to a new blank page, properly formatting the book as you go. Why Does no one do this?

  • @AuthorDawnlyn
    @AuthorDawnlyn 4 роки тому

    Very helpful video. Are you able to use Word to create the title pages or is that a different program? I like how you had your outside cover inside of your book. Thank you :)

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому +1

      I personally use photoshop to create the title page and then paste it into Word

    • @AuthorDawnlyn
      @AuthorDawnlyn 4 роки тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Oh I see. I played around with different editors and I thought I might have been doing it wrong. Thank you very much for your reply. :)

  • @dawjamilbeautifullight2365
    @dawjamilbeautifullight2365 3 роки тому

    Thank you this has been very helpful.

  • @middysart
    @middysart 5 років тому +1

    This was crazy helpful! Thank you so much! :)

  • @funnyfuel09
    @funnyfuel09 4 роки тому

    which page size you selected ?

  • @ayazkazimahesar3385
    @ayazkazimahesar3385 2 роки тому

    Very helpful - thank you

  • @Yugi_Muto_the_King_of_Games
    @Yugi_Muto_the_King_of_Games 4 роки тому

    Might be a dumb question, but how do you insert your own fantasy map into a document properly?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому

      It's a little harder to do in a Word document, but you would insert it like a regular photo.

  • @royfr8136
    @royfr8136 9 місяців тому

    Why can't Word just have a setting called 'novel' and it does it automatically?

  • @britt3044
    @britt3044 5 років тому

    Can these same tactics be applied to hardcover

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  5 років тому +2

      Yes! I actually do everything the same except I change the ISBN. My paperbacks and hardcovers are the same size.

  • @shariqsultan5811
    @shariqsultan5811 4 роки тому

    Mam I m from india,I write my novel in my mother language hindi,I want to convert my whole novel into good english language, please suggest software or something like that pleeeees

  • @customerservice9676
    @customerservice9676 5 років тому

    How do you merge 9 parts of the story in to one full book which includes pictures?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  5 років тому

      You'd have to merge everything into one document. Copy and paste would be easiest. If you have photos, it might be easier to hire a professional.

    • @customerservice9676
      @customerservice9676 5 років тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Thanks. Good luck with the publishings

  • @LeonAllanDavis
    @LeonAllanDavis 3 роки тому

    Verso? Recto?

  • @keithpromsakha5239
    @keithpromsakha5239 5 років тому +1

    Thanks for the video. Very helpful.

  • @san-man
    @san-man 6 років тому +2

    Yes, it helped! Thanks!

  • @toldbyisaac
    @toldbyisaac 4 роки тому

    Thank you!

  • @AuthorDarrellCScottJr
    @AuthorDarrellCScottJr 6 років тому +2

    Anybody using Pages or iBook Author?

  • @OlamilekanMuhammad-z7i
    @OlamilekanMuhammad-z7i 4 місяці тому

    Thanks a lot for this

  • @aminaassannam9865
    @aminaassannam9865 Рік тому

    Thank you very much!

  • @chesshooligan1282
    @chesshooligan1282 4 роки тому

    Hang on one second there... what does "I deleted the file" mean? Did you have to re-format the novel or did you have to re-write it?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому

      I had to re-format it. The unformatted version was saved somewhere else.

    • @chesshooligan1282
      @chesshooligan1282 4 роки тому

      @@MandiLynnWrites Oh, that sounds a lot better, not the horror story I thought it was. Thanks for the video.

  • @thetruth45678
    @thetruth45678 5 років тому

    Weird, your video won't play past the 26 second mark. Even cleared my cache and changed resolution. Oh well....

  • @MissHolliday3110
    @MissHolliday3110 4 роки тому

    Do you format ahead of time and write your draft in a formatted document?

    • @MandiLynnWrites
      @MandiLynnWrites  4 роки тому +1

      I format after the book is completely done, but I know some people write in a pre-formatted document.

  • @danielyahushua
    @danielyahushua 4 роки тому

    Thanks, extraordinarily helpful...

  • @BossesBillionz
    @BossesBillionz Рік тому +2

    This is needlessly complicated

  • @Luv2Boogie
    @Luv2Boogie 4 роки тому

    great job!

  • @subhashnisarta3496
    @subhashnisarta3496 4 роки тому

    Thank you🫂😊 so much Mandy Lynn for your rememberanc me and for using 🎤🎙️ microsoft windows software how to format the 🧱 the book 📚📖 and pages and everything about self publishing book 📚📖 for me, but before I say that you are coming after long time ago but little bit late then Bethany Atazadeh she is remembering me always and she knows about my work what I am doing now in currently. So all these publisher group comes to know 🕐🕜 one by one.So where you were gone from last sixth or eight 🕣🎱 months some of friends are always remembering me.anyway it's okay, I am happy with your 🎁 afford to meet me atleast later on that is good for me.
    So thanks for your good time to meet me, and I am also busy in my work schedule but I will meet all of you and visit your 🎁 channel after sometime soon 🔜 So thankful for the help 🆘 and inspiring me.

  • @lightworksgaming5073
    @lightworksgaming5073 5 років тому

    Very helpful!!

  • @djazz0
    @djazz0 6 років тому +2

    Word is good for writing, not typesetting books. Try Scribus (free typesetting program) or Adobe InDesign. I own some novels that were made with Word, and there are some small things that annoy me. So, have a look at Scribus.
    Also, what program do you use while writing? Do you format while writing or use a distraction-free mode?

    • @djazz0
      @djazz0 6 років тому

      And what's with the huge indentations?

    • @djazz0
      @djazz0 6 років тому

      I still think it's cool that you write and make yoyr own books though, no matter the tools! It shows dedication :)

    • @peytonhunt364
      @peytonhunt364 4 роки тому +1

      What are the small things that annoyed you?

  • @hereBDBD
    @hereBDBD 4 роки тому

    very good - thanks

  • @ericveneto1593
    @ericveneto1593 3 роки тому

    Another, laborious solution to widows and orphans: edit the sentence.

  • @DustyCowdog
    @DustyCowdog 4 роки тому

    EXCELLENT

  • @DarkplaneMP
    @DarkplaneMP 4 роки тому

    awesome

  • @annpippin6388
    @annpippin6388 2 роки тому +1

    Your speaking slower than some on videos,band I can hear you better , and it s more helpful..

  • @00ChaosDragon00
    @00ChaosDragon00 6 років тому

    You should not be formatting a book for publication in Microsoft Word. That's not what it's made for and you are going to get a subpar result, especially when converting to ebook. Use Adobe InDesign. Or better yet, pay a professional and stop worrying about it.

  • @josephcosgroveF4fl
    @josephcosgroveF4fl Рік тому

    Very interesting, thank you.

  • @HorriblySound
    @HorriblySound 3 роки тому

    Thank you!!!