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On My Own: How to Format Your Ebook and Print Layout in Microsoft Word
Format Your Book—On Your Own
An indie author can spend thousands of dollars trying to get his book published by contracting freelancers and professionals to prepare his manuscript for publication. With edits, cover designs, proofreaders, marketers, interior formatters, the list of expenses is extensive.
This Step-by-Step guide will walk you through preparing an eBook and Print layout on a tight budget, using only Microsoft Word and free programs like Calibre and Kindle Create. With helpful screen shots and personal experience advice, this guide is sure to change the way you look at publishing your incredible novel and getting into the hands of your readers.
Learn to do it on your own.
An indie author can spend thousands of dollars trying to get his book published by contracting freelancers and professionals to prepare his manuscript for publication. With edits, cover designs, proofreaders, marketers, interior formatters, the list of expenses is extensive.
This Step-by-Step guide will walk you through preparing an eBook and Print layout on a tight budget, using only Microsoft Word and free programs like Calibre and Kindle Create. With helpful screen shots and personal experience advice, this guide is sure to change the way you look at publishing your incredible novel and getting into the hands of your readers.
Learn to do it on your own.
- GenresWriting
61 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2018
7 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Savannah Jezowski
27 books76 followersSavannah lives in a drafty farmhouse in Amish country with her Knight in Shining Armor, who is no less shiny after eight years of matrimony, and a loyal brigade of kitties, who may or may not sleep on the job. Her work has been published in Ray Gun Revival, Mindflights and in the student publication of Fountains at PCC. She is also an author in the Five Enchanted Roses collection. She likes books, faeries and writing hats. Quite recently, dragons were spotted having tea on her estate.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 27, 2018
I really appreciated the explicit step-by-step formatting directions in this book. While I knew a lot of it already, I did find a few new tips to use in the future. :)
The only thing that I would have liked a bit more of was an explanation of "why" for certain things. (Not the unanswerable "why does Word make you do it like this?" but more of the "why is it good practice to do this?") Sometimes there were explanations given, but other times it was hard to tell whether something (say a font size or an indent measurement) was a personal preference, a standard rule-of-thumb, or an absolute your-book-will-break-if-you-don't-do-this rule. A bit more guidance in places--specifically for where there should and should not be leeway--would have been helpful. ;)
If you're just getting started with formatting your own manuscripts, I highly recommend this book! (Of course, there's always the backup--google--but having all the information in one place is incredibly helpful. :D)
The only thing that I would have liked a bit more of was an explanation of "why" for certain things. (Not the unanswerable "why does Word make you do it like this?" but more of the "why is it good practice to do this?") Sometimes there were explanations given, but other times it was hard to tell whether something (say a font size or an indent measurement) was a personal preference, a standard rule-of-thumb, or an absolute your-book-will-break-if-you-don't-do-this rule. A bit more guidance in places--specifically for where there should and should not be leeway--would have been helpful. ;)
If you're just getting started with formatting your own manuscripts, I highly recommend this book! (Of course, there's always the backup--google--but having all the information in one place is incredibly helpful. :D)
November 7, 2018
Ok....I THINK I may be able to do this!!
Savannah Jezowski's, On My Own is an amazing step-by-step guide on formatting. Best part?? It has pictures. PICTURES, folks! This comes in a close second to the YouTube videos I squint over on my phone. This feature alone has me nearly convinced that I may be able to someday format my own paperback and e-book.
I can't wait until my very own paperback version of On My Own comes to my home to live on my "author-help-shelf" in my office. I'll have it JUST in case I feel brave enough to attempt these publishing steps on my own. In the meantime, I'm happy this author offers formatting services. I'd hate to leave her business lacking customers!
If you are an indie author, or if you dream to be--wake up and fantasize no more. This book will help you make your publishing desire a reality. Come on over to the indie-side of publishing! You'll like it! You'll see you are capable of more than you think. With Savannah's help, you will see that you certainly can "do it on your own"!
Savannah Jezowski's, On My Own is an amazing step-by-step guide on formatting. Best part?? It has pictures. PICTURES, folks! This comes in a close second to the YouTube videos I squint over on my phone. This feature alone has me nearly convinced that I may be able to someday format my own paperback and e-book.
I can't wait until my very own paperback version of On My Own comes to my home to live on my "author-help-shelf" in my office. I'll have it JUST in case I feel brave enough to attempt these publishing steps on my own. In the meantime, I'm happy this author offers formatting services. I'd hate to leave her business lacking customers!
If you are an indie author, or if you dream to be--wake up and fantasize no more. This book will help you make your publishing desire a reality. Come on over to the indie-side of publishing! You'll like it! You'll see you are capable of more than you think. With Savannah's help, you will see that you certainly can "do it on your own"!
October 20, 2018
This was such a useful book! I know that if/when I self-publish, I'll be referring back to it often. Savannah lays out the steps necessary to design an ebook and a print book and she does it in such a clear, charming way! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I know it will be a HUGE help to indie authors, wherever they are in their writing/publishing journey.
My only complaint is that the screenshots were a little too small to make out pertinent details - hopefully, the polished version will have the option to enlarge the images. But other than that, this was a great little book. Highly recommended to authors everywhere.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
My only complaint is that the screenshots were a little too small to make out pertinent details - hopefully, the polished version will have the option to enlarge the images. But other than that, this was a great little book. Highly recommended to authors everywhere.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2018
This author did an amazing job of breaking down what is (to me and I suspect many others) a confusing process step-by-step, all the while encouraging the newbie that it IS possible to learn! I felt like I just sat down with Jezowski in her living room while she personally taught me how to format both ebooks and paperbacks! I know I will refer back to this every time I need to format a book, and am eternally grateful she chose to share this information.
October 31, 2018
Even though I’ve discovered many of the tips in this book through trial and error, this is such a valuable resource! I will definitely be referring to this book again the next time I format a book. It’s excellent to have all the steps for formatting laid out in order as this book provides - as well as the reasoning behind the order. I also am so grateful for several huge time-saving tips this book provided that should solve the header issues that seem to be a constant headache.
This book is written conversationally and practically and laid out in a way that’s easy to understand. If you ever format a book for ebook or print, I highly recommend this resource.
This book is written conversationally and practically and laid out in a way that’s easy to understand. If you ever format a book for ebook or print, I highly recommend this resource.
October 20, 2018
This is a handy little book. I especially like the fact that it gives directions for both ebooks and paperbacks... if it had been out six months ago it would have saved me a lot of hassle!
Jezowski gives very concise, clear directions (with lots of pictures) that are easy to follow. If you're at least somewhat familiar with Word's features, that will speed things up, but it's not strictly necessary. Jezowski gives you all the information you need.
If you're doing your own formatting I definitely recommend this book. It will save you a lot of time.
Jezowski gives very concise, clear directions (with lots of pictures) that are easy to follow. If you're at least somewhat familiar with Word's features, that will speed things up, but it's not strictly necessary. Jezowski gives you all the information you need.
If you're doing your own formatting I definitely recommend this book. It will save you a lot of time.
October 15, 2019
Excellent resource!
Was able to format my ebook and paperback, which was the ultimate goal. I thought it was written well and found the author's voice to be personal and relatable.
Definitely recommend to those who are wanting to have their book professionally formatted, but are unable to pay and are willing to learn how to do it on their own. (I know I'll be using this book again for formatting!)
Was able to format my ebook and paperback, which was the ultimate goal. I thought it was written well and found the author's voice to be personal and relatable.
Definitely recommend to those who are wanting to have their book professionally formatted, but are unable to pay and are willing to learn how to do it on their own. (I know I'll be using this book again for formatting!)
October 12, 2020
The indie author's best friend
This how to guide is everything you wanted to know about manuscript formatting. All of your layout settings are presented in an easy to read and understand step by step format. The best part is that Jezowski does this all in word. No having to pay for or learn obscure professional formatting programs.
I highly recommend this book as a great starting point to anyone interested in learning formatting.
This how to guide is everything you wanted to know about manuscript formatting. All of your layout settings are presented in an easy to read and understand step by step format. The best part is that Jezowski does this all in word. No having to pay for or learn obscure professional formatting programs.
I highly recommend this book as a great starting point to anyone interested in learning formatting.
October 8, 2019
An extremely helpful guide that I used to format my first book!
February 29, 2020
Super Simple
This book was exactly what I needed. To the point, simply explained and not too long. I really recommend it.
This book was exactly what I needed. To the point, simply explained and not too long. I really recommend it.
June 19, 2021
Excellent resource
Well worth the money. Easy to follow step by step instructions make formatting possible. I sat down and formatted both ebook and paperback in one morning.
Well worth the money. Easy to follow step by step instructions make formatting possible. I sat down and formatted both ebook and paperback in one morning.
November 5, 2018
I absolutely love this book, and it came at just the right time for me! For the first time I feel like I can do this on my own (no pun intended) without having to hire someone to format. There are so many costs with getting a book published independently, and it's nice to be able to check this off my list. The step by step instructions are very clear and easy to follow, Savannah has an easy to read and conversational voice, and I can't wait to put it into use. Disclosure: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews