Does anyone else use Adobe InDesign for formatting novels for print?

[April]

I'm formatting my e-book novel for POD at CreateSpace. I started off using Microsoft Word, which will do the job. But I wanted greater control over the leading and kerning, so I switched to Adoble InDesign. I'm just wondering if anyone else is using InDesign for formatting their books? I used it about 10 years ago, so it's been a while. It's starting to come back to me. In some ways, using InDesign is easier than using Word, when it comes to formatting. But overall, InDesign has a big learning curve.

Are there any InDesign users here?

[Mike]

Yes, I'm using it. For my latest book, a novella, I used Word for the text. But next time I'll switch back to InDesign, for the same reasons as you - better text handling, especially leading - and because it's easier to apply section-based formatting.

I agree that it is quite difficult to learn. I used to work in publishing and started DTP with its ancestor, PageMaker, so I should find it easier. But I have worked mostly with Quark XPress over the years and prefer it. Quark has just been revamped but it's costly, and you can't use it with a cloud-based subscription the way you can with InDesign.

[April]

Oh, I loved Quark XPress. I used it for years, way back in the day, on magazine and newspaper work. I didn't know it was still around. I should look into that, because I remember that, when I switched from Quark XPress to InDesign, I preferred Quark XPress. That brings back a lot of fond memories of DTP.

[April]

Mike wrote: "Yes, I'm using it. For my latest book, a novella, I used Word for the text. But next time I'll switch back to InDesign, for the same reasons as you - better text handling, especially leading - and ..."

Yep, Quark Xpress is pricey: $849. I can use InDesign for a monthly charge of $14.99. I think I'll stick with InDesign - for the affordability.

[Mike]

If you run into any challenges, there's the odd helpful video on YouTube. Good luck.

[April]

Now that I'm getting reacquainted with InDesign, I remember why I love DTP so much! I love doing print layout and design.

[K.P.]

i had adobe page maker 2 & 4 (yay win 98 days) before upgrading lolz. i used Publisher 98 at work but it was tedious and bloated.

last in design version i had was 2. then my software got stolen so now i use page plus x4

[Ashley]

I used InDesign but it's CS4 so it's getting old now :)

But I agree, the degree of control is ace, though I've still got a lot to learn even after a few years

[K.P.]

i do have in design cs5 only because a magazine i worked for used it. it is too clunky compared to pages but i put up with it. something simple shouldnt take so many damn clicks

[Ken]

April wrote: "I'm formatting my e-book novel for POD at CreateSpace. I started off using Microsoft Word, which will do the job. But I wanted greater control over the leading and kerning, so I switched to Adoble ..."

I use InDesign (along with Photoshop and Illustrator) for my freelance work as well as my print books. I wouldn't use anything else, although many moons ago, I was a Quark user.

[April]

I was a Quark user, too, many moons ago. I miss Quark Xpress. It's $849 now!! Yikes!

InDesign is doing a great job. I'm getting the hang of it again - it's been years since I used it.

Here's what I have so far: http://www.aprilwilsonwrites.com/imag...

Any feedback? Recommendations for change?

[Mike]

I'd have thought that was a pretty good start!

I like your typeface and I think the line spacing is spot-on. You seem to have reasonable gutter spacing too (I have been caught out by not allowing enough). I like the running heads though I might have centred the text, keeping it away from the page numbers.

Two suggestions (these things are very personal): I like the chapter numeral but would prefer to see it over to the left, or centred. Also, what format are you using - is this 6 x 9? You have quite a few words per line; it's OK, but if you wanted to you could also use a slightly larger typeface or wider margins.

[April]

Hi, Mike

Thank you so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it.

Funny you should say that about the font size. I just increased it from 11 to 11.5, because when I printed a few pages, I found them difficult to read. Increasing the type size by half a point made a huge improvement in readability.

My trim size is 5.5 x 8.5.

I'll play around with the other suggestions you made and see how they look.

Thanks again!!

[Ashley]

Hi April, I think it looks ace, very clean, love the chapter number too, nice and bold.

I can't quite tell, but it the half-size font changing how tight the apostrophe sits against other letters? (It's probably not an issue when you're holding the page)

[April]

Ashley wrote: "Hi April, I think it looks ace, very clean, love the chapter number too, nice and bold.

I can't quite tell, but it the half-size font changing how tight the apostrophe sits against other letters? ..."

Yes, you're absolutely right. The apostrophes are getting choked. I'm seeing that, myself, but I'm not sure how to fix it. But this was happening before I increased the font size by half a point. There is probably a way in InDesign to increase the kerning or tracking around apostrophes. I need to investigate that, because I do see it as a problem. Thank you for pointing that out.

[Ashley]

Me either, sadly - doing it manually sounds painful :D

What about setting up a global change?

I've never tried this, not sure how good the tutorial is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=18&am...

[M.L.]

I think it looks great! I do also agree with Mike about the chapter being centered. With it on the right as is now, it puts a lot of 'weight' on the outside of the page which 'pulls' that way and especially with the bold font size.