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How to properly format chapters
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Dave
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Jul 01, 2020 09:11AM
Does anyone know how to get a new chapter to start off on the right page? When my book is still a document, I do the page break by pressing ctrl and enter, and it skips a page where I can start a new chapter. However, once I publish it, I notice on kdp, many chapters still start on the left page. How do I properly format the chapters?
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Mod
I haven't read a physical book in a while, what's wrong with a chapter starting on the left page? I, personally, see nothing wrong with that, as long as it starts on a new page.
If you are using Word, insert a section break rather than a page break. Set it to start on an odd page, either when you insert it or by going into format/document after inserting.
I've been on and off with different formats of my WIP. Sometimes I skip a line or other times I just write underneath the last paragraph. I'll have to go over it after its done.I'd suggest breaking them up by skipping at least one line. It makes things simpler.
P.D. wrote: "If you are using Word, insert a section break rather than a page break. Set it to start on an odd page, either when you insert it or by going into format/document after inserting."This.
As P.D. says, you need a Section Break. In the current version of Word, the command is:
Layout/Breaks/Odd Page.
That puts in a blank page if necessary, so that chapters always start on the right hand side, if that's what you want. I do.
P.S. I tend to use Joel Friedlander's book design templates. They are not free (wait for the 'sale' prices), but I find them useful.
Nice resource Peter. Appreciate it. I never came across those until now.
No problem. They're a bit 'over-marketed', but worth the $29 or $19 I've paid.
If you are a prolific writer in one genre, it is worth paying for the template to reuse ($119) I like that you can do changes to them and make them slightly different I even added some vector scene dividers to one of the templates for a book. Might not be a pretty as InDesign or Velum but it ends up being a whole lost cheaper and easy to do. Even though I can format in MS Word, the templates are easy peasy and you don't have to fight with the page numbers
Peter wrote: "As P.D. says, you need a Section Break. In the current version of Word, the command is:
Layout/Breaks/Odd Page.
That puts in a blank page if necessary, so that chapters always start on the right h..."
I did not find Joel Friedlander's software usable. I'm not sure why, but I downloaded it and could not get the chapter and sections breaks to format properly, despite many formatting changes I made to the document that I hoped would make it work.
Then I bought Velum's product, which unfortunately only works for Apple products. After over 2 weeks of frustration trying to get it formatted with Friedlander's, it took me less than 4 hours to get it to work on Velum, and most of the time needed had to do with returning to the original formatting I had.
Obviously some people get Friedlander's product to work, but I just was not one of them. Velum makes it so easy.
If you were using MS Word it should have worked. If you were using another format probably not. They are copy and paste. but you do need to read the instructions that come with the template to get it right. If you bought for just one book, then go through the instructions step by step. I had no problem with them even with changing part of the formatting for the book and adding vector dividers.
If you have Word, go to Insert - Page Break, place the cursor where you want the page break, and where you want to start it. There's short tutorial available there also.
B.A. wrote: "If you are a prolific writer in one genre, it is worth paying for the template to reuse ($119) I like that you can do changes to them and make them slightly different I even added some vector scene..."If one pays the $119, how long can reuse Joel Friedlander's templates?
Wanjiru, I think the answer is 'forever', but only for one author, otherwise you need a publisher licence.Eileen, I'm sorry the Friedlander templates didn't work out for you. I don't have an axe to grind about them (or a horse in the race, or any other cliche). I've used them a few times now, but I seem to remember the first time having to tell myself to 'act dumb' and follow the instructions step by step. Otherwise I have a tendency, e.g. with Lego models or Ikea furniture, to think 'if all else fails, read the instructions'.
The answer if forever for how ever many books you want to use it for. As Peter said, read the directions and follow them. It does make it easy and keeps you from messing things up. Also, if you are doing a series, it will make the interior look the same for all the books and saves you a ton on formatting.
Thank you, Peter and B.A. I'll definitely buy a copy of Friedlander templates. For some reason, perhaps because I don't "act dumb" as Peter puts it, I always miss a step while formatting and end up paying for help.
I use Reedsy for free to write and format my book.. It's better the MS word, from what I have seen.
You can use Reedsy or Draft2digital or even Amazon to format. I'm not sure about Reedsy but D2D only had a few templates per genre. Amazon, it only works if you are using them for the books. If you are going to Ingram, the D2D and Reedsy should work along with the Friedlander templates. I can format in MS Word. If you do it before you start typing, it's so much easier. My only real issue is the numbering of the pages, It's, really really fussy.
Another option is to pay someone on Fivver to do it. That is probably the cheapest unless you use a program or do it yourself.
Mod
Regarding the Word templates mentioned, does anyone know if they handle the typesetting as well?
I agree, chapters can start on either page. I read almost all physical books and the recent best seller has chapters beginning on right and left.The KDP Word template I used, does handle typesetting but you still have to check it and make adjustments as needed especially if you do any editing in the template.
Mod
The KDP Word template I used, does handle typesett..."
Thanks M.L.! I was hoping there existed an alternative to the tedious process of manual typesetting, but I guess not.
Traditional publishing is the ones that dictated that a chapter had to begin on the right page. Most of your templates handle the typesetting issues. No they aren't a pretty as InDesign, but for that you either have to buy the program and learn to use it or pay someone. I've had bids of $350 and up for a 120K novel. For that price, I'll throw it in a template and be happy with it. Considering I got the template on sale, I've gotten my money back with one use and the book turned out okay and only a professional typesetter/formatter would notice the little things.The only one that I've seen that does a great job on the type setting is the Draft2Digital or Vellum programs. Both have only a few choice with Vellum having like 5 and you pay $250 for the program and have to use a MAC or pay for MAC cloud and the program.
Eldon wrote: "M.L. wrote: "I agree, chapters can start on either page. I read almost all physical books and the recent best seller has chapters beginning on right and left.The KDP Word template I used, does ha..."
Happy to help! Btw the first chapter should be on the write (I forgot to mention that); the rest on either side: current traditionally published books.
