How to Format a Manuscript Into a Standard-Sized Book

If you have finished a manuscript and would like to format it so you can read it in another layout you can do so by using Microsoft Word.
Read on to learn how to format your manuscript into a standard-sized book size using Microsoft Word (any version between 2003 through 2007).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Manuscript in Microsoft Word

1. Make sure all of your text conforms to a standard format. Most likely, it will be single-spaced on an 8 1/2-by-11 page.

2. Go to "File" and then select "Page Setup." Select "Margins." Make both the top and bottom margins 1 inch and both the left and right margins .5 inches. Make the gutter .25 inches. For the gutter position, select "left."

3. Now select "mirror margins." Go to "Paper"; here is where you enter the book size you want. Standard book sizes are 5-by-8 or 6-by-9.

4. If you like, go to "Paragraph" and set the alignment to "Justified." Most books are in "Justified" format.