How to Write a Book Using Blurb

If you have a story to tell, here's a slick way to write and publish your book.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer
• Your story
• Pictures

1. So, did you write your story in Microsoft Word or as a blog?? However you wrote it on your computer, it can be imported into Blurb. If you are just starting and don't have anything written yet, that works too.

2. First step, go to www.blurb.com.

3. Click on "1 Download Blurb Booksmart" to download the software you need to work on the book. When asked, create a user name, and enter a password and email address. Click on continue.

4. Click on "Download Blurb Booksmart for PC" and click on Run. The software will install on its own, so just wait until it asks "Are you sure you want to run the software" and click on Run.

5. When the Setup box appears, just keep clicking Next and accept all of the defaults and Click on I accept the agreement (Blurb is free, so you are not agreeing to anything that will cost money). When the setup is done, you can click on the Finish button.

6. Once the software opens up, Click on Start a New Book. Type in the Title of your book, the author name, and the type of book you are making. Creating the book online does not cost money, but it will cost money to get the book printed by Blurb. Pricing and Samples are shown. You do not need to select anything now, and any selections you make can be changed along the way.

7. Once you click Continue, you can select what layout you want. If you select "Blog to Book" you can import your blog into Blurb easily and then just move text around as you want to.

8. If you select Text and Photos layout, you can import other files into Blurb (files on your computer, files from web albums, etc.).

9. Once inside Blurb, you can begin typing text, adding images, and selecting themes, backgrounds, etc. To import pictures, click on Get Photos from the top menu. Select the location of your photos and click on the ones you want to add to the book. The pictures will appear on the side of the screen. To add the image, drag it to the image square and adjust the size if necessary.

10. After you finish the book, you can publish it (click on publish off of the main menu) and order books if that's what you want. It will probably take many months to create your book. I've been working on mine for quite a while and plan on making coffee table books when I am done. Be patient and creative.

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have regular photos, they will need to be scanned so you can import them, probably .jpg is the best way.
• Be creative and let your character shine. Books are not meant to be boring!
• Spend time each day to write, and then the process will be easier.
• Get feedback about your topic from other people and express other points of view on the situation you are speaking about.
• To publish your book, Blurb does cost money. Please read and understand before you get too far into it and decide you don't want to spend the money.
• Be careful if writing about personal situations and publish them for the entire world to see. Think about the people involved and discuss it with them if they are in your book. It will save feelings in the future!

[vallain]

on 6/26/2009 I've just started using Blurb and have 2 books done and several more underway. It's exciting holding the first book in your hands.

[apalmer]

on 1/6/2009 Very interesting article! Thanks for sharing it! 5*