Layout advice from those familiar with Lulu please.

I've got a 6 x 9 word template if you would like a copy. I downloaded it from Lulu. You just have to copy your text into it and you should have no problem converting it to a pdf by that method and it will take the page sizes with it. I am sending you a private message with my email address if you want to get in touch with me and I will send it to you.

I hope that helps.

Barbara

girlyswot said:

That's kind. I'm not sure how this is different from me just setting up a Word document with a 6x9 layout? The issue seems to be with the pdf converter rather than the Word document which I can easily get to be 6x9. I'll email you about this, though.

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Hi,

Have you got a pdf converter that runs through your printer? Just wondering as that is how mine works.

I hope you got the template.

Barbara

I have a question about setting up your Lulu Submission

Hi, sorry for butting in, but I have a question about how you are setting up your PDF for Lulu. I have been using Lulu for more than two years and am really happy with their operation. It seems ever time I visit their site I find lots of improvements. About my question; I use MS Word (of course) and have had no problem setting up my manuscript in the required size. I got Word to put page numbers in the proper bottom outside corners. My problem is attempting to begin each chapter on the right-hand page. Sometimes this means inserting a blank page at the end of the previous chapter. My problem is I can't get word to skip the blank page and continue the numbering on the new chapter page. Have you attempted and been successful doing this? If so, do you mind sharing the method?

girlyswot said:

. . .I work from a Word ms with a 6x9 page size set but when I try to convert to pdf there are two problems. . . .

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Upload the Word file. Lulu will do the conversion. Set your page size, margins, and all the rest in Word, get the file looking exactly the way you want (using only fonts that Lulu has), upload the Word file, and Lulu's conversion process should work fine. It does for me. I never convert to pdf first.

--Ken

Kenteicher said:

Hi, sorry for butting in, but I have a question about how you are setting up your PDF for Lulu. I have been using Lulu for more than two years and am really happy with their operation. It seems ever time I visit their site I find lots of improvements. About my question; I use MS Word (of course) and have had no problem setting up my manuscript in the required size. I got Word to put page numbers in the proper bottom outside corners. My problem is attempting to begin each chapter on the right-hand page. Sometimes this means inserting a blank page at the end of the previous chapter. My problem is I can't get word to skip the blank page and continue the numbering on the new chapter page. Have you attempted and been successful doing this? If so, do you mind sharing the method?

Click to expand...

You don't want the blank pages numbered? I don't know how to do this automatically, but it can be done manually by using section breaks between chapters, and also for the blank pages. Then you can number each section independently.

Perhaps an easier way would be to cover up the numbers you don't want with text boxes, if you just want to suppress the numbering on blank pages.

blank pages -

Julie Worth said:

You don't want the blank pages numbered? I don't know how to do this automatically, but it can be done manually by using section breaks between chapters, and also for the blank pages. Then you can number each section independently.

Perhaps an easier way would be to cover up the numbers you don't want with text boxes, if you just want to suppress the numbering on blank pages.

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I've noticed that in many books new chapters always begin on the right-hand page. It somehow looks a bit more professional and thought I'd try to do it in my book. I guess I'm not very good with some of MS Word's functions. Each time I try to section my book by chapter and insert a blank page at the appropriate place, all my page numbers get screwed up. I guess I can always just separate the chapters into different documents so I can number them the way I want and then, after outputting them as PDF files, just put them back together. I use CutePDF 3.2 to do this kind of stuff and it works great.

Kenteicher said:

. . . I guess I'm not very good with some of MS Word's functions. Each time I try to section my book by chapter and insert a blank page at the appropriate place, all my page numbers get screwed up.. . . .

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Proper use of section breaks is essential. Once you have learned how section breaks work, and their options, getting the look right--right-side start, page numbering, correct headers and footers, all of that--is not difficult at all.

Do NOT insert blank pages. Use section breaks right. A good manual on Word will help. Also, use Word's help function. Experiment.

--Ken

Julie Worth said:

. . . Perhaps an easier way would be to cover up the numbers you don't want with text boxes, if you just want to suppress the numbering on blank pages.

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No, no, no, no.

Learn how to use section breaks. Pay attention to the options. Different first page, different odd and even, next page start, even page start, odd page start--whichever you need. Be sure NOT to have headers and footers "same as previous" if you need changes from one section to the next.

--Ken

ResearchGuy said:

No, no, no, no.

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Huh? I actually use section breaks, but I didn't realize that Word (2003, anyway) already suppresses the page number for blank pages. I just tried it, starting a new section on an odd page (which I don't normally do, as it costs more for the book), and the blank page was unnumbered when I printed it out. How about that!

girlyswot said:

I repeat: this only works if your fonts are on their system. Since I regularly use specialist Greek and Hebrew fonts, this does not work for me.

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Ah. I had not seen that mentioned before, but was replying only to specific posts.

Indeed, someone with specialized needs like that (not the sort of writers I ever encounter) has a different set of needs.

--Ken

girlyswot said:

I work from a Word ms with a 6x9 page size set but when I try to convert to pdf there are two problems. First there doesn't seem to be a custom page size option, just a list of standard page sizes by name, none of which (as far as I can see are 6x9). And second, when I select a page size what I always end up with, no matter what size I ask for, is an 8.5x11 page with my text unscaled and huge margins!

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What *specifically* are you using to convert your Word documents to PDF, and what version of Word are you using?

ACD

Is there a good service anyone recommends that can set up ms in lulu?

sval1div said:

Is there a good service anyone recommends that can set up ms in lulu?

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I generally recommend myself for that.

--Ken

how so?

sval1div said:

how so?

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Modestly, but with confidence.

--Ken

I recently completed a book with Lulu, and had the devil of a time with pdf conversion. I had the font concern Girlswot mentioned. I finally discovered that you have to define a new page size in Adobe Distiller! That did the trick! The other workaround is to crop the finished manuscript in Acrobat, but that only works if you have Acrobat.

I also did a custom wrap-around cover with a gradient background all around. That was another major challenge. Lulu gives measurements for my chosen size, Crown Quarto, in pixels, inches and centimeters. None of those measurements correspond when you do conversions. Baffling! Someone in a forum said to go with pixels, which I did. When I tried to upload, the file was rejected, because it didn't meet the point size requirements. Point size? HUH? The difference was two pixels. I fixed that, and all was well.

After jumping through all those hoops, I'm entirely happy with the finished product. It's just not fun having all these challenges. But hey! Even five years ago, the ability to produce a single copy of a slick, professional-looking book? More than this gal could dream of! What a deal!

I use the Lulu online convertor and upload RTF files, as my Adobe Acrobat cannot produce a PDF suitable for Lulu, for some reason or other. I'm not a PDF specialist, and I don't know why the Lulu convertor makes PDFs having awful margins? I hope their specialists will solve this problem.

I like to convert my files to pdf before uploading becasue I like to see exactly how it's going to turn out.

I use cutepdf.

AndyPolyak said:

. . . I don't know why the Lulu convertor makes PDFs having awful margins? I hope their specialists will solve this problem.

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I prepare manuscripts in Word, with margins, paper size, headers, footers, and all the rest, just as I want them, and Lulu's converter turns out a pdf that is precisely correct -- books in 6" x 9" and in 8-1/2" x 11" and pages from under 30 to over 600. Sometimes I have had to revise my Word file to correct my own mistakes after previewing the Lulu-generated pdf, but that is just part of the process of perfecting the manuscript. So far, the books have been just right, margins in particular precisely as I specified them.

--Ken

Hello all - first post here!

I have some questions about my format I am undecided about. I have been perusing the Lulu forums but there is often a download location given as a reply, which does not seem to work for me. Size is 6x9".

Font in MS Word - Size 12 Garamond, line spaced at 1.5 looks OK to me. Opinions please?

Chapter headings - Capital letters and bold, is this OK? Should they be in the centre or on the left?

Should one indent the first line of the first paragraph in a new chapter? I am thinking I should but it seems to look better without.

I was advised recently that one should have two spaces after a full stop before the capital letter of the next word. Is this necessary, as when one justifies the text will this not elongate that double space too much?

Can someone direct me to a link specifying how the copyright page should be laid out please?

In non fiction, 15 chapters - Would you have the chapter name in the header or not?

Sorry if its too many questions in one post. All help much appreciated.

Manny said:

. . .

Font in MS Word - Size 12 Garamond, line spaced at 1.5 looks OK to me. Opinions please?

Chapter headings - Capital letters and bold, is this OK? Should they be in the centre or on the left?

Should one indent the first line of the first paragraph in a new chapter? I am thinking I should but it seems to look better without.

I was advised recently that one should have two spaces after a full stop before the capital letter of the next word. Is this necessary, as when one justifies the text will this not elongate that double space too much?

Can someone direct me to a link specifying how the copyright page should be laid out please?

In non fiction, 15 chapters - Would you have the chapter name in the header or not?

Sorry if its too many questions in one post. All help much appreciated.

Click to expand...

Welcome.

Quick comments, in order.

Font in MS Word - Size 12 Garamond, line spaced at 1.5 looks OK to me. Opinions please? Experiment with other line spacing options. Exactly 18 works pretty well with 12 point. Times New Roman, for all the abuse it takes, actually looks very good. 11.5 or even 11 point can be good choice depending on audience and space issues. You cannot be sure until you see a sample copy of the printed book. Always order ONE sample copy to start (or two if you want one for archive and one to mark up).

Chapter headings - Capital letters and bold, is this OK? Should they be in the centre or on the left? Study published books for examples. In general, I'd probably advise against ALL CAPS, though.

Should one indent the first line of the first paragraph in a new chapter? I am thinking I should but it seems to look better without. The norm is no indent for first paragraph of chapter or following scene break or section of subsection heading. But this is a matter of choice. Just be consistent.

I was advised recently that one should have two spaces after a full stop before the capital letter of the next word. Is this necessary, as when one justifies the text will this not elongate that double space too much? Use search and replace to get rid of all extra spaces. The days of typewriters are over. Get used to using only one space.

Can someone direct me to a link specifying how the copyright page should be laid out please? Study published books for examples. There are some common features and many variations on the theme. If you want to see how I have done some, see my publications at http://stores.lulu.com/kenumbach .

In non fiction, 15 chapters - Would you have the chapter name in the header or not? Maybe. Depends on what works for the book. Header layout is tricky until you have mastered the use of section breaks and page setup. Remember: blank pages should be entirely blank (no header or footer), and ordinarily first page of chapter should have no header.

One other comment: learn to use paragraph and heading styles. Do NOT depend on spaces, tabs, or other such gimmicks. (I always have to clean that crap out when I format someone else's file into a book.) Use Word's built-in formatting features. You will be glad you did.

--Ken