Creating the file for the inside pages of your chapbook is going to be pretty easy. You will again need to verify some page settings and stick within the recommended guidelines. Then all you need to do is make each page look how you want it to look. Want your titles bold? You know how to do that. Want them italicized? You can do it. Want page numbers? Go for it. Want a table of contents? Put it in. Don’t want any of that? Again, not a problem, just make it look the way you want it, and we’ll convert it.

First you will see a repeat of the Required and Suggested notes identical to those verified during the cover file creation. Following that you will find information new to this step.

The most important thing to understand is that this process is intended to be easy for those who know nothing about computers. If you don’t know what some of the technical bits are in what follows, don’t worry, the default settings in your word processor are highly likely to be just fine. These notes are to help those who have tinkered with things get back to where they need to be. The most important point is that font sizes need to be 16pt minimum.

If you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Required:

Note:
If you don’t know how to access these settings, then it’s highly likely you haven’t changed the defaults and you’ll be formatting things fine without even trying.

• Margins should be set to Top: 1", Bottom: 1", Left: 1.25", Right: 1.25".
• Page size should be set to 8.5" x 11" (not 11" x 8.5")
• Page orientation should be set to Portrait (not Landscape)
• Please be aware that we print in black and white, so colored fonts will render as gray if we print it. It’s best to avoid colored fonts altogether (though use of white for spacing will work).

Suggested (for best results):

• Things will go smoothest if you stick with Times New Roman (serif font), Arial (sans serif font), and Courier New (fixed pitch font). Other fonts are possible, but any fonts used should be TrueType. (why?) To determine if the font you are using is a TrueType font, look for a TT to the left of its name in the font selection drop-down (Windows). In Word for Mac, try to stick with the Web Safe set of fonts or the Windows Compatible set of fonts.
• Because of the shrink that will necessarily occur in making your portrait-orientation full-pages into landscape-oriented half-pages (need a visual?), fonts should all be 16pt minimum. Note, most word processors default to 12pt.
• If you’re comfortable using your word processor’s Search and Replace features, consider doing these three operations. First, to change all single straight quote marks ( ' ) into single curly quote marks ( ’ ). Second to change all double straight quote marks ( " ) and ( " ) into ( “ ) and ( ” ). Third, to change all dashes ( - - ) into emdashes ( — ). This will make your text look a tad nicer, but is completely optional and not worth getting frustrated over. (how?)

Information New to This Step

Once you are sure that the page is set-up correctly, you are ready to create your chapbook inside pages file. The file can include text and/or black and white images. (how to insert images) The maximum total number of pages is 48. That’s total number of pages, not just pages of poems or prose (which is the same as saying number of pages including front and back matter).

Odd-numbered pages in your document will be the right-hand pages. Even-numbered pages in your document will be the left-hand pages.

Some things to consider including before your words begin:

• Title page, with your “by” line. Recommended, it is normal in quality book design to have a title page on the inside of the book.
• Acknowledgments. Optional
• Dedication. Optional
• Table of Contents. Optional, many people like the look of a Table of Contents, but, in a chapbook it’s not required. One thing to keep in mind, if you do include a Table of Contents be sure to add page numbers to your pages!

Once you’ve included any of the above pages you would like to appear, you can start in on the actual body of the chapbook. The order of your pages will be preserved exactly in the finished chapbook. Please remember that the actual number of inside pages will always be a multiple of 4, so plan accordingly to avoid having unwanted blank pages.

Please note: the best way to create a transition to the next page is not to hit Enter/Return many times until you end up on the next page. The best way to create a transition to the next page is to Insert a page break. (how?)

Save this 4–48-page document with a name like chapbooktitle-insides.doc and put it where it will be easy to find and attach to an email (like on your Desktop, or in My Documents).

If this file is at least 4 pages, is no more than 48 pages, has a total page count that is a multiple of 4, and all fonts are at least 16pt, you are now ready for step 3.

1. Create your cover file.
2. Create your chapbook file.
3. Send your payment.
4. Send your files.