OOPS! SO MUCH TO REMEMBER AND LEARN!

My first proof is on it's way of my first novel.  After I uploaded the formatted text at least ten times using Word 2016, I have vowed NEVER AGAIN!  I will find a program that actually works and stays with what is it styled to do!  OH YES BEFORE I FORGET, YES, THERE IS A WAY TO GET A PRINT PROOF OF PDF USING WORD IN 2016. IT IS NOTHING LIKE  all the previous Word programs and it sucks!

And by the way, if you save as a PDF make sure you go under file into SAVE and click EMBED FONT....you also need to go into POTIONS, ADVANCED and make sure you click High Fidelity or it will revert you images to a lower DPI which CreateSpace will reject.  As it is, if you save as PDF it may reject it while if you go into PRINT, THEN BELOW THE PRINT BUTTON open what printer, but instead select from the drop down menu PRINT TO PDF and it will ask you to save.  Now it may not matter with Word, however in some software it is really important to make sure there are no spaces between the words you title you file and no funny symbols!  Keep it simple.

AND BE AWARE, EVERY TIME YOU OPEN WORD, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOUR style settings and the other above boxes you need to check, will still be checked!  WHEN YOU OPEN WORD, CHECK EVERYTHING!

It isn't that createspace it overly fussy, and it isn't that they have a really complex set up for creating your book, it is just that you will need margins and you will need page numbers, etc.  You can download one of their basic or blank templates, however it won't be fancy.  But that is up to you.

One thing that is very disconcerting with the reviewer you have with CreateSpace, is there is lines around the pages you put in  the interior.  I looked everywhere to ask if these are bleed lines or just suggested Margins lines to make sure photos or images don't go beyond this point.  NO ONE REALLY SEEMS TO KNOW!  THE ONLY WAY TO SEE WHAT YOUR BOOK WILL LOOK LIKE IS TO JUST ORDER A PROOF COPY. IT ISN'T LIKE YOU NEED TO UPLOAD IT IMMEDIATELY!!!  I would not trust the reviewer.  And there can be mistakes so go through and check every page!
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I would suggest you take your time and make sure the finished product is what you want before you go all hog wild and put it out there.  I expect I will get maybe three proof copies before I am satisfied with the formatting.  Sad part is, I took screen shots of all my settings in Word because next time I open it, it will likely be different!  Hard to revise a book when your starting from scratch.

A few things to check for after you convert to PDF if you use this is:
-  Did the PDF end up making your book fewer pages?  If so, make sure every page has text on it since if it was at the end of a chapter, there may have been only a few lines. You don't want blank pages!
- Make sure all your Headers and Footers have the same in book....you will have to put in page breaks so that you have a new chapter and if you want the page number on beginning of chapters in a different place, you will have to check boxes, make sure those boxes were checked....look at page numbers in your PDF!
-  Make sure margins are consistent through-out
- Try to stay away from Tabs, in word, go into Paragraph when you modify style and set indent from there.  I did around 4 for mine, some do more or less.  About 1/2 inch.
- Remember any time you change even the tiniest thing in a formatted book, it will change everything so you have to check end of chapters every time.
- And be prepared for whatever you get when you upload.  Very few folks ever get the interior right the first time.

There are free word processing programs out there that are not too bad...you need to just surf around and find what works for you.  And be aware, many of these places where they offer to give you a package deal to get your book out there, are crooks!  Do it yourself and save yourself the cash.

Also be aware, if you use a ISBN number from createspace, it is like saying the work is from Createspace.  In Canada, you can order your own really easily and it is free!  This way, when it is scanned, it is saying it is yours!  You can get free programs that will also convert your number and provide a bar code.  Just so you know.

It is a difficult process the first time.  I think I made every mistake you can make, however the next one will be much easier!
Next blog will be on making your own cover and what I discovered there!

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