Publishing in Word 2016

Microsoft Word 2016 In 90 Pages is a concise, relevant guide with targeted, step-by-step instructions for achieving the results you want for your documents. But did you also know that Word 2016 was the software used to write, layout, and publish Microsoft Word 2016 In 90 Pages? The cover was also created using Word 2016. Only the screenshots required a different software application.

A spread from Microsoft Word 2016 In 90 Pages.

The experience was intentional. What better way to explore the depths of Word 2016 than to use it to create and publish a book? Here are the basic steps I followed:

1. Decide on the trim size for the book before starting the development process. Trim size refers to the final page size for a book. There are standard sizes that vary depending on publishing platform. I used CreateSpace and chose 7.44″ x 9.69″ trim size.
2. Create a Word document with a page size that matches the trim size for the book.
3.  Set margins. Although this can be tweaked throughout the process, it is best to consciously think about how much white space you want around the edges of your content. With a book, you also have to consider the gutter, or inside margin area.
4. Write the content. Okay, I’m oversimplifying here, but the point is to write (type) the content without regard to the final layout. This is the phase where there will be a lot of editing, moving text, and so on. The only layout concern at this point is to separate each chapter with a section break.
5. Add front matter and end matter. This will vary depending on the type of book, but in general, add the title page, copyright page, preface, table of contents, and index, using section breaks to separate them from other content.
6. Add headers and footers. Here is where you’ll be glad you used section breaks because your headers and footers will vary from section to section, and the only way to have different headers and footers in the same document is to use section breaks.
7. Finalize layout. Position images and add page breaks to create a better flow within chapters.
8. Generate a PDF and upload to the publishing platform!

The cover as it appears in the Word window.

To create the cover, I used the following steps:

1. Create a Word document with a page size that matches the cover. You will need to consider front, spine, and rear panels. The spine size depends on page count.
2. Add a text box to the front panel area and create your content.
3. Add a text box to the spine area and create your content.
4. Add a text box to the back panel area and create your content. Leave room for the barcode, if needed.
5. Generate a PDF and upload to the publishing platform!

There are, of course, several additional details to each step, but in general, this is how’s it done.