NUMBERING BOOK PAGES

Do not attempt to number your #book manuscript until you are certain no additional changes will be made.

I watched YouTube videos, read a book on the subject, and read articles posted on various author sites. I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure out how to do it. In the end, it was not that hard. I summarized it for my next book in case I forget. Below is what I learned:

​ STEP 1:

GO TO: HOME and highlight PARAGRAPH MARK

This will help so you can see if the SECTION BREAKS are in the correct place in the document.

GO TO: End of the last word on the last page of the Chapter.

Left click at the end of the last word including the period.

GO TO: LAYOUT on your MENU BAR.

Click on BREAKS, Under SECTION BREAKS, click NEXT PAGE. A line with the words SECTION BREAK NEXT PAGE will appear. You can move the SECTION BREAK up or down by using the ENTER/BACKSPACE button.

NOTE: The SECTION BREAK needs to appear at the end of that page.

If it moves to the next page, that page will also be numbered.

DO NOT STOP UNTIL YOU PLACE A SECTION BREAK AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER ON THE LAST PAGE OF EACH CHAPTER.

NOTE: Once I complete the above process, I turn off the PARAGRAPH MARK.

GO TO: HOME/delete highlight PARAGRAPH MARK.

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STEP 2:

Make sure you check off: DIFFERENT FIRST PAGE/DIFFERENT ODD & EVEN/SHOW

DOCUMENT TEXT

Since I am always using these three Document Formatting Tools, I have added them to my QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR. If you don't see these three items, use SEARCH and type in one of the above. It is easier when you can always see them.

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STEP 3:

GO TO: the beginning of the first letter on the SECOND PAGE of your CHAPTER.

Left click. On MENU click INSERT and select PAGE NUMBER, FORMAT PAGE NUMBERS. Click the box START AT and add a 1. CLICK OK.

Click on the PAGE NUMBER and select the position TOP OF PAGE or BOTTOM OF PAGE, and style where you would like to number your manuscript.

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STEP 4:

Slide your curser in the box to the right that you have selected and left click. The consecutive numbers will appear wherever you chose on the page TOP, BOTTOM, CENTER, LEFT, OR RIGHT. The first page will not be numbered. The second page will begin with number 2 and continue to the end of the Chapter. ​NUMBERING PAGES:

Repeat the above steps for each Chapter. The only change will be the number that you include in the START AT box.

NOTE: I believe numbering pages is an art. You can do the basics, or you can make the chapters and page numbers stand out. You should coordinate them with the cover and genre of your book. When you finish the above steps, you can polish the pages off with the perfect cover.

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THE FINAL STEP BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR BOOK ON SALE:

What you do next may be one of the most important things you do for yourself and your book. A well thought out book deserves a well thought out cover! Think of the cover like icing on your favorite cake. Select several options. Show them to as many people as you can. Get feedback. Don't rush into it, because you feel anxious. You want to get your book out there. I get it but stop! Take a deep breath and take your time. Have fun with it and pick the right cover!

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