Self-Publishing: Basic Fiction Formatting for Smashwords in OpenOffice (Part 3: Steps 8 - 9)

Part 1 (steps 1 - 4) of this series is here and Part 2 (steps 5 - 7) is here. Today, we're going to create and format the copyright and title pages. Click on any image below to enlarge it.

Step 8: Copyright Page

Before I start showing you the pictures, here's the text you're going to need for your copyright page. Now, the Style Guide doesn't give you the disclaimer. It doesn't even require the License Notes, or cover photo/design credit, but I add all of these things because I think it just looks professional. It's up to you. Verify with the Style Guide what the requirements are. Feel free to copy and paste the text below and replace the placeholders with your information.

Title

by Author

Copyright 2011 Author

All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo by Photographer

Cover Design by Designer

Smashwords Edition Month Year

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, trademarked products, events, and locations are

fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events or persons, living or dead, are

entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold

or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,

please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did

not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to

Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work

of this author.

Step 8a: Highlight your text, select "more..." from the formatting menu, right-click "default" and select "new..."

Step 8b: Name the new style. 

Step 8c: Set indents and spacing to 0.00"

Step 8d: Center text.

Step 8e: Select font, typeface, and size
Don't get fancy. Stick with Times New Roman in Regular and 12pt.

 This is what it should look like when you're done:

For some reason, my copyright page formatting doesn't always show up the way it should in all formats. I haven't quite figured out why that is. When it is successful, these are the steps I take. It's just the copyright page and it doesn't turn out as an eyesore (usually it just comes out left-justified, which isn't the end of the world) so I don't worry about it, but it can be vexing. I just wanted to warn you.

Step 9: Title Page

These steps are pretty much the same as for the copyright page. The only main difference is the change in text size, and that is an entirely personal decision. I go with 14pt font.

 

Too easy? Maybe. But I'm giving you a break. Next time, we're going to create the "extra" book pages and a linked table of contents.