The Project

Jonathan’s target is a 60,000–80,000-word novel, written live and developed into a handmade physical book. State Street Zodiac continues the Capitol Murders series with a copycat killer on the loose on the Isthmus in Madison, Wisconsin.

The production series follows the process from document setup through writing, editing, narration, and physical assembly. This lesson covers the initial Word formatting.

1. Create a Project Folder

1. Create a folder named State Street Zodiac, or use the title of your own novel.
2. Save the manuscript inside that folder.
3. Identify the main manuscript as the primary file.
4. Keep the project’s cover artwork and related production materials organized with the manuscript.

2. Choose the Page Size

1. Open the document’s page layout settings.
2. Set the page size to 5.5 × 8.5 inches for the format demonstrated.
3. Consider the intended printing and binding method before finalizing the layout.

Jonathan is preparing this file for his own handmade production process, which includes cutting and trimming the paper.

3. Set Margins for Your Production Method

1. Open Layout → Margins → Custom Margins.
2. For the handmade setup demonstrated, begin with 0.75-inch margins.
3. Account for the material that will be removed during cutting and trimming.
4. Review the resulting text area before writing the full manuscript.

Handmade versus third-party printing: These settings are part of Jonathan’s custom manufacturing process. For a third-party printer, use its specifications for trim size, inside margin, gutter, and binding. The numerical settings spoken near the end of the recording are not clear enough to reproduce as a complete printer-ready specification.

4. Modify the Normal Style

1. Open Home → Styles.
2. Find Normal and select Modify.
3. Choose Palatino Linotype.
4. Set the font size to 13 points.
5. Choose justified alignment.
6. Adjust paragraph spacing and indentation to establish a consistent body-text layout.
7. Save the style changes.

Setting the body style first creates a consistent foundation for the manuscript.

5. Format the Chapter Headings

1. Modify Heading 1.
2. Set the chapter heading to 17 points.
3. Use bold, black text and centered alignment.
4. Adjust the heading’s spacing and indentation.
5. Apply this style consistently to each chapter heading.

Jonathan initially considers 13 points, then changes the chapter heading to 17 points. He also considers the typeface while adjusting the design.

6. Build the Title Page

1. Enter the novel’s title: State Street Zodiac.
2. Use a centered title style at approximately 37 points.
3. Add the series information beneath it: The Capitol Murders Series — Part II.
4. Format the series information at approximately 13 points, following the final adjustment discussed.
5. Add the author name: Author Jonathan David.

7. Reserve the Opening Pages

1. Insert a page break after the title page.
2. Reserve the next page for the copyright and publication information.
3. Create a separate page for an original quotation, if that is part of your book’s design.
4. Begin Chapter One on a new page.
5. Apply Heading 1 to the chapter heading and Normal to the story text.

The copyright wording and original quotation are left for later in the demonstration.

8. Enable Different First, Odd, and Even Pages

1. Double-click the header or footer area.
2. Enable Different First Page.
3. Enable Different Odd & Even Pages.
4. Set the odd-page header and footer text to align toward the right-hand outside edge.
5. Set the even-page header and footer text to align toward the left-hand outside edge.

These options let you treat the first page separately and create alternating running information on facing pages.

9. Insert Outside Page Numbers

1. Open Insert → Page Number.
2. Choose the bottom of the page.
3. Select outside alignment.
4. Check the numbering and placement on both odd and even pages.
5. Review the first-page treatment separately.

10. Add Running Headers and Footers

1. Add the book title and series name to the appropriate header.
2. Add the author name and website to the alternate header.
3. Add the publication year and publishing information to the footers.
4. Reduce the font size and use gray text so this information remains visually secondary.
5. Make sure the running text does not collide with the page numbers.

The demonstration uses State Street Zodiac, Capitol Murders, Author Jonathan David, and the author’s publishing information.

11. Review the Manuscript Setup

12. Save the File and Begin Writing

1. Save the formatted primary manuscript.
2. Review the title page, opening pages, and first chapter page.
3. Complete the publication information and original quotation when ready.
4. Begin developing the story and its outline.
5. Continue applying the established styles as you write.

Jonathan describes outlining as part of his writing process rather than preparing a complete outline before starting. Later recordings follow the actual production of the novel.

Follow the Book from Manuscript to Physical Copy

The project includes a handmade signed novel, a miniature book, matching bookmarks, digital reading and video-audiobook access, and recordings of the writing process. In this introduction, Jonathan presents these as parts of the planned State Street Zodiac production and bundle.

Join the Live Writing Process

Become a member to follow the course and watch Jonathan write, edit, narrate, and manufacture his books. Join the live Zoom sessions to engage and ask questions while the work is being created.

Visit the website for membership options, digital content, and the monthly handmade journal available through the physical-mailer membership.

Become a Member Live Zoom Access