Hi,
I'm looking for a relatively easy and inexpensive way to publish basic
8 1/2" x 11", 100-200 page, spiral bound manuscripts that I am
writing.

I know that today many people write and publish their own manuscripts,
however, I can't seem to find out what program(s) they use, yet I
somehow get the feeling that they're all pretty much using the same or
similar simple methods and techniques.

I’ve done several searches only to come up with businesses offering to
do part or all of the publishing, wanting a huge cut and not
suggesting what method(s) I can/should us to do my part.

I've considered PageMaker and QuarkXPress (big learning curves), Adobe
Acrobat (maybe), MS Word (trying to insert numbers can test your
nerves) and others with only limited success. I need a program that
allows me to easily insert text and graphs and insert page numbers
including Roman Numerals, regular numbers and unnumbered blank pages
that do not interfere with the numbering sequence, and so on.

Can you help a struggling writer that thinks he has something to offer
readers?
Thanks 
Tucsonjim

Hi tucsonjim-ga,

You've hit on the two main programs that people I know use... Adobe
Acrobat and MSWord. Inserting numbers is a bear until you get
comfortable with the program. The section break formating will
generally take care of the problem, but I've had sessions where I just
broke the document into two or three files to have the numbers turn
out the way I wanted and that just won't do for publishing.

Adobe works well for anyone who wants to set up an ebook download -
something you may want to consider besides the hard copy.

Corel Ventura 10 gets very high reviews for both features and ease of
use. There is a learning curve if you’ve never used the Corel DTP
software, but for tables and graphics – it gets top marks. It also
supports the PDF format… and XML.
http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/17798.html

Another program that I've heard good things about is Active Publisher.
Not as powerful as the Corel program, but a bit easier to get started
on.
http://www.activepublisher.co.uk/downloads/index.htm
The free 21 day download should let you see if it will work for you.

http://www.designer-info.com/master.htm?http://www.designer-info.com/DTP/dtp_reviews.htm
lists all of the major desktop publishing programs and gives reviews 
that you might find helpful.

You might want to keep in mind that at some point you may want to use
one of the self publishing companies. Most of them request that you
submit your manuscript in Word or Adobe format.

You may want to check out some of the writer's forums online. 

http://wwforums.com/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=6636029721 – is the forum for
writer’s write, a good resource for this and other questions that may
crop up. It’s pretty active and open to writers at all levels in the
craft.

http://www.writersbbs.com/bbs3/forum.cgi?forum=selfpublish_h – is the
writer’s BBS forum. Actually it’s the forum for self publishing. They
have many others that you can access as well. To post you need to
register, but the registration is free. You can register and check out
the resources at the main page http://www.writersbbs.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writingandpublishing/  is another active
forum for writers, editors and publishers.

search terms:
desktop self publishing software
writers resources
writers forums

Good luck with your book!

bcguide-ga

Hi bcguide-ga,
Good answers to my questions. Points out to me that I am on the right
track and it doesn't appear that there is an easy solution that I
wasn't aware of. So I thank you for all the useful information and
links. I'm very satisfied with your results and am therefore giving
you the big 5 for a great answer!
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
tucsojim-ga