Book writing importing Word manuscripts

Hi Glenn:

Yes, I am an Adobe Certified Instructor. My classes (all held online) are listed here: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com. I am also available for one-on-one hourly coaching.

~Barb

Hi Glenn:

I agree with Derek's approach—write in Word, and add a note where images will be inserted. Don't bother to add the images to the Word doc. Also be sure to add inline formatting as you go—bold and italics, if you are using them—to emphasize words. Otherwise, don't worry about the formatting. That's InDesign's job.

As you move to InDesign, you have a decision to make—should this be one long InDesign file, or should you make each chapter a separate InDesign chapter, and pull them together into a book? Based on the length and number of images, I would personally choose to lay this out in InDesign as a series of chapters but I am already comfortable with both InDesign layout and with the InDesign book features. It may feel daunting if you don't get some training on the basics, first. 

Those new to long document publishing sometimes make mistakes with the parent pages. (These pages were traditionally called master pages, but renamed parent pages in InDesign 2022.) Be sure to adding your running heads to the parent pages and be sure to use primary frames, in case you need to change the paper size or margins after you have already started (or nearly completed) the layout.

As you run into additional questions, please feel free to swing back and ask us. 

~Barb

Without doubt, write your MS in Word, noting where images are to be inserted but not including them but keeping the images in a separate folder, Have them optimised roughly for size in Photoshop so the Effective resolution will be around 300PPI when you Place them in InDesign and have them in RGB colour mode.

I suggest you take some training in InDesign before you start the design and produce a couple of practice documents. LinkedIn Learning have some excellent online video tutorials and you can get 30-days free access.

Maybe you'll only be producing a few copies of your family history for family and friends, if so, have a look at https://www.blurb.com and bob books  who offer a reasonable service for short run illustrated books of the kind you describe and offer InDesign templates.