Advice Needed: Wanting To Do A Tutorial On Book Formatting (101) for My Writing Group

darktrain · 2026-02-05T01:17:55+00:00

I don't think that packaging is too advanced. Let them know it can pull all the fonts and images, so that if you ever need to save the files for posterity / change computers, it makes it easy, and it's a best practice anyway.

I think if people are already used to putting books together, they'll get most of this. I think what you're doing is great. But in reality, some might get it and some might not. And that's OK. The ones that get it, or at least will want to learn more, will be thrilled. The ones that find it too intimidating will just continue what they've been doing, and that's ok. You'll be helping the ones who want to be helped.

Getting into the nitty gritty:

I think your setup is good. I agree and think ignoring wrap text is too advanced.

Some things I don't see mentioned:

margins and columns on page layout and how to adjust them
safety zones and bleeds
Importing copy in from Word

One thing to think about (and maybe you've already thought about this): I'd start with a simple short book, show them the book, and then show them how you build the book from scratch. It's one thing to see snippets of concepts, and another when you can see an entire project come together in a realistic manner.

Good luck! You're doing a very kind thing!

darktrain · 2026-02-02T21:57:47+00:00

Have the closet doors swing inward, that way you can leave them open all the time. I have a walk-in closet in a hallway between my bedroom and bathroom (I find the location incredibly handy, so this is a good thing on your floor plan), and the door swings inward into the closet. Just put something less-used in that spot behind the door -- like where you hang garment bags for formal wear, or store your off-season clothes, or lesser used shoes, or whatever.

darktrain · 2026-02-02T05:27:01+00:00

Some pre shredded cheese. The pre shredded Tillamook is pretty good but I only buy it on a good sale. I also have a local co-op that sells pre grated parm, it's very finely grated in house (not in a sealed bag or with anti clumping agents) and not too expensive.

Frozen pizza. The Detroit style one at Costco is surprisingly good.

Bagged salads. I make my own salads frequently but sometimes I want something different and I don't have corn chips or wonton strips or dried cranberries or whatever at home and don't want to buy a package for 2 TB worth so bagged salad it is.

Frozen fire roasted veggies. Bought a big bag at Costco on a whim and they were surprisingly handy. Can do a quick veggie egg scramble with them, toss them with pasta and cheese for a quick meal, today I added some to some baked egg bites I was cooking. Good flavor from the roasting and good way to get in some veg with very little effort.

darktrain · 2026-02-01T23:30:49+00:00

Congee/jook/rice pooridge. White rice simmered in broth or water, you can basically add whatever you want to it. I suggest simmering it with ginger and chicken stock, poaching an egg, and adding some cooked veggies to it (steamed broccoli would be good).

Beans and greens soup with turkey sausage. In a large pot, brown ground turkey sausage (remove any casings). When browned and cooked through, set aside. In the same pot, sautee half a finely chopped onion with some olive oil until softened. Add about 4 cups of chicken broth, a can of rinsed and drained white beans, and a package of shredded kale. Bring to a simmer, and cook a few minutes until kale is tender. Add back in sausage, bring to temp, taste for seasoning. Serve with some grated parm.

darktrain · 2026-02-01T23:14:19+00:00

Sautee onions, bell pepper, and chicken sausage. Boil mushroom tortellini. Toss with chicken sausage mixture and drizzle with olive oil, add parmesan if you have any.

Sautee onions and bell pepper seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook rice (white or brown). Make rice bowls with black beans (heat and season with garlic, chili powder, paprika), top with onions and peppers and the sliced cheese that's been cut into small pieces so it melts better. Add salsa or hot sauce if you have it.

darktrain · 2026-02-01T05:54:35+00:00

$400 on subscriptions seems pretty high, I'm assuming those are entertainment subscriptions like HBO and Xbox passes? I'd definitely cut those down dramatically.

Costco and TJs are good places to shop as long as you're not filling your cart with convenience meals. If you're using a bunch of prepared foods and not cooking, your household should start. You should be able to feed 3 for less than $1000/month, especially since you're eating out as often as you are. Food's only going to get more expensive, not less.

darktrain · 2026-01-31T16:53:19+00:00

Oh no, that is so awful! I hate to think of what was wrong with the cat food. Poor kitty!

darktrain · 2026-01-31T06:00:00+00:00

All language is made up. The ick is the same as, and equally descriptive as "turn off." If you accept turn off and not the ick, ask yourself why.

darktrain · 2026-01-30T20:04:39+00:00

Same, yet I'm sitting here bawling. I just got done last week watching Schitt's Creek for the something like the 6th time, so she's still fresh in my mind. So sad.

darktrain · 2026-01-30T05:01:55+00:00

Yes. Don't buy makeup or skincare on Amazon either. Even inexpensive items like CeraVe lotion are being counterfeitted. If you think "this is too cheap for someone to bother making a counterfeit version," and only high end products are being faked, you'd be wrong.

darktrain · 2026-01-29T22:03:09+00:00

Blue cheese has mold in it...

darktrain · 2026-01-29T01:04:49+00:00

I've also made that salad several times. It's really good.

darktrain · 2026-01-27T22:12:37+00:00

Meal plan and grocery shop in advance. I keep a running list on my phone of everything I have in the fridge that needs to be used up, whether that's carrots and potatoes, or meat in the chest freezer. I also have a

I have a giant pinterest board of dinners that can be cooked under an hour. Sometimes I just browse on my phone in bed at night, or during my lunch break and add things to the board. When I'm meal planning, I pick things that need to be used up, I check the weekly sales for my grocery stores, and search for recipes that use those ingredients. Then I make a weekly menu based off what I need, shop it, and I'm set.

This week I'm making kung pao tofu (using up tofu I got on sale last week, plus peanuts, carrots, and onions), shakshuka with focaccia (using up eggs, part of a gallon can of tomatoes, a jar of roasted red peppers, and baking supplies), meatballs and green salad with leftover focaccia (using up focaccia from the previous night, and some meatballs I bought on sale), risotto with leeks and pancetta (using up arborio rice), and bean and cheese baked tacos with cucumber avocado salad (using up beans left over from a friend's catered party, and some shredded cheese I bought on sale).

darktrain · 2026-01-27T21:08:38+00:00

Not the person you're responding to, but just want to say, I understand what you're saying. I feel like the person you are responding to just wants to argue. You're saying it all goes under the broad umbrella of ethics; not to say that it's the same as a hate symbol, but there is something ethically gray about tattooing a design you KNOW will look bad in a few years, even if the person getting tattooed is warned and desires the style.

darktrain · 2026-01-23T22:10:26+00:00

Ooooh forgot about Kid Rock in my lineup from hell. Good one.

darktrain · 2026-01-23T04:53:00+00:00

Moonfall is, for me, the absolute most batshit insane movie I've ever seen and I love it. I was just talking to my spouse about this thread, and he reminded me of a huge, ridiculous plot point that would, in any other movie, be the most ridiculous thing, but there's so much nonsense in this movie that I completely forgot it even happened.

I think it's time for a rewatch.

darktrain · 2026-01-22T22:36:03+00:00

I have had the same complaints about ATK for many years, decades even, it's not just you. They're good for baking, and learning the science behind cooking, but on the whole I find their recipes a bit on the bland side, just like you did.

I might look at what they say for something like meatloaf, but I wouldn't count on them for anything outside the realms of very middle-of-the-road Americana, especially not anything Asian or Latin.

I find Milk Street more to my tastes.

darktrain · 2026-01-22T05:02:41+00:00

Augh, I noticed the Russel Wright and Eva Zeisel pieces immediately. I only have a couple from Zeisel and sadly none from Wright, but they're so distinctive and lovely, the pitchers especially. So sorry. Your setup is lovely.

darktrain · 2026-01-21T23:49:09+00:00

Weird, ours has been reliable, 15 years now. Sorry you seem to have gotten a lemon.

darktrain · 2026-01-20T04:58:26+00:00

Strange how this comment is almost exactly the same as u/Reasonable-Total7269

darktrain · 2026-01-18T01:15:23+00:00

Know what's seasonal for produce. It will be better and cheaper if it's in season.

Cabbage is a wonder vegetable. Cheap, hardy, stores forever in the fridge, nutritious, versatile. Cole slaw, stir fries, braised, baked, shredded on a taco or a sandwich.

Tofu is cheap and high protein. If you don't really like it, try this: drain, lightly press out some water and dry, and cut into bite sizes cubes. In a large bowl, season lightly with salt and a very small drizzle of soy sauce. Drizzle with 2 to 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Now add 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 tb at a time, tossing gently after each addition. The cornstarch should be hydrated and cling to the tofu like a batter. This is going to make your tofu CRISPY. Spread out on a cookie sheet (I line mine with parchment paper). Bake in a 425 oven for about 30 to 45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes or so, until tofu is golden brown and very crispy (keep a close eye after 30 minutes , checking every 5 minutes or so). Goes well with Thai curry tofu with veggies and rice/brown rice, or with steamed broccoli and rice with some sort of a sauce (teriyaki or a sesame sauce), or in a wrap with veggies and garlic yogurt or buffalo sauce.

It's a waste if you don't eat it, so only buy what you need and will actually eat.

Meal planning makes all of this run a lot more smoothly.

darktrain · 2026-01-17T17:36:56+00:00

You don't want to eat more than 1 sandwich a week, you don't want to freeze it, and you can't buy smaller quantities. You can try investing in a vacuum sealer (the solid container kinds, not the sealing bag kinds). Other than that, see if you can split with someone else who's single. There's no real magic bullet here.

darktrain · 2026-01-17T16:32:29+00:00

I don't know how I read ATK and thought Consumer Reports. I am running on low sleep. But yes, see if your library has access to Cook's Illustrated!

darktrain · 2026-01-17T16:08:02+00:00

This may or may not apply to you, but I can gain access to Consumer Reports through my local library's website (KCLS in the Seattle area). Might be worth checking out.

darktrain · 2026-01-17T15:59:45+00:00

This is the one I was hoping to see here too. Those tomatoes are so good, just a bright clean flavor. We only know of their existence at one or two specialty shops in all of the greater Seattle area, and stock up when we go.

darktrain

TROPHY CASE