Format your book quickly and easily
The book formatting software called Vellum is an amazing tool for today's self-publishing world, and it's available to Mac users with access from PC as well.
This step-by-step course helps you transform a bland working file into a gorgeous print book or ebook, ready to be uploaded for publishing.
This course is perfect for you if ...
- You're new to making your own ebooks and print books and want a solid foundation
- You're an experienced author who wants to level up your Vellum formatting and customization
- You want freedom to make changes to your book ANY TIME you want, without delays and extra payments to another formatter
- You want a no-judgment space with simple but comprehensive lessons and access to a patient, encouraging teacher
Your start to finish Vellum course
Ready...
Collect all the items and information you need, either your own files or the practice files provided to students.
Set...
Follow guided steps through a full book format project in the Vellum software, both basics and advanced techniques for ebooks and print.
Success!
You'll be so happy with the tools to complete your book text files, or your money back! Just add your cover, upload to retailers, and prepare to hold your own book in your hands.
Meet the instructor:
Jody Skinner
Jody Skinner has helped authors, editors, proofreaders and VAs since 2017, privately and on social media.
With now hundreds of books formatted with Adobe InDesign and Vellum, Jody is opening the doors to what she's learned, breaking down book formats into simple steps and helping people find what works for them AND their project.
Jody's mission is simple: to foster supportive community in the publishing world and to empower every author to create stunning books and experience the joy of holding their work in their hands.
Take the next step toward making your publishing dreams a reality!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! This course starts from the basics and includes optional advanced features.
Will I need any special technical skills?
Not at all. If you can use basic word processing software, you're ready for this course.
What if I get stuck or have questions?
Students have access to one another and the instructor through a connected Teachable community as well as Jody's Facebook group.
Is Vellum only for Mac users?
While Vellum is a Mac app, the course covers PC workarounds.
What if this course doesn't work for me?
Write to hello(at)skinnerbooks.com within 30 days of purchase to have your money refunded, no questions asked.
Curriculum
Preliminaries and notes
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after you enroll
Introductions, interface, and setup
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Module 1: Vellum setup and access
Available in
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after you enroll
Module 1 extras: PC access to Vellum
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after you enroll
Module 2: Project files and data setup
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after you enroll
Module 2 extras
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after you enroll
- Module 2: extra content
- Too many/too few chapters? How to merge or split (5:17)
- Duplicating files: basics, plus edition-specific elements vs. edition-specific blocks (4:25)
- Finding lost files - three things to try (2:32)
- Vellum's file versioning ("revert to"): restoring an older file (3:03)
- NEW | Creating box sets in Vellum (2:15)
- NEW | Templates: using an existing Vellum file to pre-set a new book (3:53)
Module 3: Mastering the elements (chapters, title page, front/back matter...)
Available in
days
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after you enroll
- Elements overview (1:42)
- Adding elements - different types, single or multiple (3:14)
- Removing elements - single or multiple (2:45)
- Changing types of elements (recategorizing), or renaming (2:16)
- Title box gear menu: add subtitle or chapter author, chapter numbering, heading images (5:19)
- Contents: overview, KDP requirements, ebook vs print (4:38)
- Contents: groupings and adjusting vertical spacing (3:32)
- Contents: customizations with subtitles, subheadings, chapter authors (1:44)
- NEW | Nested contents - box sets, multi-volume works, etc. (0:56)
Module 3 extras
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Module 3: extra content
- Parts and Volumes, numbering chapters, naming parts, sub-contents in parts (5:15)
- Reusing elements: overview & Vellum Help (1:38)
- Reusing elements: basic steps, creating a master file, adding front/back matter (4:30)
- Reusing elements: adding preview/teaser chapters (2:52)
- Where is Page 1? US vs international page numbering (1:00)
Module 4: All about "Styles" and customizing your Vellum template
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Styles overview (4:50)
- Choose your book style/template & customize: Chapter Heading & First Paragraph (4:59)
- Paragraph After Break settings, looking for sneaky text breaks, and Vellum's Find menu (5:45)
- Chapter Background custom settings (print only) (4:30)
- Multiple chapter backgrounds, eliminating unprofessional blank pages (3:43)
- Headers & Footers—default and customized (7:09)
- Body settings, part 1: All formats—indents vs spacing, justification, hyphenation (3:34)
- Body settings, part 2: Print only—choosing & resizing fonts, clarified breaks (6:55)
- NEW | Vellum saved styles (2:11)
Module 4/5: Crossovers — Styles & Text Features
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Overview: items found both in styles & text features
- Ornamental breaks: default options & customizing (best practices) (3:41)
- Images, part 1: 5 format options/styles, ALT text, and linking images (5:18)
- Images, part 2: Edition-specific images, replacing an image, adding a caption (5:49)
- Block Quotation & Verse options (4:08)
- Text Conversation formatting (5:01)
- Written Note formatting (2:26)
Module 5: Text Features - fine-tuning your book text
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Text Features: overview (2:33)
- Subheadings: Setting up in Word or in Vellum (3:11)
- Subheadings: workarounds for multiple heading levels (3:04)
- Alignment blocks: basics and edition-specific uses (3:59)
- Lists: Bulleted/numbered, single or multiple levels (2:12)
- Web Links: From ebook to internet link (2:11)
- Store links, from an ebook to book retailers (4:30)
- Internal links: connecting to other locations in an ebook (3:03)
- Footnotes & Endnotes (5:43)
Module 6a: Print Settings menu
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- 6a Overview: Print book basics, plus simple and more complex customizations
- Print Settings part 1: Trim sizes, margins, and text size + line spacing (2:35)
- Print Settings, part 2: chapter begin, page numbering, color/b&w images (2:03)
- Print settings, part 3: Bleed options (2:14)
- What is bleed? KDP and Vellum settings (2:03)
Module 6b: Small additions that can level up your project
Available in
days
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after you enroll
- 6b Subtle but unique: Keep ebook fees low and print editions prettier
- Keeping ebook delivery costs small while adding basic customizations (3:18)
- Title page - custom, option 1: Half Title and Title Page inserted in a Blurbs element (8:42)
- Title page - custom, option 2: full page image (5:56)
- Replay: Headers & Footers—default and customized (7:09)
Module 6c: larger print customizations
Available in
days
days
after you enroll
- Replay: Chapter Background custom settings (4:30)
- Replay: Multiple chapter backgrounds, single & double backgrounds (3:43)
- Chapter background: Displaying always across on both pages, or only first chapter both pages (1:43)
- NEW | Custom chapter text images: hiding heading & adding image; wider vs. taller/narrower (3:25)
Module 7: Generating files and what to know about uploading
Available in
days
days
after you enroll