On my websites, I talk a
lot about book design, marketing, building author platforms and reaching new readers.
I like to be able to advise my authors and clients, who typically know as little
about book design as they do about editing.
So here, for all kinds of authors making the leap into publishing, are things you should
know about book design.
If you find a designer who doesn't have thorough answers to your
questions about book design, you've probably hired the wrong designer.
It's only Day One and I've already heard all about what Indie authors need to know, learned how to run a great author cooperative, and listened to the great Joel Friedlander talk
about book design basics.
Write down the title of the book, the concept for the book, and make some
notes about the book design: photography, interior colors, and design elements you find appealing about the book.
You don't need to know
anything about book design or ebook development: Pressbooks has been built to handle all the details for you, and let you focus on the writing.
Feel free to also explore our VIDEOS with tutorials on how to use InDesign, and browse our BLOG for
posts about book design, InDesign, and publishing.
For example, the very first book designer I worked with, Fiona Raven, became one of my best friends, and I learned a great
deal about book design from her.
Here's a link to an article I wrote last
year about book design and readability that I know you've referenced in the past.
A lot of small presses have good intentions but actually know
nothing about book design or book marketing, which means you're giving them the lion's share of profits but they can't help you sell the book.
David is an established writer, with an established platform and fanbase, who knows a
lot about book design and production, and making a print book probably isn't that big a deal for him.
However, I'll concede here that success isn't always quick: most authors publish, are excited, aren't happy with their sales, and over the course of several years learn
enough about book design and marketing to improve.
In this Reedsy Live Chat, book designer Mark Ecob shares his feedback on several book covers, and answers all your
questions about book design!
17 Things Self - Publishers Need to
Know about Book Design for all kinds of authors publishing their own books
You'll not only learn exactly what you need to know
about book design, but also about things specific to book publishing, such as title and copyright pages, ISBN and bar code, page count for printing, marketing considerations, plus how to choose the best type of printing for your book.
You'll find lots of info
about book design, InDesign, and publishing here.