What editing level does my book need? The different tasks editors perform are called editing levels. There are many different names to the levels, but the editing level indicates the depth and focus that the editor performs their task. Everyone benefits from working with an editor. Not only will professional editing improve the project you […]

Your book’s junk drawer—avoid making it an afterthought. There are three main sections of a book’s content, front matter, body, and end matter, also called backmatter. Each of these sections can contain various elements, some required and some optional. Although the components’ order can vary, there are typical conventions that most books follow. In this […]

The parts of a book—the book’s body Of the three main sections of a book’s content, the book’s body is the heart of your book. And at this point in your writing endeavor, your books’ body may be all that you have considered. However, much like the front matter, the body may also contain different […]

The order, content, and numbering of the book’s early pages. There are three main sections of a book’s content, front matter, body, and end matter. Each of those sections can contain various elements, some required and some optional. Although the components’ order can vary, there are typical conventions that most books follow. This section will […]

Is publishing an E-book right for me? Many people assume that it is simple to create an e-book from their designed book files. But this is not always the case. E-books are very different from print books, and some books just don’t make good e-books. If you are considering creating an e-book, decide early because […]

Ten things to consider when deciding your book’s size. There are many different trim sizes for books, so how do you choose the right size? There are standard book sizes, but as a sell publisher, you also have some leeway. To decide the right size for your book, you want to consider your book’s genre, […]

Best practices  Nothing is more infuriating than to open your newly printed book, and the first thing you see is an error. Here are some tips to get you proofreading like a pro. There is no substitute for proofing your document. Software grammar and spell checkers are great tools to use, and they get better […]

What am I getting myself into? Almost universally, the first question my prospective clients ask is, “How much will it cost to self-publish my book?” Determining the costs of self-publishing your book is one of the most challenging planning steps. Every book is different, and you have to be specific to be accurate. The good […]

And why won’t my designer give them to me? Who owns the source files can become an uncomfortable subject when working with a designer. Source files, often called artwork, or native files, are the editable design files. Your designer uses their source files to create the final print-ready pdf that goes to the printer. To […]

Do I have to follow standards? Yes, there are standard sizes, and they vary depending on the book’s genre. But as a self-publisher, you have more flexibility in straying from standard book sizes. But considering the genre when deciding your book’s size is much more important if your book will be sold in brick and […]