inspiration

You may think that a great book design starts with the first draft of the layout. In fact, a there are many things an author can do to help create a smart-looking, error-free volume.

1. Be Consistent:
Define your terms (abbreviations, definitions, numeration, lingo, etc.) and use them consistently throughout the book.
Define your structure, and stick to it:

• The sequence of chapters must be set before the book goes to layout. Making a major change to the order of chapters after the book has been typeset costs time and money, and introduces the potential for numerous errors.

• How-to books need to have a consistent framework for each project, in order to provide the reader with all necessary information in an easily understood format. Some readers won’t follow the book from start to finish—they’ll cherry-pick a project here and there—so each chapter needs to be self-contained. For example, every chapter might have a photo of the finished item, step-by-step photos, a list of materials, diagram, sidebar and tip.

• If you add a photo in the middle of a sequence of images, renumber. Please don’t add an image between 10 and 11, and call it 10.5. It won’t be 10.5 in the finished book; you must renumber the entire series and its captions.

2. Be Realistic:

• Despite the magic that a designer can employ, only so much material can fit on a given page. The expense of layout and printing is quoted per page, and cost limits the length of the book. If you’re unsure what’s realistic, consult your editor or designer for guidelines, or review samples of similar books.

• Provide the highest quality of photography. People often do judge a book by its cover and interior imagery. While digital images can be tweaked in PhotoShop, software cannot make a poor-quality image into a great one.

3. Be Courteous:

• You, your editor, and your designer are all working towards the same goal: To produce an attractive, reader-friendly book that will sell well. Please give your publishing team the benefit of the doubt, and don’t take critical feedback as a rejection of your ideas or hard work.

Let me know what you think. Did I miss anything?

A classic skull and wings from historic Deerfield, Massachusetts.