I have worked as a book designer and producer for over 25 years. The depth of experience I gained while employed with traditional publishing companies allowed me to start Chapter One Book Production and thus to help book coaches and independent authors bring their manuscripts to life.
I work with writers from many industries excited to take advantage of the self-publishing, print-on-demand model. A book can help with your business visibility and it can be published faster than might be possible with a traditional publishing deal.
Working with a book designer
Fiction designs are usually fairly straightforward. Non-fiction books often include complexities such as footnotes or endnotes, tables, pull quotes and images with captions. So, the first question to ask is ‘is this book designer the right fit for me and my book?’
Discovery call
Most book designers offer an initial call to discover more about your book. You can book a free virtual call with me here.
The call is your opportunity to get to know the designer, ask questions about the process, talk about your book, and begin to build a relationship.
Proposal
To ensure you are on the same page (pun intended!) as your book designer, they will submit a proposal which explains exactly what they are going to do for you.
The proposal will include details of your project, for example, ‘to undertake design and production for print and digital editions of: Your Book Title’. They will include the approximate word count, estimated number of pages and the book size you have decided upon.
Take your time going through the book designer’s proposal and ask any follow-up questions you may have.
Here’s an example from a recent book proposal:
- Paperback cover layout using illustration supplied by you
- Sample pages for approval of layout
- Page composition from edited text file including placement of images
- Supply of first proof for proofreading/checking*
- Taking in the proofreader’s corrections
- Supply of a revised proof for final checks
- Taking in any final minor corrections**
- Supply of print-ready PDFs for cover and interior suitable for selected printer(s)
- ebook conversion and supply of epub and kpf files
- Estimated extent of 172 pages based on approx 52,000 words at 6 x 9 inch format
The proposal also shows what isn’t included, for example:
*Proofreading is not included **Two rounds of corrections are included, which is normally sufficient.
Extra corrections may incur additional fees, which will be detailed in the proposal. If you require proofreading – and, without exception, you will – ask for recommendations from the book designer. They work closely with other experts in the book publishing industry.
Book design
You will have a timescale so you can plan your book launch and marketing. As a rough guide, I suggest allowing three to four months for design and production. It may take longer depending on the complexity of the manuscript and availability of proofreaders.
“Catherine Williams is the consummate professional when it comes to doing a complicated interior design for a book. … Catherine is a pleasure to work with, and I highly recommend her.”
—Deborah Ann Davis, Author of ‘How to Keep Your Daughter from Slamming the Door’
Delivery of your book files
As per the proposal, you will receive proof copies of your interior files for approval. This is often the first time an author sees their manuscript actually looking like a book. An exciting point on the self-publishing journey!
Check the proof carefully and make notes of anything you want to discuss. This is not the stage to be making substantial editorial changes. Using the services of a proofreader will be an essential extra step to ensure that everything is as perfect as possible.
After corrections, and there will always be corrections, your interior proof is good to go. You will receive a print-ready interior file, cover file and an epub for uploading to your chosen self-publishing platform.
You will be able to preview the epub using Kindle Previewer (or any other ebook viewer).
Publish your book
Uploading your files to your selected printer and distributor and hitting publish is now top of your to-do list. Your book designer will support and celebrate with you every step of the way.
Congratulations, you are now a published author!
Working with Chapter One Book Production
If you are looking for a dedicated book designer who works closely with you and guides you every step of the way, please do get in touch for a no-obligation chat. My packages include:
- advice on choosing the right book size
- interior book layout
- advice on printing and distribution options
- flawless, print-ready PDFs to upload to your self-publishing platform
- an ebook file
My package options are based on a non-fiction book of up to 50,000 words, set at a standard book size up to Royal format (234 x 156 mm trimmed page size) or 6 x 9 inches. Custom quotes are available for books outside these parameters.
“I was thoroughly delighted when I came across Catherine Williams. Having worked in the publishing industry producing books for over 15 years, I was thrilled when I found someone with Catherine’s experience, expertise and ability to help me produce books for my clients.
—Deborah Taylor, Book Launch Your Business
Working with Catherine has been a complete pleasure. She’s unflappable, efficient, fast, flexible and has a fantastic can-do attitude. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of book publishing that is difficult to find with most designers and layout artists. Finding Catherine and creating high-quality, professionally produced books with her has been a dream come true. There aren’t many Catherines out there! If you want your book to look like the real deal, you’d be mad not to hire her. I can’t recommend her highly enough and I also can’t wait to work with her on my next book project.”
For more information about hiring me to design your book, schedule a virtual cuppa to discuss your project.
Alternatively, you will find a list of services and costs on the website.
]]>Writing a book can take anywhere from a few months up to five years in the case of Stephen King and IT. Perhaps even longer in some cases. But not many new writers consider the timescale for getting their book ready for publication.
Realistically, you need to allow a minimum of 4 months for editing, cover design, page layout, proofreading and marketing before your publication day.
Writing and publishing can be broken down into sections
Some of these areas can overlap, such as designing the cover while the manuscript is still in the editing stages.
Here’s a simple checklist for you:
- Write your book
- Edit your book
- Buy your ISBNs
- Choose your publication platform(s)
- Cover design
- Book design
- Proofreading and corrections
- Create a launch campaign
- Publish
At Chapter One Book Production we get involved at the book design stage. Clients come to us with a fully edited final manuscript and it’s our job to turn this into a beautifully easy to read book. This is the point at which your book goes into production.
Many book designers offer a range of services that include book interior design as well as cover design. Book an appointment with a few companies to get a feel for how they work and if they provide everything you need.
Design considerations
You will be asked to share your ideas about the interior page layout, whether you want a physical book and/or an eBook, and the type of genre-specific cover you want.
It’s worth putting together a design plan early on to help you navigate these steps. If you have a clear awareness of how you want your published book to look then it’s much easier to work with your book designer. Your plan can be created as you write your book and added to as you explore more ideas.
We advise our clients to look at other titles on the market, particularly those in the same genre.
- What typography do you like?
- Is there a particular book layout that caught your eye?
- Which book covers drew you in and made you pick up a certain book?
Knowing what you like, and don’t like, gives the designer a great starting point to build on. To be able to create the right book files, they will need as much information from you as possible.
For example:
- Which self-publishing platform are you using?
- Do you want to take advantage of Amazon’s ‘look inside’ feature?
- Do you need ARCs (advanced reader copies) for promotion purposes?
- Are you producing an eBook version?
“I’ve just uploaded my book in print and kindle and it was a doddle with the files Catherine created. I changed my mind a few times about things and it was no trouble. She made the process of getting a book out there in the world that looks good, easy. Thanks, Catherine.”
—Joanna Lott, Author of Your Dream Job Toolkit
Book a virtual cuppa with me to discuss how Chapter One Book Production can help you navigate the design considerations when you self-publish a book.
Having all the information about the self-publishing process as you are working on your book takes a lot of stress out of the activity for you. It allows you to hand over your clean manuscript with confidence.
I will stay in contact with you throughout the process. When ready, you will receive your interior files for proofreading and checking for errors that may have been missed. This is when you get to see your complete book layout for the first time.
So how long does it take to self-publish a book?
Timescales vary enormously. Text-only books could take a few weeks to produce, whereas a book with images, bullet points, pull quotes, or other technical elements will usually take longer.
Factors include page and book size, and word count – the more words the more time needed.
As a rough guide, allow three to six months for the production process depending on the complexity of your book. If you have a specific launch date in mind add this to your calendar and work backwards. Only you know how much time you can commit to the writing of your book, so once that part is added to your calendar the rest of your time can be dedicated to the edits and design.
Your copyediting time will be determined by your schedule and that of your editor, but four to six weeks is reasonable for a 50,000 word manuscript. For works of fiction, you may need to add a further four to six weeks for developmental editing.
The book design process for a simple print version interior file can take another four to six weeks. However, this increases depending on the design/formatting complexities.
It’s hard to pinpoint an exact timescale, but it’s worth allowing a minimum of four months to edit, typeset, proofread, and design a cover for a 50,000 word book.
At Chapter One Book Production we offer a range of book design services depending on your needs, but we can also provide custom quotations.
All our packages include:
- Advice on appropriate book size
- Advice and suggestions for printing and distribution options
- Typesetting from edited text file
- Reprographics on any images supplied*
- First proof for proofreading
- Taking in the proofreader’s corrections
- A revised proof for final checks and indexing if required
- Adding the index if needed
- Any final minor corrections
- A flawless, print-ready PDF tailored for the printer of your choice
* Reprographics includes cropping images, converting colour to greyscale if required and making improvements to tone and contrast
“Catherine stepped in at short notice to take over the digital formatting of my new book, Survival Skills for Freelancers. Though I had been aware of Catherine’s services through LinkedIn, this was the first time we had worked together. I warned her that my perfectionist tendencies meant I would be extremely specific (read “picky”) with my comments, but she took everything in her stride and the end result is – in my opinion, at least – the best-looking business book I’ve ever seen. If you’re new to self-publishing and need an experienced and capable pair of hands, contact Catherine. She really does live up to her reputation as being ‘virtually unflappable’!”
—Sarah Townsend, Author of Survival Skills for Freelancers
I have 25+ years of experience designing the content for and managing the production of books. My background in working for publishers like Able Publishing, Robert Hale Ltd, The Crowood Press, and DK, have given me both breadth and depth of experience to help authors bring their manuscripts to life as wonderful books.
For more information about hiring me to typeset your book and produce the files you will need to self publish, schedule a virtual cuppa to discuss your project.
Alternatively, you will find a list of services and costs on the website.
]]>As a reader, you may not have considered book size or even noticed the layout. But as an author, it’s one of the first things to consider when self-publishing your book.
If you scan your bookshelf you will notice a variety of book sizes. Most fiction books will look aesthetically pleasing on your shelf – you just have to look at a few Bookstagrammers’ Instagram posts! Non-fiction or children’s books, however, come in a variety of sizes from pocket-sized to coffee-table tomes.
Pushing aside any desire for a streamlined bookshelf, there are reasons behind book sizes being as standard as possible. The size of your book is a personal choice when self-publishing, but it helps to follow industry trends so your book fits in beautifully with traditionally produced titles.
These factors are important considerations when choosing the trimmed page size of your book:
- Economic – printing/shipping costs
- Artistic – having a cover and interior that suits the size
- Practical – if it’s a workbook or children’s book you may need to go bigger
It’s worth noting that the most popular book sizes are slightly different between the UK and the US.
What book sizes do publishers and book designers use most?
UK formats
- A-Format – this book is 178 mm high by 111 mm wide. A-Format books are relatively small. They were once the preferred size for books you would find at an airport. Nowadays, mass-produced books for the airport mostly use the Demy size – 216 mm x 135 mm. A-Format books fit easily into a bag which makes them the perfect size for travellers. Genres that work well within A-Format are self-help books.
- B-Format – this book is 198 mm high by 129 mm wide. B-Format books are popular for UK paperback novels. As this is such a well-used format the B-Format might be a good option for self-publishing fiction authors. Your book won’t look out of place alongside traditionally published titles.
- Demy – as mentioned, the Demy format is popular for airport fiction as it’s a larger size but still perfectly manageable for most travellers. Demy is 216 mm high by 135 mm wide.
- Royal – this book size is often used for hardback books in both fiction and non-fiction genres, though it is also used for trade paperbacks. The size is 234 mm high by 156 mm wide.
In the US, popular book sizes are as follows:
- The Pocket Book – this is 4.25 inches wide by 6.78 inches high and is great for smaller, pocket-sized paperback novels.
- Digest Format – this is 5.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches high and is suitable for fiction and non-fiction. The Digest is the smallest trade size in the US.
- US Trade Format – this is 6 inches wide by 9 inches high and is the most common trade size used by self-published authors for their print-on-demand titles.
- Hardback – the sizes of US hardbacks vary from 6 inches wide by 9 inches high up to 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches long.
There are, of course, many other book sizes and this is one of the areas you will discuss with your book designer. Getting this part right will make a huge impact on the finished product.
Confusingly, in the UK book sizes are usually given as height x width – 234 x 156 mm Royal format, for example – whereas US book sizes are given as width x height. To avoid any doubt, it’s worth including the words ‘width’ and ‘height’ when giving your preferred book size to your designer.
Digest and US Trade sizes, are commonly used by self-publishing authors outside the USA because they are offered by both Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon) and Ingram Spark – two of the main print-on-demand distributors. Digest Format is very close in size to Demy, and US Trade Format is just a few millimetres smaller than Royal.
The most common formats that I work with are Digest and US Trade for both US-based and UK-based authors.
What is a book layout?
Once you know the trimmed page size of your book you can begin to think about the interior design – the book’s page layout.
We’ve all heard the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’ and yet how many of us do exactly that? And when it comes to your book design, the interior layout is just as important as the cover design. Hopefully, your readers won’t actually notice the how the page is laid out because it will be done in such a way that the book is beautifully easy to read.
Book layout includes all these elements:
- Font style and size
- White space, including space between lines
- Hyphens
- Margins
- Columns
- Images or illustrations
- And more.
A great starting point for your book layout is to find published books that you like and use these to build an idea of what your book interior will look like – use the ‘Look Inside’ feature on Amazon or perhaps create a Pinterest mood board to keep all your inspiration together. Do you prefer minimalistic interiors, or are you a doodle, cartoon, and colour kind of author? If you are a business owner, consider how your brand fonts would work best – perhaps for headings in the book.
Working with your book designer they will be able to guide and advise you on what works best for the genre your book fits into.
What size is right for your book?
There are several factors to consider before starting your book design, but the trimmed page size is something you can consider while you are writing your book.
If you are looking for a dedicated book designer who works closely with you and guides you every step of the way then get in touch for a no-obligation chat. My packages include advice on choosing the right book size, page layout, printing and distribution advice, and flawless, print-ready PDFs to send to a printer or upload to your self-publishing platform of choice.
Each package option is based on a non-fiction book of up to 50,000 words, set at a standard book size up to Royal format (234 x 156mm trimmed page size) or 6 x 9 inches.
“When I received the designed book from Catherine, it sent glorious shivers down my spine! Exceeded all expectations. I trusted Catherine from the word go – and as a first time author this is crucial. Calm, reliable, good communication and very skilled. Have been recommending her to everyone!”
Trisha Lewis, Author of The Mystery of the Squashed Self
I have 25+ years of experience designing the content for and managing the production of books. My background in working for publishers like Able Publishing, Robert Hale Ltd, The Crowood Press, and DK, have given me both breadth and depth of experience to help authors bring their manuscripts to life as wonderful books.
For more information about hiring me to typeset your book, schedule a virtual cuppa to discuss your project.
Alternatively, you will find a list of services and costs on the website.
]]>Book Design for Independent Authors
If you’re planning to self-publish a book, typesetting is a term you need to become familiar with.
The artistry of typesetting is to turn your text document and any images into a file suitable for a publishing platform such as IngramSpark or Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). You may also come across the terms ‘book design’, ‘page composition’ or ‘formatting’ which are industry terms for the same process.
As a writer, you will be wrapped up in the words of your story or immersed in research until the time comes to publish your book and step into the role of an independent author.
You complete your manuscript and have it edited but how do you then turn this into a physical book?
Authors are also avid readers and I’m sure you’ve come across a book that jarred in some way. It wasn’t the content, plot, or theme, but something else that bothered you. That feeling is normal. As human beings we are capable of subconsciously processing information on the page, including the spaces, text size and style. When the interior of a book has been badly designed, you pick up on it and it impacts your reading enjoyment.
Your work deserves to be turned into something beautiful that you can be proud of.
What is typesetting?
Typesetting in publishing is the process of setting up text, line spacing, numbers, images, and glyphs (marks, signs, and symbols) that make up a book interior ready for printing.
If you enjoy watching historical shows on television such as Outlander or Bridgerton, you may have seen the old-fashioned printing presses in use. Each letter was carved into a wooden or metal block and added to the press by hand. Fortunately, digital advancement means the book designers of today can typeset manuscripts a lot faster!
Even your word processing software can format your text as you write.
Why use a book designer?
If Microsoft Word has a formatting feature, surely any savvy independent author could cut a few corners and save money by typesetting their own manuscript? Why, then, should you use a book designer?
Typesetting requires expertise.
As mentioned, when the interior of a book has been poorly designed it impacts the reader. Nobody takes notice of book design (except the designer) until it is done badly. Would you prefer your first book review to be about the disjointed margin sizes or the content?
Like most skill sets, book design has rules to follow. Only by working in this field will you learn these rules and be able to navigate the design world and typesetting to a professional standard.
Let’s look at a few of these rules:
- Margins – these are the white spaces around the edge of the book. Having the right margins allows the reader to comfortably flow from one line or paragraph to the next.
- Line and paragraph spacing – if the lines of text are too close together the book becomes hard to read. With paragraph spacing, you can choose whether to have no space between paragraphs but indent the first line, or to have a line space. Either way, it must be consistent.
- Widows and orphans – first lines and last lines are important to the flow of the book. Ideally, the first line of a paragraph should not appear at the end of the page and the last line should not appear at the top of the next page.
- Text alignment – it’s best if all the text lines up across the page and this is where a book designer uses their knowledge of line spacing and adjustments to ensure the text, headings, bullet points, and images or illustrations are in alignment.
These are a small sample of the rules book designers follow to avoid publishing a book with an awkward interior. It’s worth noting that in Microsoft Word or similar software applications it is more difficult to abide by these typesetting features.
Whether your book is a work of fiction that has taken you years to write, or a business book that will help boost your visibility to your niche audience, having a high-quality product is vital.
Think of your book as a branding tool. As a business owner your book is an extension of your work. A poorly designed book will reflect on you and your business. If writing fiction is your passion, and you wish to write more books in the future, this first novel will set the bar for your reader’s level of expectation.
Book quality matters to your reader. Create a lasting impression that helps them connect with you as an author of excellent books.
“Design is the intermediary between information and understanding.”
Hans Hoffman, artist and teacher.
Typesetting for your book with Chapter One Book Design
There are many requirements a book designer needs to assess before your book is created. The process includes deciding on:
- a suitable trim size (book sizes)
- the margins
- any illustrations or images
- the size and style of your typeface.
Knowing what questions to ask is the starting point for all good book designers.
Choosing the right typesetter is imperative. Shop around, check out the testimonials on their websites, look at examples of their work, and make sure they have experience with your genre.
“Catherine Williams typeset my book ‘Wax & Gold: Journeys in Ethiopia & other roads less travelled’ and from the very start it was clear my book was in the hands of a master typesetter – even though this is something I know almost nothing about. I had previously sent my manuscript to a freelancer I found online, and the disastrous result made me realise what an artform typesetting is in itself, and just how important it is to the reader’s experience of your work. Catherine moulded the text into what is instantly recognisable as a professional layout, and helped me through the entire process of publishing. She made small design proposals and additions that I would never have thought to ask for, and which she certainly didn’t have to do, but which have given the book a real character of its own. I have had nothing but compliments from my first readers, and cannot recommend her services highly enough.”
Sam McManus, Author of ‘Wax & Gold’
I have 30 years of experience designing the content for and managing the production of books. My background in working for publishers like Able Publishing, Robert Hale Ltd, The Crowood Press, and DK, have given me both breadth and depth of experience to help authors bring their manuscripts to life as wonderful books.
For more information about hiring me to typeset your book, schedule a virtual cuppa to discuss your project.
Alternatively, you will find a list of services and cost guidelines on the website.
We all have busy lives with work, family and friends, and many other things using up our precious time but I have always believed that we make time for the things we really want to do. So how can we make more time for reading?
Here are my top tips:
- Set yourself a target – it could be to read a book a month or to read for ½ hour every day.
- Use Goodreads.com to keep a list of the books you want to read and to track what you have finished reading – it’s also a good site to see what other readers think of books you have chosen.
- When you go to bed, leave your phone, tablet or any other mobile device in another room – aside from disturbing your sleep, you really don’t need to check your emails or social media again after 10 pm! Read a book for a while instead – and that can be a physical book or on a device like a Kindle that is not back-lit.
- If you commute by train – take a book with you to read rather than checking your phone.
- If you commute by car – try audio books, there are a lot more available nowadays.
- In fact, wherever you go, take a book with you. You never know when you might have time to read another chapter or two while you wait for an appointment.
- Get book recommendations from friends, family and colleagues – there are always new authors to be discovered and classics to be enjoyed again.
- Join a book club either online or local to where you live.
- Find the right book – J.K. Rowling is quoted as saying “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book yet.” There are so many books out there – we can’t possibly read them all, but find a genre you like and then search within that: Romance, Family Saga, Historical, Crime, Psychological Thriller, Horror, Sci-Fi, Dystopian … the list goes on. And then there are non-fiction books too on any subject you care to mention.
- Above all, enjoy your reading. If you are not loving a particular book you don’t have to finish it! It may well be something you come back to at another time but if not, time is too precious to waste on a book you are not enjoying.
Some recommendations:
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
One of my all-time favourite books, and the one I have re-read most often, is Rebecca. Daphne du Maurier was writing psychological thrillers long before they were a thing. “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” The famous opening line is all it takes to transport me to the gothic and haunting setting for this book. 2018 marked the 80th anniversary of its publication. It is deservedly a modern classic which has never been out of print.
The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman
“If you could change the past, would you?” Rowan Coleman is a gifted author with a wonderful talent for making you care deeply about her characters. In essence, this is a story of love set in 2007 and the summer of 1977 in Brooklyn. It is atmospheric, descriptive, magical, compelling and, for a while at least, you can believe that anything is possible.
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
Before it was released, this title was cleverly marketed in social media with #WTFthatending. I read it within a day, so eager was I to find out what that ending was. The story starts ostensibly as a love triangle but transforms into a superb suspense thriller. I defy anyone to guess the ending if they haven’t read it before. WTF indeed. It has since been made into a Netflix series, but the book is better (just saying!).
Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary
Someone Else’s Skin was the deserved winner of the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year in 2015. It is the first in a series of books by Sarah Hilary featuring DI Marnie Rome and DS Noah Jake. Marnie has a harrowing back story so it is worth reading them in order for that, though each book does stand alone. Sarah Hilary has an incredible knack for delving into very difficult topics – domestic abuse in this book – with empathy and an understanding of how hard it must be for the police to deal with. There are violent scenes but nothing is gratuitous. Police procedurals don’t get any better than this.
The other books in the series are: No Other Darkness, Tastes Like Fear, Quieter Than Killing, Come and Find Me, and Never Be Broken.
The One by John Marrs
A DNA test to find your perfect partner? Would you? What if you were already with someone? This book follows five people who have taken the test to find their soul mate. Twists and turns aplenty as their journeys continue along the emotional roller-coasters. It’s a clever premise for a book that poses some real moral and ethical questions with drama and brilliant plotting. No spoilers here – you’ll just have to read it for yourself. This book was also made into a Netflix series but, again, the book is better.
Do you want to read more? Which of my tips do you think you’ll be using to achieve that?
Are you inspired by any of the fiction suggestions? Do let me know what you are reading. I’m always on the look-out for book recommendations to feed my Tsundoku* habit.
* Tsundoku – the art of buying more books even though you have lots of books as yet unread with the intention of reading them all eventually. (It is a thing, honest!)
WORD SPACING
SHOCK HORROR!! Some people still use two spaces after the end of a sentence. The problem is that this habit can cause a lot of problems in the readability of the text because the word spacing is too gappy.
I learned to touch type on a manual typewriter at the age of 16 – showing my age! In those days, fixed pitch spacing, that is every character took up the same amount of space on the page, was the only option and it took a few calculations to get a table nicely set up.
Nowadays, with the exception of mono-spaced fonts such as Courier, fonts are generally proportionally spaced so it is not necessary to create a larger gap between sentences. Some people say that it is a personal preference. I would agree except that in book publishing (also newspapers, magazines and other printed material) having this extra space in justified text can cause extra wide gaps that are not easy on the eye and disrupt the flow of the paragraph, making it harder to read.
SAY NO TO DOUBLE SPACES!
One of the first things I do, when in receipt of a script for typesetting, is to replace all the double spaces with single ones. Here is a sample piece of justified text with double spaces to show the problem:
BETTER WITH SINGLE SPACES
Truly, spacing like that is unacceptable in a book. Here is the same text with single spaces:
Much better! It is still perfectly clear where the sentences end.
While I’m on the subject of spacing, some people also use multiple spaces to indent the first line of their paragraphs. Another round of find and replace becomes necessary before typesetting as, in my experience, the number of spaces is rarely consistent throughout. It is better to use a tab for consistency, and better still to define a paragraph style with a first line indent. (More about paragraph and character styles coming soon.)
HYPHENATION AND JUSTIFICATION (H&J)
Most books, especially text only ones, are set with justified text. In other words, the text lines up on the right side of the page as well as the left, except for the last line of the paragraph. The first line is often indented from the left margin as well. Hyphenation and justification settings are needed to avoid ugly spacing, though I prefer to keep hyphenation to a minimum.
Default Settings
These are the standard settings in InDesign for hyphenation and justification:
I have never set anything using these settings! A block of text may well be perfectly spaced but the hyphenation could make it look odd.
My revised settings
Accordingly, I changed these settings. Mine are as follows but further adjustment may be needed depending on the font used:
Occasionally, these settings may still lead to some odd spacing. I would then use discretionary hyphens, and/or move the slider back towards the middle between ‘Better Spacing’ and ‘Fewer Hyphens’ on an affected paragraph, and/or revise the justification settings.
Showing the difference between the hyphenation and justification settings
These samples show the effect of the adjustment on some text from a fiction book, using Adobe Garamond Pro at 11.5/15pt.
InDesign standard settings:
My revised settings:
Both samples use the Adobe InDesign Paragraph composer, as opposed to Single Line composer. This means InDesign works out the best spacing for the paragraph as a whole. Certainly, the hyphenation looks rather clumsy in the first sample. Having capitalised words with hyphens, consecutive hyphens creating a ‘hyphenation ladder’, and words hyphenated after just two characters are all to be avoided if possible. I would normally avoid single words on the last line of a paragraph too. They are known as runts, and they’re not pretty. The word spacing in the revised sample remains perfectly acceptable.
In Summary
In summary, I prefer:
- To hyphenate only longer words
- To avoid consecutive hyphens in a paragraph
- Not to hyphenate the last word in a paragraph
- Not to hyphenate capitalised words (though I may occasionally use a discretionary hyphen for these)
- To reduce the variation on word spacing
- To allow InDesign a bit of flexibility on the letter spacing – especially in tight columns
And all of this helps make your book beautifully easy to read.
See how this works in practice by checking out the samples in my portfolio.
For information about hiring me to design your book, schedule a virtual cuppa to discuss your project.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE DESIGNING A BOOK?
I started learning about typography when I was 16. As well as my ‘A’ level courses I had ‘Typewriting’ on my timetable. I learned to touch-type on a manual typewriter where the only font available was on the typewriter bars, and several calculations had to be done to get a table formatted nicely.
More years than I care to mention later, the situation is dramatically different. I have a lovely 27-inch iMac which is perfect for designing a book as I can view double-page spreads clearly even with larger formats. I have hundreds of fonts at my disposal. And I have software – Adobe InDesign – that makes designing a book a genuine pleasure providing it is set up correctly.
There are several factors to consider before starting a book design
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- Format – what page size is required?
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- Margins – these will vary according to whether the book is produced as a hardback or paperback. Headers (book title, author, section headings) are often required, especially for hardbacks and non-fiction titles, as well as page numbers or other navigation markers. The inside margin (closest to the spine) needs to allow the reader to view the whole block of text without it disappearing into the spine once the book is printed and bound. The outside margin needs to allow the reader to hold the book comfortably. The image here shows a layout spread with its margins for a Royal format hardback (234 x 156 mm page size), which is a common format that I work with. The closest imperial size to this is 6 x 9 inches. (Note that, confusingly, imperial page sizes give the width first, while metric ones give the height first!)
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- How many pages? Word count is not the full story when calculating the likely extent (page count) of a book. Are there parts as well as chapters within each part? Are there lots of short chapters? Is there a lot of dialogue? Are section breaks included that require extra space? Are numbered or bulleted lists included that require extra space? Will the book be indexed?
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- Which fonts are on the cover? Will they be supplied to create the title page? Are they also suitable for chapter headings?
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- Which font for the main text? What size and leading (line spacing) is required so the text is easy to read. The default leading in InDesign is 120% – 10/12pt for example – but this is a bare minimum for text in a book and something around 130% is generally better for readability.
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- How many paragraph styles? Will additional character styles be needed for italics or bold text or other attributes?
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- Footnotes or endnotes? They can easily get lost or renumbered if the incorrect import options are used when placing the text file into InDesign.
Lots to think about! But that’s what I’m here for – to guide you and help you publish the best looking book possible. Contact me today to discover more about Chapter One Book Production’s services.