Learning about the book design process

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary Roberts on June 11, 2010 at 2:13pm

In The Beginning...

I spent a lot of time on the Net researching book design, cover design, etc. Even bought a handful of books on self-publishing to get me started on the learning curve.

In the end, I decided that it was not so scary a subject. Figure out what your end goal is... what kind of book, what audience, what price range for that audience, what cover works for that audience, etc. Work within the limits of whatever software you use and whatever specs the printer wants of you. If there is no way to do what you want to do, don't kill yourself trying to do it. If the problem is inexperience with your chosen software, invest in something you feel comfortable with, get a few of the better introductory books for that software and then get some practice. If you prefer training, go to a local adult ed course and brush up on what you need to know.

Even better, go to you local public library, tell the Reference Librarian what you are working on and what type of training you need... he or she will direct you to a ton of books to learn from.

I use (on a Mac) MS Word, Acrobat Pro 9, Pages, BookCover Pro, Graphic Converter, Preview and that's about it.

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on June 11, 2010 at 5:01pm

I expect every designer on this list would disagree with both of you, mostly because we've all seen the files produced by well-meaning but inexperienced folks. There really is a lot to know about book design. Book designers hone their skills with every project; I know when I look back at work I did even 10 years ago, I cringe. SPAN is all about education, so while I might not change your mind, I do want to make the case for professional work and quality. We've redesigned many books at the request of distributors who recognized a good, marketable title that could not be offered because it was not professionally designed.

Michele DeFilippo
1106 Design
Your book. Designed. With Hand Holding.

Permalink Reply by Gary Roberts on June 11, 2010 at 8:25pm

I should note then that I am very experienced in the software I mentioned (forgot to include Photoshop in the mix) although rough in InDesign. My background is in the technical side of library & archives work, a lot of web design, book chapter editing & writing, etc. So I guess I mislead a bit. I'm not a newbie in the sense of the word.

That said, if someone throws together a book without taking time to learn what a colophon is, what verso means, the importance of font choice, margins, spacing, leading and so on, their final product will look amateurish. I agree on that point.

If a person is not comfortable with the software and has not taken the time to learn some of the nitty gritty of publishing, problems will be rampant.

It's fine to want to write a book (or in my case, do reprints, some publisher/contract work, some writing) but it's important to understand that creating the physical book means learning a set of skills. Just as learning how to write is essential to producing a good book, so is learning what to do with those words once they're finished.

Yes, hiring an experienced designer is a good thing if you feel your skills are not up to it, or you don't want to spend the hours and hours it takes to edit, format/reformat and so on that getting the book to proof takes.

Gary

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on June 14, 2010 at 11:20am

Self-evaluation of results in any field is a bit dangerous for all of us, and especially so if we're beginners.

I can buy a book, tools, and supplies and build a doghouse, but I'm sure my results would not compare to the work of an experienced craftsman, even though I might judge them "good."

I'd be congratulating myself for learning the basics (which is OK), and for doing more than I thought I could do (which is also OK), but that's a different standard than would be applied by professionals.

Some authors may do a good job, but it's important to have that judgment independently verified by someone who has been in the business for a long time.

The subsidy publishers who encourage people to design their own books are serving themselves, especially when they misrepresent their "premium marketing packages". They're telling authors what they want to hear (you can self-publish for cheap), and not what they need to hear (readers demand a quality book and if you upload garbage the reviews will kill your chances).

Permalink Reply by Gary Roberts on June 14, 2010 at 7:12pm

At the risk of falling into a circular discussion, I believe we are talking about two ends of the spectrum. At one end is the author and/or publisher who works in a niche market or who has limited funds to start with. At the other end is the author and/or publisher who has the funds to hire a pro designer and plans on a large market hit for the title(s).

The question in this thread began along the lines of: what about the beginning author or small niche publisher who has limited funds and wants to avail themselves of the advantages (and disadvantages) of POD, Offest or any other publishing system? So I ask... what does the person at the lower end or middle of the spectrum do to get started, to improve or to maximize their product?

I realize that as a design professional, there is always a need to address the advantages of contracting with the pro to get the best possible outcome. I also believe that there is a middle ground and often a first step. Using myself as an example (I don't know anyone on this forum personally so it would be bad form to discuss someone else), I consult to historical associations on digital imaging, conversion of paper documents/books to digital formats on CD, archival digitization & POD, web support and so on. A fair amount of time is given pro bono to organizations or individuals who do not have the funds to achieve the goals they desire. Some time is contracted for at a reasonable rate for advice and direction. Sometimes, out of these activities. I get regular paid jobs or open new avenues to market either my own titles or the titles of someone I know of. I try to strike a balance between pro bono, minimal return and regular work along with that which I do for myself.

I really don't mean to soapbox or to sound patronizing. I'm simply saying that there are needs across gamut of authorship and publishing that need to be met and can be with some creativity.

Gary

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on June 15, 2010 at 9:45am

It's wonderful that we live in an age when the sharing of information and the ability to learn new things is easier than ever, and that so many people are willing to share what they know. The downside is that there's an avalanche of information and much of it is wrong. (I'm struggling with this myself now, trying to learn about e-books. Millions of blogs, scores of books, thousands of vendors; which information is correct, and is it current or out of date?)

Anyone who understands that expertise in any field accumulates slowly, who thoroughly researches a subject and makes an honest attempt to learn over months or years is doing the right thing. A solution that is right for their particular situation will present itself.

My argument is primarily with the way the subsidy presses mislead new authors. They don't tell authors, "use our methods if you only need a few books for friends and family, or for a limited purpose." They tell authors, "use our crappy templates for free and your book will look as good as if you hired a designer who would charge thousands of dollars AND your book will be available at bookstores nationwide" which is flat-out unethical. These firms understand the realities of the book business. They are giving self-publishing a bad name, and they are leaving a trail of disenchanted authors in their wake.

Enter SPAN. :-)

Permalink Reply by Gary Roberts on June 15, 2010 at 2:12pm

To which I reply... Here! Here! I agree wholeheartedly.

Librarians shiver when someone says "but I read it on the net" or, "Wikipedia says...". What's unfortunate is that so much of the verifiable information on the net resides in the hidden parts - subscription only databases, journals, professional forums, etc. It can be nearly impossible to fully verify any given fact or statement without access to professional comment and criticism. Well, enough of that complaint... it's a common one of mine.

Subsidy presses are, to my mind, akin to the people who proclaim "Make Big Money From Blogging!" and go on to suggest that you write a book on how to make money from blogging, blog about your book and sell it to people who want to blog about the book they wrote about making money, etc., etc. A generalization, yes. My apologies to any subsidy press people reading this as I am sure there are many out there who are fully legit and above board in their services. Osage Press is an example of a great subsidy press whom I wholeheartedly endorse.

What's the answer(s)? Perhaps a more socialistic approach by 'educating the masses' of authors out there who want to do it right but don't know how to. Imagine if SPAN developed a beginners guide to authorship and publishing, replete with the basic do's and don'ts along with templates that make sense and are usable. For those who wish to move on from the basics, more advanced material as well as 'mentors' who are professionals in their fields followed by a companion listing of pro's to turn to for contractual work.

My familial labor union background is showing yet again.

Gary

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on June 15, 2010 at 4:35pm

Here! Here!

I monitor the CreateSpace forum and you wouldn't believe the overwhelming volume of emails from people trying to make their own covers from templates. SPAN would be crushed by it. I really like the beginner's guide idea. Thanks for the good debate. :-)

Permalink Reply by Gary Roberts on June 15, 2010 at 6:47pm

Well, as with many good ideas... I hope that someone else decides to work on a beginners guide! I have little enough time now... but would be happy to contribute once (someone) starts the process.

and thanks to you too for an enlightening debate

Permalink Reply by Nina Amir on December 1, 2010 at 9:42am

Hey! Don't forget the need for editing! I'm not a designer, but I know the two things that distinguish a self-published book from a traditionally published book are lack of professional design and lack of professional editing. Editing can be more costly than design (depending on the writer's ability to write). There's much a writer can do to improve their copy before hand if they want to work with a writing coach/editor and then do some serious work prior to the actual editing process. However, their manuscript still needs good developmental and copy editing before it goes to print. Aspiring authors need to be aware of this fact--and of the expense.

Permalink Reply by Tambra Kendall on March 13, 2011 at 6:07pm

Michele,

So glad you are on the CreateSpace forum. I joined not too long ago and today, I joined Smashwords.

I have some art experience in my background and I do have a professional graphic artist I can run my covers by.  From what I've done and have learned, I can look at a book cover and tell you what's wrong with it and how it can be strengthened/changed.

 

The cover is just as important as the book itself. This is what the reader/buyer sees first and that first impression is going to determine in many cases whether or not they will open the page or flip the book over to read the back cover blurb.  Because I know in traditional publishing the author has little to no say in the cover, I'll flip to read the blurb or the first page. Readers who aren't writers don't know this and blame the writer for crappy covers.

 

Thanks for letting my join in the conversation.

 

Best,

Tambra

Permalink Reply by Bradley Flora on January 6, 2011 at 7:05pm

In regards to Cover Design,

 

I found an excellent interview with professional  Artist, Mark Gelotte, in which he elaborates on some of the biggest cover design mistakes.

 

While the interview was fascinating and informative, what I think is even more helpful that I would like to highlight is all the comments. In the comments, all the self and independent publishers ask specific scenarios and questions, and Mark responds to each and every one.

 

Take a look a the article and especially at the comments, there's some very very tastey graphic design knowledge to found there.

 

bradley flora

SPANnet.org