I am often asked about my #bookdone process. Here is an overview that covers my set-up and design processes, and typical project timelines. These are broad strokes: the exact details will be included in your custom book or journal design estimate.
I also offer piecemeal speciality services like brainstorming sessions, pre-press services, print consulting, help printing overseas, etc. If you have some kind of out-of-the-box request contact me directly.
Set-Up
Consultation
Whether by e-mail, phone or zoom, I learn about your book project! Usually that involves you filling out this Book Project Questionnaire or Journal Project Questionnaire.
Estimate
I create a detailed free estimate describing what services I suggest to meet your project needs, and the investment range. In order to provide an estimate, you must submit the following three things:
The entire book manuscript, even if it is still in draft format, so that I can see how long it is, how complex the formatting is, and how many graphics there are.
Any graphics or photos that will be used in the book (or to know if you need me to create them), including your book cover if it is already designed.
Specifics about how you plan to have your book printed (unless advising you on this is part of the project), as this can affect my design recommendations.
Contract
My contract lays out the details of our working agreement. I request a 25% downpayment to reserve time for your book project. An additional 25% payment is requested before design begins, 25% when the full layout is completed, and the final 25% before the print-ready files are delivered to you.
File Transfer
You give me all the files I need to get started! Here are some tips for submitting big files.
Your manuscript must be:
professionally edited and proofread,
merged into one file (including front and back matter, etc.), and
submitted in two file formats: docx and pdf.
Images or graphics (if I am not creating them for you) must be:
Provided in the highest available quality, and
supplied in a folder (ie: not simply embedded in your Word file), and
organized or labeled in such a way that it is abundantly clear where they should appear in the manuscript.
Once I have received all of your files, I will check them and make sure we are ready to begin the design phase of your project. This can take several business days.
Design
Many of my book and journal projects include cover design, interior design and ebook. If your project does not include all of these, skip to the information relevant to your project.
Book Cover Design
I create book front cover designs (3 or more options) based on the information gathered during the set-up process.
You give feedback. Feedback needs to be submitted digitally (by email, not by phone/live).
I refine the front cover design based on your feedback and create the final front cover design for your approval. (At this point I can give you a jpeg of the front cover if you want it for marketing purposes.)
I design your book’s back cover and spine. (Sometimes this happens after the book interior layout because the back cover information is not ready yet. The spine size cannot be finalized until the final page count of the book is known, ie: until the final interior file is ready for printing.)
Book Interior Design and Layout
I create sample book interior design layouts (2 or more options, 6-10 pages each).
You give feedback (by email).
I refine the preferred book interior sample and get your approval before proceeding to lay out the whole book.
I design and lay out (typeset) the full book interior (all pages). Sometimes another book designer or layout specialist on my team helps me with this process, giving your book that extra set of experienced eyes and reducing the chance of error.
You receive the full book interior proof. You have up to three opportunities to submit changes (three “rounds of changes”), so be sure you:
Check it carefully yourself.
Send it to a professional proofreader for a final check.
Submit the final changes clearly and concisely. (Here is more information about how to submit changes to your book after layout).
I enter the final changes.
You approve and sign off on the book interior design.
I perform final pre-press checks and create print-ready files for your printer.
You send or upload print-ready files to the printer.
I provide support if the printer requires changes to the files to meet their specifications.
Ebook Adaptation
My developer, Luca, and I take your print-ready book files and adapt them for ebook.
I deliver the ebook files to you.
You check them (if desired—usually there are no big changes because the content is the same as the print book) or simply upload them to your distributor’s platform.
Timelines
Below you will find my standard, realistic timelines for books of varying complexity. That said, scheduling your book in advance can help achieve a faster turnaround time. The timelines below have built-in cushion for the unexpected. In my fifteen years of experience in book-making, I have seen many different projects and scenarios, and I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. If your book needs to go to press within one month of the manuscript being finalized, it is highly unlikely that I can help you.
High Complexity Book Project
This includes books with image-heavy interiors like cookbooks, coffee table books, most full color books, books with very extensive footnotes, endnotes, and special formatting.
Book Cover Design: 6–10 business days
Book Interior Design and Layout:
Sample layout: 6–8 business days
Full layout: 15–20 business days
Ebook Adaptation: 10–15 business days
Medium Complexity Book Project
This includes most non-fiction books and journals.
Book Cover Design: 6–10 business days
Book Interior Design and Layout:
Sample layout: 6–8 business days
Full layout: 10–15 business days
Ebook Adaptation: 6–10 business days
Low Complexity Book Project
This includes most novels, simple memoirs, children’s books, and other books without extensive special formatting.
Book Cover Design: 6–8 business days
Book Interior Design and Layout:
Sample layout: 5 business days
Full layout: 10 business days
Ebook Adaptation: 6–8 business days
These timelines include time for some changes, but books with extensive changes after full layout may exceed these timelines. The clock starts ticking once your initial project fees are paid and I have all of your files. (Note: I do not start new projects between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.)