Don't Want Your Book to Look Like It Was
Layed Out In MS Word?
Professional Book Layout Design Services
Your interior book design layout is very important! Today's digital world tempts book authors to do their own book design. Word processing software, such as MS Word, makes it possible for self-publishers to attempt their own book design - to type, make page numbers, headers, footers, and to stylize fonts. Going this route may produce a book, but not a marketable one.
Even modern readers still buy and read books that have a professional design. They don't look for a professional design, of course. In fact, if they notice the design at all it's a bad sign. Usually the only time a potential reader notices the "design" of a book is when it's a bad one. Having then subconsciously marking the book as amateur, they put it back on the shelf. You want your book cover to catch your potential reader's eye. Then he or she should pick up your book and start flipping through it. If something is "off" your potential reader will sense this, often not being able to name it or put their finger on it, and they will reject your book on that basis alone, without reading a word.
The idea is for the process to be seamless. They see the book, pick it up, start reading. If they see the book, pick it up, and start to feel funny about it, then you've missed that sale.
Readers aren't designers. The don't know what to look for. In fact, they don't "look" at all. You don't want them to notice the design - you want them to get right into your words! Who knows what design faux pas a reader will subconsiously sense as he or she flips through a book that was not professionally designed? Maybe the right facing pages are even-numbered, maybe the letting is too tight. Maybe there's just no "design" to the book at all. In any case, yout book goes back on the shelf, usually in less than 8 seconds.
What's The Point?
The point is there are dozens, if not hundreds of things a professional book layout designer knows to do (or not to do) and when these myriad things have been done properly . . . NOBODY NOTICES! Instead, they get right into reading your book. I've done my job as a designer. If you've done your job as a book author, they'll just keep turning those pages now won't they?
Book design involves an appropriate and befitting cover design concept, choosing typeface and ornaments, stylizing headings and paragraphs, and attention to typesetting - a skill that requires a thorough knowledge of design standards and years of practice. How much space is necessary in gutters for print binding? What are the optimal fonts, font sizes, and leading? How many pages are in a print signature? Improperly designed layout is difficult to read, and in some case may even be rejected by a printer.
So... how does your design process work?
Delaney-Designs' layout design procedure is very simple...
- we review your manuscript
- we recommend how to adjust your manuscript so it will perfectly suit your book layout
- the design is always considered as the classic book design for structure, form, and typesetting standards
- we ensure you have content for all the parts of your book
- we outline all factors in a quote
- upon your approval of the quote and deposit, we design a sample for your review and approval
- upon the approval of your sample, we create your custom page layout design
- we take your manuscript and begin your complete page layout
- we send you your custom designed layout for proof
- you can make a round of changes and then another proof is sent to you
- we round out the page count for printer specifications
- we send a final proof
- upon your approval, we send print files to the printer of your choice
- we handle any printer issues for you
Delaney-Designs specializes in handling complex content - multilevel text, lists, extracts, sidebars, tables, figures, photos, illustrations, features, applications, glossaries and appendices, indexes, and resources. Very careful planning goes into the production of all books. Delaney-Designs also designs illustrated books - coffee table books and children's picture books.
We will guide you through every phase so that your book is the best in the marketplace. Delaney-Designs' service is highly personal and focused on your special vision.
No matter the type of manuscript you have, the custom book design you have envisioned is waiting for you with Delaney-Designs.