Interior Layout for Print and Ebook Formatting
Though this is sometimes referred to as formatting, typesetting, design, or layout, interior book design is more than just formatting. For print layout and typesetting, I use the industry standard software, Adobe InDesign, for custom design and superior paragraph composition and typesetting that you can’t get from one-size-fits-all solutions like Vellum and Atticus. I use your book’s cover to ensure that the cover and interior of your book will look and feel like a cohesive unit. Take a look at my interior layout portfolio for visual examples of this. See below for more detail on everything included in my book interior layout service.
Front and Back Matter
Each page of your front and back matter will be designed to fit industry standards, as well as your taste and your genre. Seeing your cover will help me to design a similar style for your title page and chapter titles.
Chapter Title Pages
Chapter title pages will be designed with display fonts that will fit your genre’s style and tone. First paragraphs may use drop caps and small cap styling (if desired) and are styled with no first line indentation.
Scene Breaks
Scene breaks can be styled with a blank line or with a set of marks (asterisks or bullets) or an image (print only). The first line after a scene break is usually not indented and can be styled with small caps if desired.
Running Heads & Folios
Running heads and folios (page numbers) appear only on numbered pages. These will use fonts that match the rest of the design of your book. Running heads and folios are removed for your ebook.
Typesetting
Every line on every page will be checked for bad hyphenation breaks, widows, word stacks, loose lines, tight lines, incorrect spacing, and a host of other layout issues. This is for print only, since ebooks are reader-configurable.
PDF File
The InDesign file will be exported as a either PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 document. You can upload this PDF to your printer without it going through any conversion process. Your print book will look exactly the way it does on your screen.
EPUB Export
Once you approve your print design, I will export it as an EPUB from InDesign to ensure that the print book and the ebook look as much alike as possible while still allowing the reader to make their own adjustments.
EPUB Code Adjustments
Exports to EPUB are never perfect, so after the export, I will open your EPUB file in a CSS/HTML editor to clean up the code and adjust anything that needs fixing. I will also add alt text to your images for accessibility.
Final EPUB File
The final result will be an EPUB file you can upload to any retailer. Amazon will convert it to their own format with enhanced typesetting enabled.
Working with Lisa on the interior design for my novel was amazing, and the interior looks polished to perfection! Lisa asked great questions and was very attentive to all of the details (there are many to consider for the inside of a novel!) I have a great deal of respect for Lisa’s opinions and experience–when asked, she was helpful with her professional opinions which I really valued!
Sample Pages
EPUB as viewed on iPhone. Note embedded chapter title font and drop cap.
Mobi file after EPUB conversion by Amazon, as viewed on a Kindle Paperwhite.
This is my second collaboration with Lisa and all I can say is wow! I was impressed with her proofreading skills previously, but recently she stepped in and designed my interior in a pinch and as it turns out she is a master of that skill as well. I can’t imagine using anyone else for PR and interior design on my future novels.
Interior Layout Does Not Include:
Cover Design
I don’t offer cover design, but I’m happy to supply you (or them) with your final page count and trim size, which they’ll need to calculate your book’s spine width.
Ebook-Only Formatting
My ebook formatting service is only available if you’ve also hired me to design your interior print layout.
Creating Nonfiction Elements
I don’t offer the creation of charts, graphs, tables, illustrations, or graphics. These elements must be supplied to me by the author.
Retailer/POD Printer Assistance
My service does not include uploading your file to a POD printer or retailer. However, if there is an issue with the files themselves, I’m happy to troubleshoot with you.
Interior Layout Process
Questionnaire
Before I schedule your project or quote you a price, please fill out my design questionnaire, where you’ll tell me about your book and make selections on certain design styles.
Scheduling
Next, we’ll find a time slot that works for both of us. I generally require about a week for interior print design, but I’ll also need to find a time slot that works with my editing schedule.
Quote & Contract
Now I’ll send you a quote with a plain-English contract that outlines terms that protect both your interests and mine. (If you’re also booking editing and/or proofreading, these will be combined.)
First Invoice
After you accept the quote, I’ll send an invoice for a deposit of 50% of the total cost of the project. Payment of this deposit is due before the design begins.
Send Manuscript & Cover
Now that you’ve sent your deposit, it’s time to send me your manuscript (if I don’t already have it from editing). I’ll also need your front cover so I can match the interior to its look and tone.
Sample Pages
A few days after our start date, I’ll send you sample pages to look over and either approve or request changes. After approval, any further design changes may incur an extra fee.
Delivery of Print PDF
When I’ve completed the design, I will send you the full PDF file. Look over this file and note any design issues you see (awkward hyphenation, missed widows/orphans, etc.)
Minor Adjustments
If there are any design issues, as noted in step 7, send me your list and I’ll make adjustments. This doesn’t not include typos that were present in the original manuscript.
Post-Proofread Changes
If you’ve had your book proofread after print layout, now is the best time to make those corrections. If I edited your book, then typo fixes are free; otherwise, there is an hourly fee for making changes.
Final PDF
After adjustments (if any) and proofread corrections, I’ll send you the final PDF file, which you will upload to your retailer or POD printer. Contact your cover designer and send them your final page count and trim size.
EPUB Export & Delivery
Now that your print layout is complete and corrections are finished, I’ll use your book’s InDesign file to create your EPUB, which will be tested on multiple devices before delivery.
Final Invoice
Along with your EPUB file, I’ll send you a final invoice for the remaining fee. This invoice is due upon receipt. Now it’s time to go forth and publish!
Pricing
Design costs vary, depending on complexity. My rates are consistent with or lower than the per-page rates listed on the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate chart. Use the calculator below to get an idea of the price range I will quote you for. (Please note that there is a $75 minimum charge for book layout).
Simple Design
$.007 per word
Text-heavy design with up to two images (usually one in front matter and author photo in back matter), no special text treatment for first lines of chapters or scenes, and no images or glyphs for scene separators. This works well for novels that have no special elements like letters, journal entries, chat boxes, newspaper articles, etcetera.
Standard Design
$.01 per word
Text-heavy content with up to four front/back matter images. Chapter first lines may have drop cap and/or first few words as small caps. Scene first lines may have first few words as small caps. Scene breaks may have small flourish separator. Includes up to three extra content styles (letters, journal entries, newspaper articles, etcetera).
Complex Design
$.015 per word
Everything in Standard Design, but your book has more complex design needs. Varied images for chapter title pages, several styles of subheadings, lists, blockquotes (letters, journal entries, newspaper articles, chat/text conversations, etcetera). Complex layout for fiction is rare, but ALL nonfiction is priced at this level.
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