Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ron Lair on February 16, 2011 at 8:50am

Thanks for the opportunity!

Attachments:

• ruth cover 2b copy.jpg, 322 KB
• book intro.pdf, 514 KB

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on February 16, 2011 at 10:01am

Hello, Ron.

Thanks for uploading your files. I'll look them over in detail and offer an opinion about the cover and interior design ASAP. Please let me know if you need this feedback by a specific time, that is, if you are planning a reprint soon.

 

Thanks,
Michele

 

Michele DeFilippo
1106 Design
Your Book. Designed. With Hand-Holding
http://1106design.com

 

Permalink Reply by Ron Lair on February 16, 2011 at 6:34pm

Thanks Michele. The book is a new title that I'm working on - my first, in fact. I sent you the first chapter. It hasn't gone through final edit, so don't spend much time with the content. No need for you to rush it. I'm sure you're busy.

 

Thanks Again!

 

Ron

 

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on February 17, 2011 at 10:34am

Hi Ron,

I looked at your files. I think you're heading in the right direction, and have a few suggestions that you may want to consider:

First, the interior:

The "book block" is generally good. I wouldn't put the extra few points of space between paragraphs. When layouts contain a space between paragraphs (usually in how-to books), it's usually a full line of space, and the first line indents are eliminated (because the line space creates the necessary pause, the purpose of an indent). The space you have now is just enough to look like a mistake. :-)

The chapter title (in this case, Introduction) is much too large. It should start down lower on the page and closer to the text. I'd make it about half the size and possibly smaller. The interior design of a book should be all about reading comprehension and reader distractions should be kept to a minimum. I'd eliminate the "Intro" behind the word Introduction and any other front matter section. For actual chapters, it would look nice to have a large, gray chapter number behind the chapter name, because one or two characters would not be as distracting as an entire word.

The page numbers are too big and bold. They need to be there for navigation, but in their current size and bold italic weight, they pull the reader's eye away from the text.

The page headers are nice. I'd put the head of the wheat toward the trim side, not the gutter, and I'd make the word Introduction upper and lower case, as it's difficult to read. If upper and lower case are not available in this font, then I'd use the text font instead. Just as with page numbers, the headers shouldn't distract from the text. If you plan to print your book POD, keep in mind that the line-screen used will be quite coarse, so small text in gray may look broken up in print. This is not a concern with offset printing.

The subheads should not be flush right. This drags the reader's eye away, and then back to continue reading. The typeface (Kabel?) is a modern font, out-of-synch with the traditional and classic subject matter.

The distance between the headers and the start of the text should be consistent (pgs. 12 & 13 have much less space above than other pages.).

Feel free to visit http://1106design.com to download interior design samples for inspiration.

On the cover:

The lighthouse is a fitting metaphor for hope and the dark scene is in keeping with the title. However, the title itself should be larger, so that it will be visible in small sizes online. I think I would cut the image off just past the spine, as extending it across the back takes away precious space for your text. (And, when you look at the back by itself, it doesn't really serve a purpose.)

The barcode would normally be positioned where your photo and bio are now, so these elements should be rearranged. The text on the back cover could be jazzed up a bit, and perhaps a "kicker headline" added to grab the reader's attention. Something like, "How do ordinary people cope with life's difficulties? The Book of Ruth can teach us."

Please let me know if you have questions. I hope you're not tempted to "shoot the messenger." :-)

 

Michele

 

 

Permalink Reply by Ron Lair on February 17, 2011 at 7:43pm

Thanks so much, Michele. No messenger shooting here. Some of those elements were attempts to be "different," realizing that they'd have to go. (I surprised you didn't loath the wheat heads. I'm not sure that I like them.) I will definately take your advice to heart.  Thanks for your invaluable service. You've help my project quite a bit. Maybe I should credit your efforts on the copyright page as Graphic Design consultant!

Ron

 

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on February 18, 2011 at 8:09am

Thanks for accepting my comments in good grace, Ron. No credit necessary.

Actually, I'm not a fan of repeating the same graphic element on every page, but that's a matter of opinion. Perhaps the wheat icon could be used instead on the chapter opener pages.

Michele

 

Permalink Reply by Ron Lair on February 18, 2011 at 8:34am

ooooh  good idea. I'll have to play with that

Permalink Reply by Brad Poulson on February 20, 2011 at 1:46pm

Michele,

This is a tremendous service you are providing to our SPAN members.

 

Beyond the specific assistance, this educational thread gives all our members the unique opportunity to consider the thoughts of a true, experienced professional in book design and production: Michele DeFilippo at 1106 Design.

 

Truly…thank you for the quality you bring to our online community, and for you ongoing support of SPAN.

 

Highest Regards,

 

Brad Poulson

SPAN Communications Director

Permalink Reply by Ron Lair on February 20, 2011 at 8:28pm

Brad,

I stumbled upon this thread and was surprised to see it empty. My assumption was that I'd get a fairly superficial critique of the files that I had submitted. But, as you can see, Michele spent a great deal of her valuable time going over every detail of my cover and sample text and offered valuable suggestions.

 

I'm not a SPAN member, but when I come to the point where I can justify the expense, it's services like this that will insure that I become a member. I am that impressed! Thank you for the service and I would encourage others to take advantage now that they've seen it in action.

 

Ron

Permalink Reply by Pamela Joy Licatino on February 20, 2011 at 7:53pm

Michele,

Have you ever heard of the program Book Cover Pro?  I understand that this program is easier than InDesign.  Please tell me what you think for book covers.  I appreciate that a review can be done before submitting for printing.  Thanks.   PAM

Permalink Reply by 1106 Design on February 21, 2011 at 8:52am

Hi Pamela,

Successful book cover design has nothing to do with software. Software is just a tool. I can go out and buy a hammer and nails tomorrow, but that doesn't qualify me to build a house. Successful covers are the result of training and judgment honed by years of experience. There is far more to book cover design than most people imagine. It's not just about plopping down a picture and adding a title. The task also involves building the digital file correctly for the printer. I wrote a blog post about this here:

http://1106design.com/no-designers-dont-just-slap-together-a-cover/

and here:

http://1106design.com/a-simple-cover/

and here:

http://1106design.com/self-publishing-for-business-owners-the-wrong...

and about a dozen other posts on my site.

If this sounds like I'm standing on a soap box, I plead guilty as charged. The bottom line is, if you're not a cover designer, you won't wind up with an effective cover no matter what software you use. I know people resist this advice, but the curious fact is that only self-publishers talk about designing their own covers and interiors. Established publishers hire pros for both services.

Do successful publishers hire designers because they have the money, or do they have money because they hired professional designers (and editors, too) and sold a lot of books?

It's really extraordinary, when you think about it, that self-publishers, who are entering a new business for the first time, convince themselves that it's OK to completely ignore the industry standards and tried-and-true path to success. I understand why it happens; after all, we all have text and image processing tools on our desk. That's why I will stand on my soap box and try to convince at least a few of you to reconsider. :-)

Michele DeFilippo
1106 Design
Your Book. Designed. With Hand-Holding.
http://1106design.com

 

 

Permalink Reply by Steve Novak on March 1, 2011 at 4:03pm

Michele,

 

You are right on.  I agree with you, and I have my own soap box, but will share yours. 

 

The things you point out are what separates a business from a hobby.  If you are entering publishing as a business, even if it is self-publishing, you will outsource the tasks that should be done by the people/suppliers that are the best at them.  Editing, cover and interior design, distribution, and even accounting, marketing, and sales depending on your goals and resources.  As a business you think about the investment it will take to get the return you want.  That is, if you want to maximize sales by getting into the major retailers and other "traditional" channels, you have to invest in the best editors and designers that you can afford. 

 

On the other hand, you can do everything yourself.  You can end up with a book that is quite good, but it's not likely to be of the same quality as the professionally produced book.  And that is fine if that is what you want.  You might even make money.  But the approach is more of a hobbyist than a business. 

 

It really boils down to your goals.  If you want to be a publisher as a business, you need to think and act like a business.  That doesn't mean success, of course, but it does make it more likely.  If you want to be a publisher as a hobby, and there are many good reasons to do so, than go into it knowing that this is what you are doing. 

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