Getting started
You’ve spent years creating your novel, invested hours and hours of your spare time pouring your soul into it, and then you want to get it published … so where do you start?
The good news
Well, the good news is, having spent all that time getting your text into shape you have done the hard work. It could be your manuscript is written in hard copy format, but it’s extremely likely that you have transferred it to a digital format in the form of a Microsoft Word document, which is exactly the point where we can start.
If your manuscript isn’t in the form of a Word document don’t worry, we have experts that can create a Word document from whatever format your manuscript is in.
Manuscript keying
If you only have a handwritten manuscript we have experienced typists that can key in your copy and create a digital Word document.
PDF extraction
It could be you have your manuscript digitally, but in a different format. Maybe as scans or an Adobe PDF. We are able to extract the copy from any digital file you may have and create the Word document we need.
Book design
Once you have a Word document ready to go, your next consideration is page design. Most people who read books don’t realise just how much work goes into the layout and design of interior pages.
Trim page size
Your first port of call should be to decide on the physical size of your book, known as the ‘trim page size’ or TPS. A book is a tactile product, it’s very important that the reader is able to hold the book comfortably while reading.
It could be you have a specific page size in mind, but if not we have several industry standard page sizes that are tried and tested to make the reader’s experience more comfortable while optimising paper use when printing (hence reducing printing costs). Visit the Design templates page for more information.
Interior pages
As anyone who has written a book will know, even the simplest page layout needs careful consideration. Design of the interior pages in any book is vital to its success. It’s important the font, type size, leading, margins and so many other parameters are carefully considered to complement the content. A romantic novel has a very different feel to an action thriller or early teen’s fiction, and the page design needs to reflect this so the reader enjoys their experience.
To make life easier we have a range of interior page template designs, categorised into genres. If you visit the Design templates page you can take a look through and pick the design you feel is best for story.
