If you are a writer working with a publisher (large or small) or if you are a small or first time publisher, this book will help you understand the book production process and the principles of good cover and interior book design. It will allow you to look at a book design and immediately see the common errors and to see that a book is following the traditions of good book design that gives credibility to your message. Whether you do the work yourself or hire it done, this book will help you get your book done right. Use this book to guide you through the bookd design and production process.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A masterful work.... The industry has needed a book like this for years. --Dan Poynter, author The Self Publishing Manual
Have it on hand for the explanations that help the publisher make good decisions.... --Patricia J. Bell, publisher, Cat's-paw Press
...A must-have to stay competitive in this overcrowded marketplace. --Fern Reiss, author The Publishing Game
Have it on hand for the explanations that help the publisher make good decisions.... --Patricia J. Bell, publisher, Cat's-paw Press
...A must-have to stay competitive in this overcrowded marketplace. --Fern Reiss, author The Publishing Game
About the Author
Pete Masterson has been an independent book designer since 1997. Before that he owned a print shop, was general manager of a book oriented typesetting service in San Francisco and was manager of publications and graphics for a contractor to NASA, where he and his staff produced some 200 publications a year. He is the 2005 President of the [San Fancisco] Bay Area Independent Publishers Association.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Rene Ritchie
Format:Paperback
I've been doing graphic design for over 15 years, and have previously layed out 2 books (photo/illustration intensive ones) and had 2 of my own book designed by traditional publishers. I was never perfectly happy with either result. When it came time to design my latest novel, I was determined to do it myself and also do it well. Pete Masterson's book provided a road-map towards that goal.
I hadn't done book design in almost 5 years and the software had changed considerably, but Masterson's step-by-step InDesign tutorial let me hit the ground sprinting. He showed what to do, and more importantly, what absolutely must be avoided, in order to achieve a professional level layout.
Very much recommended to anyone even considering doing their own layout (doing your own design, IMHO, requires some additional skills, which Masterson also points out during several stages of the process).
I hadn't done book design in almost 5 years and the software had changed considerably, but Masterson's step-by-step InDesign tutorial let me hit the ground sprinting. He showed what to do, and more importantly, what absolutely must be avoided, in order to achieve a professional level layout.
Very much recommended to anyone even considering doing their own layout (doing your own design, IMHO, requires some additional skills, which Masterson also points out during several stages of the process).
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book focuses on how to actually create a book. How to prepare the manuscript, layout the interior of the book and create the cover. This book does a very good job of walking the user through the book creation process. Unlike many books on book design, this one gives real examples, with screen shots, of how to do everything. It does not speak at a purely abstract level, like many other design books do.
The book includes two excellent chapters on type. These two chapters alone, are worth the price of the book. They explain the font families with many clear illustrations. These two chapters also explain which fonts should be used, and at what times.
The book includes an excellent tutorial on Adobe InDesign. At the time the book was written, InDesign CS was the current version. The examples work well enough with Adobe InDesign CS2, which is the current version(as of the writing of this review).
The author also includes a chapter that shows how to layout a book with Microsoft Word. The author begins with a warning NOT to use Microsoft word, or any word processor, to layout a professional book. But if you really WANT to use Microsoft Word, the author shows you the best possible way to use it.
If you are considering laying out a book, this is a must read. Even if you are considering outsourcing book layout, this book will help you to understand what you are buying, and what the options are.
Topics covered, from the table of contents:
1. Some History
2. The Process
3. Decisions, Decisions
4. Parts of a Book
5. Let's Talk About Type
6. Design With Type
7. Professional Tools
8. Using Word for Layout
9. Page Layout with InDesign
10. Selecting a Printer
11. Book Covers
12. Children's Books
13. Color Printing
14. Scanning
15. Hiring a Designer
The book includes two excellent chapters on type. These two chapters alone, are worth the price of the book. They explain the font families with many clear illustrations. These two chapters also explain which fonts should be used, and at what times.
The book includes an excellent tutorial on Adobe InDesign. At the time the book was written, InDesign CS was the current version. The examples work well enough with Adobe InDesign CS2, which is the current version(as of the writing of this review).
The author also includes a chapter that shows how to layout a book with Microsoft Word. The author begins with a warning NOT to use Microsoft word, or any word processor, to layout a professional book. But if you really WANT to use Microsoft Word, the author shows you the best possible way to use it.
If you are considering laying out a book, this is a must read. Even if you are considering outsourcing book layout, this book will help you to understand what you are buying, and what the options are.
Topics covered, from the table of contents:
1. Some History
2. The Process
3. Decisions, Decisions
4. Parts of a Book
5. Let's Talk About Type
6. Design With Type
7. Professional Tools
8. Using Word for Layout
9. Page Layout with InDesign
10. Selecting a Printer
11. Book Covers
12. Children's Books
13. Color Printing
14. Scanning
15. Hiring a Designer
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are thinking about self-publishing or starting a small press--even if you intend to hire professionals to do all designing tasks--you must read this book! Very few books out there cover everything from the basics (ie: why 2 spaces after a sentence was fine for your high school typing class but not for a professional-looking book interior) to the more esoteric (ie: what the fine print on the back of a printing contract says). You'll learn why things are done the way they are and how that is accomplished. For those who never intend to DIY, you should read this anyway just so you know how to communicate with your designers (and what the heck they mean when they talk back).
Specific instructions are given for typesetting in InDesign, as well as succeeding at typesetting in Microsoft Word (which is sort of like telling people how to make snowshoes from tennis racquets, but that is only my opinion). Accompanying screen shots help make the process accessible to anyone.
Designing a book cover is covered thoroughly, as is how to choose a printer and designer (cover and interior), the different rules for Children's books, proper use of a scanner, and the whole history of print. Over 100 pages of glossary explanations cover terms from typography to computers and more--worth the price of admission in and of itself!
Frequently amusing, fabulously informative-you must have this on your bookshelf if you are a new (or even a slightly used) publisher!
Specific instructions are given for typesetting in InDesign, as well as succeeding at typesetting in Microsoft Word (which is sort of like telling people how to make snowshoes from tennis racquets, but that is only my opinion). Accompanying screen shots help make the process accessible to anyone.
Designing a book cover is covered thoroughly, as is how to choose a printer and designer (cover and interior), the different rules for Children's books, proper use of a scanner, and the whole history of print. Over 100 pages of glossary explanations cover terms from typography to computers and more--worth the price of admission in and of itself!
Frequently amusing, fabulously informative-you must have this on your bookshelf if you are a new (or even a slightly used) publisher!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everything the self-publisher needs to know about book design
I just received this book, and it is giving me the confidence to layout my 500 page fiction manuscript knowing that I can do so professionally. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert H Bear
5.0 out of 5 stars
detailed
This book provides an in-depth education of book design that do-it-yourself, indie authors---who enjoy every step of the publishing process including the design element of creating... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lloyd Lofthouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of a kind
This book is truly one of a kind for people interested in Book design.. not Writing, or self publishing but actual design of covers and interiors. Exactly what I was searching for
Published 5 months ago by Tea
5.0 out of 5 stars
My go-to book on book design
This is a great starting point and a great reference for learning about interior book design and production. Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. W. Brewster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent how-to on laying out a book
I've done page layout with InDesign before, but I'd never laid out a book. This book walked me step by step through precisely what I needed to do to create a template for book... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Marjorie Carlson
5.0 out of 5 stars
hugely helpful, and a good read
I am a book publisher, though not a designer by training, so I have a strong professional interest in this topic. Read more
Published 21 months ago by chungking
5.0 out of 5 stars
Competent and comprehensive
I am the author of three books that have attracted roughly a quarter of a million readers. Though I have had good experiences with my publishers (Presidio/Random House; Taunton),... Read more
Published on December 14, 2009 by David Gerstel
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolutely Invaluable Resource For The Self-Publisher
This book is an invaluable resource. I consider this book to be the bible of book design -- at least it was for me. Read more
Published on December 4, 2009 by E. Marchand
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without this guide, my books would look like they were published by a...
Book Design and Production is THE essential guide for creating beautiful, professional books that can compete with books published by the big publishing companies, and is why I use... Read more
Published on November 3, 2009 by Terena Scott
2.0 out of 5 stars
Rambling and off-topic
This book was disappointing on many levels. First, the title: It's not about book production (primarily) and production (secondarily), as the cover suggests. Read more
Published on October 26, 2009 by Sasha Alyson
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