| With today's technology, it is now easier than | | | | - Make sure your page layout is good. No |
| ever to get your books published. There are | | | | paragraph headers at the bottom of the previous |
| many POD (Print on demand) services that print | | | | page, for instance! |
| books professionally, quickly, and inexpensively. In | | | | Creating the PDF Document |
| this article, we discuss some of the important | | | | With today's print on demand technology, once |
| issues to think about when writing and getting | | | | you have your book written, edited - and settings |
| your book published. | | | | correct (fonts, font size, margins, page layout, |
| ISBN | | | | etc.) - it is as simple as creating a PDF document, |
| The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) | | | | right? Or is it that easy? |
| makes your book "official" and is required if you | | | | It IS as easy as creating a PDF document, but |
| want to sell your book and make it available in | | | | there are a few things to remember, that are |
| libraries. Publishers can buy ISBN numbers in bulk, | | | | required by most print on demand printers. Again, |
| so it is often a good idea to work with a publisher | | | | working with an experienced publisher will help |
| instead of paying a premium to own a single (or | | | | smooth the process. |
| several) ISBNs. You can buy ISBNs from the | | | | - Embed your fonts in the PDF document, |
| Bowker agency in the U.S. Although Bowker is the | | | | - Make sure graphics are rendered with at least |
| only official agency in the U.S. to sell ISBNs, you | | | | 300 dpi (dots per inch) for the best appearance, |
| can also obtain ISBNs from publishers and other | | | | and |
| firms that resell ISBNs. | | | | - Make sure the output PDF is the correct size |
| Note that in addition to obtaining the ISBN and | | | | for the book. |
| using it within your book, a barcode of the ISBN | | | | Note that most publishers purchase software |
| also needs to be created for the book cover. | | | | such as Adobe Acrobat to accomplish all of these |
| Finally, the ISBN and relevant book information | | | | goals when producing a professional and |
| needs to be registered with the Bowker agency's | | | | print-quality PDF document. The publisher and |
| database. You will need a different ISBN for each | | | | printer will use the PDF to create your book! |
| format in which you wish to publish your book. | | | | Cover Design |
| The ISBN is the first thing that people wonder | | | | This is more important than you think. A nice |
| about as they think about writing a book. What | | | | cover will attract readers to your book. Make |
| are some other things to consider? | | | | sure your cover is professional, attractive, and |
| Industry Standards | | | | matches the theme of your book. |
| Before you start writing, you should be aware of | | | | Using a Publisher |
| - and try to stick with as many industry | | | | Some authors may decide to use a publisher |
| standards as possible. Your publisher and editor | | | | when they write their books. The publisher's |
| should be a good resource. Please be aware of | | | | expertise and knowledge is often well worth the |
| the following standards: | | | | nominal cost to use an industry professional. A |
| - You will need to decide on the size of your | | | | knowledgeable publisher can often save an author |
| book. Is it 6 inches x 9 inches? Or 5.5 inches x 8.5 | | | | time and trouble. In some cases, the cost of the |
| inches? Check with your printer to make sure this | | | | publisher is just a little more than purchasing your |
| is a good standard size that they can print. And | | | | own ISBN! |
| then set your paper size correctly in your word | | | | Publishers will typically work with their authors to |
| processor. | | | | customize services. Some authors merely need |
| - Font: Some people like to use Times New | | | | an ISBN and some help with formatting issues. |
| Roman, but note that this font was designed for | | | | Others will want editorial assistance. A good |
| newspapers. Some good fonts to use for a book | | | | publisher should serve the needs of their authors. |
| include: Garamond, Georgia, and Bookman. | | | | An additional benefit that should not be |
| - Font size: Most trade paperbacks are printed | | | | underestimated is that using a third-party publisher |
| with a font size from 10 to 12, but this is not set | | | | gives your book added prestige. This may be |
| in stone. Think of your target readers and | | | | particularly important if the book is a |
| audience, and the length of the book, when | | | | credibility-builder for your business. |
| deciding on your font size. | | | | Summary |
| - Margins: You can check out the margins on | | | | With today's technology, it is easier than ever for |
| some books that you like. I like to leave a slightly | | | | new authors to write a book and get it published. |
| larger margin on the edge of the page that will be | | | | Just be careful of some of the things we listed |
| bound. | | | | above and you will be the proud author of a |
| - Page numbering can normally be set on the | | | | professional-quality, beautiful book. We wish you |
| outside bottom edge of each page. | | | | well -- and happy writing! |