Book Structure and Composition

Book Structure and Composition

Excellent book design requires a basic understanding of book publishing and an in-depth knowledge of book structure and composition. Most self-publishers should work with a designer to get their artwork prepared for the printer, so it’s best to hire a designer who has a background and technical expertise in designing books. Professional, polished editing and design are benchmarks against which your book will be judged in the marketplace—and are the two areas where you should buy the best help you can afford.  

Following are brief descriptions of the basic building blocks that make up most books and should be included on your book designer’s checklist:

The Front Matter will normally include a copyright page (including copyright notice and library cataloguing information), title page, contents, acknowledgements, and dedication—all written by the author. If desirable, self-publishers might also add a foreword by someone other than the author, a preface by the author explaining how the work came to be, perhaps an introduction stating the purpose and goals of the writing, and even a prologue giving background details or tie-ins to the main story. How many of these items to include is up to the author, and how to organize them is a matter of standard structure with which your designer should be familiar. 

Your manuscript will make up the Body of the book, including parts, chapters and sections. Your developmental editor should give you pointers to help organize these items into clear and concise pieces that are easy to read and understand.

Back Matter, if useful, might contain an epilogue, afterword, appendix, glossary, bibliography, or index. These items can be helpful in bringing closure or additional information to work.

The Front Cover contains the title, subtitle(s), author’s name and an appropriate illustration.

The Spine connects the front and back cover, and is normally the only element visible when the book stands on a bookshelf.

The Back Cover usually contains a summary or description of the book, endorsements praising the book, and a brief author biography. The EAN-13 bar code, which carries the price information, is printed on the bottom of the back cover.

Book Bindings are either softbound (paperback) or hardbound (casebound). With softbound, the books are either “perfect” bound or sewn-and-glued. Perfect bound book pages are trimmed to size, and then glue applied to the spine-edge of the pages before the cover is fastened on. Over time glued pages may loosen and separate from the cover. With sewn-and-glued bindings, printed signatures (typically groups of sixteen to thirty-two pages) are folded down, the spines sewn together, the remaining sides are trimmed, and then glue is applied at the spine and the cover is fastened on. Sewn-and-glued bindings are sturdy, and are most typically used in offset lithographic printing done overseas. In any case, be sure to use a method that gives your book a spine so that the title can be displayed if you intend bookstores and libraries to carry it. 

Hardbound or casebound books are also sewn-and-glued, but have wrapped covers of thick board affixed to the book block (text pages) using endsheets.Hardbound books can have cloth-covered boards or they can be litho-casewrapped (a printed sheet of paper wrapped around the cover boards).

Dust jackets are an option used for both cloth-covered and litho-casewrapped covers.

A Sales Page — probably the last page in the book— will make it easy for readers to find and recommend your book to others. Self-publishers are free to create a separate page where they can include sales information on their title(s). If the book is available as an e-book, include the online link to buy the e-book and another to buy the print version. Include links to your website and any other social media sites you’ve got running.

Creating Final Files

Although printing your book is the last task in the multi-faceted production process, selecting a print method and a printing company beforeyour designer creates final files is a critical step that will save you time and money. Your printing company sets the specifications for the designer to create the proper files—and they must be followed! Printers offer clearly defined trim sizes and bleeds and will require you to submit your book in a specific digital file format. Cover specifications are defined separately and will include calculating the spine measurement based on the thickness of the text paper. Your designer or POD company will prepare these final files according to the printer that you select.

Don’t worry if all this sounds beyond your experience. You have to pay for this service anyway—whether you hire an independent designer or whether your POD company offers it as part of a package. Basic, black-and-white chapter layouts are fairly standard. Many printers will offer templates which includes fonts and chapter headings, to layout your pages. Anything more complex might need special attention. You may want to hire your own designer to execute your vision or you can get a referral from another self-publisher whose book you admire.

The main point for the self-publisher is to stay in control of the production process. Don’t allow others to determine the look or the outcome of your book. Choosing an appropriate typeface for your subject matter makes a big difference in your book’s appearance.

Ask your POD printer if they require that you use their service to design and format your book or if you can provide your own files You will pay for it one way or another— unless you are experienced with graphic design software and can do it yourself. Don’t let the low prices for POD design services seduce you. Check the quality of design offered by POD printers to see if it fits your standards before you sign on for their design services. If you plan to buy a template, ask who will own the final file. Some PODs specify in their contracts, that any templates you buy belong to them, and that you can't use them with other printers. 

Most times, this is probably okay, as printers each have different specs for final files. Just be clear on this point if you plan to publish through other printing companies, because you will have to create new files.

The Importance of Book Covers

Most POD printers offer book cover design services. Buyers beware! Browse the covers of finished books for sale in each supplier’s online bookstore before you cede control over this critical task. Most of the POD providers use stock photos or illustrations. Too often, cover concepts lacking imagination and visual interest are passed on to unsuspecting self-publishers.

Your cover design may be the most crucial element and paramount marketing tool you will produce in the book-building process.

Deciding on a title (and subtitle) for your book is an alchemical blend of art and commerce, and should be taken seriously. Early on you made lists of words, word combinations, titles and subtitles to guide your writing. Test your titles on a variety of small, focused groups such as booksellers, other writers, family and friends. Book titles are subjective, though, so don’t expect unanimous agreement from your test audience. Jettison the stinkers and aim for positive recognition. You can also use a subtitle and a third “tag line” to do the jobs of describing your book’s topic. Don’t forget to take into consideration the most likely search terms readers might use to find your book online.

Graphic design costs for book covers can range from quick-and-dirty to exorbitant. You get what you pay for, so search out professional designers who have a portfolio and experience designing book covers, as this requires a specific design skill set. With clear communication and a willingness to be flexible, self-publishers can collaborate with the right designer to come up with an effective book cover that reflects all your hard work. Don’t let your standards slip when you’re almost to the finish line! This could be one of the most critical decisions you make.

The title of your book should stand out from other graphic elements on the cover. Make sure it is readable from five feet away. Make the title on the spine as big as possible. It should be right-reading beginning at the top of the spine. An experienced designer will know how to double-check the spine measurement to make sure the text on the spine will be centered properly, and that all design elements will wrap seamlessly from front to back. When a book is shelved, the only visible identification is the spine! Good design subtly draws the reader’s eye to the most important elements: the cover, the contents, and the description and blurbs on the back cover.

If you’re not sure if your book is a good idea, or you don’t have a clear plan, download my FREE GUIDE. 

If you want guidance and help creating a plan, schedule a FREE DISCOVERY CALL with me to see how I can help. 

Plan for Success!

Lindsay