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Once your manuscript has been copy edited to the stage where there are no outstanding errors in the document, it will need to be designed.

If you are going to have your book printed, we recommend you find a graphic designer who is experienced in designing hard copy books, and ask to see some samples of their work before you hire them.

If you are going to e-publish your book, we recommend you find a graphic designer who is experienced in designing e-books, and ask to see some samples of their work before you hire them.

One designer may produce the cover and another designer (or typesetter) may produce the inside pages; or the same designer may produce both the cover and the inside pages.

Cover

The graphic designer of the cover of a self-published book:

1. requires a detailed brief from the client (editor or author); e.g. title, subtitle, author’s name, length of blurb, requested images, colour, size and other specifications
2. has a good idea of, or has read, the inside pages (in draft form)
3. designs the style and layout of the cover in consultation with the author/editors, and may provide options for different types of designs
4. designs the cover bearing in mind whether it is going to be e-published, or printed, or both, as this will affect the specifications
5. ensures the design epitomises what the book is about and is aesthetically appealing to the target audience
6. is responsible for providing and obtaining all the usual specifications and information required by the printer or e-publisher (or the client), and submitting the designed cover to the client or printer by the agreed deadline
7. is not responsible for proofreading the cover; this is the responsibility of the editor or client.

Inside pages

The copy-edited manuscript of the inside pages of a book is usually a Word document. This is sent to the graphic designer (or typesetter) who imports the manuscript into their design program (for example, InDesign).

The graphic designer of the inside pages of a self-published book:

1. requires a detailed brief from the client (editor or author)
2. requires all the material needed for the inside pages; e.g. front matter; content; any end matter; any requests in regard to fonts or layout
3. transfers the text from the Word document into their design program
4. does their best to ensure no information is ‘lost’ or changed during the conversion or during the design stage
5. designs the style and layout in consultation with the author/editors, and may provide options for different types of designs
6. designs the inside pages bearing in mind whether it is going to be e-published, or printed, or both, as this will affect the specifications
7. ensures the design aligns with the cover design, epitomises what the book is about, and is aesthetically appealing to the target audience
8. is responsible for providing and obtaining all the usual specifications and information required by the printer or e-publisher (or the client), and submitting the designed inside pages to the client or printer by the agreed deadline
9. is not responsible for proofreading the cover; this is the responsibility of the editor or client.

For more information about self-publishing, go to

• The steps of producing a self-published book

Proofread by Dee Sansom, On Time Typing, Editing and Proofreading

Image: Edward Hunter Reserve, Gippsland; photograph by SWK.