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While formatting my manuscript,
does AuthorCrossing have any suggestions to help create a clean and professional layout?
Yes, there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your manuscript that
will greatly increase the overall professional appearance of the book.
Consistency throughout the book goes a long
way to adding to the professional appearance of your book. Consistency applies to
various levels including the font throughout the body, line spacing and justification,
paragraph indents, spacing after a period, chapter starts, dashes, and other kinds
of punctuation. The line spacing and font size and style should be consistent throughout
the main body of the text, although bold or italics can vary. (However, it is best
not to overuse bold, italics, or underlines, which can be very distracting to the
reader). To ensure that paragraph indentation is consistent, use the same spacing
each time using the tab key (not by pressing the space bar, which can cause inconsistent
spacing). Or, some authors prefer to have a space in between each paragraph instead
of an indentation. Just make sure you are consistent each time. If you incorporate
scene breaks in your book, use a consistent number of spaces or a glyph for each
break, whether it is one or two lines, or three or four asterisks. Some authors
use one space after a period, and others prefer to use two spaces. Decide what you
like better and keep it consistent. The same rule applies for punctuation styles,
like an em or en dash, smart quotes or straight quotes, ellipses, etc. You can use
the "find/replace" function in Microsoft Word to assist you in locating
and changing these details so they are consistent. See our
help video library for a video tutorial.
The readability of a book is extremely important
since it is the means through which you will reach your audience. The main aspects
that affect readability are font style, font size and line spacing. While your chapter-start
titles, title pages, etc., can use more decorative and ornate fonts, the main body
text should be something standard and easy to read. It is typically a serif font,
which means that there are little marks, or "serifs," on the ends of letters;
for instance, the tiny marks at the top and bottom of an "l." Some suggested
serif fonts to use include, Adobe Garamond Pro or Garamond, Adobe Caslon Pro or
Caslon, Adobe Jenson Pro, Minion Pro, Goudy Old Style and Times New Roman. San-serifs
are typically not used for the main body of the book but if you desire a san serif
font, some possibilities are Century Gothic, Arial or Helvetica. For a complete
list, download our
allowable font list (PDF) . Make sure to review the available styles or
variations of the font, since some only have "regular" style (no bold,
bold italic or italic).
Line spacing plays a big role in readability
and most books are easiest to read with 1.5 lines. This allows enough room for readers'
eye to easily find the next line without effort. However, some authors prefer more
or less space between lines. Experiment with single and double line spacing, or
somewhere in between and find the line spacing right for you and your readers.
Font size plays a role in readability. While
specific fonts appear slightly smaller or larger at the same point size, most books
are between 11 to 12 points. Some authors prefer a larger font if their book is
geared for an older or younger crowd, or some authors use a smaller font if they
have a very long novel. However, it is best to keep the font size 10 points or above
for the main body.
There are a lot of formatting tricks and standards
that are so common, many people do not even notice they are there. For instance,
it is common to see headers at the top of every page that list the author name and
book title (name on one page, title on the other). Page numbers are usually also
listed on each page, except for certain special pages, like the title page, dedication
page or any blank pages. You might find it handy to spend some time looking through
books you have at home or browsing through books at a store. Keep in mind the type
and style of book and the various aspects of the page layout and take notes of your
likes and dislikes so you can try to emulate the preferred design.
If you are including images in your book, consider
the quality of the images. A low quality, low resolution, pixilated image will bring
down the professional appearance of the book, no matter how well the text is written.
Only use high resolution images, 300 dpi or higher.
Download a simple guide to Microsoft Word and Manuscript Formatting Help by clicking here (PDF
file).
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Do you have a basic technical requirements guide for AuthorCrossing's
DIY publishing?
Yes, you can download a PDF of the technical requirements guide, or click
to follow the link to the FAQs section
regarding this topic.
Should I include my cover in the manuscript?
No. The cover will be designed separately from the body of the manuscript during
a different stage in the production process.
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How should I set up my title page within the manuscript?
The title page, which typically includes your book's title, subtitle (if it has
one), author/pen name, can be located in two different positions depending on your
personal tastes: The very first page when you open the cover of your book, or the
third page in your book (which is the second right-facing page).
If you want your title page to be the very
first page, then place your title page on the first page in your manuscript. Once
you upload your manuscript using our publishing wizard, the copyright page will
be inserted after the title page, so that it's the second page in your book. You
do not need to leave the second page blank in your manuscript for the copyright
page – we will make the adjustment automatically by inserting a new page.
The content that was on page two of your manuscript will then be shifted to the
following page (page three).
If you do not want the title page to be the
very first page when you open the cover, then leave the first page of your manuscript
blank (by inserting a page break), then place the title page on the second page
of your manuscript. When the copyright page is inserted, it will be placed on the
second page, pushing your title page to the third page. Our
interior book templates are setup in this style.
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What kinds pages and information are typically included
in a book?
When you begin formatting your manuscript, there are a few basics all books should
have, plus there might be items you wish to include in your book that you previously
had not considered when writing the work.
First, every book should have a title page,
listing the title of your book and author name. Second, every book must have a copyright
page.
Next, there are a few optional items to consider.
The first optional page is a dedication page, which many writers choose to include.
This is usually a simple sentence on a page by itself, such as "For my wife,"
or "This book is dedicated to my mother, who always believed in me." The
dedication is different from an acknowledgements page, the second option, which
is usually longer and lists people who you would like to thank for their input,
support, or assistance while writing your book. Decide for yourself if you wish
to include one or both of these pages.
A table of contents is another optional feature,
which lists the chapter names and/or page numbers on which the chapter can be found.
It is common in non-fiction books, but is often left out of fiction novels or shorter
works because it may not be necessary.
Last, many authors choose to include an "about
the author" page. If you wish to include one, a great place for it is after
the main body of text in your manuscript, or one of the last pages in the book.
Some authors also include a photograph of themselves along with the text.
What is the proper order for the beginning of my book, or
front matter?
The beginning of your book, or "front matter," consists of the pages of
information typically found before the main body text begins. You can decide what
is necessary or unnecessary to include in your book; most books do not have all
of the following front matter. Here is the general order of front matter according
to the Chicago Manual of Style: 1) Half title page (just the title), 2)
Series title, list of contributors, frontispiece or blank page, 3) Title page, 4)
Copyright page, 5) Dedication page or epigraph, 6) Table of Contents, 7) List of
Illustrations, 8) List of Tables, 9) Foreword, 10) Preface, 11) Acknowledgements
(if not part of the preface), 12) Introduction (if not part of the text), 13) List
of abbreviations or chronology.
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What is the proper order for the end of my book, or back
matter?
"Back matter" consists of the pages and materials that generally fall
after the main body of the text. You can decide what is necessary or unnecessary
to include in your book. Here is the general order of back matter according to the
Chicago Manual of Style: 1) Appendix, 2) Notes, 3) Glossary, 4) Bibliography,
5) List of Contributors, 6) Index, 7) Author biography and/or photo.
Do I need a table of contents?
A table of contents is the listing of chapters and/or sections and the pages they
begin on typically found in the front of the book. Table of contents are useful
and commonly found in non-fiction books, reference books or any other lengthy book.
Accordingly, it is unnecessary
for novels to have a table of contents, because the reader will not be skipping
around through the chapters, or referencing back later – they will just read
the book from beginning to end with a bookmark holding their place. Be cautioned
that if a novel lists named chapter titles, the plot could be revealed. Therefore,
if you do have a novel and want a table of contents, you may want to consider listing
the chapter titles only as "chapter 1, chapter 2 …" if you have
named titles.
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What is an ISBN?
"ISBN" stands for "International Standard Book Number." It is
a unique, 13-digit number assigned to each book published internationally. (ISBNs
before January 1, 2007 were 10-digit numbers, but switched to 13-digit numbers to
allow more new ISBNs). The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify a title
or edition of that title from a specific publisher. This allows for a more efficient
mode of marketing and purchasing for retailers, libraries, universities, distributors
and individual consumers.
Do the numbers in an ISBN have any meaning?
Yes, the numbers are specific to and identify four things: 1) Group identifier code,
which groups nations and countries geographically that often share the same language
2) Specific publisher identifier 3) Title or specific edition of the title identifier
4) Check number, which proves that the ISBN is authentic.
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Can I use an ISBN that I previously purchased for my manuscript?
No. The ISBN is specific to the publisher. If you have an ISBN for your manuscript,
it is still valid for the manuscript in an unpublished form; however, once the book
is published through AuthorCrossing, it will need a new ISBN. Although you could include
it in the book if you choose, it is actually not needed and is not the true ISBN
for this publication.
How can I obtain the ISBN for my AuthorCrossing published book?
You can purchase an ISBN with Retail Distribution through the
AuthorCrossing Services Store and we will obtain an ISBN for your book. This number
will be inserted on the copyright page and on the back cover of the book with the
bar code. The bar code is a digital image sellers can scan to identify the ISBN.
Visit www.isbn.org for more detailed information
about ISBN.
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Will AuthorCrossing format and add the ISBN on the copyright
page, or should I?
When you purchase an ISBN with Distribution, we will include the ISBN on the copyright
page during production. If you purchase the ISBN after you have already approved
your manuscript, then you can go back to the manuscript stage in the production
process, and it will be added.
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Can my title and author name be different from the cover
or what is listed AuthorCrossing's Web site on "My Account" book details?
Although the title and author name can appear different or be written slightly different
from what is listed as the title and pen name on the AuthorCrossing book details page,
typically they should match in order to avoid confusing individuals attempting to
find or purchase the book. For instance, if your official title is listed, "Title
of My Book" in book details, it is acceptable on the cover or title page to
show the title in a different style, such as "Title of MY Book" or "Title
of my book." However, you should not actually change the wording of the title,
such as, "Title of His Book" or "Best Title of My Book." The
same rule applies for the author name. If your name is listed "John H. Smith"
in the book details, you should not change it to "J.H. Smith" on the cover
or title page. If you want your pen name to be J.H. Smith, you should change it
in the book details.
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What fonts can I use in the book?
We have access to a wide variety of fonts. For a complete list, download a copy
of our allowable font list.
When reviewing the font list, please note that not all fonts are available in bold,
italic and bold italic.
What is the average font size for the main body of text?
The average font size for the main body of text is 11- or 12-point font. It depends
on the particular font and your preference whether 11 or 12 would be more appropriate.
Keep in mind that various fonts can look very different at the same point size depending
on the style. We generally advise against printing as small as a 10-point font for
the main body, but it could be acceptable for some books.
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What is an index?
An index is most commonly found in reference books or a detailed non-fiction book
that would benefit from a detailed list of topics and subjects. An index is not
the same as a table of contents, which lists only chapter and sections starts. An
index is found in the back of the book and can include any word, topic or term that
you wish along with the page number on which it is found.
Do I need an index in the back of the book?
If your book is a complex reference, historical or educational book then an index
might be beneficial. A standard novel or memoir does not typically need an index.
When considering an index, be aware that they can be very time consuming and difficult
to construct and update. If something changes in the manuscript, the index must
be updated each time to insure the page numbers are still correct. If indexes are
set up correctly, this updating process is simple and automatic. However, creating
a "manual" index, or physically typing out the index cannot be updated
automatically and is not recommended.
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Can AuthorCrossing create an index for my book?
Yes, we can create a custom index for your book if you purchase the Custom Typesetting
Interior through our Services Store.
Additional production charge can apply at an hourly rate when indexes are requested.
If you opt for this service, you supply a list of names, places, and things to include
in the index and we will create it for your book with the correct page numbers.
Where should credits and information regarding such items as permissions, editor names, illustrators, etc., be located in the book?
Where the credit is located depends on your preference, the service provider's demands and your relationship with the service provider. The most common place to find credit information is on the lower section of the copyright page, below the publisher information. However, many people wish to give more visible credit, especially if they have a closer relationship with the service provider, such as a friend or relative, or if the individual is famous or well known.
Another factor is the degree of visibility the provider's work is in the book. For example, in a book with illustrations throughout the book on nearly every page, the illustrator credit should probably be more visible, like on the title page or cover, while if there are only four illustrations in a 200 page book, a less-visible credit on the copyright page should be adequate.
For a cover design, you could put the credit on the font cover, back cover or copyright page. Illustrations inside the book only are typically posted on the title page or copyright page. Editor credit can be given on the front cover, title page or copyright page. Credits for photos throughout the book usually depend on the copyright holder (the person who provided permission for the photos), but credit is usually given directly under the photo in a small caption, and/or on the copyright page. Authors who had a lot of people contribute to the book and have a long list of credits can make a specific page just for credits, usually found in the front of the book (see FAQ about front matter sequence).
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Should I use footnotes or endnotes?
We suggest using endnotes if you are setting up the formatting yourself, because they are much simpler to set up and keep consistent. Endnotes are placed at the end of chapters or at the end of the book. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page of the reference and can cause a lot of hassle later on after your manuscript is transferred into the book size template.
Although footnotes might appear correct in your version of the manuscript, they will shift after your manuscript is put into our template because the margins will change. The result is a reference number in the text may move and no longer be associated with the proper footnote at the bottom of the page.
There is nothing wrong with using footnotes, but be aware of the extra work involved. If you choose to use footnotes at the bottom of a page, you will need to review the referenced notes as changes are made to make sure the footnote has stayed on the same page as the reference number after the manuscript is upload and transferred into the new book size, or if you make substantial changes to the text. This, many times, will require that you review every footnote on every page. If you only have a few footnotes, it will not be a large task, but if you have many, you may want to consider endnotes instead.
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Can I put images in my book?
Yes, you can place images in your book. We suggest using a high resolution image
of 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher at the size you would like for it to appear
in the book. We absolutely cannot accept any images lower than 72 dpi in the book,
because our printer will not accept them. Any image less than 300 dpi but higher
than 72 dpi will be accepted, but it will not look as clear as it could. Depending
on the quality, the image will look grainy or blocky, instead of crisp and clear.
It is in your best interests to use high resolution images in your book in order
to achieve a professional appearance.
Also, make sure that you have the permission
to use the image if you personally did not take the picture or create the image.
See our FAQ about copyright and permissions for more details. If you do not have permission to use an image, you should not
place it in the book.
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How do I place images in the book?
There are a variety of ways to place your image, however the most common ways are
to insert the image, under "Insert"> "Picture" > "From
file." Or, you can copy the image, and then paste it into the document. If
you want the picture only on a page, you can insert "page breaks" before
and after the image, under "Insert"> "Break…" >
"Page Break." For more detailed help, see
AuthorCrossing's help video in our video library.
Can I include links to images and files in my manuscript?
No, you cannot include linked images in your manuscript because they will not come
through when the manuscript file is uploaded.
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Can I have color pictures in my book?
Yes, you can have pictures in color if you have a color book. However, if your book
is a standard softcover books, any pictures in the book will be in black and white.
It is best if you can grayscale the image before placing it in the manuscript, in
order to see what it looks like, but if not, the color image will be in grayscale
when completed. The cover of the standard softcover, however, can be in full color.
What resolution should the images be?
We suggest using a high resolution image of 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher at
the size you want it to appear in the book. We absolutely cannot accept a manuscript
with images any images lower than 72 dpi because our printer will not accept a book
with images that low in quality. Any image less than 300 dpi but higher than 72
dpi will be accepted but will not look as clear as it could. Depending on the quality,
the image will look grainy or blocky, instead of crisp and clear. It is in your
best interest to use high resolution images in your book in order to achieve a professional
appearance.
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How do I save my manuscript so that the high resolution
quality of the images is retained?
You will need to adjust the picture compression options when you save your manuscript
file after inserting any images. If you have already saved the manuscript without
changing this option, you will need to reinsert the high resolution images again,
because the file was most likely already compressed.
When saving, under "File" on the
main toolbar, click on "Save as," which will open a new window. In the
"Save as" window, click on the "Tools" drop down menu. Then,
select the "Compress Pictures…" option, which will open a new window.
Unselect the "Compress Pictures" option and click "OK." (A warning
may pop-up, stating that compressing the file will lower the quality of the images,
but this warning does not apply to you, and is precisely what you are going to avoid
happening. Click "Apply").
You can view a
helpful video of this process in our video library.
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Can you print images "full-bleed" (images that
go all the way to the edge of a page) in my book?
No, we cannot print full-bleed images in your book, so they cannot be included in
your manuscript. All text and images must fit within the margins for your selected
book size. If any images are outside of our margins when you upload your manuscript,
they will be resized during our technical manuscript evaluation process.
Can I use an image from another book or from the Internet?
Most images from the Internet or another book, magazine or newspaper are copyright
protected. You are required to get permission from the copyright owner to use the
image in your book. If you have permission to use the image from a book or the Internet,
then yes, you can use it in your book. For more detailed information about copyright
protection and obtaining permission for images, see our
FAQ section about copyright laws.
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