Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I hire a professional for the interior design of my manuscript?
A: If you are proficient in MS Word, and know how to set up paragraph styles, margins, size the pages for submission to the printer, design running headers/footers, etc., then you can probably format simple text manuscripts of fiction, memoirs, or narrative non-fiction for print-on-demand. However, MS Word lacks the specialized features of dedicated book layout software. Using Word for book layout can potentially give your book an amateurish look and feel. Non-fiction formatting is more complex with requirements like headers, footers, table of contents, precise spacing, block quotes, index, footnotes, and more. Hiring a professional ensures a polished final product which you can be proud to publish and on which to put your name.
Q: If I want to hire a professional, how do I go about choosing one?
A: Finding interior designers for books can be challenging; you need to be confident they know all the rules of bookmaking as well as having the typographic and graphic design skills. The best way is through referrals, reviews, and reviewing samples of their work. At Modern, we provide a list of references and client testimonials on our website. You can also request samples, which we are happy to email to you. Contact us for more information. View a partial portfolio - click here. And client testimonials - click here.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on formatting the interior and designing the cover of a typical paperback novel?
A: Fees in the book design industry vary widely. For the interior design of a lightly formatted book, you can expect to pay between $200 and $1,500 for design and print-ready pdf files. For a book cover design, the costs might range from $100 to $3,500. Although these ranges are broad, hiring a professional can significantly enhance your book's appeal. Be sure to assess your budget and choose accordingly. Find out what the pricing includes. Does the formatter expect you to “clean up” your edited manuscript? How many cover designs or revisions are included. Our prices start at $200 for interiors and $100 for covers. Contact us anytime, for a quote.
Q: How do I get my book printed and selling on Amazon, or with other booksellers, or on my own website?
A: At Modern Book Design, we offer consulting at NO charge to you for whom we are designing interiors and covers for print-on-demand. We coach you on: how to get your ISBN, a Library of Congress Control Number (optional); how to setup your accounts for printers or book distributers; how to get your book listed on Amazon and with other booksellers. We prepare the print-ready files per the specification requirements for printing with companies like Lightning Source, IngramSpark, KindleKDP, Lulu.com, Diggypod.com, or your preferred printer. We can guide you through the maze betweem your manuscript and hitting that PUBLISH button.
Q: Should I design my own cover?
A: At Modern Book Design, we specialize in cover design, focusing on space, line, direction, movement, color, and typography, in order to convey your theme, mood, and also attract readers. Software choice impacts quality, spacing, margins, and bleed areas. If you don’t understand print layout specifications for print (which vary among the different printing companies), we recommend you enlist a professional to save your “sanity”.
In cover design we prioritize your preferences, delivering professional covers that enhance your book's appeal and meet the standards of major print-on-demand companies (as mentioned: KindleKDP, IngramSpark, Lulu.com, and Diggypod, etc.)
Q: Do you use the same cover for an eBook version?
A: Usually we do, but just the front cover. Covers for eBooks are sometimes tailored differently from their print counterparts due to how they are displayed. It's important to design a cover that fits well in its digital format while maintaining a consistent brand look for recognition.
Q: Do you have other questions, about ISBNs, Library of Congress numbers, production timelines, or anything else?
A: YES. So feel free to give us a call. 651-206-8926 or contact via submit form.