Interior Book Design and Layout

Q: Should I layout my own book?

A: Maybe… MS Word is not a book layout program, and is likely to convey to your reader, “amateur”.  Interior book design or formatting fiction or non-fiction manuscripts for book printing can be challenging: with running headers and footers; table(s) of contents; page numbering; precise spacing and positioning of elements; block quotes; an index; footnotes; or other such book conventions requiring special handling. If you want to do the book formatting yourself, review these helpful instructions: https://diybookformats.com/mswordtemplates/

The benefits of hiring a professional are many. Here are a few:

1. To save you time and spare you the frustration of the technology
2. To minimize errors
3. To eliminate the “chance” that your book appears to be “amateur”
4. To give the reader a “great read” by bringing expected conventions to the reading experience
5. To give you the freedom to do what you do best—write and perfect your manuscript.

Working personally with an expert designer will ultimately give you the credibility and reputation you, the writer or publisher, deserve. The reader benefits also, from a “great read”.

Call us if you would prefer to not “re-invent the wheel” but rather, work with a professional book formatter. If you still want to try it on your own here is a helpful handout from KindleKDP: Formatting requirements.

Q: How do I choose an interior designer to format my book?  

A: It’s not that easy, but here’s a start:

• Try to get a referral from someone who has published a book
• Look for graphic designers specifically with book design experience and ask for samples
• Speak with them directly. Ask all your questions, including their process for working together
• Find out if they “clean up” your Word doc manuscript or do they charge extra if they have issues with it
• Ask if there might be any additional fees, for instance, is there a fee if text changes are needed after they begin formatting the “final” manuscript?

We at MyBookDesigner.com go the extra mile to build a relationship, not just a book. Notice the client testimonials at the bottom of our website pages. We are happy to discuss your project and explain our process. In the meantime, here are a few samples of our interior formatting (all our books are custom-designed, not from a template): Non-Fiction-Formatting-Sample.

See our Client Testimonials.

Q: What services are included in your contract?

A: Here is a PDF listing the inclusions, and what might be considered “additional” services. Our hourly rate is $50 ($40 for non-profits) for additional services which are not included in your design contract.

Visit our FAQs page for more information.

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Debbi, I would like to thank you for the awesome work you did on my book, The Hidden Life of Jesus. I received the first copies and I must say, the book looks great. I am truly satisfied, and would like to employ your services in the near future for a Spanish version of this book, and also for my next book. I also appreciate the kind and courteous manner of your professionalism. I did not understand the process, but you were willing to take time out to help me understand some of the necessary details. Thank you, I have already begun recommending your book design and editing services to friends and colleagues. God bless you.
~ Deacon Norman Alexander, The Hidden Life of Jesus