Here are 25 invaluable tips for authors who work closely with editors and book designers to produce exceptional books. It is vital to have the right creative team and to understand and implement the following guidelines: 1. Understand what editors and designers do. If you don’t know, ask them. 2. Read a good book on…
DetailsGo for the gold and buzz about the summer games in Rio was at hand for the Society of the Sacred Heart (SOSH), who wanted to support the Olympic athletes, many who are alumni or connected with their network of schools. Someone from one of their schools designed a logo mark using the Olympic rings,…
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Are you considering updating your 2nd edition book? Author Jan Torrisi Mokwa asked me for guidance and a “high-level process to follow,” prior to starting her project. I told Jan I was available to update her book and assured her that I still have the original files, including covers, interiors, illustrations, photos, and fonts. I…
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It was Back to the Future when I found this list of ideas from 2004 on an old CD while I was looking for something else. Remember when Marty McFly travels back to 1955? Well, this blog post isn’t a flux capacitor, but the advice still holds true ten-plus years later. I bet you’re familiar…
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How to avoid common mistakes and time wasters when you work with a graphic designer If you are like most new authors, you’re probably making some common mistakes that are slowing down your projects. When you work with a graphic designer, as a client, you can prevent slow downs and misunderstanding by avoiding the following…
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What do authors want to know? At the 2015 St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) Vendor’s Showcase, I found out. The room was packed, and authors had many questions. Those who stopped by my table asked … Q: What do you do? (Authors often ask me this question. I guess it’s an icebreaker.)A: I design books.…
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Good news—I won a book award this week: Hi Timothy, Just letting you know that your submission, There and Back Again: A Decade of Travel Tales, has received a gold star in TheBookDesigner.com’s June’s e-Book Cover Design Awards. Please accept our congratulations! I’ve attached a badge that you might want to display on your website…
DetailsLooking back at a 1958 design book, 27 Chicago, I noticed some timeless design messages that still apply today. First, what was 27 Chicago? it was a series of self-promotional books that predated current “source books,” such as Workbook.com. The 1958 spiral-bound book highlighted 27 Chicago designers, illustrators, and typographers. Art directors and art buyers…
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