Book Construction Tips

• Making a book is not difficult.

  • Mankind has been putting symbols on pages for future reference for many thousands of years and today it's quite simple.

• Create a realistic schedule.

  • If, for example, you want your cookbook to be in bookstores a month before the holiday, work from that earlier date, and not the holiday date.
    
  • Many things can and will go awry in the process; plan for the inevitable and you'll save yourself grief later in the production process.
    
  • Our teacher once said: Notice how there is never enough time to do it right, but publishers and printers always find time to do it over.

• Don't miss your deadlines.

  • Bookmaking is a collaborative effort, with each step dependent on those before and after.
    
  • Timeliness and communication are the keys to a smoother and less stressful production process.
    
  • Allow time for human error in every phase of the schedule.
    
  • To ensure that everyone on the team has a dedication to meeting their deadlines, encourage them daily by email or phone.

• Use your computer's organizing capabilities efficiently.

  • There are inexpensive software packages that help you maintain records and schedules for projects, and they may work very well for you.
    
  • Investigate shareware and freeware sources of software for your computer whenever possible.
    
  • Don't overly complicate your process because your software has a neat feature you'd love to use.
    
  • Share all schedules for the project with each member of the production group including proofreaders, indexers and the printer.

• Know the people you're working with and use the best tools available.

  • If you're working with professionals trust that they will perform well for your task. View samples of their work or get recommendations if you don't know them personally or professionally.
    
  • Resumes are useful to know what software they are fluent in, what equipment they work with, and what sort of projects they specialize in.
    
  • Maintain you equipment well, you can't put out the next bestseller if your tools are breaking down. (And this includes people!)

• Don't let jobs bleed into each other.

  • A designer really shouldn't rephrase any text, and an editor ought to avoid redesigning the chapter openers.
    
  • Write short notes to other members of the team on the proofs during the process and communicate by phone as press time nears on any disagreements.
    
  • Make it clear to everyone where certain duties fall and, if necessary, insist they stick to it.
    
  • Near the end of the production process avoid changing anything short of that which could be libel.

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• Be flexible and open to suggestions.

  • No one gives you advice or suggests a new idea hoping it will ruin the project.
    
  • If you, as a self-publishing author, have explained your vision and expectations thoroughly to your design and production team, it is a pretty safe bet they will return with their best effort.
    
  • Consider everything carefully before you reject ideas.

• Don't forget to deal with legal issues.

  • Get permission for the art and text you use that you yourself did not create.
    
  • Start the paperwork on your ISBN, Library of Congress number and copyright information well in advance of your manuscript to production deadline.
    
  • If you foresee a potential legal problem, resolve it before submitting your book to production or you will very probably regret not having done so.

• Consider all shipping provider schedules carefully and stock up on supplies.

  • Add delivery time to your schedule, and monitor the shipper's schedule e.g. some FedEx offices close at 5:45, others at 8:30, UPS is not open on Saturday, but FedEx will deliver on Sunday, etc.
    
  • Confirm that your shippers deliver to everyone you're working with.
    
  • It's silly to miss a shipping date because you don't have the right form or packaging materials.

• Don't start the production process until you have edited and refined your text and IT IS FINAL.

  • There is no room in the production process for developmental editing; you may end up with longer text that may very well be better, but does not fit the design and production must begin again.
    
  • You will encounter irate printers and service bureaus when the page count has changed from the original bids. Printers schedule press time according to page count and must rework bids and scheduling to accommodate a longer or shorter book.

• Don't rush the creation of the index.

  • We have all used books with bad and good indexes and know just how valuable a great one can be.
    
  • Communicate with your indexer; they can give you their best work when given proper and clear directions.

• Don't be intimidated by your printer.

  • All printers have Customer Service Reps who will be happy to explain their lingo and pre-press requirements to you.
    
  • Ask the CSR to email to you any specs that can be helpful in expediting the production process.
    
  • Keep in touch with the printer throughout the process.
    
  • Ask a lot of questions, these businesses aren't profitable if they alienate paying customers.

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