There is a love/hate relationship I have with formatting the paperback and ebook versions of a new book. One the one hand, I love that I’m at this stage. It means the book is back from the editor and is one step closer to being released. On the other, I do the paperback formatting myself (not via a system that does it automatically) and it takes TIME and loads of patience.
Thankfully most ebook distributors now how free tools in place to help you format the ebooks but I like to make the paperbacks a little special.
Now that I have my graphics in place, and the editor has hacked out all of my emotional support commas (rude of her) I was able to provide the cover designer with the details she needed to create the final wrap of the book so I can upload it for ordering. (The spine width of a book cover changes based on the number of pages and type of paper used. Lots of math happens once the book is final which is why I am so glad she does it for me!)
Here’s a little breakdown of what the book will be:
- 372 pages which hold 70,801 words
- It will be printed on white paper (which is more expensive and hurt my royalty rate but with a bright white cover, cream pages just look wrong.)
- 5.25 x 8 inches
I’ll be sure to let you all know when the pre-order for the paperback is up, don’t worry. 🙂
Now that I have a formatted book, I can open up the form for ARC readers. (Advance Review Copies.) ARCs are given a free digital copy of the book prior to its release day in exchange for an honest review. (Yeah, even if you hate the book. So, it’s kinda scary. ha.)
ARC readers are SOOOOO helpful to an author. They act as the final set of eyes before it goes live. And we all know that even a manuscript that has been through six drafts, four beta readers, and passed over an editor’s eyes twice, still:
If you think you might like to be an ARC reader, just fill out this form to see if this book might be for you!
Until next week friends!
Danielle Bannister, Author 