Hey everyone! Today’s post is going to be brief but hopefully packed with useful info. I’m juggling work and my self-publishing journey (gotta pay the bills somehow until this venture starts generating its own income). So, let’s dive into some key formatting terms every self-publisher should know. These are crucial steps in the creation process that no one is going to do for you.
Leading: No, it’s not about being the head honcho. In publishing, leading (pronounced "ledding") refers to the vertical space between lines of text. Think of it as giving your words some breathing room. Too tight, and your readers feel like they're suffocating; too loose, and it’s like yelling in an empty room.
Gutter: Not the place your book ends up if it’s a flop! The gutter is the inner margin of your book, where the pages meet the spine. Proper gutter space is essential so that no text gets swallowed by the binding monster.
Front Matter: The book equivalent of a fancy appetizer. This includes your title page, copyright page, dedication, acknowledgments, table of contents, and foreword. It sets the stage and preps your reader for the main course.
Back Matter: Think of this as the dessert and after-dinner mints. After your gripping conclusion, back matter includes appendices, glossaries, bibliographies, indexes, and your stellar author bio. It’s the extra info that leaves your reader satisfied and maybe even craving more.
Typography: The art of making your text look fabulous. Typography covers font choices, point sizes, line lengths, and spacing. It’s the difference between a sleek, professional book and one that looks like it was typed on a typewriter from 1920.
Embedding Fonts: Don’t let your beautiful fonts vanish into thin air! Embedding fonts in your manuscript ensures your text looks the same on every device, preserving your hard-won design choices. No one wants their book looking like a bad photocopy.
Metadata: The secret sauce for getting your book discovered. This includes your book’s title, author, genre, keywords, and description. Good metadata means your book doesn’t get lost in the digital void.
Blurb: Your book’s pickup line. A blurb is a snappy summary that makes potential readers swipe right (metaphorically). It’s the juicy teaser on the back cover that hooks them in.
Back Cover Copy: The sales pitch that seals the deal. This includes your blurb, a little about you (because you’re fabulous), and some rave reviews if you’ve got them. It’s like a movie trailer in text form.
Orphans and Widows: We’re not talking Dickens here. In typesetting, an orphan is a single word or short line at the start of a column, and a widow is one at the end of a paragraph. They’re awkward and lonely. Fixing these ensures your text flows smoothly and looks polished.
Hope you found this helpful! Until next time, Don't give up or give in!
"If It Were Easy, Everyone Would Do It!" -Joe