Read on Twitter
I thought I'd gather my thoughts on paperback publishing through KDP. Just some lessons learned, in the event it's helpful.
So, in no particular order, I'll go over my thoughts with, perhaps, some photos.
Overall, The Complete Carnacki Casebook is 99% of what I wanted it to be.
So, in no particular order, I'll go over my thoughts with, perhaps, some photos.
Overall, The Complete Carnacki Casebook is 99% of what I wanted it to be.
I enjoyed the process inasmuch as I had complete control over the print version. For both cover and content, you upload PDFs sized appropriately to the desired paperback dimensions. In this case, 5x8 inches.
Like my eBooks, I created the cover myself, and the resulting color of the actual book is true to the desired color - a simple dark grey with white white graphics and text.
Colors are based upon the RGB model (as opposed to CMYK and other color models).
Colors are based upon the RGB model (as opposed to CMYK and other color models).
Here's the first little caveat with respect to the cover - with a photo of the back cover of my book.
See the ISBN number and UPC code - and how there's a little black line visible on the left and a little on the top? It's because I actually drew a white box on my cover.
See the ISBN number and UPC code - and how there's a little black line visible on the left and a little on the top? It's because I actually drew a white box on my cover.
You *do not* need to draw the box on your cover, just have sufficient empty space so there is room for the ISBN info (this has since been fixed on my cover and you won't see those awful, awful black lines).
Another consideration - before you export to PDF, convert all text to curves in whatever illustration tool you're using. In this way, you won't have to worry about embedding exotic fonts.
OK, on to the content. Just like a "real" book, you'll want a blank page (or two) before your title page, so go ahead and put that in your actual document. Do this at the end of the book as well.
On the next pages, I put my copyright info and ToC.
On the next pages, I put my copyright info and ToC.
Something to figure out in your Word Processor of choice: you'll want some extra margin on the pages that are on the "bound side". That way the reader can actually see the text on the inner side of the page easily.
WordPerfect, Word, and Pages handle this slightly differently.
WordPerfect, Word, and Pages handle this slightly differently.
For my book (again, 5x8 inches) I had margins set as seen in the screen cap, and an *additional* margin for the "bound side" (inside).
In my Word Processor I set up the page size for 5x8 in, and that was really it. When I exported to PDF, I used to "best" setting, which was for commercial printing.
Additional notes - you're given the choice of glossy or matte cover finish. I went with the latter.
Overall, I'm very happy with the quality. The printing is sharp, the cover and interior pages seem of high quality, and it looks 99% of what I wanted it to look like.
Overall, I'm very happy with the quality. The printing is sharp, the cover and interior pages seem of high quality, and it looks 99% of what I wanted it to look like.
Tools:
Cover: CorelDraw
Content: WordPerfect*
* I know, it's old. But it shines for print work! It has excellent features for handling of widows, orphans, and the like.
Cover: CorelDraw
Content: WordPerfect*
* I know, it's old. But it shines for print work! It has excellent features for handling of widows, orphans, and the like.
Finally (?) - order a print proof.
I was 95+% confident based upon the PDF output but it's good to actually see (and feel) the thing in print form. And it did bring up a few content changes.
So, take an extra few days, wait for the proof, then publish if you're ready.
I was 95+% confident based upon the PDF output but it's good to actually see (and feel) the thing in print form. And it did bring up a few content changes.
So, take an extra few days, wait for the proof, then publish if you're ready.
