Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How are books self-published?
A: If you are proficient in Word, you may be able to format a simple text book (fiction or narrative) for print. Using Word for eBooks is not advisable unless you also know HTML code. Word for book layout can give your book an amateurish look and feel. Using Vellum, which only is available on Macs, has a look that is coming to be recognizable, not custom. Reviews of Atticus say “it’s a nightmare” learning it and the results are poor requiring careful proofing for errors.
Non-fiction formatting is more complex with requirements like headers, footers, table of contents, precise spacing, block quotes, index, footnotes, tables, graphics, and more. Hiring a professional ensures a polished final custom product which you can be proud to put your name on in publishing, and avoid the likely frustrations of DIY.
See the blog post for the self-publishing process.
Q: If I want to a professional, how do I hire a book designer?
A: Finding interior and cover designers for books can be challenging; you need to be confident they know all the rules of bookmaking as well as having typographic and graphic design skills. The best way is through referrals, reviews of book designers, reviewing samples of their work, and spending a few minutes on the phone with them. How do they describe the process? Are they knowledgeable. At Modern, we provide a list of references and client testimonials on our website. You can also request samples, which we are happy to email to you. Email us for more information or call. View a partial portfolio - click here.
Read client testimonials - click here.
Q: How much does book formatting cost? How much is a book cover?
A: Fees in the book design industry vary widely.
For the interior design of a lightly formatted book, you can expect to pay between $200 and $1,500 for custom design and print-ready pdf files. The fee can be determined by word count, complexity, and number of images. We use a calculator entering these factors and a few more. An example of our pricing for the book formatting cost for a 50,000 word novel is $600.
For a book cover design, the costs might range from $100 to $3,500. Although these ranges are broad, hiring a professional can significantly enhance your book's appeal. Be sure to assess your budget and choose accordingly. Find out what the pricing includes. Does it include the cover art? Does it include the setup for print-on-demand printing? Our prices start at $150 for book covers with the image provided by the author. Contact us anytime, for a quote.
Q: How do I publish my book with Amazon, or get my book on Ingram Spark?
A: At Modern Book Design, we offer consulting at NO charge to you for whom we are designing interiors and covers for print-on-demand. We prepare the print-ready files per the specification requirements for print-on-demand printing with companies like Lightning Source, IngramSpark, KindleKDP, Lulu.com, Diggypod.com, or your preferred printer. We coach you on: how to get your ISBN, a Library of Congress Control Number (optional); how to setup your accounts for printers or book distributers; how to get your book listed on Amazon and with in the Ingram Spark network of retailers. We can guide you through the maze between your manuscript and hitting that PUBLISH button. Note: When we help you, you get the publishing royalties; We keep 0% of your royalties. Click here for the steps to publishing (a pdf).
Q: Do I need an ebook cover design template?
A: An ebook cover design size is specific to the publisher you have chosen. If uploading your ebook to KindleKDP for Amazon, it’s one specification. If you are preparing your ebook cover for Draft2Digital the specifications will be different. Likewise, if you are sizing your ebook cover for iBooks, they will have sizing standards. Those companies might have ebook cover templates as a free download.
Ebook covers do not have back covers so they are easier to create than for print. KindleKDP offers an ebook cover generator. Now that’s not to say it’s attractive, or the right look for your genre. We at Modern Book Design have designed covers for print and for ebooks for years. Visit our sample page. Let us know how we can help.
Q: Can I create an eBook cover in Canva?
A: Yes, Canva is popular for graphic design amateurs. And since the files are normally low resolution they work well for digital ebooks. You must know the required ebook Kindle cover size, for example. Be sure to use images that are not copyrighted or get the proper permissions. We don’t advise using AI because if you zoom in, the pixels can be really strange, such that you wouldn’t be able to use it for a print cover when the time comes for that. Save a version at the highest resolution for other future purposes, and export your eBook image as a jpg. Follow the specifications posted for your sales channel. Or, let us know, and we can design your eReader book cover. Modern Book Design also does the interior ebook conversions for the best display on digital devices. eBooks.