Book Design FAQ ⭐️
Answers to some of the most common questions I hear: How does publishing work? When should I contact a book designer? …
Rookie Mistakes, Part 4: Covers
Part 4 of my review of Midwest Book Awards finalists and winners, I look at book covers, and the rookie mistakes I found.
Rookie Mistakes, Part 3: Illustrated and Large-Format Interiors
In the third part: I look at books where image and layout play at least as much importance as the textual content—picture books, illustrated stories, and other large-format books, including children’s illustrated books, coffee table and art books, and layout-heavy large-format nonfiction.
Rookie Mistakes, Part 2: Implementation Issues in Interior Typesetting
Second up: I continue from Part 1, looking at books that are primarily text in small formats—novels, memoirs, general nonfiction—where typography is the design, but implementation falls flat. For each issue area, I’ll include the percentage of books where I saw room for improvement.
Rookie Mistakes, Part 1: Interior typesetting structural issues
Good design isn’t just about adding bling or making things “pretty”—it’s about making it easy to read your book, easy to navigate, and comfortable to spend time with. Examining the 2025 Midwest Book Award finalists showed six recurring structural design problems.
Why Publishers Hire Professional Designers for Book Interiors
Recognizing the Value of Professional Design, I want to compliment designer Andrea Reider for her guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog last week. It really did get me thinking…
Being a Designer Is More Than Understanding the Rules
Paul Nylander and three other designers discuss their career paths at this AIGA Minnesota Lunch and Learn. Design is more than the rules!
Does Paper Weight Really Matter?
One of the more perplexing questions to answer in preparing a book for production is what paper to use. Here I walk through the numbers, and explain my recommendations.
Good Typesetting: Evergreen Author, Before and After
The hallmark of good book typography is an even “color,” or broad tonality, across the page. Here is a before and after example of book typesetting.
Beware Font Licenses
Understanding the limitations to font licenses can save headaches down the road, for publishers and designers alike.
What Color Black? Understanding Rich Black
What color black do you want? Understanding rich blacks in a real world comparison.
Electronic Markup via PDF comments
When used properly, digital commenting tools are faster, more traceable, and more accurate . . . if somewhat less flexible than their handwritten brethren.
