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 Authors have to be involved with each process of their book’s publication: from the content, to the editing, to the publishing and distribution. When it comes to a book’s final look prior to printing, it is the publisher and typesetter who determine the final layout based on a company’s templates. As an author, you should be familiar with the best book layout templates so that you can still play an active part on this part of your book’s journey. This knowledge could also be very helpful if you are just about to submit your manuscript to prospective publishers. A manuscript that already gives the impression of a published work can earn you higher points from editors and publishers.
Publishing houses would usually not be too strict about templates for submitted manuscripts, but they may always go for a certain look for their published volumes. Contests tend to have very strict rules about the templates for the entries that they will receive. If you have the liberty to come up with your own template for your publication, here are some things to keep in mind, from examples culled from the best book layout templates.
Font
Although Times New Roman is the default font for Microsoft Word, it is already considered passé for the best book layout templates. Generally, however, serif fonts (those with little hooks at the end of each font character) are still preferred for published works because they are elegant and easy to read versus sans serif fonts. Popular serif fonts for publications are Adobe Garamond, Minion, and ITC New Baskerville.
The standard size for fonts is usually around 10 to 12. Any smaller than that might be too hard on the eyes, while larger typesets are usually reserved for titles and chapter headings.
Margins and Spacing
For the best book layout templates, generous spacing and margins are essential for publications to make the book easy to hold and to read. For submitted manuscripts, double spacing and a 1-inch margin on all sides of the paper is usually required. For books, the margin on the inner sides (left of odd numbered pages and right of even numbered pages) will usually be larger to accommodate binding.
Pagination
All the best book layout templates rely on pagination to increase the readability appeal of a book. Particulars such as author name, book title, and/or chapter title are usually reserved nowadays for more academic and “formal” publications. Fiction and other material are generally accepted to have pagination without other information.
Paper, Size, and Other Particulars
The best book layout templates would be completely useless if they are not printed on good quality pages. Submissions and unbound manuscripts are usually done in white paper with a brightness of at least substance 20 (the brightness of sheets at most copiers). For published works, the paper is usually less bright to accommodate easier reading. Newsprint paper is an option if you want to follow a budget.
There are many existing standards for creating the best book layout templates. These standards will vary depending on the publishing company or occasion. Always make sure to know about a publishing company’s standards so that you can impress them and possibly be able to forward your own ideas for your book.
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