1. Send the designer some sample chapters (Word files) by email.
They don’t have to be the final edited versions. The designer is only working with layout & page design at this point. You can be working on this while the book is being edited. When your final manuscript is ready, the designer can jump in and typeset it right away b/c you’ve already nailed down the design.

2. Send the designer a few sample images, if you have illustrations or photos in your book.
These should be the highest-resolution versions that you have. It’s OK if the files are large – graphic designers usually have a broadband internet connection.

3. Send the designer an image of your book cover – preferably a PDF. Or ask your cover designer to send the latest version.
Have you ever read a book with a cover that didn’t fit visually with the interior? It’s jarring to the reader, even if they might not consciously know why. Good book design should be in service of the content – your writing – and it should make the bookstore visitor want to pick up your book and buy it. That means making sure the interior belongs with the cover.

OK! Now the fun part. The designer will take your Word files and make them look like book pages. Typically, they will approach your book’s interior design in two different ways, and send you two PDFs. Each approach will be uniquely created for your book. The choice of fonts and the placement of design elements will reflect the tone and writing style of your book. The layout will be inviting to your particular audience.

How long does it take?
Setting up the design for your book can take anywhere from 5–10 days, or longer. It varies widely, depending on how many changes need to be made. After you choose one of the initial design approaches, you and the designer will keep tweaking it until you’re happy.

Turnaround time on the design also depends on how complex your page layout is. These things add to the complexity:
• sidebars
• block quotes
• several levels of headings
• part openers as well as chapter openers
• photos and/or illustrations with captions
• charts or tables
• footnotes

In the next article, we’ll talk about setting up a production schedule for your self-published book.