Is There a Standard Format for Headers and Footers?
Posted on May 25, 2007
Filed Under Designing Novels, Page Layout, Self-Publishing with Lulu |
After looking through several books on my shelves, I came to the conclusion that there are no set rules regarding header formats for fiction and nonfiction books. Some authors choose not to bother with headers. For the purpose of this exercise, I’ll assume that you want to place headers in your book’s format. The screenshot below is the header for the 2006 Writer’s Blog Anthology. Click on the image for a better view.
As you can see, the page numbers to on the outer corners of the book, with the titles centered in the middle. I’ve included some other formats for you to look at. I’m sure there are more, but this should give you a general idea. The top format in the Fiction table is the standard header layout for trade paperbacks.
I’ve read many posts in the Lulu forum about the frustrations of setting up headers with Word and sympathized with every one. This was a big frustration with me and one of the reasons why I gave up using Word to write my novels and short stories. If you haven’t gotten a copy of Aaron Shephard’s “Perfect Pages” book yet, I’ll include a PDF I found on the Lulu bookstore. Download it by clicking on the link below . . . and let me know if this helps.
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4 Responses to “Is There a Standard Format for Headers and Footers?”
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The more I read about it, the more complex it sounds. I’m seriously thinking about doing a test run with one of my manuscripts, just to see how it all fits together (without utilising the ISBN number part of the process, of course). However, if I did this, would I:
1. Have to purchase more than one copy (I believe I’d have to get at least one proof copy, but that’s fine)?
2. Be able to cancel the whole thing once I’d finished “playing around”? (Because there’s no way I’d want the finished product available for purchase.)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, Deborah.
1. Yes, you would have to purchase more than one copy. One would be for the draft, the other for the ISBN version, if you decide to buy this option.
2. Yes, you can cancel your project(s) at any time. If you don’t want your book available to the public, make sure to click on the Private Publishing option in the beginning. Otherwise, your work will be available to everyone.
The biggest challenges I found with publishing my manuscript were the formatting and figuring out the best way to price it, so I wouldn’t gouge my potential readers’ wallets.
Thank you.
The more I think about it, the more I want to do a “test” run. I believe it will make the “real thing” less stressful then.
I appreciate the information you are sharing on this website.
You’re welcome.
I agree, doing a “test” run will ease the pressure of making beginner mistakes. I wish I had done this before publishing the anthology.