Pulling Your Book Together

Posted on June 30, 2007
Filed Under Page Layout, Self-Publishing with Lulu |

Lulu allows you to upload files individually for conversion or as one PDF file. But first, you’ll need to organize your book’s sections so they’ll be reader friendly. I’ve included layouts for fiction and non-fiction books as guidelines.

Fiction

1. Review page(s)
2. Published book page (if this isn’t your first book)
3. Title page
4. Copyright page
5. Dedication page (optional)
6. Acknowledgment page
7. Body
8. About the Author page

Non-Fiction

1. Review page(s)
2. Published book page (if this isn’t your first book)
3. Title page
4. Copyright page
5. Table of Contents
6. Acknowledgments
7. Foreward
8. Introduction
9. Body
10. About the Author
11. Recommended Reading
12. Index

Your total page count must be divisible by 4. Otherwise Lulu will insert them in the back to make up the difference. The last page must be completely blank because Lulu uses it to print the ISBN number and the print location.

Interior Layout for Non-Fiction Books

Non-fiction books are formatted differently than novels. For instance, novel chapters can begin on an even or an odd page. That is not the case with non-fiction books. Their design is more uniform and consistent.

Each chapter and/or section should begin on an odd page. The same goes with the Table of Contents, the Preface, Introduction, and Bibliography. You may have to insert blank pages in between chapters to achieve this.

Check each chapter page/section heading to make sure it lands on an odd page. Set your page view to the side-by-side mode, if your word processor will allow. Insert pages as needed. Then print out your manuscript.

Three-hole punch the pages and shove them into a binder. Proofread each page for typos, grammar mistakes, and design inconsistencies. Highlight each mistake, and then have someone else proofread your manuscript, including a professional book editor. Expect to comb through your manuscript several times.