Amazing book page layout help about fonts, chapters, running heads and MORE!
Ever get the feeling you are opening a can of worms?
I sure do when I check my young bug-loving son’s pant pockets to put on a load of laundry.
What will I find: a ‘fossil’ rock, a dead caterpillar, a fistful of sand?
Likewise, you might feel you have opened a ‘book layout’ can of worms when you get to the polishing stage of your life-story project.
This is because book layout and design terms can seem like another language!
I recently went through the book layout process for my grandmother’s autobiography.
So today I’m breaking down the key terms in plain English for newbie writers.
Keep reading for my top book-layout tips and secret book-design weapon …
Related article – Case study: Secrets to writing my 100yo grandmother’s autobiography
1 Book layout: Pick a book trim size
Before you get started on book layout you need to pick a book trim size.
Trim size is the exact physical dimensions of a printed book.
Make sure you select a trim size that suits your book style and is practical for your reader.
For example, a long memoir manuscript jammed into a small book trim size could end up being too bulky to hold with ease.
And obviously the smaller the book trim size the more pages and therefore cost.
Popular book trim sizes are always changing but common dimensions are:
- Memoir 5.25 x 8 inches (133 x 203mm)
- Non-Fiction 5.5 x 8.5 inches (140 x 216mm)
- Non-US markets A5 5.83 x 8.27 inches (148 x 210mm)
View extra book trim sizes here.
Related article – How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories
2 Use book design margins
A second consideration for good book layout is book design margins.
Decent book design margins on all page edges are essential for a few reasons.
Firstly the white space makes it easier on the eye to read.
Secondly outer margins give a reader space to hold a book.
Thirdly wider inside (gutter) margins are needed to accommodate page binding and stop words being lost in the fold.
And fourth, top and bottom margins give space to print an author name, book title and page number.
A basic book design margin guide is 15mm (half inch).
However, margin size is ultimately dictated by book trim size, page count, binding type, and whether you have page elements that ‘bleed’.
Therefore check with your printer for file creation recommendations.
Related article – Writing tips: The ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers
3 Select an easy-to-read font
The third factor of a book layout is font.
Fonts are important because they shape the reading experience.
Firstly select a body text font that has serifs (small lines used to end the main stroke of a letter).
These flourishes make letters and therefore words easier for the eye to read.
Secondly, a body text font should be justified and a decent size, at least 11pt.
However, a slightly bigger font size (12-14pt) makes it easier for children and older readers.
And thirdly fonts should suit the style and tone of your book.
A good idea is to look at other book layouts to get a feel for what you like.
Well-used book serif fonts include: New Times Roman, Garamond, Palatino and Caslon.
Also try My Fonts, which has over 130,000 fonts.
And a final font point, stay consistent with your body text font from the first to the last chapter.
Related article – How to get your own book printed without going crazy!
4 Pay attention to book layout front matter and back matter
Book layout must also include extra pages at the start and end of a book body.
Think about including front matter pages specifically for: the title, copyright information, dedication, quote, table of contents, acknowledgments and introduction.
These are all usually on a right-hand page, except for the copyright details, which are on the left.
Likewise, back matter can include: epilogue, appendix, endnotes, glossary, references and index.
Again these all start on a right-hand page.
Related article – Book covers: How to create a memorable cover design
5 Don’t forget running heads
A book layout also includes running heads.
Running heads are a descriptive heading often repeated at the top of each page in the folio.
For example, this could alternate between the author’s name on left-hand pages and the title of the book on right-hand pages.
Page numbers can also be placed at the bottom of a page (running feet).
Related article – How to write a book title: Catchy headlines and good book titles
6 Book layout and chapter treatment
Another important book layout factor is chapter styling.
Ensure each chapter starts on a right-hand page without running heads/feet.
Also include a chapter title and/or a chapter number.
Usually these are a sans serif (no flourishes) font.
Furthermore, make them large and semi bold or bold to stand out.
Some sans serif fonts include: Arial, Helvetica, Gill Sans MT and Trade Gothic.
Chapters also start part way down the page (called a ‘sink’).
This helps signify the start of new material.
Finally, the first sentence of each chapter can be given special treatment for emphasis.
For example, start flush with no intent, use a drop cap and/or cap all letters of the first 1-3 words.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: How to copy edit + CPR for revising and editing your own work
7 My book layout secret weapon
Book layout can be simplified with a book template.
I’m thankful I used Book Design Templates when I was helping my grandmother write her autobiography.
Their templates take the headache out of book layouts.
I used the A5 Inspire template (US$39) and simply cut and paste my manuscript into a Microsoft Word document.
However, they also offer templates for Apple Pages and Adobe InDesign.
All the design considerations listed above are already set up because each template is made by a professional book designer.
A template is definitely worth considering before starting a book layout yourself or spending hundreds on hiring a designer.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: How to finish writing a book and know when your book is finished
Final say: Book layout
All writers want to publish a printed book they are proud to share because it is easy to read and beautiful.
To do this you need to spend time perfecting a book layout.
Considerations include: trim size, margins, fonts, front and back matter, running heads, chapter style, and book layout templates.
A book layout doesn’t have to be a scary can of worms.
Instead it can become a treasure chest of golden memories to celebrate and share.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
Want to come up with a basic chapter outline for an autobiography, memoir, biography or another life-story project? I show you how in the free Structure Success video training. Sign up here or fill in the form below.
Your say
Do you have a book layout question? Or can I help solve a book-design problem? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
Get in touch
Have you hit a roadblock planning, writing, polishing or finishing your autobiography? Let me know here so I can help!
Don’t miss an article
Sign up here or fill in the form below to get instant notifications when new material is published.
* Please be aware I am an affiliate for some of the sites listed and will receive a small fee if you sign up using the links above.
This article first appeared on the website Forever Young Autobiographies.com.
