Book Layout and Design
While your cover is the most important part of your book, the interior is the second. Here’s what you can expect at each price level.
Amazon’s KDP offers a decent selection. If you’re not very familiar with Word, it can take a while to get the hang of it, but when your budget is low, it’s better than trying to do your own formatting in Word, alone. Choose the book size you want and good luck.
$50–$60 A predesigned template that’s well thought out
I like this choice because you know exactly what you’re going to get, and you can buy it to use in Word, InDesign, etc. One template works for all sizes and eBooks. A lot of my clients have me drop the manuscript into this for them.
$180–$250 A designer will create an interior layout just for you
Fiverr has plenty of designers, usually in other countries, who can do a good job. Your manuscript will probably be dropped into a template they’ve already created for other clients. Prices seem to run at about $1/page, and you get to choose your designer based on portfolios and reviews. Write book layout design into the search box.
$600–$1,000 A custom-designed layout by a professional graphic designer
This is hands down my favorite choice, because you get exactly what you want and no one else will have anything like it. Obviously it’s pricey, but sometimes you’ll find a graphic designer starting out who needs a good portfolio, or someone who is wiling to barter.
When it comes to your final decision, budget is what leads most authors to their final choice, but the right interior can make all the different when the reviews start coming in. Keep future sales income in mind!
If you’d like any further advice or suggestions, feel free to contact me.
