What Most People Miss About Book Design

I keep talking to writers who wait until their books are almost finished before they think about cover and interior design.

Actually, in my experience, most people do not think about book design until the very end. That’s a mistake.

They spend months, sometimes years, writing and refining their manuscript. Then, once the content is finished, they turn their attention to the cover and interior layout.

That approach is understandable, but it can create problems.

Book design is not just about how a book looks. It shapes how the book is experienced. A well-designed book guides the reader through the content with ease. It supports the message, rather than distracting from it.

When design is rushed or treated as an afterthought, even strong writing can feel harder to read and less engaging.

This does not mean you need to make design decisions before you begin writing. It does mean you should understand, early on, what kind of book you are creating and how it will function for the reader.

A thoughtful approach to design considers:

• How the book will be read

• What kind of tone it should convey

• How the layout can support clarity and flow

These decisions do not have to be complicated, but they should be intentional.

If you are working on a manuscript or thinking about starting one, this is something worth keeping in mind. Good design does not draw attention to itself. It quietly supports the reader and strengthens the overall experience of the book.

If you would like guidance on how your book should look and function, I am always glad to help you think that through. We have a short guide that I can send you, too, so if you'd like it, reply to this email (a snippet of it is pictured below to show you how cover design can vary).

If you are an existing client looking for help with a current or new project, schedule a call here: Next Steps Call for Existing Clients

If you have not worked with my team before, you can schedule a call here: Publishing Pathway Call

Books live forever!

XOXOXO
Jody

P.S. If you know someone who is or should be writing a book, please introduce us:)

About the Author

Jody Dyer is the Founder and CEO of Crippled Beagle Publishing and Story Mountain Media, two publishing companies that help writers turn meaningful ideas into professionally published books.

Jody and her team guide authors through writing, editing, publishing, and marketing so their books create impact, credibility, and long term legacy.

If you are thinking about writing or publishing a book and want thoughtful guidance before making decisions, you can schedule a free Publishing Pathway Call to explore your next step.

Before You Tear Your Book Apart, Read This.

A client sent me what I would call a “talk me off the ledge” email this week, and I have a feeling many of you will recognize this moment when it comes.

He had just printed his manuscript and started reading it on paper instead of on a screen. Up until that point, he felt like he had made strong progress. Then, within a few chapters, his entire perspective shifted.

He told me the book suddenly felt unfocused. He felt like he was saying a lot without getting to the point. Some of the content seemed to drift away from the core topic into broader ideas that, while related, were not as directly connected as he wanted them to be.

He also shared that the writing did not feel as engaging as it had before. What once felt relevant and lively now felt heavier and less clear.

By the time he finished his initial review, he was questioning the structure of the entire book. He wondered if he needed to remove large sections and significantly tighten the manuscript, possibly saving some of that material for future projects.

Underneath all of that was something I see often at this stage.

He was tired.

He had been working on the manuscript for a long time, and the combination of fatigue and a fresh perspective made everything feel more overwhelming than it actually was.

I am going to share my exact response to him below, because I think it will help you, if not now, then at some point in your own process.

MY RESPONSE:

DON'T JUMP! As Stephen Hawking said, "Where there's life, there's hope." That applies to a living, breathing, book and to YOU as the author!

This is not a situation that you should even think is any teeny tiny kind of failure. This is, though, a chance to refine your manuscript, IF you want to. It is okay to publish it as is. My team and I agree. \

Keep reading:)))

Your reaction is not alarming. Actually, this is a natural moment in the publishing journey.  Almost every author who is really committed to his/her work reaches a point where the manuscript suddenly feels flat or unfocused. That doesn’t mean there's a problem with the book. What this means is that you've naturally lost your initial excitement and energy for it, and you are tired of the whole dang process, probably, especially given that you are building the complex funnel and launching a business at the same time.

With any book, I call this the “panic before publishing” or “ledge” moment. Maybe I should have warned you! I am so sorry that you are feeling ledge-y and stressed, at all. I am here to support you, for sure. 

Keep reading:)))

Also, I totally relate as a writer.  With every book I write or big project I complete, at some point, I think, "Why in the hell did I even start this?" This also happens when I paint a room in my house, decide to host a big party, expand a flower bed, etc. The way you are feeling is a strange part of human nature and just evidence that you CARE, which is great but exhausting, right? Also, Pat Conroy had multiple breakdowns while writing some of his books. He shared that openly in one that I read a few years ago. Pat Conroy was a genius. He finished his books, too.

Here's my advice:

1. Print out the book and do this: highlight every passage that absolutely does NOT relate to your main topic. While you do this, if you aren't sure, ask, "Would my ideal reader want to know/need to know this information?" 

With one client, I had her highlight and label passages "rich asides" or "rabbit holes." For you, with a nonfiction book, the content will either be direct, supportive, or drifting. Label/highlight accordingly.

2. Do NOT do this when you are tired!

3. Don't invite random critics and your non-audience into your mind. 

4. Don't ask any more people for their opinions:) 

You've got an opportunity here to do one of three things:

1 - Most work - Elevate the manuscript once more while keeping cut content for other purposes for your audience.

2 - Worst choice - Spiral, take out too much, and weaken the book and the trilogy and create a lot of work and delay your success.

3 - Ideal option - Leave the book alone and take the next step: line editing.

I would ERR on the side of LEAVING CONTENT INSIDE THE BOOK!

XOXOXO

Jody

BACK TO REAL TIME NOW:

If you are wondering what goes, what stays, or what to do next, schedule a call. My team will help you.

If you are an existing client looking for help with a current or new project, schedule a call here: Next Steps Call for Existing Clients

If you have not worked with my team before, you can schedule a call here: Publishing Pathway Call

Books live forever!

XOXOXO
Jody