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Front Cover Checklist

  1. Title
  2. Subtitle (Optional)
  3. Author Name
  4. Subject Matter
  5. Audience
  6. Trim Size: 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” or 6” x 9” or 5-1/4" x 8 or other trim size.
  7. Printer/Distributor: KDP is recommended as a free service. www.kdp.com
    (KDP is part of Amazon. Likely the most popular and effective source for independent authors.)
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Back Cover Checklist (No rush - We can do this after front cover approval)

  1. Summary/Sales Copy
  2. Author Bio (Optional)
  3. Author Photo (Optional)
  4. Endorsements (Optional)
  5. Final Formatted Page Count
  6. Pages: White or Cream Paper? (Cream paper is slightly thicker and will affect the spine width. Usually white for nonfiction and cream for fiction, but it's up to you.)
  7. ISBN number and barcode (KDP will do this for you for free.)
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How It Works

  1. Discussion
  2. Front Cover Sketches: 1-3 or More
  3. Approval and/or Further Discussion
  4. High-Resolution Front Cover for Ebook and for your Advertising and Marketing
  5. Back Cover Text and Design
  6. Production Consultation
  7. Congratulations!
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Turn-Around Time

Turn-around time for the front cover can average around two weeks, sometimes much sooner. Sometimes, it is longer if there is no deadline or if there are complicated changes.

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Spine Width (No Rush—We Can Do This After Front Cover Approval)

For us to determine the spine width for your paperback, we must know the final page count. But to know the final page count, your book will have to be formatted. Please see “Production” and “Formatting” below.

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Production

As the production designer of your paperback or hardcover, I need to know 4 things:

  1. Trim Size: 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”? 6” x 9”? Other? (We want to know this up front if possible.)
  2. Final formatted page count? (No rush; this can come after cover design.)
  3. Paper color: Cream or white? Cream paper is slightly thicker and affects the spine width. Usually cream for fiction and white for nonfiction, but it’s entirely up to you.
  4. Printer/Distributor: KDP? Other?
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Formatting

Formatting is the interior design of your paperback. The margins, fonts, chapter heads, copyright page, contents page, etc. The formatting can be done for free by you within your KDP account, which is also free, and they will assist you. As an alternative, I can recommend Phil Gessert: http://www.gessertbooks.com Phil will also handle your Ebook formatting. Ebook formatting is also offered for free with KDP. There is not necessarily a rush for interior formatting. Many authors are still writing the book when they contact me regarding the cover. That is perfectly ok. We can work on the cover design even if the book is not finished. Sometimes it can even help to inspire you as you are finishing writing your book.

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Awards:

Dickinson Press Award
ECPA Award
ETWG Award
UMPH Award for Achievement
UMPH Award for Performance

Benefits:

High Quality
Fast Service
Affordable
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Made in the USA

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Paperback / Hardcover / Ebook / Back Cover / Production Consultation