I’ve been putting the finishing touches on our own print book this week, and I must say, it can be a punishing task if you’re not used to it. While I usually have no problem going through my checklist of items to do on a client’s book, on my own I find myself backtracking, asking myself if I did this or that… I’m a complete basketcase because it’s our book. Maybe it’s because I’m so close to it.
When I work on a client’s book, I have some distance, you know? I can look at it clinically and see the tasks that need to be done. With our own book, I’ve been looking at it so long (writing, editing, revising, formatting ebook, etc) that at times I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.
All that being said, I think we’re finally down to the wire. Getting Wenna to finish the print cover, and I’m writing the back copy. I’m happy with the interior… I’ve used Bookman Old Style for the text and Fertigo Pro for chapter headings. I’m very fond of that typeface. All the headings are in their proper places, I’ve counted out the blank rectos, and the page numbers are working. Don’t have wide white rivers running through my text, margins are set.
I’m almost to the point where I’m ready to begin all over again with another book. Of course, I’ve already been researching for a month or so. Gotta love historical novels with their reams of research. 
Would you design your own book? If so, what was the most troublesome part for you?
John and Toni Rakestraw are the owners of Rakestraw Book Design. Toni is the editor; she keeps all those words in line. John is the voice of the company. He can often be found hosting Google+ Hangouts on writing and issues writers face online. Archives for his shows can be found on YouTube.
