Self-publishing provides many advantages for authors. One of the greatest is complete control over not only the material but most aspects of your book’s production. Even in full-service self-publishing where you find a publishing consultant or representative who helps you every step along the way, you may arrive at certain decision you may not have anticipated.
Choosing book sizing and format is often one of them, especially with all of the options available with advancements in on-demand print technology.
Most books fall within a few major categories, and here are some suggestions to help you prepare for that production decision:
- Novella, Short stories, Romance: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- Trade paperbacks, Non-fiction, How-to: 6 x 9 inches
- Children’s, Photography, Manual, Textbook: 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 8.5
And some additional considerations:
Larger font and/or word count books often print and market better at a 6 x 9 size or larger
Conversely, shorter manuscripts print better at a smaller book size, resulting in a larger, more marketable page count
Larger book sizes will often offer paper types better suited for full-color and photography printing
Take a trip to your local bookstore and see what sizes similar books to yours are publishing at. It’s generally recommended to stick with what works. Or, be very, very different. Remember, your publishing professional will be available to run ideas by.
Self Publishing Advisor 