Okay, maybe the worst part is over. In a previous post I spoke about getting the text right-on as far as formatting goes. It took me 10+ times to to upload text that fit the format. Finally it did, and I’m confident that the next book I do will go more smoothly. I certainly know a lot more now than I did then.
The next item was the cover – the wonderful cover – that Kurt Cyrus rendered. Kurt used the specs and formula provided by CreateSpace to get the spacing right and to make sure the lettering on the spine fit well. After a few tweeks here and there (toning down the color of the hawk’s tail, changing the font size on the back cover), it was ready to go. Kurt saved it as a pdf and sent it along to me.
Then came the moment of truth. Would the cover upload to the CreateSpace file? Would it take fourteen attempts and revisions in between each?
Nope, just one. A charm. So then, the whole file (interior and cover) had to undergo a review process to make sure the book fit the acceptable spec range.
Within twenty-four hours I had the results: Yes! Everything was a go. I proofed an online version of the book and all looked great. To be extra sure, I ordered a print copy because the gutters (the spacing on the inside of the pages) looked unbalanced to me. The only way I’d know for certain is to hold the book in my own hands. So that’s what I’m going to do before making it available to the reading public. So now, I wait. Patiently.
You’re braver than I am, Robert! Good luck with this and let us know when the book is up and out!
Brave? Or stupid. We’ll see which one it is. It’s been a great learning experience.