Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a new series of interviews with BAIPA service providers. If you are interested in being interviewed or being an interviewer, contact webmaster@baipa.org.
What services do you offer authors?
I am a printing broker specializing in books that are printed offset lithography – this tends to be full-color books at higher quantities – both softbound and hardbound – and can include project management.
I also do book design – whether the book is print-on-demand, such as KDP/Ingram Spark – or offset lithography.
So, for clients, I can handle book design and/or printing.
What got you into this work?
I started in 1974 working in a print shop. I was a union apprentice in the Lithographers’ Union as well as the Typographers’ Union; thus I have decades of hands-on experience in printing. I continued on to work as production manager at high-end printing companies. As technology evolved, I learned desktop publishing – first PageMaker, then Quark, and InDesign; I am ACE certificated in InDesign.
What do you charge for book design?
For book design, I charge by the hour. I’ll ask the client to send a Word doc chapter or two, along with several image files, to get an idea of how straightforward or complicated the book layout might be.
This also shows if the Word doc manuscript has been thoroughly edited and proofread – or if it will need to be cleaned up first. Based on what the client provides, I will come up with a price range estimate.
What do you enjoy about this work?
Everything! I enjoy the heck out of working with people, making a book the best it can be, bringing a little extra something-something to it. When the client sees their book layout, I want them to be tickled with the results.
KDP/Ingram Spark have specific parameters as to page size. But if you are printing offset lithography, we can go beyond the cookie cutter book. For example, if you’re writing a book on skyscrapers, let’s make it tall and skinny! Let’s give it fold-out flaps!
Clients have gone on to win gold, silver, and bronze awards in national and international competitions.
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Above are three book covers Lorna designed.
What are the biggest challenges you face when doing your work?
Sometimes clients have unrealistic expectations for how long a project will take.
Sometimes the manuscript provided is not actually ready to use. I want my clients to have the best books they can have, so I will advise them if they need to send it to an editor or proofreader first.
What do you do when you’re not designing books?
I enjoy camping and hiking, swing dancing, cooking, and reading. I also love listening to live music – jazz, Americana, folk, and blues.
Below are interior pages from three books Lorna designed.
Author
One of my favorite things about BAIPA is its culture of generosity, the willingness — even eagerness — to share what we have each learned in the process of bringing stories to life. We provide educational programs, networking, marketing opportunities, encouragement, and information on industry vendors and services. And lots of one-on-one advice and mentoring.
We welcome all who have an interest in making connections within the world of independent publishing and learning more about how to publish and sell their work successfully. Together we are raising the standard of independent publishing and helping our members thrive.
Do join us!
—Becky Parker Geist, BAIPA Board of Directors, President
Quick Resources
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