Showing posts with label hardback. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hardback. Show all posts

Friday 25 June 2021

ARE PHYSICAL BOOKS STILL RELEVANT TODAY?

“In the age of technology, if you don't adapt you'll be obsolete,”
 Well, they might have been right in a vast number of areas but is it true when it comes to the world of books? While the radical and rapid growth is so obviously apparent in major fields like education, communications, gaming, and so on, surprisingly enough, physical paper books have been able to hold tight. It is a fight that they have been able to win and retain even with the introduction of a much more portable, mobile device which can hold thousands of books. So why are physical books still relevant today? What is their secret? 




You just can't beat the feel and smell of a book 


Ebooks might seem to be a more attractive than owning thousands of books what with their backlights, changeable font sizes, and light-as-a-feather weight, however, physical books still seem to have the hearts of millions simply because... they smell nice.

No doubt there are billions of people who choose to own these little devices to hold their books, but there are as many or even more people who still wish to hold a book in their hands. Statistics show that physical books are still being sold more than Ebooks and the number one cited reasons for preferring books? That hard to describe yet soothingly familiar smell as you stick your nose between the pages.






Even with the advancement in technology physical books still seem appealing because of their texture as you hold them in your hand, the movement as you turn each page. We human beings are constantly hanging on to things. Physical books are tangible and metaphysical representations of one’s thoughts. It merely does not sit on a shelf as a decorative item but it also holds sentimental value. It’s a romance of sorts, the entire affair from beginning to end. You visit the brick and mortar building to make your purchase, you peruse over the books until you find the right one for you. You take it home and cozy up in your favourite nook. It essentially becomes your best friend for the duration of that read. The times you held your breath while you turn the page to learn if the protagonist lives or dies, the smell of the fresh or even twice loved books all of it seems to be a cathartic experience. You read it for the story but you go back again and again for the whole, immersive experience. 


They never die
 

Although the manufacturers may boast about their longer and longer battery life, books can boast an indefinite one. The book you are reading could have been read by others and passed down for generations, or swapped in cafes around the world, in the hands of people you have never met yet share that same connection. You can take them in the pool and they won't be in any danger of splashes. You can leave them out in the sun and the most damage they will receive is a bit of fading on the cover. You can drop them with the only worry being that you've lost your place on the page. Yep, they're immortal all right, and that's hard to beat even if the rival is a technological marvel.


You'll take more notice if it's a physical book  

 
Yes, really! A study reported in the Guardian last year found that Kindle readers had more trouble recalling details about a mystery novel than readers of the exact same novel in print. It is suspected that ebooks push the reader to skip pages and 'skim' past important parts of the story, whereas a paperback book demands more respect and encourages you to slow down, get immersed and take much more in.


The beautiful art

 



I couldn't write this article without mentioning one of my favourite parts of a book; the illustrations. Whether that's the unforgettable cover art that might be the very reason you picked up the book in the first place, or the incredibly detailed pictures inside takes you back to the books of your childhood when you spent hours pouring over them looking for all the little details and hidden characters. Of course, ebooks can also display the illustrations on their screens, but it's far from the same experience. They are often small, and most of them are only grayscale so they cannot show off the brilliant colours. In addition to that, they are not the intended output when the artist was drawing them, so they may not fit on the screen properly or display double page illustrations. In short, they just do not compare to physical picture books.


The kids love 'em

 

That's the only reason some need to choose physical over digital. Children simply love turning pages, carrying their favourite book to bed, pointing at their printed friends with sticky fingers. Do your children feel that connection with a screen?


There are many more years to go in this war of Ebooks versus traditional books I'm sure, but for now, it is our bulky, dusty, stained physical books that stand defiantly at the number one position.

Monday 18 June 2018

Everything you need to know about ISBN numbers

As if self publishing your own book wasn't hard enough - at some point you have to think about ISBN numbers. These confusing collection of seemingly random digits are more important than you think, so I've broken down everything you need to know in a complete, comprehensive guide.

Let's start at the beginning...

What is an ISBN?


ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. They were 10 digits long, but since 2007 they are now always 13 digits long. While they may look random, they aren't at all and are made using a specific formula that makes them unique to each book.

From here on, we will be referring to the numbers as 'identifiers', because each number identifies something about your book. Bookstores, libraries, publishers and any other buyers use these identifiers to find your book and quickly find out more information they might need.

Each ISBN is split into 5 parts, sometimes separated visually by a hyphen. 
  • The prefix "978" or "979"
  • Country identifier
  • Publisher identifier
  • Title identifier
  • Check digit

You might have seen ISBN numbers that don't quite follow this structure. In those cases, the ISBN numbers have been purchased in bulk, 10,000 or more at a time. Big companies like Amazon do this to redistribute to their clients who self publish through them. The identifiers are the same, but refer to Amazon's details rather than the details of each single book. Buyers can immediately tell by looking at the ISBN whether you have bought the ISBN in bulk as part of a large company, or if it was a single purchase and you are a self publisher. 

Now you know what an ISBN is, the next question is;

Should I buy an ISBN?


There are different options when it comes to ISBNs.


  • Use an ISBN assigned by your publisher 
  • Buy an ISBN yourself
  • Buy a universal ISBN
Each method has it's own pros and cons. To see which one will work best for you, take a look at this breakdown below.

Assigned ISBN from your publisher

Online publishers such as Createspace give you the option to use one of their assigned ISBN numbers. This is often free, or at least the cheapest choice. However you may be limited to where you can distribute your book. The imprint will appear as 'Createspace' rather than your own name. You cannot transfer this ISBN to another publisher if you leave Createspace. If you don't plan to distribute outside of Createspace then this may be a good budget option for you.


Buy your own ISBN

Used by serious and professional authors, this option offers more flexibility than using an assigned ISBN. Your name will appear as the publisher and you can distribute to more channels. If you move to another publisher however, you will have to get a new ISBN


Buy a universal ISBN

Similar to buying your own ISBN above, this option also allows you to have your own name as publisher and distribute to more channels, but furthermore, with a universal ISBN you can move to another publisher and keep the same ISBN.

This option is the most expensive, costing around £90 or $99 USD
You might ask; 'What does it matter if Createspace are listed as the publisher?' Well, you might not mind, but bigger bookshops will not stock books that are listed as published by Createspace. If you're seriously trying to become a best-selling author, using an assigned ISBN could hinder you. 
It's worth noting as well, that you need an ISBN for each format of the book you are publishing, even if it is the same title. Here are some common scenarios which would require a new ISBN.

You add a hardback version = New ISBN
You added a page = New ISBN
You changed the title = New ISBN
You change the price = Same ISBN
You translate into a different language = New ISBN
You correct a spelling error = Same ISBN
You print a large-print format for blind readers = New ISBN

eBooks technically aren't required to have an ISBN number, yet you can still have one if you think you would benefit. They not only give the impression that you are more professional, but also make it easy for resellers and buyers to identify your book and it's details. Some big bookstores will not list your eBook on their site unless it has an ISBN.


Where do I buy my ISBN?


If you choose to use the assigned ISBN, Createspace will offer this when you create your title. But for the other options, you can buy them directly through the only companies who control them; Bowker in the US, and Nielson in the UK.



There are a plenty of third party sites who sell ISBNs, but I would steer clear of them. Not only do they cost more money, but you do not know what identifiers they are really using.

It's also good to know that not only can you save money buying the ISBN numbers directly, but you can get a good discount by buying in bulk too.

Where does my ISBN go?


Now you have your ISBN, you'll want to use it of course! 

Your ISBN should appear on your barcode. When you bought your ISBN they will have provided it as a barcode, so use this file to place onto your book cover. (Or give it to your designer for them to place)

The barcode should be on the back of the book, near the bottom. There's no point trying to be different and placing it somewhere else or in a weird shape, because all that will do is confuse buyers and sellers, and prevent them from quickly scanning your book for information.

For example, here is a recent book I illustrated, with the barcode placed on the back.



You might also include the ISBN number without the barcode inside the book, on the page with your copyright and legal information, like this;


So that's it! You know know everything there is to know about ISBN numbers and hopefully, you're armed with enough information to start buying yours. If you have any more tips about ISBNs, or would like to ask a questions about them, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you.



Sunday 1 April 2018

Step by step guide to self publishing with Ingram Spark - Uploading your files

This blog is the second part of a two part blog. If you would like to follow from the beginning, you can read part one here; Preparing your Ingram Spark account

In this blog post, I will go through a step by step process to preparing your files and uploading them to Ingram Spark's website ready to publish and distribute.

Before you can upload your files, you need to make sure that they are formatted correctly. Ingram Spark have strict specifications that you need to abide by, so if you are not familiar with formatting and design, it might be best to hire a professional to ensure you end up with files that will be accepted. If you have hired an illustrator, it's worth asking to see if they offer this as part of the illustration package.

Ingram Spark expects you to upload your book as two files; the exterior as one file, and your full interior as the other. The process is similar, but not identical, depending on what kind of book you are publishing but I am going to assume you are uploading a full colour book with pictures or illustrations and if your book is different you will still be able to follow the process. Let's start with the exterior file.

Exterior file

Your exterior file includes the front of your book, the back of your book and the spine. Depending on your personal preference, you might have a combination of text and illustrations. Your exterior should be one, continuous file that has the front of the book on the right and the back on the left. Here are the specifications that Ingram Spark requires;

- A PDF which is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant
- CMYK
- At least 300 dpi
- A 100% black only barcode on a white box / background
- A 3mm bleed on all four sides
- A 6mm margin on all four sides

The size of the file is the front cover, plus the back cover, plus the spine. The spine size depends on many factors, such as how many pages it has, what kind of paper you use and what kind of cover you select. You can calculate this through Ingram Spark's spine calculator here; Ingram Spark - Spine calculator

Here is an example of one exterior file I created for a recent project;



Interior file

Here are the specifications that Ingram Spark requires;

- A PDF which is PDF/X-1a:2001 or PDF/X-3:2002 compliant
- Single page PDF only (all double spreads should be split)
- CMYK
- At least 300 dpi
- A 3mm bleed on three outer sides
- A 13mm margin on all four sides

If you have  9" tall by 6" wide book, this is how you work work out the bleed;

The size of the book in mm -  228.6mm x 152.4mm
WIDTH = Add 3mm bleed on the outer trim edge - 228.6mm x 155.4mm
HEIGHT = Add 3mm bleed on both the top and bottom outer trim edges - 234.6mm x 155.4mm

Below is an example of one page from an interior PDF that I created for a recent project. note that you can't tell where the bleed or trim end, as the illustration flows all the way to the end of the paper. The outer edge around the illustration contains little valuable information because that will risk being cut off when the book is manufactured.




Once you have the two files correctly formatted and ready to upload, login in your Ingram Spark account and navigate to your Dashboard by clicking on the tab at the top of the page. From here, click on the title of your book and you should see your metadata and information you have already filled in. Keep clicking on continue (checking the information is correct) until you get to the end, where you will see two sections to upload files; one for your interior and one for your exterior.



Uploading can take some time if you have a large book or high resolution files and I sometimes find the upload times out if you don't have a good enough internet connection. Once the file has finished uploading, you'll see a spinning wheel as the software automatically checks that the file meets their initial requirements. This is not human controlled, so if you receive any errors at all, read them carefully and double check you have calculated the exact size and trim.



Once your files have been accepted, you will be able to submit the book for review by an Ingram Spark employee and your work here is done. As long as you've followed the steps properly and met the requirements, you will have your files accepted and be able to distribute your book. Good luck!

If you found this guide helpful, please share it and let others know!






Saturday 26 March 2016

Little Meerkat's BIG PANIC! A book about learning new ways to stay calm, by Jane Evans


Little Meerkat's BIG PANIC!

 A book about learning new ways to stay calm, by Jane Evans


I've been working alongside child trauma parenting specialist and author Jane Evans for some time now, and full disclaimer here, I'm a huge fan! Her expert knowledge has been featured on Channel 5's My Violent Child and for a good reason - she really knows her stuff!



We collaborated on a book together last year called Kit Kitten and the Topsy Turvy Feelings so I was both honoured and excited when she asked me to join the dream team again on Little Meerkat's Big Panic.



This story follows Little Meerkat - a cute but anxious animal who panics when given responsibility. As with all of Jane's books, the story gives children with similar thoughts and feelings a chance to understand why their brain works in the way it does and how they can manage it. The text not only serves as a clear and helpful narrative but also proposes questions for the reader to ponder. 

"Little Meerkat flies into one big panic after waking up to find the whole meerkat gang has disappeared! Luckily, Small Elephant and Mini Monkey stumble across Little Meerkat during the big panic, and offer to help find the missing meerkat gang."

When the books arrived, I was thrilled at just how beautiful they turned out. Jane opts for square hardbacks published by UK based Jessica Kingsley Publishers with great results. They are excellent quality from the front right the way through to the very end and even the simple act of turning the pages felt great!









The story itself can be read by any child - not just those who would benefit from the lessons inside. The characters are cute and fun and each page is packed with questions and adventures accompanied with bright illustrations.




Combining her experience working with children and natural talent for story telling, Jane has created a product which is essential for helping children learn and grow and manage their problems instead of neglecting them, whilst still appealing to the need for a fun, colourful book. 

Want to know more about how the Meerkat brain features in this story? Take a look at Jane's fantastic Ted X Talk where she discusses the role the Meerkat, Elephant and Monkey brain effect us all everyday.





"My great expectation for the future is...

… that we will globally move away from raising children by shaming, bribing and punishing them and only use emotional connection, respect and compassion to teach them." - Jane Evans




If you'd like to find out more about Jane, her work and her writing you can visit her official website and social media.



Little Meerkat's Big Panic is available on Amazon or direct with Jessica Kingsley



Monday 21 September 2015

Kittens, Asthma and new sketches!

I have to admit, I love my job. 

Working late into the night, eating dinner at my desk while I work and working weekends - it's all worth it to be doing what I love every day. 

Here's what I've been up to recently...


KIT KITTEN and the TOPSY-TURVY FEELINGS

    It was such a privilege to illustrate for Jane Evans for her book 'Kit Kitten and the Topsy-Turvy Feelings' and I felt as if I had learnt something new whilst doing so. Jane is a trauma parenting specialist and her books are not your average children's books, they are carefully written stories about parents who aren't always able to care, or children who come from homes with violence. Each book features questions, games, advice and suggestions that encourage the adults to listen and the kids to talk in a way that they feel safe and without pressure. Something that makes Jane's books unique and essential in so many ways.







When I received my copies of the book in the post, I was delighted to see they were of a very high quality and felt great to read. The pages were thick and glossy, and the hardback cover works wonders for little hands to hold. 

Jane is currently releasing her third book, 'Little Meerkat's Big Panic' which I am proud to have illustrated also. To find out more about Jane and her incredible work, you can visit her via;



You can order Jane's first two books through her publisher Jessica Kingsley or with Amazon.




I HAVE ASTHMA, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?




Wendy Chen's book was inspired by her own family, but is perfect for any child who might know someone with asthma. It's explains what happens during an asthma attack, how it is managed and how it can be part of a normal, active lifestyle. What a great idea!





You can find more about Wendy by visiting her website; www.wendychenbooks.com

And you can buy Wendy's book on Amazon.


SNEAK PEEKS...

I should really share more sketches of new projects with you, I absolutely love sketching and the process behind designing a new character. It's so fun! Here are some friendly faces you will be seeing more of soon!


  

NEW LOGO, NEW WEBSITE!

I've been busy re-vamping Izzy Bean Illustrations with a brand new logo, and a new website too! 
A lot of you loved the old logo and it got a lot of positive comments, but I felt it was time for a re-fresh and a change... plus I love the new logo a million times more! What do you think?


Thanks for looking, as always!