Authors Helping Authors discussion

(Mods: If this is better suited in another folder, please re-direct it for me.)

I have a question for my fellow indies who use Createspace. I've used it for paperbacks on my other book + my sister's books. It's easy to format, and I really like it... but I have an issue.

My last book was 70k, which rounded off to 305 pages. This book is 80k, with much more dialogue, and it's unbearably long.

For those who use Createspace, what font/size do you use? I really need to make this book shorter page-wise.

Thank you in advance! :)

Nikki wrote: "(Mods: If this is better suited in another folder, please re-direct it for me.)

I have a question for my fellow indies who use Createspace. I've used it for paperbacks on my other book + my sister..."

You could single space to make it smaller. 10 or 11 Font size could work

It is single-spaced to begin with. I took the font from 12 to 11. Every site I've seen has said use 12, but I don't think 11 will hurt. (It took 52 pages off of the length, thankfully!)

I would be careful about squishing it too much, making it shorter is all well and good but it could become unreadably small and tight if you go too far. Although personally I can't use create space no matter how tiny the font is but then my work is even longer than yours! (150,000 words)

Yeah, I use a .12 also, though a .11 wouldn't be too bad I don't think. What font are you using? That makes a difference too.

Yeah, depends what font you are using. I printed out a page of Garamond at 11 point, and it matched almost exactly with the size in most of the printed books I checked it against. Not sure I'd go any smaller than that though.

No, definitely not smaller, it just makes it uncomfortable to read.

My books are 350 pages and 450 pages on Create Space/Amazon. I used Times New Roman 12 point and single spacing on the 350 page one but the font seemed to be a bit large. On the second one I used Times New Roman 11 point and single line spacing which seemed just right. The books were size 6 x 9 in. You set the price but they guide you with a table of how much they will charge. I found changing the font size from 11 to 10 did not make more than a page or two difference in the end to the finished product.

Claire wrote: "Yeah, I use a .12 also, though a .11 wouldn't be too bad I don't think. What font are you using? That makes a difference too."

I'd originally used Book Antiqua. I'm testing Palatino in my sister's book. We're waiting on the proof now. I've seen a lot of authors online mention how much they like it.

Evelyn wrote: "My books are 350 pages and 450 pages on Create Space/Amazon. I used Times New Roman 12 point and single spacing on the 350 page one but the font seemed to be a bit large. On the second one I used T..."

I'd never go smaller than 11. I played around with Palatino last night on my copy. Taking it from 12 pt to 11 pt reduced my book by 52 pages. I may just order the proof and see how it looks...?

Good idea. It's surprising what you see in the proof!

I used 11 Times Roman in all my books after seeing how many pages were in 12. I have proofed several books and it is easy to read. Just thought I would mention it.
Besides a smaller print means the sell price can be lower and hopefully help sales.

Let us now how the proofs come out x

My sister got her proof in yesterday. We used Palatino size 12, and it looked slightly wider than Book Antiqua 12. I'm going to test Palatino 11 on mine, and I'll follow up with you guys once I have the proof! Thanks for all the feedback!!

For the proof copy of my one book, I used Times New Roman 12pt but, to me, it seemed a little big. So, I may reduce it a bit (maybe to 11) when I do the final copy.

Also, I have another question. Does the font in a paperback differ from the same font and how it would look in digital? It seems that it probably shouldn't but then again, one never knows unless the question is asked. :)

Pam, I keep it to 12 point for digital and 11 point for Create Space, both Times New Roman.

On digital it should not make any difference really, because the font is changed by the reader to suit.

Thanks Evelyn. And, yes, you're right on the digital. Duh! I even have an e-reader that I adjust the font...yeesh! :-)

Pam - worth a smile!

Anybody try to work with smaller margins? My text seems to have too much white space around it.

The margins I have used in Createspace are as per the standard template. My last two books were in 11 point Times New Roman and with 1.15 line spacing and 4 point space below each paragraph.

So far I've only had positive (or no) feedback from readers.

I think white space adds to a quality look. You might be able to shave the margins as long as your PDF stays within the guides for uploading; you'll need to take care.