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Add-Ons when making your book
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The first book I published is a book that has 6 short stories in it, each of which connect into each other to tell one longer story.Mine has a title page and then a copyright page, like all other books, that includes my website under my books title and my author name on the copyright page. My next book will also include my Facebook link.
Then it has a contents page, which personally I prefer in a book in case I ever want to refer back to a chapter or story for any reason. I find myself using my books content page often to tell me which story starts where.
Next, because mine is a group of stories that, although connect into each other, are meant to be read individually, I have an Introduction page. On this page it says "Welcome to the Mortal Realm Witch series" This tells people it is the first book in a series. (For those that read this page anyway) Then I go on to mention that the book contains 6 separate stories each of which feature a different aspect of "my books title" Then it says to look for the next book in the series and gives the title. The intro page wraps up with "And now, let the magic begin." In Book Two the begin becomes continue.
After this is a Prologue which introduces the necessary facts to understand things the book talks about. This same Prologue appears throughout the entire series and is the only thing that never changes even a little.
The main part of my book, the stories, are set up as if they are mini books. Each begins with a drawing with the title of the story on it. The page after then starts the story.
Then at the end I do the same basic thing only this time I have the next books cover page as the picture and on the next page is a longer than what is on my websites description of what happens in the next book. The longer description is based off the fact that the reader has probably read the book before this section so things that would be considered spoilers on my website would not be spoilers at this point in time. At the end of the description is my website link again, and on my next book will also have my Facebook page.
My next book also will have a Book One description section written specifically in a way that would hopefully interest any readers that read Book Two first to go and read Book One. All my books will have this section. Because my series also includes companion books that are best read at a certain time, between certain books, some of my books include a picture and description set up for these as well.
At the end of my book, the final picture, is my author picture. This section is set up exactly the same as everything else in my book, with the picture and title of the story, or in this case, section, first, then my author information on the next page.
My book does not have a dedication page and I believe these pages are only needed if there is someone you really want to dedicate your book to or you have something specific to say. Although it seems to be expected based on the fact that you usually see this page, besides my own I have read several books without these pages. Some of my books will have these pages, but only the ones that I feel need it because someone or something needs mentioning here.
The back of my book has real reviews from people who gave them honestly, but because they are all people I know, most were teachers, very few people find this helpful but what they do find useful, besides a good book description, which mine is only okay on this one, is that at the top I list that it is Book One in the series, and at the bottom is my website.
The back cover design is made up of the color version of all the drawings in my book. In it you can see all 6 drawings but at the same time they all overlap each other giving it an interesting look.
My front cover has at least one character from each story showing. Then the spine of my book has a number 1 at top to once again indicate that it is the first in a series, and at the bottom, after the title and my name, is the color drawing I chose to feature on the spine from the color versions of my inside drawings. For me, I often like pictures of some kind on a books spine, no matter what age or genre the book is for, that represents it. Because I still prefer print books the picture on the spine usually helps me identify a book quicker or just interest me in it if it's not a book I have yet.
I mention the cover design only because I do all my own drawings and cover design and this information could help anyone else doing the same with their books, if they are doing print versions.
Also, my first book has a number inside a square, which is exclusive to my first book. All the others feature just a number. The reason is that I wanted the first book to easily and quickly be identified as the first when on a shelf.
Sadly, a few libraries, not all, that I donated copies to, put a "new book" sticker right over my number and the genre sticker over the spine drawing so for being in a library my spine design doesn't exactly work as planned.
Mine is a romance novel, traditionally published.I have an acknowledgements page and a dedication page, no TOC, and a mini biography at the end. Also included is the first chapter of my next book.
My opinion is beyond the cover, you don't need to dress to impress. Making it look good won't change the brilliance of what you have to say.
Ours is the true story of my husband Darrell's life surviving Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). We do include a dedication page but not TOC which is a problem we're going to fix in subsequent editions. The big addition that came through the editing process were photos. There are quite a few names in our book and we were told that photos helped people know these "characters" for lack of a better word better.
We also included icons at the beginning of each chapter. These are the masks hanging on the walls in our house and the mother and child figurines here. Both masks and figurines are mentioned in the text. The masks are also representative of one of our themes which is that every person wears a mask of some sort.
I had so much to go back and re do on my book! I included a excellent quote thats so fitting, no TOC or dedication, added an About the Author at the end and re did each Chapter line and what not. I think its gonna be just fine. I even added a blank page,which i never understood why authors put in books until now haha.
How many of you have dedicated your book to someone? This is one of those small things that tends to go unnoticed yet at the same time if you really think about it, is usually found in every book you happen to pick up or wish to read. Does a book have to have a dedication? it doesn't hurt one way or the other but is a question to ponder.
How do you determine if your book should have a table of contents? Now if you have short stories, poems then it's a must however this is a choice the author must think about. While I thought about including a table of contents someone told me I'd be better of without one, although I do title all my chapters in my next book. It's an easier way for people to find a certain chapter and refer back.
Should you add a little something for introduction before the book begins? Something like a quote, prologue or small intro that somehow ties in with the book. Again it seems silly but it's something you gotta think of when working on your own book. I myself am doing a little something that I believe will tie in quite nicely with the book to give it more of a presentable presence. I wonder though if anyone else has come across and pondered this idea if they should do the same.
Finally, What are some little features that you can add to your book to give it a good look and make you sit back and say "hey, I like that"? Quotes from companies, magazines and critics are good if the book has been out a while so chances are if your making a book to start this option maybe not be available. However, I'm thinking a little chapter page cover border, pages borders and underlinings and maybe even a little taste of your next book at the end? Again just want to get an idea of what other authors have done or have thought of. I may or may not do some of these and also if I have mentioned anything that you think would work for you then please by all means feel free to put in your book.