Book Publishing: Preparation

Preparation Basics

How do I sign up to publish my Christian book with CrossBooks?
Are there any specific punctuation or grammatical rules for titles?
Does my book have to have a subtitle?
Is there a proper way to list author names (pen names)?
Can CrossBooks translate my book into another language?
Can I download a sample interior template for my book size?
What kind of files can you accept for my manuscript?
How many files do you want me to send for my manuscript?
Can you provide guidelines to prepare and submit my manuscript?
Can I submit my manuscript through CrossBooks' website?
What should I do if the upload times out, I close the upload window or lose connection before completed?
What are the basic technical requirements for books published through CrossBooks?
Are there advantages or disadvantages to different book sizes for black and white softcover books?
Can my book be available in more than one book size?

General Manuscript Information

What do I need to do to prepare my manuscript before submitting it for publishing?
What kinds of pages and information are typically included in a book?
What is the standard order for the beginning of my book, or front matter?
What is the standard order for the end of my book, or back matter?
Do I need a table of contents?
What is an ISBN?
Will my E-book have an ISBN?
Do the numbers in an ISBN have any meaning?
Can I use an ISBN that I previously purchased for my manuscript?
Do all CrossBooks titles have ISBNs?
How do I properly cite the Bible in my book?

Additional Manuscript Information

Can my title and author name be different from the cover or what is listed for my book details at CrossBooks?
What fonts can I use in the book?
What is the average font size for the main body of text?
What is an index?
Do I need an index in the back of the book?
Can CrossBooks create an index for my book?
Where should information regarding such items as permissions, editor names, illustrators, etc., be located in the book?
Can I include footnotes or endnotes in my manuscript?

Image Placement & Resolution

Can I insert images in my book?
How should I submit images for my book?
Can I have color pictures in my book?
What resolution should the images be?
Can I print images "full-bleed" (images that go all the way to the edge of a page) in my book?
Can I use an image from another book or from the Internet?

Book Cover

How important is the cover of my book?
Can CrossBooks give me any advice about covers?
What are the different cover design options available through CrossBooks Publishing?
What are the guidelines for submitting a cover description with the Classic Cover?
What are the guidelines for submitting a cover image?
What are the guidelines for submitting back cover text?
Can I design my own cover?
What are the dimensions of the cover?
Can I use an image on my cover that is a photo I did not take, or an illustration I did not create?
How should I submit my cover ideas and material? Any tips?
What are CMYK and RGB color schemes?
If I design an image for the cover, should I design it in RGB or CMYK color mode?
What should I know about the difference between CMYK and RGB color modes?
How thick is the spine going to be?
Can there be text on the spine of the book?
What appears on the back cover?
Can I print text or pictures inside the cover?
Will my book be available in hardcover?

Preparation Basics

How do I sign up to publish my Christian book with CrossBooks?

When you're ready to begin working with our team of experienced publishing professionals, browse the publishing packages on our website. We have representatives available to help place you in the package that's right for your book and personal goals.

Once you've purchased a package, you can also add optional services if you'd like, such as editing, cover design upgrades, interior illustrations and more.

You'll be prompted to fill out essential information about your book and submit your manuscript to begin. Someone from the CrossBooks team will contact you shortly thereafter, and you'll be on your way reaching out to people in your church, your community and across the nation.

Are there any specific punctuation or grammatical rules for titles?

Make sure to check the spelling of your title to ensure there are no errors (it's better to be safe than sorry!) Of course, it's fine if something is spelled wrong intentionally (for instance, "'til" instead of "until"). Also, in most cases, capitalize the first and last word, and all main words, such as nouns, pro-nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs and sometimes subordinating conjunctions (if, because, as, that, etc.). Articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and but, if, or, for, nor), prepositions, regardless of length, and the infinitive "to" are usually left lowercase. No word should be entirely uppercase unless it is an acronym. Of course, how you represent your final title is entirely your preference.

Also, this should not be affected by any font or style choices that you wish to make on your title page and cover. For the official title, listed in the CrossBooks database, the title should be listed in a standardized style.

Does my book have to have a subtitle?

No, a subtitle is not required. Depending on your title and the type of book, you may or may not need a subtitle. Remember, subtitles should expand on the main title and add more detail about what the book is really about, but whether or not you include one is entirely up to you. (Note: Subtitles are punctuated with a colon, for instance, "Title: Subtitle." Therefore, you do not need to include the colon in the actual title or subtitle entry boxes.)

Is there a proper way to list author names (pen names)?

Your pen name can be whatever you wish. Many authors use their real names, full names, or first and last with a middle initial. While there are no set rules for your author name, there are a few guidelines for specific academic and religious titles. For instance, if you wish to include a title, such as "doctor," choose either "Dr." before your name, or "Ph.D" after your name — not both. Check proper punctuation for any kind of title, whether or not to include periods, whether or not to separate with a comma, etc.

Can CrossBooks translate my book into another language?

Yes, we currently offer an English to Spanish Translation service.

Can I download a sample interior template for my book size?

Yes, you can download an interior template in Microsoft Word if you wish, but there's no obligation that you must use the template. By using the template, you'll have a better idea about the overall length of your book once it's in the proper margins.

Click the following links to download the book size of your choice: 5x8, 6x9, 8.25x11.

What kind of files can you accept for my manuscript?

Microsoft Word 6.0 or higher is the preferred format for submitting your manuscript. Other files types may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, so check with a representative for details.

We can always data enter your hardcopy manuscript if you do not have an electronic version. You can see the details of our Data Entry service in our Services Store.

How many files do you want me to send for my manuscript?

Submit your manuscript as a single document. Do not save each chapter as an individual file or additional merging fees may apply. You can send additional information separately, but your manuscript should be in one document. We can help you merge your manuscript if you'd like. Simply add our File Merging service to your publishing package.

Can you provide guidelines to prepare and submit my manuscript?

Here are a few Manuscript Submission Tips to help you get started publishing without delay:

Microsoft Word 6.0 or higher is the preferred format for submitting your manuscript. Other files types may be accepted, but conversion errors are possible.
Hardcopy manuscripts can be data entered for an additional charge.
Submit your manuscript as a single document. Do not save each chapter as an individual file or additional merging fees may apply.
Submit images for your book SEPARATELY with a list of where the images are to be placed. Placeholders labeled consistently with the actual name of your image title in your text are required. Captions are optional (example: "INSERT IMAGE "Christamas1236" HERE. CAPTION: Christmas 1974 with Grandpa)
All images must be submitted digitally in either JPG or TIF format and must be at a resolution of 300 ppi (pixels per inch) or higher.
You can include up to 10 images in your book. More than 10 will require additional charges due to the complexity of your book design.
Hardcopy images will be subject to additional scanning fees.
We cannot guarantee the return of original materials. Do not send us your only copy of irreplaceable manuscripts, photos, images, files, artwork, etc.

Can I submit my manuscript through CrossBooks' website?

Yes, you will be prompted to upload your manuscript during the production process. After submitting your book title and pen name, you can upload your manuscript. First, you can "browse" to find your manuscript file. Next, once you find the file, select it from your computer and click "Open." The name of the file you selected should now fill the upload box that was previously blank. Lastly, click the upload button.

What should I do if the upload times out, I close the upload window or lose connection before the upload is complete?

If you lose your Internet connection, the upload process times out, or you close the window before the upload process is complete, you will have to begin the uploading process again. We do not have any automatic recovery to bring up the sections of the file already uploaded. You need to try to upload the file again.

What are the basic technical requirements for books published through CrossBooks?

We will help guide you through our publishing process to meet the technical requirements for a published book. Here are the general technical requirements for each book.

Page Count Requirements:

Softcover Black and White Interior:

5x8 and 6x9 inch book must be 48-740 pages

8.25x11 inch book must be 48-828 pages

Hardcover Black and White Interior:

6x9 inch book must be 108-740 pages
(NOTE: By upgrading to the hardcover option, your quality hardcover will be in the 6x9 format. The softcover version of your book must also be in 6x9 format and must meet the 108 page minimum.)

Softcover Color Interior:

8.5x8.5 inch and 8.5x11 inch must be 4-480 pages
(Note: For color books 4 to 47 pages, the book will be saddle stitched; 48 to 480 pages the book will be perfect bound.

The total page count of all books must be divisible by four. We will add blank pages to the end of the book if necessary to meet this requirement. Moreover, the last page of all books must be a blank, left facing page. We will add blank pages to the end of the book if necessary to meet this requirement.

For more information about margins, binding, paper type, etc., please read our FAQ on book specs here.

Are there advantages or disadvantages to different book sizes for black and white softcover books?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a book size for your black and white softcover, most importantly, the type of book you are publishing. The 6x9 inch and 5x8 inch books are standard novel sizes. If your book is a novel or memoir, either size would fit your book nicely. If your manuscript is short, you may want to choose the 5x8 inch size, but if your manuscript is lengthier, consider choosing the 6x9 inch size.

If your book is a poetry book and you are torn between the 6x9 inch and 5x8 inch sizes, we recommend the 6x9 inch size. The extra inch allows for a longer line of text, so that the lines of your poems have a better chance of reaching the end of the line before they are broken prematurely.

The 8.25x 11 inch book size is ideal for books that lend themselves to a larger format such as: children's books, coloring books, workbooks, technical guides, cookbooks, screenplays, genealogy books, scrapbooks, books with many charts and graphs, and any other kind of book that just won't fit comfortably into a 6x9 inch format.

Another consideration when choosing between the 6x9 inch and 5x8 inch size is the end price of the book. The production cost for these two book sizes is the same, so the only difference is in page count. If you are trying to produce a book at the lowest cost possible, choose the 6x9 size. The same manuscript will include more pages in the 5x8 inch format and fewer pages in a 6x9 inch format.

Furthermore, if your novel has a few pictures that will be included, you may want to choose the 6x9. This will allow for a larger print area so the images can appear as large as possible. So too, the 6x9 inch size has advantages if you are opting for easier reading. You can include larger font sizes and more line spacing that might look awkward in a smaller sized book.

Some people have a personal preference about how a book feels in their hands. Book sizes 6x9 inch and 5x8 inch can create a different feeling to a reader. The 5x8 inch size is a little smaller, so might seem more personal, secret or close to the heart. The 6x9 inch size is slightly larger, and can be easier to manage, stand out on a shelf more and give a slightly different feeling. Visit your local bookstore and pick up a few different sizes to get a feeling of the book in your hands.

If you still can't decide between the 5x8 inch and 6x9 inch sizes, just remember that there's only an inch difference vertically and horizontally between the two; you will most likely be happy with either one.

Can my book be available in more than one book size?

Each publishing package only includes one book size. If you want to offer the book in more than one size, you will have to purchase two publishing packages and create two books through the production process.

General Manuscript Information

What do I need to do to prepare my manuscript before submitting it for publishing?

When submitting your manuscript, make sure that you submit your final draft. Keep in mind that we use your text "as is" to format your book. If you don't purchase copyediting, any spelling mistakes, grammar error or typos that are in your manuscript will be printed in the book. And if the mistakes are severe, we retain the right to decline to publish your work until the errors are corrected. Some of our packages do include editing services, so if you're concerned about typos and spelling errors consider purchasing a package that takes care of the editing for you. All of our editing services are also offered as optional add-ons.

There are also a few things to keep in mind when preparing your manuscript that will greatly increase the overall professional appearance of your book.

Consistency throughout the book goes a long way to adding to the professional appearance of your book. Consistency applies to various levels, including spacing after a period, dashes, quote styles and other kinds of punctuation. You can use the "find/replace" function in Microsoft Word to assist you in locating and changing these details so they are consistent.

As a rule, it is best not to overuse bold, italics, or underlines, which can be very distracting to the reader.

While your book layout technician will clean up these kinds of errors in your manuscript during the formatting process, it is better to submit a clean manuscript from the start to avoid overlooked errors.

What kinds of pages and information are typically included in a book?

There are a few basics that we include in all of our books. Additionally, there are optional items you might want to include in your book that you hadn't previously considered when writing the work.

First, every book has a title page, listing the title of your book and author name. We will create your title page for your book.

Another page that we will insert while formatting your book is the copyright page. Every book must have a copyright page.

Next, there are a few optional items to consider. The first optional page is a dedication page, which many writers choose to include. This is usually a simple sentence on a page by itself, such as "For my wife," or "This book is dedicated to my mother, Brenda, who always believed in me."

You may also choose to include an acknowledgements page, which is usually longer than the dedication and lists people who you would like to thank for input, support or assistance while writing your book.

A table of contents is another option, which lists the chapter names and/or page numbers on which the chapter can be found. It is common in nonfiction books, but is often left out of fiction novels or shorter works because it may not be necessary. Express your desire whether or not you'd like to have a table of contents for your book, and we can create it for you. If you have specific ideas about your table of contents, you can include an example of what you want with your manuscript.

Your designer will lay out your book's interior to meet today's standards, including headers and page numbers, which may or may not be typically found in a book of your genre. Of course, your ideas and input are always welcome and desired.

What is the standard order for the beginning of my book, or front matter?

The beginning of your book, or front matter, consists of the pages of information typically found before the main body text begins. You can decide what is necessary or unnecessary to include in your book; most books do not have all of the following front matter. Here is the general order of front matter according to the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style: (1) Half title page (just the title), (2) series title, list of contributors, frontispiece or blank page, (3) Title page, (4) US Copyright page, (5) Dedication page, (6) Epigraph, (7) Contents page, (8) Errata, (9) List of maps, Illustrations, or charts, (10) List of abbreviations, (11) Foreword, (12) Preface, (13) Acknowledgments (if not part of the preface), (14) Introduction (if not part of the text), (15) Inside half title, and (16) Prologue.

What is the standard order for the end of my book, or back matter?

Back matter consists of the pages and materials that generally fall after the main body of the text. You can decide what is necessary or unnecessary to include in your book. Here is the general order of back matter according to the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style: (1) Afterword, conclusion, or epilogue, (2) Note from the author, (3) Acknowledgments (if not placed in the front matter), (4) Appendix(es), (5) Study questions, (6) Notes, (7) Glossary, (8) Chronological table(s), (9) Bibliography, or “For Further Reading”, (10) Index to maps, (11) Proper-name index, (12) Subject index, (13) Scripture index, (14) List of contributors, (15) Author biographical note, and (16) Colophon, publisher’s note, or reader response page.

Do I need a table of contents?

A table of contents is the listing of chapters and/or sections and the pages they begin on typically found in the front of the book. A table of contents is commonly found in a nonfiction book, reference book or any other lengthy book.

It's often unnecessary for novels to have a table of contents, because the reader typically will not be skipping around through the chapters, or referencing back later. Instead, novels are read from beginning to end. Be cautioned that if a novel lists named chapter titles, the plot could be revealed. Therefore, if you do have a novel and want a table of contents, you may want to consider listing the chapter titles only as "chapter 1, chapter 2 ..."

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique, 13-digit number assigned to each book published internationally. (note: ISBNs before January 1, 2007 were 10-digit numbers, but switched to 13-digit numbers to allow more new ISBNs to be created). The purpose of the ISBN is to identify a title or edition of a title from a specific publisher. This allows for a more efficient mode of marketing and purchasing for retailers, libraries, universities, distributors and individual consumers.

The ISBN will be inserted on the copyright page and the back cover of the book with the barcode. The bar code is a digital image sellers can scan to identify the ISBN. Visit www.isbn.org for more detailed information about ISBNs.

Will my E-book have an ISBN?

Yes. The E-book will have the same ISBN, regardless of the channel of the format it is sold in.

Do the numbers in an ISBN have any meaning?

Yes, the numbers are specific to and identify four things:

Group identifier code, which groups nations and countries geographically
Specific publisher identifier
Title or specific edition of the title identifier
Check number, which proves that the ISBN is authentic

Can I use an ISBN that I previously purchased for my manuscript?

No, the ISBN is specific to the publisher. If you have an ISBN for your manuscript, it is still valid for the manuscript in an unpublished form; however, once the book is published through CrossBooks, it will need a new ISBN.

Do all CrossBooks titles have ISBNs?

Yes, all of the CrossBooks publishing packages include an ISBN. This includes all printed books and E-books.

How do I properly cite the Bible in my book?

Knowing how to give credit where credit is due in your book can be tricky, especially when it comes to the Bible. It is very important that you understand how to properly cite the Bible because incorrect citation can be a copyright violation. Copyright violations are serious and will add more time onto your publishing process because of how they need to be fixed.

If you need more information on how copyrights work, please see the CrossBooks FAQ about Copyrights.

This document will outline exactly how to cite the Bible on your Copyright page and within the body of your book. Please save this document for your reference.

Copyright Page:

Even if you only use one Bible verse in your book, the Bible you took that verse from must be credited on your copyright page. Because the Bible is a sacred text, it is not included in with other resources you may have referenced during research. Other resources are typically listed at the back of your book. Each Bible publisher has different regulations on how the copyright for their Bible is to be listed on your copyright page. For information about how your version of the Bible should be cited on your copyright page visit Bible Gateway and select the Bible version you are using.

In-Text Citation:

All of the CrossBooks editors use the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, so it will work to your benefit to also use Christian Writer’s style when you are citing Bible verses within your book. Here are some specifics taken from the Christian Writer’s Manual of Style to help you properly cite biblical references.

General Guidelines:

Names of the books of the Bible are not italicized.
Names and versions of the Hebrew and Christian bibles are capitalized but not italicized.
Do not abbreviate books of the Bible in the text of your paper. It is appropriate to abbreviate books of the Bible in footnotes, endnotes or parenthetical citations.
- Example: Second Samuel 12 records the prophet Nathan’s confrontation of King David.
- Example: The identity of the author of the book of Hebrews is not certain.
Cite the Bible in footnotes, endnotes or parenthetical notes. You do not need to include the Bible in your bibliography.
When you are citing a particular passage of Scripture, include the abbreviated name of the book, the chapter number and the verse number—never a page number. Chapter and verse are separated by a colon.
- Example: (1 Cor. 13:4, 15:12-19.)
- Example: (Gen. 1:1-2, 2:1-3; John 1:1-14)
The Christian Writer's Manual also includes two lists of abbreviations for books of the Bible: a general abbreviation list and a shorter abbreviation list called Scholarly Style.
Include the name of the version of the Bible you are citing the first time you mention it. You may either spell out the name of the version, at least in the first reference, or you may use abbreviations without preceding or internal punctuation. After the first citation you need to indicate the version only if you quote from another version.
- Example of parenthetical reference:
  - First reference: (Gen. 12:1-3 Revised Standard Version)
  - Second reference: (John 3:16-17 RSV)
- Examples of footnote or endnote:
  - First reference: Ps. 139:13-16 NAB
  - Second reference: Eph 6:10-17

Information taken from the Christian Writer's Manual of Style, Updated and Expanded Edition., 2004, pages 20-21; 56-88; and 358-361.

Additional Manuscript Information

Can my title and author name be different from the cover or what is listed for my book details at CrossBooks?

Although the title and author name can appear different or be written slightly differently from what is listed as the title and pen name on the CrossBooks book details page, typically it's best if they match in order to avoid confusing individuals who are attempting to find or purchase the book.

What fonts can I use in the book?

We have access to a wide variety of fonts. For a complete list, download a copy of our allowable fonts list. When reviewing the font list, please note that not all fonts are available in bold, italic and bold italic.

What is the average font size for the main body of text?

The average font size for the main body of text is 11- or 12-point font. It depends on the particular font and your preference whether 11 or 12 would be more appropriate. Keep in mind that various fonts can look very different at the same point size depending on the style. We generally advise against printing as small as a 10-point font for the main body, but it could be acceptable for some books.

What is an index?

An index is most commonly found in reference books or a nonfiction book that would benefit from a detailed list of topics and subjects. An index is not the same as a table of contents, which lists only chapter and sections starts. An index is found in the back of the book and can include any word, topic or term that you wish along with the page number on which it is found.

Do I need an index in the back of the book?

If your book is a complex reference, historical or educational book, then an index might be beneficial. A standard novel or memoir does not typically need an index.

Can CrossBooks create an index for my book?

Yes, we can create a custom index for your book if you purchase the Indexing service through our Author Services Store. Additional production charges can apply at an hourly rate when indexes are lengthy. If you opt for this service, you will supply a list of names, places and things to include in the index, and we will create it for your book with the correct page numbers.

Where should information regarding such items as permissions, editor names, illustrators, etc., be located in the book?

Where the credit is located depends on your preference, the service provider's demands and your relationship with the service provider. The most common place to find credit information is on the lower section of the copyright page, below the publisher information. However, many people wish to give more visible credit, especially if they have a closer relationship with the service provider, such as a friend or relative, or if the individual is famous or well-known.

Another factor is the degree of visibility the provider's work appears in the book. For example, in a book with illustrations on nearly every page, the illustrator credit should probably be highly visible, such as on the title page or cover, while if there are only four illustrations within a 200-page book, a less-visible credit on the copyright page should be adequate.

For a cover design, you could put the credit on the front cover, back cover or copyright page. Illustrations inside the book only are typically posted on the title page or copyright page. Editor credit can be given on the front cover, title page or copyright page. Credits for photos throughout the book usually depend on the copyright holder (the person who provided permission for the photos), but credit is usually given directly under the photo in a small caption, and/or on the copyright page. Authors who've had many people contribute to the book and have a long list of credits can make a specific page exclusively for credits, usually found in the front of the book (see FAQ about front-matter sequence).

Can I include footnotes or endnotes in my manuscript?

Yes, we can incorporate footnotes or endnotes in your manuscript for an additional charge (this feature is not included in the Softcover Format: Custom Interior Formatting in our publishing packages).

Image Placement & Resolution

Can I have images in the book?

Yes, you can supply images to incorporate in your book. The number of images you can include depends on which publishing package you purchase. If you need more images than what is included in your package, you can upgrade to by adding either the B&W Image Insertion service or Color Image Insertion service depending on your goals.

How should I submit images for my book?

All images must be submitted digitally in either JPG or TIF format and must be a resolution of 300 ppi (pixels per inch) of higher.
Submit images for your book SEPARATELY from your manuscript with a list of where the images are to be placed. Placeholders within your manuscript should be labeled consistently with the actual name of your image title in your text are required. Captions are optional (example: "INSERT IMAGE "Christamas1236" HERE. CAPTION: Christmas 1974 with Grandpa)
We can scan your images if you don't have electronic copies for an additional fee, but please note that we cannot guarantee the return of original materials. Do not send us your only copy of irreplaceable manuscripts, photos, images, files, artwork, etc. Instead, we suggest asking a friend or family member for help scanning your images. Or ask someone at your local library. You can also take your photos to a local copy establishment, such as Kinko's, where they can scan them for you and place them on a disk for a small fee.
You can send your electronic images via email or mail them on a flash drive or CD.
If you submit your manuscript online through your Author Account, you'll be prompted to add any images then during your manuscript submission process.

Can I have color pictures in my book?

It depends on your book package. Pictures printed in the interior of our standard soft or hardcover black and white books will be printed in grayscale. However, you can include pictures in full color if you purchase a Color Publishing Package.

What resolution should the images be?

We suggest using a high resolution image of 300 dpi (dots per inch) or higher at the size you want it to appear in the book. We absolutely cannot accept any images lower than 150 dpi because our printer will not accept a book with images that low in quality. Any image less than 300 dpi but higher than 150 dpi can be accepted; however, we do not recommend it. Depending on the quality, the image will look grainy or blocky, instead of crisp and clear. It is in your best interest to use only high resolution images in your book in order to achieve a professional appearance.

Can I print images "full-bleed" (images that go all the way to the edge of a page) in my book?

We can only print images full-bleed in Color Publishing Packages. Standard black and white interior books require that text and images are placed within the margins provided by our printer.

Can I use an image from another book or from the Internet?

Most images from the Internet or another book, magazine or newspaper are copyright protected. You are required to get permission from the copyright owner to use the image in your book. If you have permission to use the image from a book or the Internet, then yes, you can use it in your book. For more detailed information about copyright protection and obtaining permission for images, see our FAQ section about copyright laws.

Book Cover

How important is the cover of my book?

Never underestimate the importance of a book cover. Nearly 200,000 new titles are published each year, which provides readers with an outstanding selection, but leaves authors selling within a highly-competitive marketplace. Even if you can successfully write the next literary legend, you still have to capture the reader's attention with a great cover, or they are likely to pass by your book without a second glance.

A great cover captures the attention of a book buyer, but it also needs to accomplish more. Your cover must actually convince the reader to purchase your book. Consumers often gauge the value of the book based on its visual appeal, so if it looks like a million bucks, they will be more willing to spend their hard-earned cash to purchase your book. A professional-looking cover is also necessary in marketing, especially if you plan to promote your book or push to have it reviewed professionally. First impressions and opinions of your book are formed instantly from the cover and impact whether or not a reviewer, reader or consumer invests time or money in your publication.

Can CrossBooks give me any advice about covers?

When you want to begin brainstorming ideas about your cover, first start with some research. Spend some time at a local bookstore. Record the book elements that catch your eye, and observe what catches the eyes of other customers as well. Identify the book's audience and genre — your cover should be designed to attract the people in your targeted audience.

The main theme of the cover should incorporate metaphors that interrelate and unfold as the story progresses, taking on new meaning with each page. The great cover's full meaning and value should become more apparent as the story is revealed, only fully appreciated when the last page is turned.

Overall, make sure that your cover reflects the content of your book and expresses the comprehensive mood of your publication. Don't tell the entire story on the front cover, but definitely get the feeling or idea across in an appealing manner.

What are the different cover design options available through CrossBooks Publishing?

There are three basic cover design options available:

1) Classic Cover Design (included in all publishing packages). Covers are created from images that:

a) you provide and/or
b) stock art or photography from: http://www.crossbooks.com/stockimages

2) Custom Cover Illustration. Covers are created from:

a) a custom illustration created for the front cover, plus
b) images you provide and/or
c) stock art or photography from: http://www.crossbooks.com/stockimages

3) Ultimate Custom Cover Design. Covers are created from:

a) custom artwork for the entire cover that utilizes a combination of the following: illustration, painting, graphic design, photographs
b) images you provide and/or
c) stock art or photography from: http://www.crossbooks.com/stockimages

What are the guidelines for submitting a cover description with the Classic Cover?

With the Classic Cover Design included with our packages, one of our cover designers will create a one-of-a-kind cover for your book from images you provide and/or stock art or photography from: Thinkstock. Just supply us with a basic description of what you'd like on your cover.

Our cover designers use the latest programs and techniques to create a successful cover design that meets your requests. However, please remember that the Classic Cover design does not include illustrations. A very detailed and specific cover design request will be best expressed through our Cover Illustration or Ultimate Custom Cover Design service.

If you wish to select the image or images to use for your cover from the stock photography site that we use, please provide the image number from the website, http://www.crossbooks.com/stockimages. You do NOT need to download the image or log in to search the site.

*Note: While we will follow your instructions as closely as possible, we may override suggestions in order to maintain the integrity of the design according to market standards.

What are the guidelines for submitting a cover image?

You can submit any of your own photos or artwork in digital form. All digital images must be at least 300 ppi at their intended size. It is your responsibility to secure any necessary copyright permissions for any imagery you provide. Please note that there may be some color variation between cover proofs and the final book.

If you have additional images that you wish to upload, please do not upload images more than once through our online submission wizard. Instead, simply submit your images via email.

What are the guidelines for submitting back cover text?

For the back cover text, we suggest that you supply a brief “teaser” summary of your book for the back cover. Describe the main points of your work in a way that will encourage buyers to purchase and read your book. You can include endorsements, but be aware that you will need to supply permission in order to use the quote on your book. You may also include a brief biography about yourself on the back cover. Highlight your credentials and aspects that make your voice as an author unique. This text is typically written in the third person (he, she).

Please follow these guidelines for the book size you selected:

5"x8" 300 words or less
6"x9" 400 words or less
8.25"x11" 600 words or less

Dust Jacket for Hardcover Books:

For those with the Hardcover Additional Format, in addition to the back cover text, please provide up to 300 words for the flaps of the dust jacket, 150 for each interior flap.

Can I design my own cover?

Yes, you can design your own cover and submit as long as it meets our company approval and printer's requirements. Please use our cover templates as a guide (download in following FAQ), and use our spine calculation chart (Softcover 5x8 and 6x9 or 8.25x11) to estimate the spine width.

What are the dimensions of the cover?

Please contact us for information regarding color book and hard cover book sizes.

Can I use an image on my cover that is a photo I did not take, or an illustration I did not create?

You can use a personally supplied image only if you have permission to use the image from the copyright holder. Any image that you found on the Internet, in a book, magazine, newspaper or was taken by a professional photographer is most likely copyright protected.

Please see the FAQ selection about copyright laws, or visit www.copyright.gov for more information.

How should I submit my cover ideas and material?

Here are a few Cover Material Submission Tips:

Submit any original images in digital form. All digital images must be at least 300 ppi at their intended size.
For stock art, please provide the image number from http://www.crossbooks.com/stockimages
Please note that there may be some color variation between cover proofs and the final book. See our FAQ about color variation for more info.
Books below 80 pages will not include text on the spine.
It is the author's responsibility to secure any necessary copyright permissions for any imagery you provide.

What are CMYK and RGB color schemes?

These are the two different color schemes or modes that describe how colors are created. RGB stands for: red, green and blue. This category of color uses light to produce color: the more illuminated light involved, the lighter the image. RGB produces the widest range of color. RGB colors are typically used on computer monitors, digital cameras and televisions — any device that uses light to produce an image. CMYK stands for: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. This category of color uses the combination of ink pigments to produce color. The less ink used, the lighter the image; the more ink used, the darker the image. Printing projects typically use the CMYK color category.

If I design an image for the cover, should I design it in RGB or CMYK color mode?

If you supply your own fully-designed or partial cover design, set up your cover design in CMYK color mode, not RGB. Although we are able to convert a cover file from RGB to CMYK, the colors will not resemble the original file you submit. In order to have the best control over the end product of your cover, use CMYK color mode because it is the mode used by our printer.

What should I know about the difference between CMYK and RGB color modes?

This difference is important to understand when you're designing your own cover or approving the cover proof. There is a difference in the "gamut," of CMYK and RGB. The gamut, or range, is the specific complete subset of colors within the entire color spectrum. Although large areas of the RGB and CMYK gamut overlap, there are other areas that do not. For this reason, it is common to create colors on a computer screen in RGB that cannot be reproduced when printed out in CMYK, so the colors are lost in the transition as a result.

How thick is the spine going to be?

The width of the spine will be determined by the number of pages in your book. We will calculate and adjust the spine width for you. However, if you are concerned that your self-designed cover would be affected by the spine width (such as a wrap-around cover image), then you can download our spine width chart for black and white interior softcover books to determine the exact measurements: 5x8 and 6x9 inch book; 8.25x11 inch book.

Can there be text on the spine of the book?

If your book has 80 or more pages, then yes, there can be text on the spine of the book. You can choose to add the title and author name to the spine. Any book less than 80 pages will still have a spine, but text will not be placed, since the spine will not be thick enough to wrap the cover around the book evenly at the printer, which could result in crooked text on the spine edge or even text falling onto the front or back cover.

What appears on the back cover?

You are responsible to supply the text that will go on the back cover of your book. You may consider writing a short synopsis of your book, an author bio, any recognitions you may have received for your book and an author photo or additional image if you would like to submit one.

Can I print text or pictures inside the cover?

No, our printer does not allow any text or pictures printed inside the cover.

Will my book be available in hardcover?

Your book can be available in hardcover depending on which publishing package you select. You can also choose to purchase the Hardcover Additional Format upgrade.

Book Publishing: Preparation

Preparation Basics

General Manuscript Information

Additional Manuscript Information

Image Placement & Resolution

Book Cover

Preparation Basics

How do I sign up to publish my Christian book with CrossBooks?

Are there any specific punctuation or grammatical rules for titles?

Does my book have to have a subtitle?

Is there a proper way to list author names (pen names)?

Can CrossBooks translate my book into another language?

Can I download a sample interior template for my book size?

What kind of files can you accept for my manuscript?

How many files do you want me to send for my manuscript?

Can you provide guidelines to prepare and submit my manuscript?

Can I submit my manuscript through CrossBooks' website?

What should I do if the upload times out, I close the upload window or lose connection before the upload is complete?

What are the basic technical requirements for books published through CrossBooks?

Are there advantages or disadvantages to different book sizes for black and white softcover books?

Can my book be available in more than one book size?

General Manuscript Information

What do I need to do to prepare my manuscript before submitting it for publishing?

What kinds of pages and information are typically included in a book?

What is the standard order for the beginning of my book, or front matter?

What is the standard order for the end of my book, or back matter?

Do I need a table of contents?

What is an ISBN?

Will my E-book have an ISBN?

Do the numbers in an ISBN have any meaning?

Can I use an ISBN that I previously purchased for my manuscript?

Do all CrossBooks titles have ISBNs?

How do I properly cite the Bible in my book?

Can my title and author name be different from the cover or what is listed for my book details at CrossBooks?

What fonts can I use in the book?

What is the average font size for the main body of text?

What is an index?

Do I need an index in the back of the book?

Can CrossBooks create an index for my book?

Where should information regarding such items as permissions, editor names, illustrators, etc., be located in the book?

Can I include footnotes or endnotes in my manuscript?

Can I have images in the book?

How should I submit images for my book?

Can I have color pictures in my book?

What resolution should the images be?

Can I print images "full-bleed" (images that go all the way to the edge of a page) in my book?

Can I use an image from another book or from the Internet?

How important is the cover of my book?

Can CrossBooks give me any advice about covers?

What are the different cover design options available through CrossBooks Publishing?

What are the guidelines for submitting a cover description with the Classic Cover?

What are the guidelines for submitting a cover image?

What are the guidelines for submitting back cover text?

Can I design my own cover?

What are the dimensions of the cover?

Can I use an image on my cover that is a photo I did not take, or an illustration I did not create?

How should I submit my cover ideas and material?

What are CMYK and RGB color schemes?

If I design an image for the cover, should I design it in RGB or CMYK color mode?

What should I know about the difference between CMYK and RGB color modes?

How thick is the spine going to be?

Can there be text on the spine of the book?

What appears on the back cover?

Can I print text or pictures inside the cover?

Will my book be available in hardcover?

Free Publishing Guide

Call toll-free: (866) 879-0502