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How typos and errors make it into printed books

How typos and errors make it into printed books

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Practically every book will have at least one error, and many will have even more. Books can go through numerous rounds of edits before they’re printed and readers will still pick up on something that is incorrect. Why is this?

Contents

  1. Incorrectly accepting and rejecting edits in a manuscript can lead to errors
  2. Different formats read differently
  3. Typesetting and readability
  4. Human error

1. Incorrectly accepting and rejecting edits in a manuscript can lead to errors

The process of accepting and rejecting edits in a manuscript can introduce errors into the manuscript that weren’t already there.

We find that one of the best practices authors can do after receiving their edited manuscript is to save two versions and globally accept all changes in one version. This ensures that there are no introduced errors in that manuscript, but that you can also return to the manuscript with the edits shown and see the choices that the editor has made.

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2. Different formats read differently

You might be familiar with the proofing tip of printing out your book and reading it on paper to catch any mistakes you may be overlooking when reading it on a screen. But why does this work?

The difference between reading on a screen and off physical paper can be explained through some recent research into the matter. Reading on a screen can certainly improve some aspects of your reading, including speed and skimming, but these aren’t always conducive to picking up on errors. When reading print, however, studies show that reading comprehension and retention are increased in comparison, which makes for a much better environment for seeing and fixing errors.

This in turn means that, while you and many others have read your book while in the manuscript phase, there can be certain errors that are skimmed over because they are being read on a screen. When your book has been printed, however, these errors come out of hiding and can often be glaringly obvious.

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3. Typesetting and readability

Another reason for errors being missed in earlier stages of the book’s production is that it has yet to go through the process of typesetting. Typesetting deals with the interior layout of a book, including the following:

  • The choice and size of the font
  • Kerning and tracking
  • The size of the margins
  • Removing hyphen and word stacking
  • Orphans and widows
  • Removing rivers within the text
  • The layout of images in relation to the text

Each of these things, when done correctly, work to increase the readability of a book so that the experience of reading is as a smooth and enjoyable as possible. In layman’s terms, after you book has been typeset and the experience of reading has been made easier, its errors will also easier to find.

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4. Human error

While they are professionals in their respective fields, experienced authors and editors are still human. It is virtually impossible to pick up on every error in any aspect of life—including errors in a book (and likely in this very blog post!).

This is especially true for those who have read the book multiple times. When you know the book inside and out, you can anticipate what’s to come and are more likely to skip over errors simply because your brain has already filled out what it wants to read, not what it is actually seeing.

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In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

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The difference between book papers for printing

The difference between book papers for printing

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When considering the print of your book, it’s good to know the difference between the paper types available for book printing. This blog will give you a basic guide to the different kinds of paper and treatments available for the paper you can use in your book.

Contents

  1. What paper-types can I use for my book?
  2. What does different GSM paper mean for printing?
  3. Uncoated paper vs coated paper
  4. Environmentally friendly paper

1. What paper-types can I use for my publication?

There are three main types of paper that you can use to print your book on: white paper, cream paper, and book-cream/groundwood paper. Each are useful for different purposes in printing:

White paper:

  • Best for colour clarity in images
  • Bad for readability of text due to glare
  • Most expensive
  • Higher GSM
  • Retailers associate certain genres printed on white paper with self-published books and are less likely to stock them

Cream paper:

  • Great for readability
  • Not as good for colour clarity
  • Less expensive but still pricey
  • Higher GSM

Book-cream / Groundwood paper:

  • Great for readability
  • Bad for colour clarity
  • Thinnest GSM
  • Inexpensive
  • Trade-novel standard

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Groundwood, cream, and white paper comparison

Groundwood, cream, and white paper comparison

White paper interior sample

White paper interior sample

Cream paper interior sample

Cream paper interior sample

Groundwood paper interior sample

Groundwood paper interior sample

2. What does different GSM paper mean for printing?

GSM (Grams per Square Metre), is used to indicate the thickness of materials such as paper.

2.1 A basic guide to GSM

35 – 55 GSM

The thinnest of the more commonly used paper types. Usually used for newspapers.

70 – 90 GSM

A thin paper. Usually used in notebooks and novels.

90 – 100 GSM

The most common paper weight. Used in recreational printers found in offices and homes.

120 – 150 GSM

This paper is most often used for thin flyers, takeaway menus, and movie posters.

200 – 300 GSM

This weight is sturdier than the previous stocks but will still bend. Used often for magazine covers and higher-quality flyers and menus.

350 – 450 GSM

Thick, card-like stock, more difficult to bend. Used for a few different products including greeting cards, business cards, and postcards.

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3. Uncoated paper vs coated paper

Paper can go through a process of coating before it is printed on and bound in a book. As a general rule for most standard trade publications such as novels, uncoated paper is used for the interior pages while coated paper is used for the cover. However, this is not necessarily the best course of action for all publications depending on its contents and intended use.

There are pros and cons to both coated and uncoated paper, of course, and whichever you choose will depend on your personal preferences and what your project needs.

3.1 Uncoated paper

Uncoated paper is just that: uncoated. Unlike coated paper, it does not undergo the process of clay coating. It is best for the interior of text-heavy publications (trade novels, etc.) because it is lighter, and allows for great readability. It comes in two different finishes:

  1. Smooth finish: Smooth and clean paper stock. Allows for best absorption of ink and therefore prints images and text in a high definition. Smooth finish uncoated paper is best for the interior of your book.
  2. Vellum finish: Rougher to the touch than a smooth finish due to the raised paper fibres. This paper finish interferes with ink absorption and therefore does not always give the best image and text definition.

3.2 Coated paper

Paper that has been coated is most commonly used for the covers of paperback books or the interiors of books that are image-heavy (such as photography books, manuals, textbooks, etc.). This is because it allows for a level of image vibrancy and durability that uncoated paper does not. When a paper stock is coated, it means that it has had a clay coating applied during the paper making process. There are three different levels of finishes achieved by clay coating:

  1. Matte finish: This finish is the least coated of the three. It has a non-shiny appearance and a rougher feel to it, which is currently quite trendy. Colour is often subdued on this finish but can still be effectively executed. Matte finishes, however, are more prone to damage from creasing and bending so thus publications made with
  2. Silk / Satin finish: A silk finish has more clay coating than matte, but less than a gloss. As a result, silk finishes have a slight sheen to them without giving off the same glare that a gloss does. This finish allows for good readability and great colour, however it is prone to cracking easily and therefore is not good for books that need to last a long while, such as manuals and training publications.
  3. Gloss finish: With the most coating of the three, a gloss finish achieves the highest shine-factor. This finish is excellent for getting the most contrast in colour and is therefore great for printed images. Gloss finishes are also long-lasting and will keep your publication looking fresher for longer.

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4. Environmentally friendly paper

Environmentally friendly paper usually adds to the overall cost of printing a book. There are more ways to produce a low-impact book other than using recycled paper i.e. the print media. There are a number of printer practices that can reduce the environmental impact.

Environmentally sensitive paper for book printing refers to paper that is produced with a minimal environmental impact. This typically involves using sustainable materials and practices throughout the paper production process. Here are some key elements of environmentally sensitive paper for book printing:

  1. Sustainable Fiber Sources: Environmentally sensitive paper is often made from sustainably sourced fibers. This means that the trees used to make the paper are harvested in a way that promotes forest regeneration and biodiversity. Common sources of sustainable fibers include certified forests, recycled paper, and agricultural residues like straw or hemp.
  2. Recycled Content: Many environmentally sensitive papers contain a percentage of post-consumer recycled content. This means that the paper has been made from materials that have already been used and recycled, reducing the demand for new raw materials.
  3. Chlorine-Free Bleaching: Traditional paper bleaching processes often involve the use of chlorine-based chemicals, which can release harmful by-products into the environment. Environmentally sensitive papers use alternative bleaching methods such as oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide, which are less harmful.
  4. Reduced Chemical Use: Environmentally sensitive paper production aims to minimize the use of harmful chemicals throughout the process. This includes reducing the use of dyes, coatings, and other additives that can be harmful to the environment.
  5. Energy Efficiency: Environmentally sensitive paper mills often prioritize energy efficiency and use renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power to reduce their carbon footprint.
  6. Water Conservation: Water is a critical resource in paper production, and environmentally sensitive paper mills implement measures to conserve water and reduce pollution of waterways.
  7. Certifications: Look for certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which indicate that the paper has been produced using sustainable practices.
  8. Eco-Friendly Inks and Coatings: In addition to using environmentally sensitive paper, consider using eco-friendly inks and coatings for printing. These are often made from vegetable-based or soy-based materials and are less harmful to the environment.

By choosing environmentally sensitive paper for book printing, you can reduce your environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in the publishing industry.

What about groundwood?

Groundwood paper, also known as mechanical pulp paper, is made by mechanically grinding wood into pulp. It is often used for newspapers, magazines, and other publications where a lower quality paper is acceptable. While groundwood paper can be more environmentally friendly in some respects, it also has drawbacks compared to other types of paper.

Pros of Groundwood Paper:

  1. Less Energy Intensive: Producing groundwood paper typically requires less energy than producing other types of paper because it doesn’t involve the chemical processes used in making chemical pulp paper.
  2. Lower Carbon Footprint: The energy savings translate into a lower carbon footprint for groundwood paper compared to chemical pulp paper.
  3. Recyclable: Groundwood paper is recyclable, so it can be reused to make new paper products.

Cons of Groundwood Paper:

  1. Lower Quality: Groundwood paper is generally lower in quality than chemical pulp paper. It is not as strong or durable, and it tends to yellow and become brittle over time.
  2. Environmental Impact: While groundwood paper may have a lower carbon footprint, it can have a higher environmental impact in other ways. The mechanical grinding process can produce a significant amount of waste, and the chemicals used to bleach and process the paper can be harmful to the environment.
  3. Not Suitable for Archival Use: Because of its lower quality and tendency to degrade over time, groundwood paper is not suitable for archival use or for documents that need to be preserved for a long time.

In summary, groundwood paper can be more environmentally friendly in terms of energy use and carbon footprint, but it is not as high quality or durable as other types of paper. It is important to consider the specific use case and environmental priorities when choosing paper for printing.

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In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

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What does self-publishing mean?

What does self-publishing mean?

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Self-publishing means more than just uploading a manuscript to KDP or paying someone to publish your book. In a world domineered by traditional publishers who cherry-pick which manuscripts get to be published, self-publishing gives authors’ back their freedom and autonomy. This is because self-publishing gives authors—not publishers—the ability to decide that their stories are worthy of being heard.

Authors who self-publish their books feel the empowerment and fulfilment that self-publishing provides. When you hold your beautifully, professionally designed and printed book in your hands, and you know that you alone have ownership over it, it can be extremely rewarding. The satisfaction and pride you feel when you realise that you have made something that is out on bookshelves and in the hands of readers is unparalleled.

Contents

1. It means authors regaining control​
2. It means having creative freedom
3. It means having your book published quicker
4. It means getting to interact with your readership
5. It means greater financial reward for authors

1. It means authors regaining control

With the advancements of technology and the internet, self-publishing has become so much more accessible and viable for authors who want to publish their book outside of traditional means. It also means that authors can take more control of their publishing journey. There are many ways that you can self-publish a book, including completely independently through services like Kindle Direct Publishing, or assisted through a self-publisher or a hybrid publisher.

1.1 Publishing your book completely independently

Choosing to publish your book without the assistance of a self-publisher / hybrid publisher can be quite difficult, but is possible. There are a few things you need to be aware of when considering this option:

Editing is integral

Everyone would like to think that their book is perfect, but it’s rarely the case. Readers will be able to tell pretty quickly whether a boo has been edited or not. This means that it’s important to consider having someone—if not a professional editor, then a at least a well-read and literate friend/family member—look over your manuscript and correct any errors that are present. There are different kinds of editing, which we go over in our blog post about editing.

Book cover design matters

Everyone knows the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” we’ve even said it a few times in other blog posts, and this is because it’s not true. The first thing that your potential readers will see when they look at your book is the cover. Your book cover is your front-line marketing salesman—its main purpose is to persuade readers to first pick the book up and then to keep it. Having a professional designer create your book cover is an excellent way to ensure that you’re presenting your book well to your potential readers.

Typesetting also matters

The design of a book’s interior is just as important as the book cover, only for different reasons. It focuses on the look of a books interior and how the design interacts with the text, but also focuses on readability, searchability, and accessibility. This means that if your book is typeset correctly, the readers will have an enjoyable reading experience and won’t be distracted by errors in typesetting that draw their eye. If you’re unsure if you can do this properly, it’s always best to hire a professional.

Every book needs an ISBN

While there are some exceptions (read our blog post on ISBNs), every book in the market is required to have an ISBN. ISBNs are International Standard Book Numbers that are required by distributors and retailers for sales tracking and cataloguing purposes. Because ISBNs are unique to their assigned book, while titles and covers can be very similar to each other, ISBNs are instrumental to your book’s online searchability. You must purchase an ISBN for your book. If you live and publish in Australia, Thorpe Bowker is the ISBN provider you need.

You have to organise your own printing

Most if not all self-publishers and hybrid publishers have connections to printers. If you publish your book completely independently, however, you’ll have to approach printers yourself to discuss printing. This can be daunting and confusing as there are many different options out there regarding printers, book formats, paper types, and more.

You’ll need to set up your own distribution methods

If you publish your book through services like KDP, you will automatically be set up on Amazon and can then take it further by approaching other retailers to sell your book. Some online retailers do have specific requirements regarding the formatting and distribution of their books, so make sure to check their guidelines before you publish on them. Bookstore distribution can be a little difficult for self-published authors. This is because bookstores are wary of the quality and sales-value of self-published books as some authors cut corners and do not properly produce their books.

Book marketing is ongoing

Self-published authors have to work hard and continuously to get their books into the minds of readers, but there are certainly strategies that can help. For help on how to do this, read our blog post on marketing for self-published authors.

1.2 Publishing your book with a self-publisher / hybrid publisher

If you decide to publish your book through a self-publisher / hybrid publisher, they will usually assist you with all aspects of your publishing journey. This is not to say that they will force you to do something you don’t want to, however. You, the author, are still the primary authority on all decisions made during the publishing process of your book.

When you choose to go with a self-publisher or hybrid publisher, you can get assistance you with the following:

Editing your book

Whether they do this in-house or out-source editing to partnered companies, they will help you to get your book professionally edited.

Designing your book

These companies often have their own design studios or out-source to freelance designers. It’s good to look at their past covers to determine whether you’re happy with the quality of work they can produce.

Getting the right printer

As I said earlier, printers and publishing companies deal with each other often and usually have connections with one another. When choosing to go with a publisher, they will advise you on format, paper, appropriate printers, and more, taking the stress out of this step.

Organising proper distribution

Not all self-publishing companies do this, but reputable ones provide their authors with an ISBN and enable their book for distribution with online retailers. Some also have contacts or a good reputation with bookstore distributors and retailers and can help you get your book into places like that, too.

Assistance with marketing

Some companies offer marketing services, some don’t. It’s best to do your research when deciding on which company to go with. Green Hill offers marketing services on an hourly basis to our authors.

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2. It means having creative freedom

In the same vein as maintaining control, self-publishing also allows authors to exert control over the creative aspects of their publishing journey, both the book itself and the author’s “author persona”.

2.1 Control your book design

Only extremely established authors in the traditional publishing sphere have any kind of say over their book cover or typesetting design. On the other hand, self-published authors maintain control over the design of their book—both the cover and the typesetting.

This can happen in one of two ways:

  1. You can design your book yourself: If you have access to design software and an aptitude for design, you may be able to make your own book cover and typesetting. The Adobe Suite is best for this. If you do choose to DIY, however, make sure that you do your research and get in contact with your printer—they will need you to meet specific parameters.
  2. Hire a professional book designer: Whether you contract a freelance book designer or go through a self-publisher / hybrid publisher, having a professional, experience, and trade-educated book designer is always a good idea. This will mean that your book will be up to market quality and can compete with others in the genre. You’ll be able to give the designer a creative brief of what you want on the cover, and they will give you options and suggest great ideas that you might not have thought of.

2.2 Control your author persona

Many traditionally published authors are forced to have their social media accounts filtered by a marketing team. Meanwhile, as a self-published author, you have complete control over your author persona and how you present yourself to readers. More on this point later in point 4.

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3. It means having your book published quicker

Having your book published through traditional means could anywhere from 12 months and three years. This doesn’t even account for the time it takes to find and be accepted by a literary agent or the time it takes for a publisher to accept your manuscript for publishing. On the contrary, self-publishers and hybrid publishers are much quicker plus you don’t have to worry about finding a literary agent. If things go smoothly, you could be holding your book in 6-8 weeks—this is the timeline you’ll get with Green Hill Publishing. That is an undeniably more appealing timeline, right?

A short timeline like this can be especially important for those with ill loved ones, or businesses with strict deadlines that need to be met. It also means that you won’t have to wait a year or more to see your idea be fully realised and achieve the dream of being a published author.

Your timeline with self-publishing can be pushed out if you get editing, ghost writing, illustration, or other extra production services. However, if your self-publisher or hybrid publisher suggests these things, it’s usually for a reason. It’s up to you whether you decide to take it on board or not.

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4. It means getting to interact with your readership

To be in control of your author persona means that you are in charge of your social media, your book events, your launches, your website—everything. In doing this, you have the freedom to interact with your readers in your own way. You can interact with what people are posting about you as an author and your book, allowing you to answer their questions, pose your own, receive feedback, and interact with their creativity (e.g. fanart and fanfiction).

Self-published authors also have control over their own marketing. This includes promotional social media marketing, book launches and events, and author websites. When you have control over these aspects of your author persona, you can write your own blog posts, host your own livestreams and webinars, create videos and graphics, and use any number of other marketing strategies to ger your readers to interact with you and each other. This all means that you can present your author persona how you want—choosing your own aesthetic and strategies without the influence of a marketing team. This lets you show your readers the real you.

Doing all of this fosters a closer relationship between author and audience, building a community of loyal fans and helping you to appreciate your readers more.

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5. It means greater financial reward for authors

Typically, traditionally published authors only see a small percentage of their book’s profits. This can be around 10-15%. On the other hand, self-published authors receive a much higher percentage. If you put time into your publishing project—from the first spark of inspiration, to having a professionally edited and designed book, to organising printing, and finally to marketing—you as a self-published author could see 70% or more of your book’s profits. This is a much higher percentage and more fairly reflects the effort and work that you, the author, have put into your book.

For many authors, this means that their writing is funded and their career as an author is viable financially. While financial success is not guaranteed for authors—self-published and traditionally published alike—self-published authors not only receive more of their sales profits, they can better control their income and what they invest in, like publicists, agents, and their next publishing project.

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Interested in publishing your book but unsure where to start or what is even involved? Tell us about your project and we will post you a copy of our:

 

The Little Book of
Big Publishing Tips.

 

In just a quick 8,000 words, this little book will equip you with the knowledge you need to successfully publish your book.

The Little Book of Big Publishing tips goes into the essentials of self-publishing a book, outlining the business and financial side of publishing, legal issues, design, editing, sales and marketing. There's even a section on how to identify a vanity-publishing scam.

submit your project details