Book design does not start with fonts or colors. It starts with clarity.
And yes, possibly coffee. But mostly clarity.
One of the most common misconceptions I see is authors assuming design is the step where everything magically comes together. That once a designer opens InDesign, lingering issues quietly resolve themselves. If that were true, my job would be half wizardry and half sorcery.
In reality, design works best when the hard thinking has already been done.
What to Have Ready Before Design Begins
Before any designer touches your project, there are a few things you can do that will make the entire process smoother, faster, and far less stressful.
Finalize your manuscript.
Design cannot replace editing. It can highlight strong writing, but it cannot fix structural issues or clarity problems. Your manuscript should be fully edited and as close to final as possible. Small tweaks are fine. Ongoing rewrites are not.
Know your genre and audience.
Genre affects everything from cover design to interior spacing. A memoir reads differently than a thriller. A nonfiction teaching guide has different needs than a novel. Knowing who the book is for helps design communicate clearly.
Decide where and how you will publish.
Amazon only or wide distribution changes trim sizes and ISBN decisions. Paperback, hardcover, ebook, or all three affect layout and timelines.
Create a realistic marketing and release timeline.
You do not need a launch plan worthy of a corporate boardroom. You do need a rough release window and enough buffer time for revisions, proofing, and production. Most design panic comes from unrealistic calendars.
If you want more context on timing, The Art of Editing and What Authors Should Know About Designing Books on the blog at https://johnedgar.design/blog are good companion reads.
How the Design Process Works at JohnEdgar.Design
Once those pieces are in place, the design process becomes collaborative instead of corrective. Here is what working with JohnEdgar.Design typically looks like.
Step one: Consultation call.
We start with a Zoom or phone call to talk through your book, goals, audience, formats, and timeline. This is where clarity replaces assumptions.
Step two: Delivery of assets.
You provide the final manuscript, any interior images, series branding if applicable, and examples of covers or styles you like. Nothing fancy. Just everything in one place.
Step three: Concept and design.
Covers and interiors are developed based on the information from the consultation. We refine direction, spacing, typography, and hierarchy until it feels intentional and aligned.
Step four: Revisions and final files.
Once approved, final files are created for print and ebook formats, checked carefully, and prepared for upload.
When authors come to the process prepared, design becomes calmer and far more enjoyable. Covers are explored instead of rushed. Interiors are paced instead of crammed. Decisions feel thoughtful rather than reactive.
If you are beginning to think about book cover design, interior layout, or ebook formatting and want help at the planning stage, my book design services are built to support exactly that. You can explore them anytime here:
https://johnedgar.design/service
Good book design does not assemble a project. It reveals one that was already thoughtfully built.
