I'm looking for someone who can handle aspects like removing widows and orphans, making sure the odd #'s are on the right side of the page, preserving sufficient white space around images, etc. All the traditional layout skills. In theory, I know how to do the basic version of all that, but I'd rather pay someone who does it often and does it well if possible.
Do I need to separate out the electronic layout from the print? Or are layout people generally doing both these days? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks!
The layout for print will be entirely different for the formatting for ebook; with an ebook, you’re stripping a lot out, and things like page numbers, widows/orphans, page breaks, just don’t matter.
I have been copyediting for various writers and charge $50 for that; if they want the eformatting, I just lump it in with that.* I can recommend Lucky Bat Books (luckybatbooks.com) as one place that does stellar work in all areas – editing, layout, cover design, etc. I’m not sure what they charge for layout, but you can ask (and feel free to tell ’em I sent you; they’re friends of mine).
The most important thing is to pay only a flat fee for whatever services you hire for. No paying toyalties.
*I haven’t done POD formatting yet, but I’m about to do so for 3 novels, a novella, and a collection, so I’ll know how to pretty darn soon! 🙂
Thanks for this, Dayle!
Hi Mary Anne,
I am an ebook formatter and I get about 15 dollars an hour for this type of work.
Allie