Book Design Review of Networking for Freelance Editors

Book design decisions for "Networking for Freelance Editors" | Advanced Layout

Book Title: Networking for Freelance Editors: Practical Strategies for Networking Success

Authors: Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri

Trim Size: 7×10

Page Count: 184

Formats available: Paperback and Hardback

Layout Complexity: Advanced

Book Description: Though networking may seem like an unwieldy, overwhelming task, especially for freelancers, this practical workbook will show that building the network you need and want is completely within your power. Step by step, we will help you create a network that is uniquely yours, based on your goals, your personal communication style, and your everyday activities. This book is for editors, proofreaders, indexers, fact-checkers, translators, writers, and anyone pursuing a freelance career in the publishing industry.

Primary Review for Cover Placement: Networking for Freelance Editors teaches you how to engage with others in ways that show rather than tell that you’re ready to help, ready to engage, ready to talk, and ready to listen. The result is a targeted strategy that gets you noticed and frames you as an editor who’s part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Dowdle and Ruggeri have created a truly outstanding how-to resource—one I highly recommend for any editor at any stage of their career. It’s networking guidance that actually makes a difference. Read it and do it.” —Louise Harnby, Fiction Editor and Proofreader

Designer’s Notes on the Interior Layout: As with all advanced layouts, NFFE had lots of moving parts to keep me on my toes.

Worksheets: When I design workbooks, I create a separate design file for just the worksheets that are included in the book. These worksheets can then be printed out on regular printer paper for use during in-person workshops, exported as a PDF for downloading, and, most importantly, can easily be updated without compromising the book layout. NFFE contains 26 branded worksheets.

4 primary heading levels: part, chapter, subheading, sub-subheading

Numerous paragraph styles to control bulleted lists, numbered lists, secondary level lists, callout quotes, sample text, and more

Voicings: Since this was a two-author project, there were times when Brittany and Linda wanted to separate who was writing. Additionally, there are also snippets throughout the book from other editors. This is always a nice touch and stayed true to the use of networking in their title.

Designer’s Notes on the Book Branding: 

I start the design process by having the client fill out a design questionnaire to collect all of the text that will go on the front cover, have the client weigh in on any design preferences, and see what books the client considers to be in their shared shelf space. Then I delve into market research and, from there, I decide on one concept to show the client. After the concept is agreed on, we move forward with finalizing the font selections and color palette. The last round is spent perfecting and polishing the book’s brand.

Here are a few snaps from various stages of the design process.

Book Design Review for Networking for Freelance Editors by Brittany Dowdle and Linda Ruggeri
 Here is an image after concepting but before color palette finalization. The row along the bottom are books in the authors’ shared shelf space.
Book Design Review for Networking for Freelance Editors
 Even though the authors requested a pale design, after seeing it in action, I pulled together two more palettes for consideration. Three different-but-same color palette selections.
 
I was so excited to get an email to let me know that Networking for Freelance Editors placed silver in the Professional and Technical category of the Benjamin Franklin Awards hosted by IBPA. Teamwork made this dream WORK!
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