Design Styles

• Try not to cluster elements (exercises, text boxes, sidebars, and so forth). If possible, spread them throughout the chapter.

• Note that with text boxes, there's no guarantee we can place them in a specific location. In design, they will often need to move around to accommodate space constraints. Ensure authors are aware of this.

In general, please be aware of the book size. Anything smaller than a 7x10 should not have

• • Four-column or larger tables or lists

  • Fill-ins, if at all possible (You may refer readers to a separate journal or notebook, or develop any fill-ins as companion free tools.)

  • Sidebars (see also "Boxes, Sidebars, and Pullquotes" below)

Boxes, Sidebars, and Pullquotes

• • Text boxes can be used for any length of text that needs to be distinguished from the standard text. These boxes run the full width of the page and can flow within the text or be anchored at the bottom or top of pages. Appropriate for all book sizes. (Note that exercises, which may or may not have a box depending on the book's design, are not the same as text boxes.) 

  • Sidebars can be used for any length of text (usually at least one paragraph). These boxes run half the width of the page and the book text flows around it. These boxes are anchored to a section, rather than a specific spot in the MS. Can only be used in 7x10, 8x10, and 8.5x11.

  • Pullquotes are a maximum of 1 sentence, usually pulled directly from text (but not always). These boxes are short and used to highlight points in the text. Appropriate for all book sizes--but as a decorative element, we prefer they be used sparingly.

Style Markings

• Use the Numbered List or Bulleted List formatting options in Word. Don't insert bullet characters or create numbered lists with numeral characters and tab spaces.

• Don't attempt to design pages with spaces or tabs. If the text requires design elements, describe them in a [[bracketed instruction to Production]].

• Indicate beginning and ending of all exercises, text boxes, and sidebars.

• Please be consistent with typemarkings. See Coding and Typemarking for details on typecoding conventions.