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Industry Standards Checklist for Publishing a Professional Book

This checklist provides authors and publishing professionals with a clear, at-a-glance reference for evaluating whether a book meets industry standards for professional presentation.


While the creative process behind book development is highly individual and subjective, there are objective benchmarks that distinguish a polished, market-ready book from an amateur one. This resource does not judge editorial content itself but emphasizes the non-negotiable need for professional editing—developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading.


At a minimum, any professionally published book must be grammatically correct, free of spelling and typographical errors, and aligned with recognized publishing conventions.



Content Standards: Required Elements for Every Book


To meet professional publishing standards, books should contain the following elements.



Half-Title Page (Optional but Recommended)


Placed as the very first page of the book, the half-title page usually includes:


  • Title and subtitle of the book


  • Typography consistent with the cover fonts



Title Page


If no half-title page is included, the title page becomes the first page of the book. It typically features:


  • Title and subtitle of the book


  • Author’s name (or editors, for an anthology)


  • Illustrator’s name, if applicable


  • Publisher’s name and location


  • Typography consistent with cover fonts


  • Optional design elements tying into the cover design


Pro-Tip: The verso (left-hand) page opposite the title page is usually left blank or incorporated into the title design. Both the half-title and title pages should appear on a recto (right-hand) page.


Copyright Page (Required)


Traditionally placed on the verso following the title page (though in some illustrated books, found in the back matter). This page should include:


  • Copyright date and holder (e.g., “© [Author Name], 2016”)


  • Copyright notice


  • Edition information


  • Library of Congress CIP data in full, or a reference to the book’s LCCN (applied for via PCN at loc.gov/publish/pcn)


  • Printing history (if applicable)


  • Country of printing (important for international customs; not necessary for POD books)


  • Publisher name


  • Publisher contact information


  • Author name


  • Book title


  • 13-digit ISBN (both print and eBook ISBNs may be listed, if clearly identified)


  • Credits for design, illustration, editing, and cover artwork, as applicable


  • Disclaimers or waivers, especially for books with legal, medical, or sensitive content (including memoir and fiction disclaimers)



Dedication (Optional)


A dedication is not required but is common. If included, it should appear on its own page—typically a recto following the copyright page.



Table of Contents (Optional)


A table of contents is customary in books but not required. If included, it should follow the dedication (or the copyright page if no dedication is included). To meet professional standards, a table of contents should:


  • Be concise, listing only chapter titles and subtitles without descriptive content


  • Include accurate page numbers


  • Typically not exceed one or two typeset pages


  • Be typeset in a style consistent with the rest of the book



Grammar and Copyediting


Correct grammatical style should be applied faithfully and consistently throughout the entire book. While the industry standard leans toward The Chicago Manual of Style, authors and publishers may choose a different style if they apply it consistently. Additional requirements include:


  • Content must be free of grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors


  • Reviewers, judges, and industry professionals often check random passages for accuracy and quality


  • Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are usually distributed before final proofreading, so they should clearly state “Uncorrected Galley Proof” or “Advance Reader Copy” on the cover



Quality of Writing


The content of the book should be well-written and stylistically appropriate to the genre and topic. Specifically, professional-quality writing should:


  • Be inviting, direct, well-phrased, and free of clichés (Foreword Reviews benchmark)


  • Ensure consistency and accuracy in facts, names, dates, and timelines


  • Be completely free of plagiarism (any form of theft is never acceptable)




Acknowledgments Page (Optional)


Acknowledgments are customary but not required. When included, the acknowledgments page can be placed at either the beginning or the end of a book, depending on the genre. Standards include:


  • Sources should be credited whenever applicable, especially in nonfiction


  • Inline credits (via footnotes or endnotes) may be used instead of a formal acknowledgments page


  • Photo credits must be consistent and may be included in one of three places: (1) the acknowledgments page, (2) with the photos themselves, or (3) within captions



About the Author Page


The “About the Author” page is considered standard professional practice and may appear in the front matter, back matter, or jacket copy. It should include:


  • A brief but informative biography tailored to the book’s genre and subject matter


  • The author’s credentials if writing on a specialized or expert-level topic


  • Optional inclusion of author website and/or social media links



Production Standards


The following outlines the essential design protocols every professionally published book must meet.



Interior


  • Must feature professional interior design throughout


  • Use an appropriate, easily readable font for the main body of text


  • Ensure proper leading and kerning based on the chosen font


  • Apply consistent running heads or running feet across all pages


  • Maintain uniform treatment of special characters (accent marks, em dashes, hyphens, etc.)


  • Provide appropriate margins for readability and aesthetics


  • Select a strategic trim size that complements the content and target audience



Front Cover


  • All text must be fully legible in both print format and when reduced to a digital thumbnail (e.g., on Amazon or other retailers)


  • Colors should translate cleanly between print and digital formats, ensuring accurate and professional reproduction



Spine


The spine of the book must include the following elements, formatted for clarity and alignment:


  • Title of the book


  • Subtitle (optional, depending on length and design)


  • Author name


  • Publisher name and/or logo


Back Cover


The back cover plays a critical role in marketing and must follow industry standards:


  • Price must be competitive within the book’s category; for hardcover editions, pricing may also appear on the jacket flap


  • Human-readable ISBN must be present


  • Human-readable BISAC subject heading should be included for clear categorization


  • Publisher name and/or logo displayed prominently


  • Endorsements and blurbs must be relevant, authentic, and properly credited


  • Industry-standard EAN bar code with embedded 13-digit ISBN and price must appear; publishers are required to purchase and own their ISBNs directly through Bowker rather than using free or shared ISBNs from KDP, Ingram, or other third-party entities



Additional Considerations


  • Title and Cover Copy: Does the title and front cover text clearly convey the book’s benefits, subject matter, or category at first glance?


  • Cover Design: Is the book’s cover art and design competitive with similar titles in the same topic and quality range?


  • Interior Design: Is the interior layout, typography, and any artwork consistent with the standards of comparable books in the category?


  • Library of Congress Cataloging: The Library of Congress does not promptly catalog books from publishers releasing fewer than five titles per year. Cataloging can take two to three years under these circumstances. To avoid delays, all publishers should apply for PCNs (Preassigned Control Numbers) and display LCCNs on their books. An alternative is to purchase Publishers' Cataloging Information from a cataloging company.


  • Paper Quality: Evaluate whether the paper allows text bleed-through that affects readability. Paper weight and finish should enhance both durability and reading experience.


  • Proofing and Printing: Always order a proof of the final book before full printing. For offset print runs, request multiple samples to evaluate binding, print quality, and structural integrity. Inspect proofs not only for textual accuracy but also for legibility, design consistency, and overall durability.


Notes:


  • Front matter includes all content preceding a book’s introduction or first chapter.


  • Back matter refers to any material following the final chapter.


  • Jacket copy is the descriptive text found on a paperback’s back cover or the inside flap of a hardcover book.

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