The BelieversPress blog features Q & A sessions with the experts we work with, answering questions that you’ve asked. Have a question? Send it to info@believerspress.com and we’ll get you an answer! You asked:

My book is essentially finished, but it’s not quite as long as I want it to be. Are there any ways to “bulk up” my book without making it noticeable?

Here are four areas to consider when looking to increase your page count: 1. Additional editorial elements the editor or author should evaluate: Be sure your book has the following, which take at least 2 pages each (blank left and the right-hand text page):

• Dedication page
• Table of contents (unless it’s a fiction book)
• About the author
• Acknowledgments

2.  Author-generated stretching “tricks” Additional possible elements that can be added to the book:

• Introduction/Preface and/or:
• Foreword – Is there someone in your field or subject matter that could write a foreword for your book? Even a few paragraphs can add two pages to the book.
• Could your book be organized by “parts”—maybe each part or section contains three chapters. Each “Part” page will add two pages (part pages are always right hand and then the blank left)—you would want at least two parts of course.
• Are there areas where you quoted someone that you could turn into a block of text ? When quoting other sources, separate the quote from the main text with a new paragraph, space before and after and indenting.
• Can some of your points or subjects within one paragraph be changed into numbered or bulleted lists?
• Do you have headings and subheads throughout your document? Often, the chapters can be outlined using these, giving a reader direction and pieces of your subject at a glance.
• Are discussion questions possible? – on a separate page at the end of each chapter
• What about a Reader’s Guide?  These are especially popular for fiction books.
• If subject warrants, how about an Index of Scriptures or Topics?
• Have you included a page or two of further research ideas or links?
• A “recommended reading” or “for further reading” book list?
• An ad page – Do you have previous books you could advertise on a page? Or, if you belong to an organization or support a charity, that is connected to your book in some way, you could insert their information in an ad format.

3.  Interior design and typesetting directives The designer doing your interior layout has several options to increase your page count. Be sure to inform them that you need to “stretch” your book. Any or all of these options can help:

• Add a half-title page (a page at the very front that has just the title of the book in smaller type)
• Use larger margins – this gives a bit more white space on the page (can actually make the book interior “feel” more open and friendly
• Use larger type size and space between lines
• More space inserted before and after heads and subheads
• Choose specific font/type – certain fonts take up more room on each line. There are condensed and expanded type styles and even regular type fonts can take up more or less space.
• Insert an ornament or decoration between sections or scenes in your story or subject
• Opening chapter pages can start lower on the page; an ornament or image can take up room, and or the chapter title type can be large
• Add a scripture or quote to the beginning of each chapter, which bumps the start of the text
• Design can be set up with large initial cap or first lines with larger type size or indentation
• Pull quotes can be implemented – this can be a good way to stretch out a book’s length. It involves choosing a sentence or two that restate a main point or significant thought within the text. The designer can take those and put them in a box or use some other decorative way of blowing them up and placing them consistently on certain pages throughout.
• Consider using a space between paragraphs instead of the standard indented first line (depending on the type of book). More pages will be used and but separation of thought is still clear.

Note: most books’ chapters start on the right hand page; your typesetter should know this. If not, be sure to include that as a desired method for helping keep page count high. Conversely, if a book has parts and multiple chapters, starting chapters on the left will lower the page count. 4. Paper and Specs

• If the issue happens to be the spine size for the book (printers usually have a minimum width in order to create a perfect bound book), a thicker paper is the first consideration
• Another option might be to consider creating a smaller trim-size book; example: instead of 6 x 9 book, you could change to 5 x7. Of course, this is only helpful if you haven’t had a cover or interior designed yet.