Latest news with #Vellum
Time Business News
05-07-2025
- Time Business News
Book Formatting Services Explained: Why Authors Need Them
Book formatting is the process of preparing a manuscript's interior layout for publication, ensuring it's visually appealing, readable, and professionally aligned with publishing standards. It involves structuring the manuscript for either print or digital formats, each with its own technical requirements. Print Formatting includes setting margins, page size, line spacing, and chapters so the book looks polished in physical form. includes setting margins, page size, line spacing, and chapters so the book looks polished in physical form. eBook Formatting ensures compatibility with digital readers (e.g., Kindle, iPad) and includes things like reflowable text, navigation links, and device responsiveness. Professional book formatters pay attention to design details that impact reader engagement: Margins & Spacing: Proper spacing prevents cramped text and improves readability. Proper spacing prevents cramped text and improves readability. Typography: Font choice and size affect visual comfort and genre expectations. Font choice and size affect visual comfort and genre expectations. Chapters & Sections: Clear breaks and headers help readers navigate the content smoothly. These elements ensure the book looks good on every device or page format. Many self-publishing authors try DIY formatting using tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. While tools like Vellum or Atticus help semi-pro users, DIY often lacks finesse. Inconsistent spacing Clunky eBook conversion Increased rejection risk from publishing platforms Hiring professionals eliminates these risks and gives your book the polish it deserves. Here's why every author should consider professional formatting: Enhanced Readability: Professionally formatted books reduce eye strain and improve flow. Professionally formatted books reduce eye strain and improve flow. Professionalism: Clean formatting boosts your credibility with readers and reviewers. Clean formatting boosts your credibility with readers and reviewers. Better Reader Experience: Quality layout keeps readers engaged and more likely to recommend your book. Major platforms like Amazon KDP, Barnes & Noble Press, and IngramSpark have strict formatting standards. Poor formatting can lead to: Delays in publishing approval Negative reader reviews Lower sales due to poor visual appeal Formatting services ensure your book meets all these requirements smoothly. A book is part of your author brand. Consistent formatting across all your books builds: Reader trust Professional branding Recognition for your work Well-formatted books reflect your identity and care for the reader's experience. Each platform has specific formatting needs: Amazon KDP: Reflowable and fixed layout options for Kindle. Reflowable and fixed layout options for Kindle. Apple Books: Requires EPUB files with embedded metadata. Requires EPUB files with embedded metadata. IngramSpark: Demands precise trim sizes and embedded fonts. Professional services tailor your manuscript for each platform's success. Not all formatting services are equal. When selecting one, look for: Experience with your genre Samples or a portfolio Knowledge of publishing guidelines Ask questions like: What file formats will I receive? Do you offer revisions? Costs vary based on: Book length Format (eBook, print, or both) Complexity (images, tables, footnotes) Average prices range from $100 to $500, with complex nonfiction on the higher end. Most formatters take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the workload and complexity. Clear communication and file submission upfront can speed up the process. Each genre has unique needs: Fiction: Simple layout, focus on flow. Simple layout, focus on flow. Non-fiction: Includes headings, subheadings, tables. Includes headings, subheadings, tables. Special formats (poetry, cookbooks): Require custom layouts and artistic design. A genre-savvy formatter can elevate your book's aesthetic appeal. Top tools include: Adobe InDesign: Ideal for complex print layouts. Ideal for complex print layouts. Vellum: Excellent for clean, elegant eBook and print formatting. Excellent for clean, elegant eBook and print formatting. Scrivener and Atticus: Great for authors writing and formatting in one tool. These tools ensure professional-grade results with error-free conversions. Believe it or not, formatting influences book marketing too. A professional look: Enhances perceived value Encourages positive reviews Makes your book share-worthy It's part of your long-term publishing success strategy. Avoid these common pitfalls: Mixing fonts or inconsistent style Inadequate white space Improper table of contents or page numbers Professionals are trained to spot and fix these before publication. Authors consistently report: 'After getting my novel professionally formatted, I saw a noticeable bump in Kindle sales.' Another self-published author said: 'Formatting made my nonfiction book look legit, and it helped me get featured on BookBub!' Q1. What's the difference between book formatting and editing? Editing corrects grammar and content flow. Formatting arranges text layout, style, and publishing compliance. Q2. Can I format my book myself using Word or Google Docs? You can, but it's risky. These tools aren't designed for publishing, and mistakes can lead to rejection or poor user experience. Q3. How much does professional book formatting cost? It typically ranges from $100 to $500, depending on the complexity and format type (eBook, print, or both). Q4. How long does it take to format a book professionally? Turnaround time is usually 1–3 weeks. It can vary based on the formatter's schedule and project scope. Q5. Do I need different formatting for eBook and print? Yes. eBooks require reflowable text, while print books need fixed layouts for pagination and physical size. In a competitive publishing world, standing out takes more than great writing. Professional book formatting services elevate your manuscript, ensure platform compatibility, and offer your readers an experience worth remembering. Whether you're self-publishing your first novel or releasing your tenth non-fiction guide, proper formatting is essential for success. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nasdaq Market Whiplash: 3 Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist and Hold for Decades
"May you live in interesting times." That probably isn't an ancient Chinese curse as some think. However, many investors might wish that the times we live in weren't quite as interesting -- especially when it comes to the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC). Only a few days ago, the Nasdaq was in a bear market (down 20%-plus from recent all-time highs). After a sudden pause of steep "reciprocal" tariffs by the Trump administration (but not a pause on all tariffs instituted) on Wednesday, the index rebounded strongly. As of Thursday afternoon, it had lost some of that rebound and was trading down about 18% from recent highs. What should investors who are experiencing Nasdaq market whiplash do now? I think buying three Nasdaq stocks hand over fist and holding them for decades is a smart move. Google parent Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) share price remains down about 25% from its all-time high set earlier this year. But that presents a fantastic buying opportunity for long-term investors. Alphabet is now quite reasonably valued with a price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio of 1.04, based on data from LSEG. This PEG multiple factors in five-year earnings growth projections from Wall Street analysts. However, I suspect Alphabet's growth could be better than expected. Google Cloud is already the fastest-growing major cloud services provider. Some thought Google would be left in the dust by OpenAI's ChatGPT, but that hasn't happened thanks to the company's rollout of its Gemini large language model (LLM). Vellum's LLM Leaderboard even ranks Gemini 2.5 Pro as the best overall LLM right now. Others predicted that generative AI would render Google Search obsolete. That hasn't happened, either. In fact, Google's integration of genAI-powered AI Overviews into its search engine has driven higher search usage and user satisfaction. I expect Google Cloud and Google Search will continue to fuel Alphabet's robust growth for years to come. I also think the company's Waymo self-driving car technology unit will be a significant source of revenue in the not-too-distant future. Intuitive Surgical's (NASDAQ: ISRG) share price is down about 6% from where it started the year after all of the Nasdaq topsy-turvy. I think this medtech stock remains a great long-term pick for several reasons. First, Intuitive Surgical is still in a league of its own in the robotic surgical systems market. Over 10,670 of the company's systems are installed worldwide. Nearly 2.7 million procedures were performed last year using Intuitive's da Vinci surgical robots. No rival can boast the install base and safety record that Intuitve Surgical has. Second, Intuitive can count on solid and predictable cash flow. A whopping 84% of total revenue in 2024 stemmed from recurring sources. In 2017, this number stood at 71%. As more of the company's systems are installed and more procedures are performed, Intuitive's recurring revenue will grow even higher. Third (and most important, in my view), Intuitive Surgical's growth prospects are bright. The company estimates that 8 million procedures are performed each year for which it already has products and clearances. That's nearly 3 times more than Intuitive's current number of procedures. There are roughly 22 million procedures that could be targeted by products and clearances under development. I fully expect Intuitive Surgical will make solid progress in expanding its market over the next decade and beyond. I probably sing the praises of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: VRTX) as much as I do for any stock. And for good reason. Vertex is an outlier among Nasdaq stocks in that it has delivered an impressive 17.5% gain so far in 2025. I expect the momentum will continue. Vertex enjoys a virtual monopoly in treating the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF). Its market leadership should be strengthened by the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Alyftrek. This new CF offers a more convenient dosing than Vertex's top-selling Kaftrio/Trikafta. It also should be more profitable for the company because of lower royalties. I'm especially bullish about another new drug in Vertex's lineup -- Journavx. In January, this drug became the first new class of pain medication approved by the FDA in over 20 years. Journavx doesn't have the addictive qualities and side effects of opioids. I predict it will be a smashing commercial success. That's not all, though. Vertex continues to ramp up the rollout of Casgevy. This gene-editing therapy is a one-and-done treatment for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. The big biotech company also has an especially promising pipeline featuring four late-stage programs. One of them holds the potential to cure severe type 1 diabetes. Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $496,779!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $659,306!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 787% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 152% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of April 5, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Keith Speights has positions in Alphabet, Intuitive Surgical, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Intuitive Surgical, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Nasdaq Market Whiplash: 3 Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist and Hold for Decades was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
