Who puts a book together? A book is put together through a process called bookbinding.
The Bookbinding Process
In bookbinding, multiple paper sheets called signatures are stacked, folded, and stitched together along one edge. These signatures are then bound together with thick thread through the spine, which holds the pages of the book together.
The spine and special bands at the top and bottom called headbands and footbands hold the book’s pages together and hide the glued spine. Anything in the gutter, the space along the bound inner margin, can’t be seen.
Before binding, a mockup called a "dummy" shows where the front matter, text, illustrations, and back matter will go. The number of pages relates to factors like genre; children’s picture books often have 32 pages.
The Binding and Design Journey
Putting a book together takes around three years. It starts with editing, then page layouts and cover design. Finally, the interior pages and cover are printed, bound, and shipped. Every piece has to properly fit together for the book to hold together.
Understanding the Spine’s Role
The spine holds the book together. The spine faces outward when the book sits on a shelf. Special bands called headbands hide the glue. The space along the inner margin is the gutter. Anything there can’t be seen.
The Story’s Structure
Choosing where to start and end a story involves the primary conflict. You start where the conflict builds up enough and end where the conflict resolves.