Creative Writing Book Printing for Stories That Help by Chris Nickolay

210x140mm (21x14cm) Books
4pp Cover onto 300gsm Uncoated FSC Certified
Matt Lamination to outer
Full colour print to outer, black print inner

122pp Text onto 115gsm Uncoated FSC Certified (9mm spine)

Printed in Black and White throughout
Trimmed, collated and perfect bound

Project Analysis: Stories That Help by Chris Nickolay

Overview of the Book

Stories That Help is a vibrant, heartfelt collection of stories by Chris Nickolay. The book has been designed and printed with thoughtful attention to detail, balancing creative visuals with a message of hope and courage. The exterior of the book is visually striking, with a bold, cartoonish illustration style that is both inviting and comforting. The playful design sets the tone for the content inside, signalling to the reader that the stories will be uplifting and accessible, even as they tackle serious themes of resilience in difficult times.

The cover immediately catches attention through its use of hand-drawn typography and illustration, with simple shapes that seem to almost invite the reader to physically reach for the stories within. The hands on the cover, which have little smiley faces on each fingertip, create a sense of community and support, subtly reflecting the book’s core message—these are stories meant to “help” and provide solace.

Design Elements and Aesthetic Choices

1. Binding and Print Quality: The perfect binding gives the book a clean and professional finish. It is durable, making the book easy to handle and long-lasting. The 9mm spine is perfectly suited to the 122-page content, maintaining a slim yet sturdy profile. Printed on FSC certified uncoated stock, the paper's texture feels natural, creating a sensory connection with the reader.
2. Typography: The typography used for the title is playful yet readable. It features a mix of thick, rounded sans-serif letters that match the casual and welcoming vibe of the book. Inside, the text is printed in black on a simple white page. The use of black and white within the book's content contrasts with the colourful cover, grounding the reader into the seriousness of the text while maintaining readability and a straightforward narrative flow.
3. Colour Palette: The cover’s colour palette is soft yet impactful, using pastel greens, blues, pinks, and purples. This choice of colour conveys warmth and accessibility while maintaining a calm, reassuring tone. The background splashes of colour behind the title and illustration avoid overwhelming the design, allowing the typography to remain the focal point.
4. Illustrations: The hand-drawn illustrations (such as the fingers on the cover and back) bring a personal, human touch to the overall design. They complement the themes of connection and support found within the stories. These small yet significant details give the book a handmade, intimate feel that could resonate with readers who are looking for comfort.
5. Page Layout and Use of Space: The interior layout is clean and focused, with generous margins that provide breathing room for the text. This allows for a smooth reading experience without feeling cluttered. The content is broken up with thoughtful chapter breaks, and each section begins with a clear, bold heading, which guides the reader through the book in a structured manner. The consistent black print across the pages gives it a professional tone, ensuring that the layout doesn’t distract from the stories.

Unique Selling Points

• Personalisation and Human Touch: The playful, hand-drawn elements on the cover and interior convey a sense of personal care. Each detail, from the smiling fingers to the inviting colour splashes, brings warmth and accessibility, aligning with the theme of support in difficult times.
• Environmental Sustainability: The use of FSC Certified uncoated paper stocks for both the cover and interior text demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which is an increasingly important factor for both authors and readers alike.
• Consistent Visual Messaging: The connection between the colourful, hand-illustrated cover and the more serious, straightforward black-and-white interior layout effectively conveys both the hopeful and serious nature of the book’s content. This duality is essential in keeping the reader engaged and aligned with the book’s purpose.

Actionable Insights

1. Use of Colour to Evoke Emotion: The strategic use of soft pastel colours in the cover design brings warmth and comfort. Future designers can learn from this approach, using gentle tones to create an inviting and approachable exterior that balances with serious themes inside.
2. Playful Typography for Accessibility: The hand-drawn, casual typography makes the book feel less formal, offering accessibility to a wider audience. This can inspire other projects to focus on typography that connects emotionally with the reader, particularly for self-help or community-driven content.
3. Tactile Uncoated Paper for a Natural Feel: The choice of uncoated FSC certified paper provides a tactile experience that feels authentic and aligns with environmentally conscious practices. Future projects could replicate this sustainable yet tactile choice to enhance the reader's physical interaction with the book.
4. Clear Layout for Readability: Generous margins and clear, structured layouts make the reading process smoother and less overwhelming. Authors and designers working on similar projects should ensure their layout prioritises readability and ease of navigation through clear chapter breaks and well-spaced text.
5. Personalised Illustrations for Connection: Small, hand-drawn elements add a personal touch that helps build a connection with the reader. For future books in this genre, custom illustrations could make the difference in how relatable the content feels.

In summary, Stories That Help successfully combines design, colour, typography, and sustainable print choices to deliver an uplifting reading experience. It’s an example of how thoughtful design and print production can enhance the reader’s emotional journey, making it a valuable reference for future projects in similar genres.

Client Collaboration Journey: Stories That Help by Chris Nickolay

Initial Consultation and Concept Development

The collaboration between Ex Why Zed and Chris Nickolay began with a warm introduction, highlighting Ex Why Zed’s approachable and expert customer service. Chris, a first-time self-publishing author, was immediately welcomed into the print journey with comprehensive support from Ex Why Zed. This included a detailed print quote and insights into book production, particularly focusing on Chris’s unique book size of 210x140mm, a choice that deviated from the norm and caught attention right away​.

Ex Why Zed’s team provided clear, jargon-free communication throughout the process, ensuring Chris was comfortable every step of the way. This was evident from the tailored responses around print options, artwork setup, and even file preparation advice. As a novice in the print world, Chris appreciated the team's patience and thorough explanations, particularly when discussing bleed, full-colour printing processes, and file formats. Mike, from Ex Why Zed, continuously provided expert insights and made Chris feel confident about the decisions regarding the cover, colours, and overall design​.

Creative Challenges and Print Expertise

One of the primary challenges Chris faced was understanding the technical nuances of printing, particularly regarding bleed size and cover design. His illustrator, Lucy, was also part of the conversation, asking for specifics to help complete the cover artwork. Ex Why Zed expertly handled these requests, providing practical advice on materials and even offering alternative paper suggestions from GF Smith’s catalogue when Chris wanted a warmer tone for the cover​.

Chris also navigated challenges with his manuscript, which had been formatted in Publisher, a software he was unfamiliar with. Ex Why Zed’s team offered pre-flight checks to ensure the layout and page order were accurate, even though proofreading was not included in their services. The consistent communication and reassurance helped Chris overcome his concerns and move closer to finalising his book​.

A notable point of advice came when discussing the cover’s simplicity and how it could be enhanced. Mike recommended a 300gsm uncoated cover stock for a natural feel, matching the book's ethos of support and community. This decision aligned perfectly with Chris's vision for a cover that felt both durable and soft​.

Production and Final Steps

As the project progressed, Chris made final revisions to the manuscript and cover design. Ex Why Zed was flexible in accommodating these updates, swiftly providing new quotes and ensuring that the budget was adhered to. One particularly supportive gesture was when Mike applied a one-click conversion to correct black shades in the manuscript, avoiding any costly reprints or formatting errors​.

Once the files were finalised, the printing process moved forward efficiently. Chris was kept informed at every stage, including the moment the books were dispatched. There was a minor logistical adjustment to ensure the books would be delivered after Chris returned from a holiday, showing Ex Why Zed’s proactive and accommodating approach to customer care​.

Client Feedback and Project Reception

Upon receiving the printed books, Chris was thrilled with the final result, expressing his gratitude to the entire Ex Why Zed team. His email was filled with relief and excitement: “I have been so anxious about seeing it, and it’s lovely. Please pass on my gratitude to everyone involved in its production”​.

The project was such a success that Chris mentioned plans for another book in the coming months, signalling the beginning of an ongoing collaboration. His confidence in Ex Why Zed’s process and the quality of the final product suggests that the partnership helped realise his vision for Stories That Help, turning it from a manuscript into a polished publication​.

Conclusion

The journey of producing Stories That Help exemplifies Ex Why Zed’s commitment to providing expert guidance, clear communication, and high-quality printing services. By overcoming technical challenges, offering tailored advice, and delivering a product that exceeded expectations, Ex Why Zed helped Chris Nickolay transform his creative vision into a beautifully finished book. The success of this project has not only satisfied the client but also set the stage for future collaborations, demonstrating the company’s role as a trusted partner for self-publishing authors.