2026.01.29

The trim size I initially selected was B5 JIS. I used a gutter of 15mm and 10mm for the other borders. I initially set a page limit of 120 pages.

Library and Archives Canada denied my ISBN request. Stated that I could send in a copy of my book if I disagreed with their decision. I sent in a copy and proceeded to publish on Amazon with just the barcode supplied by Amazon.

Requested proof copies, but foolishly pressed publish before getting the proofs.

Library and Archives Canada comes back, approving me for an ISBN.

Proofs arrive and the gutter is tighter than I’d like. The other margins are a little erratic. This is where I discover that Amazon allows for 1/8″ variance with print on demand.

Great. I unpublish my book, but I can’t delete it. Amazon just leaves it there, as unavailable.

I change my trim size to 7″ by 10″, a more standard trim size allowed on Amazon for both softcover, hardcover and extended distribution. I increase the gutter to 3/4″. The other margins are set to 1/4″. The great thing about Corel Draw is that it’s a vector drawing program and everything can be resized very easily. I request more proofs.

I also flesh out the page count for the floor-standing logbook. It’s coming in at 180 pages. I decide to change my first book from 120 pages to 180 pages, and issue it as the “Second Edition”.

I request more proofs. They arrive. The gutter is still tight for my liking, this time because of the increase in page count. I find some small formatting errors and one content error. I increase the gutter to 1″ and bump the other margins by around 1/16″ to ensure everything falls inside the KDP no bleed page boundaries.

I need to redo the cover. I might be able to put the book name on the spine.

PREVIOUSLY…

In Canada, just creating the product grants you the copyright to it. However, you can still register your copyright with the Canadian government.