What I Do

To put it simply, I take the text document of your book (the manuscript) and your illustrations (if your book has them) and I turn it into a finished book. That’s the short answer. The long answer looks something like this:

The first step is to pick which layout package you want. I offer two layout packages (consulting and/or illustration packages are separate. There's more info on them on my "Other Services" page). The first package is for a print only book. The second option is to do both a print version and an ebook version. I have more info on my "Print Packages" page.

Once the package is selected, I will send you an invoice. I use Paypal exclusively for payments. If you don't have a paypal account, it takes only a couple minutes to set up a personal account. Once the invoice is paid, work begins.

At that time, I have the author send me the illustrations (digitally) by email (hi res versions are recommended) as well as the manuscript. My wife does a quick copy edit on the manuscript and we send it back to you for approval. Once the text is approved, the design begins. NOTE: Any changes to the text after the copy edit is approved will incur additional “change” fees as text changes can affect the layout).

Then I begin the layout.  Once the draft is done, I send you a preview version so that you can see the book as it will appear. I use a program that lets you turn the pages, so it looks like a real book. At that point, I typically suggest that you take a couple days and make a complete list of notes that you would like changed for the final version. Once you send that back to me, I will make the changes as requested and send you a final version for approval (additional changes at that point will incur additional change fees).

At the point that final approval is given, I will submit the files to the printer. I use Createspace.com exclusively for all clients that I do layout work for. They offer great royalties to the author, free ISBN numbers and bar code creation, and (best of all) the author can have copies printed at an author price that frankly beats out anyone I’ve found. Their quality is exceptional, and the books can automatically be sold through Amazon.com, which is the world’s largest bookstore. I researched printing companies for a year and they were able to beat the price/quality of anyone else I found.

Once the files have been accepted by Createspace, I purchase one copy (the proof) to make sure that everything looks right. After I receive the copy of the book, I contact you to schedule a phone meeting to go over your Createspace and (if selected) Kindle accounts and make sure your royalty payment profile is set up and that you know how to order author-price copies of your book.

It sounds overwhelming, but I’ve done this many times for numerous authors. You will be amazed how straight-forward the process feels once the process begins.