Book publishing
Publishing a book properly, from manuscript to shelf.
Manuscript evaluation, editing, design, print production and digital editions — run as one documented programme with a named editor from first read to final file.
Overview
One programme, fifteen decisions, all of them written down.
Publishing a book is a sequence of decisions: what the manuscript still needs, which formats justify their cost, what the interior should look like on the page, how the cover reads at thumbnail size, and where the book should be available on release day.
We make each of those decisions with you rather than for you. Every stage produces something you can read or hold — an evaluation report, a marked-up manuscript, a typeset proof, a cover comp, a distribution plan — and nothing moves forward until you have approved the stage before it.
We do not sell packages that bundle work a manuscript does not need. If your book needs a structural edit and no cover redesign, that is what we quote.
What is included
Scope, in detail.
Everything listed here appears as a line item in your written scope, with the responsible lead named.
01
Manuscript evaluation
A written report on structure, pacing, voice and market readiness, with specific recommendations rather than grades.
02
Developmental editing
Structural work on argument, arc and chapter order, agreed with you before any line-level changes begin.
03
Copy editing
Grammar, consistency and register against a per-title style sheet you receive with the files.
04
Proofreading
Final pass on typeset pages or EPUB, checking hyphenation, running heads, spacing and residual errors.
05
Interior formatting
Typeset interiors for paperback, hardcover and reflowable digital editions, set from the same source.
06
Cover design
Concepts tested at thumbnail and shelf scale, with print-ready spines calculated to your final page count.
07
ISBN guidance
Plain explanation of who should own the ISBN, how many you need per format and what an imprint name commits you to.
08
Copyright guidance
What you already own, what you are asked to grant and what a term and reversion clause actually mean.
09
Print production
Print-on-demand and offset coordination, proof approval and paper stock selection for each edition.
10
eBook publishing
Accessible, reflowable EPUB with working navigation, alt text and validated metadata.
11
Hardcover and paperback
Case-bound and trade editions produced from one typeset source so the text stays identical across formats.
12
Quality control
A pre-release checklist covering files, metadata, retailer previews and accessibility before anything goes live.
Method
How the work runs.
Each stage ends with something you can read, hear or check before the next stage starts.
Stage one
Evaluation
We read the full manuscript and return a written assessment with the work we believe it needs, the work it does not, and an honest view of its market.
Stage two
Editorial
Developmental edit where required, then copy editing against an agreed style sheet, with a query log for every judgement call.
Stage three
Design and typesetting
Cover concepts and interior sample pages for approval, then full typesetting of print and digital editions.
Stage four
Proofing
Proofread on final pages, a physical or digital proof for your sign-off, and correction of anything flagged.
Stage five
Metadata and registration
ISBN allocation, copyright page, categories, keywords and comparative titles prepared for each format.
Stage six
Production and release
Print files and EPUBs delivered to channels, retailer previews checked, and a release date confirmed in writing.
Stage seven
Author support
A named contact after release for reprints, corrections, new formats and royalty questions.
Deliverables
What you receive.
Files, documents and reports are yours. We keep no rights over deliverables beyond what a signed agreement states.
Evaluation report
The full written assessment of the manuscript, yours to keep whether or not you continue with us.
Edited manuscript
Clean and tracked-change DOCX, the style sheet used, and the complete query log.
Production files
Print-ready interior PDFs, cover PDFs with correct spine width, and validated EPUB.
Publishing record
ISBNs, metadata sheet, channel list and release dates in one document.
Reference
Formats and indicative timelines.
Timelines assume a manuscript that has completed evaluation. Project-specific dates are confirmed in your schedule before work begins.
| Edition | Typical use | Production stages | Indicative lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade paperback | Primary edition for most titles | Typeset, cover, proof, print files | 6–10 weeks |
| Hardcover | Gift, library and collector editions | Case design, jacket, proof, print files | 8–12 weeks |
| Reflowable eBook | All digital retailers | EPUB build, accessibility pass, validation | 2–4 weeks |
| Fixed-layout digital | Illustrated and children's titles | Layout build, device testing | 4–7 weeks |
| Large print | Library and accessibility demand | Re-typeset at larger trim | 3–5 weeks |
| Audio edition | Produced by our audio team | Casting, recording, mastering | 8–14 weeks |
Scale
Context for planning.
Indicative figures to help you plan. Project-specific numbers are always confirmed in your quotation.
0
Documented stages per title
0
Editions we produce from one source
0
Independent proof reads before release
0
Named editor for the whole programme
Questions
Frequently asked.
Do I need every stage?
No. After evaluation we tell you which stages your manuscript genuinely needs and remove the rest from the quotation.
Who owns the ISBN and the imprint?
You can own both. We explain the trade-offs, and if you prefer we register under your own imprint name rather than ours.
Can you publish a book that is already out?
Often yes, if the rights are free or have reverted. We check the rights position before quoting a new edition.
What happens if I find an error after release?
Corrections are made to the source files and re-issued to channels. For print-on-demand editions this normally takes a few working days.
Do you guarantee sales?
No, and neither should anyone else. We commit to production quality, distribution reach and honest reporting.
Next step
Send us the manuscript
Evaluation is the honest starting point. We read the whole book and tell you what it needs before any package is discussed.