If you're writing a novel, your autobiography, putting together a great self help book, or a book of business strategies - let's talk!

I love book design and have years of experience with many genre types. When you make the decision to work with me for your books' design, you'll receive regular and clear communication, my great care and attention to every detail, and a clear path forward into the next steps of publishing. I will offer experience-based suggestions that help guide you to that perfect look, but as a publisher you have the final say in how your book will look.

You know how to write - I know how to design. Let's begin!

Book Cover Design

Careful planning goes into each cover design that I work on. It needs to capture the interest of your target audience quickly with a compelling and relevant design. Working with you to understand the message in your book and to learn what your visual goals for the cover are I will combine all of that in my design process to deliver a fantastic cover that you love.

Do you own a photo or illustration that you’d like to use on the book cover? I will take what you provide or find one to purchase and create the full cover (front, back, and spine), or the front cover only if it’s for an e-book. If you’re already working with an artist who has created the front cover, I’ll take that image and create the print-ready file including the back and spine. Questions? Please contact me because there are many options.

Book Interior Layout and Page Design

After your manuscript has been professionally edited, I create a design for your approval. Adobe InDesign and Photoshop are my layout and design tools. With these I will format your final, fully edited manuscript based on your vision, your ideas and direction. I prefer to have your input! This is the culmination of your hard work and I want you to be pleased with the final product. Of course, I am also able to offer suggestions for the design if you aren't sure. You will receive a formatted draft with the front matter and first couple of chapters for review. I'll make any changes and then finish the layout of the rest of the pages. We'll work together to complete the design to your satisfaction.

Upon completion of the project you will receive a print ready PDF that you can send to your preferred printer. I can speak the technical language of book printers and regularly create files for IngramSpark, Amazon's KDP as well as offset printers. If any problems arise with the files I will make corrections at no extra charge.

View my portfolio for a look at samples of books that I've designed.

I look forward to making your book a reality!

Ebook Conversion

Once the print files are approved and completed I can also create a validated epub file for digital readers such as the iPad and Kindle. My workflow is to take your word processing file and design it in Adobe InDesign for print and then export it to an ePub file and clean up the code to make a great-looking reflowable e-book. I thoroughly test my creations on iPad, Kindle Paperwhite, Nook and Kobo devices and I also validate your book's epub file using FlightDeck, an online application that does deep analysis and comprehensive reporting on epub files to ensure your file will be accepted by the major retailers.

Process overview

» Meetings

Communication is essential! A one-hour meeting via telephone or Zoom is free of charge to determine if we are a good fit. It will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time and we'll discuss your project and expectations in depth, as well as my process and milestones that you can expect throughout the duration of our collaboration. I design books for many out-of-state authors and we work successfully via email and telephone.

» Review, Sign the Contract, Design!

After our meeting, I review your materials, and then assemble a design proposal based on our discussion. You'll have an opportunity to review the pricing and sign the contract. After receiving the signed contract, the deposit, and the professionally-edited manuscript, I will begin!

Based on your stylistic instructions and my design expertise, I initially design and format the first 10-20 pages.
You'll receive two different design styles to choose from. You review and approve these pages, or if you need something a little different, I will make the changes and resubmit the pages to you for approval.
If you have changes to the style at this point, there is a small charge for those changes.
You will need to approve the design of the first 10-20 pages of your book before work can progress.
After you have approved the design, then I complete the formatting of your book in your chosen style. When I’m finished, I email you the completed book file to review and approve.
While you’re reviewing the interior, I design the cover.
You'll receive two design samples of the front cover, created based on a synopsis of the book, combined with your design instructions.
If you have major changes to the designs presented, a small charge is incurred.
Pricing includes one revision cycle to the initial interior design and cover.
Upon your approval and final payment, a high-resolution PDF file will be sent to you (or uploaded to the printer if I’m coordinating printing).
You will approve a hard copy/physical proof from the printer prior to releasing your book for distribution or final printing if using an offset printer.
Changes at this point will incur an additional charge from me and the printer.

» Publish!

After the hard copy proof is approved and complete you it's time to publish!

After all of the hard work involved in writing, revising, rewriting, proofing, designing, and approving, seeing your book materialize in print is such a rewarding experience. Give yourself a big pat on the back - you can be proud of this moment!

How much will it all cost?

Investing in professional design and formatting for your self published book is key to having a book that looks the best that it can. The rates for a book design project will vary depending on the specific services required. As an example, the design rate for a black and white, 6" x 9" paperback with 300 pages and no images with a full cover design will cost around $2,000. Once I've had an opportunity to review your manuscript and gathered all the other pertinent details I'll provide you with an accurate design proposal.

Beautiful, custom book design