I work with companies, individuals, artists, and self-publishers to create designs for traditional print and e-pub books.
My expertise as an illustrator means that I can create illustrative and graphic elements that are uniquely tailored to an author’s publication.
Explore the site or ask a question right here.
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Browse the list of services or request your own tailored quote here.
Book Cover Design and Illustration
I can design the entire book or just the cover.
With both traditional and digital illustration skills, I can create beautiful cover art for books.
Typesetting & Layout Design
Already have a cover? Not a problem, I can work solely on layout design.
Photographic Books
My layouts can bring out the best in photographic work.
Art Books
Image treatment and digital restoration services are available for artwork.
Coffee Table Books
Display large-format images beautifully.
Catalogues
I offer layout solutions for every type of image showcase and budget.
Novels / Long-format Text
I can deliver complex text layouts and long-text formatting options.
Local Histories / Family Histories
I offer options for both physical and digital image and text collation of family or local histories.
E-Books
I can explore options to create interactive e-books, Apple Books, and more.
Image Restoration
There are many options available for image improvements and restoration that needn't be connected to a larger book job.
There may be images to showcase on social media or need to be altered to fit into an upcoming publication.
Static Text to Live Text
Is there handwritten or static text that needs to be made reflowable?
The document does not need to be entirely re-typed and can be rebuilt to be reflowable using various programs.
My book design process has four to five main stages.
Every project and process is unique.
Here is a general guide of what to expect.
Often, I am contacted for a design meeting where the questions centre around the publishing process.
There are many crossovers between the commercial aspects of publishing and the visual design of the final product.
Understanding the self-publishing process is the foundation of the book-making journey. Although design and publishing go together, it’s important to have thought about the business side of self-publishing before design production begins.
Reading through the resources in my Articles section before meeting is essential.
Is the work ready to enter design and production?
The exception to this would be internal illustrations produced for the publication. These will be produced along with the design process.
Some items to consider before the book enters design:
Body Text
Is the manuscript fully edited and ready in a free-flowing text document?
This text document needs to be separate from any images. An instruction document can be made that contains text and images to show the preferred layout would like.
Read the submitting text here.
Need help separating these elements in a document? Contact me, and I will assist.
Images
Are the images organised and named? Is the image order ready to send to me?
Read submitting images.
Photography
Are there any extra photos to include, such as an author photo? Are these available, named, and ready to send?
Read submitting images.
Copyright
Has permission been gained for the use of any images or text from third parties?
This work needs to be completed before production begins.
Start reading about copyright here.
Captions and Footnotes
Are captions, footnotes, and image titles ready in a free-flowing text document?
Endorsements / Acknowledgments / Foreword
If endorsements or forewords are to be included, please make sure this process is underway before production starts.
Glossary
If a glossary is to be included, the text for this must be written before production has begun.
Indexes
If an index of any kind is to be included, the text for this must be written before production has begun.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
If a CV is to be included within the publication, please make sure this is completed before production begins.
Blurb
The blurb on the back of a book is a considered piece of writing and should not be rushed. Please ensure the blurb is written before production begins.
I am here to help
If help is needed in preparing documents and images for print, I am here to assist and will gladly work with an author to bring their content to a stage where it can enter production. This work is not included as part of any book design packages and will be charged at an hourly rate.
I am here to help
If help is needed in finding an editor, I can make some suggestions. Please send a direct message here.
Before any visual design begins, a meeting to discuss the goals of the project is required.
An obligation and cost-free first meeting is encouraged.
The meeting runs for a maximum of 30 minutes and can only be completed via video call.
The book design questionnaire must be filled out before this meeting.
When starting a design or illustration project for the first time, there is a lot of new information to take in. I try to keep this website updated with relevant information.
Reading my Articles is a great place to begin.
During the initial meeting, the following points will be covered: Most of these points are available to read at any time in the FAQ section on my website.
If the meeting needs to be longer and more in-depth, an information meeting should be booked.Follow this link to read about an information meeting.
Moving forward
If the project does move forward, the process of client onboarding is finished and a verbal agreement written.
What is the verbal agreement?
A verbal agreement is where and when the design will be used is specifically stated in plain English. A description of the proposed project is laid out in detail with accurate pricing and specific dimensions. Verbal agreements also typically state the timeline and scope of the project. Writing this agreement is a two-way discussion to ensure each party is satisfied with the parameters set.
What is onboarding?
Onboarding is just a corporate word that I feel accurately describes the process of taking on a new client. Administration and the first payment are all part of this process. I work to make this process as smooth as possible.
Design begins
If the information is agreed upon from the meeting and through the verbal agreement, the first payment can be made, and the concept stage is started.
Need more time?
Sometimes after this initial meeting, some aspects of the project need to be rethought or finished.
It’s perfectly OK to stop here and get back in touch later for a fresh meeting.
Based on the information received in the meeting and agreed upon in the Verbal Agreement, a concept is made.
The concept is usually quite extensive and is the part of the project that can take longest.
The concept will be presented in a PDF, and the content will be discussed in a video meeting.
A concept could include items such as:
What probably won’t be seen in the concept:
Often, a lot of time is spent in the research and development stage to make sure the project is meeting the needs discussed in the initial meeting.
Sometimes it is necessary to deliver multiple concepts, depending on the project.
After the concept is sent/ presented to the client, there is typically a limited time to respond with feedback and changes.
Once this waiting time is exceeded, the project is on pause.
If this delay on the client's end is substantial, the project's due date may be extended.
First draft
Once a firm concept is developed to work from, the draft stage begins. The first draft is usually the entire work delivered in PDF format.
A meeting to discuss this online or in person is then arranged.
Cover concept
Once the first draft of the internals is submitted, the first cover concept is typically submitted for critique.
Multiple cover concepts may need to be submitted.
Second draft/s
Changes are made from the first digital draft.
The second draft is produced both digitally and often in a low-fidelity print mock-up, sometimes called a “dummy book”.
This stage may need to include a few drafts, depending on the project type.
After the draft is sent to the client, there is typically a limited time to respond with feedback and changes.
Once this waiting time is exceeded, the project is on pause.
If this delay on the client's end is substantial, the project's due date may be extended.
Printed proof
The printer provides a copy of the book that is as close as possible to the final product. From here, final corrections are implemented.
If required, multiple proofs are ordered.
This stage requires final proofreading and checking.
After the printer's proof is received by the client, there is typically a limited time to respond with feedback and changes.
Once this waiting time is exceeded, the project is on pause.
If this delay is substantial, the project's due date may be extended. Send to print
The print-ready PDF file is now sent to the printers.
DONE!
After the job
Each job comes with some images of the book and social media-ready images in different file formats.
Receive a tailored quote by filling out the Book Design Questionnaire.
Have more questions about the book design process? Jump to the FAQ section by clicking here.
I created these packages based on previous project averages.
Without charging an hourly rate unique to each project, I have estimated how long and how expensive each part of the project will be to deliver these fixed rates.
Quotes can also be tailored to specific needs and budgets that sit outside of these parameters.
Let me know budgets and I’ll let you know what I can do.
To start a tailored quote, please use the book design questionnaire.
All quotes are always free.
Up to 30 minutes online via video call.
An obligation and cost-free first meeting is encouraged.
An obligation and cost-free first meeting is encouraged.
The meeting runs for a maximum of 30 mins and can only be completed via video call.
The book design questionnaire must be filled out before this meeting.
When starting a design or illustration project for the first time, there is a lot of new information to take in. I try to keep this website updated with relevant information.
Reading my Articles is a great place to begin.
Up to 1 hour of face-to-face time online or in person.
Most first-time book creators don’t know where to start.
Making a book, especially as a self-publisher, can be confusing. Starting with an information session like this one can help reduce overall costs in the long term and give book projects direction.
Before a meeting, I ask clients to provide me with as much information as possible so that I can prepare the appropriate resources.
Reading the Articles section before this meeting is a great place to begin.
Payment in full is to be made before the meeting.
Approx. 50 pages + cover pages, full service.
Any book of approximately 50 pages or fewer can fit into this category.
Included in this package:
Consulting
Deliverables:
How long will it take to create?
Design timelines vary depending on the job. This is a guide, not a set timeline.
If this is the author's first time publishing, a minimum of 2 months should be put aside for a tiny book design.
Design production begins when the completed content is delivered, and the first invoice is paid. Initial consultation phases are not part of this production timeline.
To better understand if the work is ready to enter production, go here.
How will the final work be delivered?
The final internal and cover files will be delivered to the printer as an industry-standard print-quality PDF.
Ebooks will be delivered as EPUB files and pre-validated for compliance.
Social media images will be delivered as PNG and/or JPEG files, depending on context.
No open files are offered.
Book cover design and/or illustration
The three pages of a book cover are designed as one. Front cover, back cover and spine. This price is for the design and illustration of these three cover pages, not the internals.
Included in these cover design packages:
Consulting
Deliverables
Why is the cover more expensive?
The cover sells a book so should have more time and therefore money invested into it. The cover also requires more concept changes and therefore more work.
Detailed illustrations for a book cover require many hours of work and the cost therefore reflects this.
Covers as part of packages
I can usually charge a consistent rate for covers integrated into larger book projects. The pre-existing elements of the book can usually be incorporated into the design. If a special illustrated cover is requested to accompany the internals, then this is reflected in the price.
How long will it take to create?
Design timelines vary depending on the job. This is a guide, not a set timeline.
A minimum of three months should be put aside for a cover design.
Design production begins when the completed content is delivered, and the first invoice is paid. Initial consultation phases are not part of this production timeline.
To better understand if the work is ready to enter production, go here.
How will the final work be delivered?
The final internal and cover files will be delivered to the printer as an industry-standard print-quality PDF.
Ebooks will be delivered as EPUB files and pre-validated for compliance.
Social media images will be delivered as PNG and/or JPEG files, depending on context.
No open files are offered.
Approx. 100 pages + cover pages, full service.
For anything under 100 pages, look at Tiny Books.
Perfect for simple portrait or landscape book or catalogue.
Included in this package:
Consulting
Deliverables
How long will it take to create?
Design timelines vary depending on the job. This is a guide, not a set timeline.
If this is the author's first time publishing, a minimum of five months should be put aside for a basic book design.
Design production begins when the completed content is delivered, and the first invoice is paid. Initial consultation phases are not part of this production timeline.
To better understand if the work is ready to enter production, go here.
How will the final work be delivered?
The final internal and cover files will be delivered to the printer as an industry-standard print-quality PDF.
Ebooks will be delivered as EPUB files and pre-validated for compliance.
Social media images will be delivered as PNG and/or JPEG files, depending on context.
No open files are offered.
Most common project type.
Approx. 250- 300 pages + cover pages, full service.
Perfect for novels, short story books, and small art books.
Included in this package:
Consulting
Deliverables -
How long will it take to create?
Design timelines vary depending on the job. This is a guide, not a set timeline.
If this is the author's first time publishing, a minimum of eight months should be put aside for an in-depth book design.
Design production begins when the completed content is delivered, and the first invoice is paid. Initial consultation phases are not part of this production timeline.
To better understand if the work is ready to enter production, go here.
How will the final work be delivered?
The final internal and cover files will be delivered to the printer as an industry-standard print-quality PDF.
Ebooks will be delivered as EPUB files and pre-validated for compliance.
Social media images will be delivered as PNG and/or JPEG files, depending on context.
No open files are offered.
Approx. 450 pages + cover pages, full service.
Perfect for complex art books, collated reports, family histories.
Included in this package:
Consulting
Deliverables
How long will it take to create?
Design timelines vary depending on the job. This is a guide, not a set timeline.
If this is the author's first time publishing, a minimum of ten months should be put aside for a complex book design.
Design production begins when the completed content is delivered, and the first invoice is paid. Initial consultation phases are not part of this production timeline.
To better understand if the work is ready to enter production, go here.
How will the final work be delivered?
The final internal and cover files will be delivered to the printer as an industry-standard print-quality PDF.
Ebooks will be delivered as EPUB files and pre-validated for compliance.
Social media images will be delivered as PNG and/or JPEG files, depending on context.
No open files are offered.
Static text to live text
$45/hr (Estimated cost based on an hourly rate)
Is there handwritten or static text that needs to be made reflowable?Example: Old scanned documents that now need to be incorporated into a website. The document does not need to be re-typed and can be rebuilt to be reflowable using various programs.
If you would like help with a task like this or just more information, please get in contact.
Consulting
Deliverables
Image restoration
$45/hr (Estimated cost based on an hourly rate)
There are many options available for image improvements and restoration that needn't be connected to a larger book job.
For instance, images to be showcased on social media or that need to be altered to fit into an upcoming publication.
If you would like help with a task like this or just more information, please get in contact.
By providing answers to the questions below, I can provide an approximate quote and timeframe.
For a completely accurate quote, I will need to assess the book's content.
Feel free to contact me at any time with questions.
These FAQs relate to information pertinent to working together.
Much of this information will be discussed in the first meeting.
Reading through these FAQs before the first meeting will assist in understanding the process.
I’m always here to help and will be happy to answer questions regarding any of these topics.
Before submitting writing for design, it is best to have it professionally edited.
Writing must be completely finished before design work begins.
Small spelling and grammatical changes are OK, but large changes to passages of text, once designed, are considered design changes and will incur an extra fee.
Please submit writing in a free-flowing text document. MS Word, Google Docs, and Apple Pages are all OK.
PDF, screenshots or any static text will not be accepted.
PDF is good as a reading-only document for drafts but cannot be used for design.
A guide document containing both text and images in the order appearing in the book is helpful.
Please submit spelling and grammatical corrections in the format as follows:
Page number the mistake appears on,
line number the mistake appears on,
original text as it appears,
correction to insert (ready to copy into the document).
Please note that to minimise mistakes, I avoid retyping any text manually. Corrections need to be ready to be copied and pasted into the final document.
Is assistance required for understanding how to submit text for design or corrections?
I am here to help any time throughout this process and will gladly walk a client through these steps.
Images are easiest to submit as JPEGs.
Image files must be submitted individually as separate files (not as a part of any other document). They may be included within the body of a separate document as a reference, but must also be submitted separately and named.
Ensure images are set to maximum quality (resolution).
Images must be at least 300ppi (pixels per inch) to come out clearly in print.
If the image is 300ppi but it is blurry, it will be blurry in print too.
Please name all images before submission.
If possible, please follow the naming convention below.
Include page numbers only if relevant.
nameofimage_pagenumber
Example: happyface_P18
Is assistance required for separating or naming images?
I am here to help any time throughout this process and will gladly walk a client through these steps.
When submitting measurements for books, it is best to work in millimetres.
Books are small items and a few millimetres can make a big difference in the product outcome and the cost of the product. If the use of a general paper sizing system is wanted, then the International Standard Paper Sizes can be helpful.
(International Standard Paper Sizes A4, A3, etc.)
Skilled guidance in choosing the size of the book will probably be necessary for this process.
Please reach out and discuss the best size for the book project.
Please ensure the manuscript has been edited and proofread before submission.
Different writing styles require specific grammatical expertise, so it's important to consult a professional.
The book design process cannot be started until the writing and editing are complete.
Spelling and grammatical errors will be picked up throughout the book-making process, but the majority of this should be completed before the project begins.
Structural editing, copy editing and line editing should all be completed before design and final production begin. Final proofreading is the exception and should be completed toward the end of the design process.
Is assistance required for finding an appropriate editor?
I am here to help any time throughout this process and will gladly help make recommendations.
Please be aware that I ask for half the full cost of the project upfront and the second half when the job is complete.
For larger amounts, staggering payments over three or four instalments can be discussed.
Please contact me if there are further questions.
Any major alterations due to a change of mind made after the concept is agreed upon will result in an extra fee.
Correcting spelling and grammatical mistakes are not considered changes.
Rewriting whole paragraphs or deleting a paragraph are changes.
Moving an image a few millimetres is not a change.
Adding an extra page of images is a change.
Changes that must occur due to an unforeseen circumstance are taken into consideration and not treated the same way as a change of mind.
The hours I charge for are less than the time allocated for the project.
The hours involved in a project may be 48, yet the timeframe allocated to the project is two weeks.
This time difference is due to a few factors, mainly the waiting time that occurs when working on creative projects.
For clients, this may be the first time they have had to make these kinds of decisions about their work. Although I do set timeframes for receiving feedback, I try not to rush this process as much as possible.
I account for this time within the project scope but do not charge for it.
Who am I interested in working with?
Those who have generated ideas through research, work, thought, and study rather than relying on ideas and output generated by AI (artificial intelligence).
This isn't to say that AI tools haven't assisted the creator in some way throughout this process (e.g., data collection, spelling corrections, etc.). I am aware it may soon become impossible to separate modern work output from AI completely.
Please read my stance on AI usage here. If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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