I occasionally undertake book formatting and interior layout for authors who want a clean, professional, reader‑centred design. This is a small‑scale, selective service — ideal for writers who value clarity, craft, and thoughtful presentation rather than mass‑produced templates.
I specialise in small‑press, poetry, photography‑driven, and narrative works, with a focus on book formatting for print and digital publication.
What I Work On
Print Interiors
- Trade formats (6×9, 8×8, other trim sizes)
- Poetry books
- Image-driven square books (8.5×8.5)
- Large-format 11×8.5 art/photography books
- Books suitable for children (photography-based or simple illustrated layouts)
Digital Formats
- Reflowable EPUB
- Fixed-layout EPUB
- Interactive PDFs (on request)
Design Elements
- Cover layout and typography
- Image placement, anchored objects, spreads
- Mixed text-image pages
- Front-matter and back-matter design
Editing
- Light manuscript preparation
- Formatting for print and digital
- Front/back matter refinement
- Final proofing before upload
Book Design Portfolio
Layout Styles
- Clean text-only trade layout
- Poetry with image integration
- Image-dominant square format (8.5×8.5)
- Illustrated classics
- Children’s book spreads
- Fixed-layout EPUB spreads
You can explore recent and representative book design projects in the Book Design Portfolio. Each project includes a cover thumbnail, several interior spreads, and a brief note on the design approach.
These examples offer a clear sense of the styles and formats I work with.
How Long Projects Take
Most books require around four working days to format from scratch, generally scheduled across a two‑week period. This includes cover layout. Finalising the book in conjunction with the author or publisher may extend the overall timeline, but the core formatting work is typically completed within those four working days.
Image‑heavy, photography‑driven, or children’s books may require additional time depending on spread complexity, image count, and image quality.
Pricing
Current Rates
- Day rate: AU$250
- Half‑day: AU$125
- Additional platform (KDP or IngramSpark or other): ½ day (AU$125)
- Post‑publication revisions: ½ day (AU$125), dependent on scope
Payment Arrangements
Projects are billed in three stages by invoice:
- 50% commencement deposit to begin the project
- 25% progress payment at the mid‑point of the layout
- 25% final payment on delivery of completed files
Invoices are issued at each stage and can be paid by bank transfer.
Typical Project
A standard book formatting project (interior + cover) usually requires four working days.
Image‑Heavy or Complex Formats
Image‑dominant books (8.5×8.5, 11×8.5, children’s books) typically require 4–6 days depending on image count and spread complexity.
EPUB Options
- Reflowable EPUB: 1–2 days
- Fixed‑layout EPUB: 1–2 days
Revision Policy
Reasonable revisions during the initial layout process are included. Post‑publication updates or new editions are billed at ½ day, dependent on scope.
Accepted Manuscript Formats
- MS Word (.doc/.docx) preferred.
- Google Docs accepted.
- Other formats (RTF, Pages, OpenOffice, Scrivener) are fine as long as they can be exported cleanly to Word.
Before and After
- Raw MS Word or Google Docs manuscript → formatted spread
- Raw image set → structured 8.5×8.5 spread
- Messy EPUB → clean reflowable EPUB
Book Formatting Process
- Initial conversation
A short exchange to understand the manuscript, genre, and expectations. I will provide a brief questionnaire to help define the project. - Sample spread / test chapter
I produce a small sample so you can see the design direction. - Full layout + revisions
I complete the book, provide proofs, and handle reasonable revisions.
Files are prepared using Adobe InDesign and aligned with industry‑standard print specifications (IngramSpark, KDP).
Before You Begin
Your manuscript should be fully edited before layout begins.
- The manuscript is complete and edited
- Images are final and high‑resolution
- Your ISBNs are purchased
- Your publisher name is confirmed
- No major rewrites are expected during layout
What You Will Receive
- Print‑ready PDF interior
- Print‑ready cover PDF (if required)
- Line‑numbered proof PDF
- Structured feedback sheet
- Final corrected interior and cover
- EPUB files (if applicable)
- Optional assistance preparing files for IngramSpark or KDP
Commissioning
To begin a project, please email me via the contact page and include:
- Manuscript length
- Genre
- Desired formats (print, EPUB, PDF)
- Any deadlines
- A sample chapter (optional but helpful)
Once we confirm scope and timing:
- You’ll receive a short guide explaining the publishing process
- You’ll receive a Project Checklist to define the book’s specifications
- When the Checklist and initial payment are returned, layout will begin
Boundaries
I take on a limited number of book formatting projects each year, specialising in small‑press, poetry, photography‑driven, and narrative works.
I do not take on:
- Textbooks
- Academic works
- High‑volume commercial jobs
- Rush projects
Enquiries
If you’d like to enquire about a project or discuss possibilities, you can reach me via the contact page.
I’m always happy to talk through ideas and help you determine the best approach for your book.
If you’d like to discuss a project, explore possibilities, or see whether your book is a good fit for my style of work, you’re welcome to get in touch. I’m always happy to talk through ideas and help you find the best approach for your manuscript.
