I hear it all the time in the self-publishing world.

“Be wary of so-called publishers and businesses that provide all-in-one packages. They’ll take your money, but they really aren’t invested in your book or your success.”

It’s a fair call.

On paper, I charge for my services to help you get your book edited, your cover and interior designed, a website, even marketing material ready to go. You pay my invoices, and I skip merrily off into the sunset, with no actual need to think about you or your book ever again.

Right?

Well — yes, on paper.

But I don’t run a business just to make money.

I’ve wanted to run my own business since I was in my twenties, but I needed to find something I was passionate about. If I was going to put that much effort into birthing a new entity, I wanted it to be something that filled me heart and soul — something I got excited thinking and talking about. I wanted to get up every morning looking forward to my day, and the challenges and triumphs it held. It had to have meaning.

When my first author came along in 2020 — admittedly a family member — I edited their manuscript for free. After all, it was 2020, we were stuck at home, and what else was I supposed to do besides make sourdough starter? I’ve always been an editing nerd, so I jumped at the opportunity. And I loved it. The author appreciated it too, and so in my spare time (as it was still 2020), I started looking into what else they had to do to get their book to market.

Pretty soon, I was learning how to format the interior of a book for print, how to create book cover art, how to organise an ISBN… and it was fun.

Ok, I hear you say, so it’s fun for you. That’s nice. But you still haven’t told me how you are invested in my success.

Let’s talk business first — the bare, honest bones.

Your success is my portfolio. If your book succeeds, that reflects well on both of us. I’m proud of every book I work on — and I want it to be seen, for both our sakes.

The more books you sell, the more your career as an author thrives, the shinier and more appealing my portfolio looks to new business.
I can say, “I’m on that author’s team. I helped them get where they are today — and I’m (hopefully) still helping them. I’d love to help you get where you want to go, too.”

Right. But how do you help me once the editing, interior layout, cover design and files are created to go to the publisher?

We all know writers were readers first.

My newsletters form a free part of your book launch — no matter whether I’ve just helped you with editing, or you’ve bought the complete package. That means your book gets put under the noses of all my clients and contacts, with links to vendors so they can easily buy it too.

And that’s not just a once-off. If you’ve written a cosy mystery, you’ll see it again during winter newsletters, featured under a “cosy reads” theme. If you’ve written a romance, it will show up in a Valentine’s Day email.

You’ll be featured on my social media when your book launches. You’ll go into an upcoming Client Library (in development), where your books are listed on my website with links to vendors, for as long as the Library remains. And in the meantime, your book goes into my portfolio.

And I don’t disappear after delivery. I still have your back. If I see an opportunity that suits you, I’ll send it your way: speaking gigs, complementary business opportunities, classes, special offers.

You’ve got a book signing? Let me know, and I’ll find ways to get the word out — whether that’s in my newsletter, on social media, or by sharing it with the right people.

Okay… and how do I know you’re telling the truth?

Well, you don’t. But talk to me – try a discovery call – and get a sense of who I am with no obligations. And if we decide we don’t fit, that’s ok. You’ve got to work with your people.

Because anyone who knows me will tell you: I get SO excited seeing people succeed. Like, seven-year-old-in-a-toy-shop excited. I literally happy-dance when I get off the phone from one of my clients who’s had a win.

You’re not just hiring me to do a job — you’re gaining a creative ally who cares about where your story goes next.

It may sound cheesy, but I don’t care.

You become part of my team, and I become part of yours. And I keep cheering you from the sidelines in any way I can. (Sorry about the sports metaphor, my book people. It hurt me, too.)

I’m passionate about creative people, their ideas, and how changing one thing — writing a book you’ve dreamed about for years — can transform the trajectory of your life. It’s so inspiring to watch, and exhilarating to be able to help in some way.

And the coolest part of all? This gets to be my job.

When you work with me, you don’t just get a finished book — you get someone who’s still in your corner when the launch day butterflies hit, who wants to see your story reach the right hands, and who cheers every time you take a next step.

Your book matters to me. And so do you. Really truly. Now give me a hug.