Are you an author or publisher? Do you need cover design, illustration, editing or formatting? WoodPig Press is a loose collective of creative freelancers and publishing professionals who have worked with some of the top names in the industry. As such, we can offer a range of high-quality services for any genre or format. If there’s something you require that’s not listed, or you just have some questions, please get in touch.

NOTE: Hiring us for publishing services does not involve being published by WoodPig Press – the two things are separate in that regard. If you are an author, and you think we might be interested in publishing your book, please check out our submissions page.

What We Offer

Our current services include:

  • one-to-ones for new authors
  • developmental and structural editing
  • line and copy editing
  • proofreading
  • illustration
  • cover design
  • typography
  • formatting and interior design (print and ebook)
  • production management

These are available for any genre and format. You can find out more about each of these services below.

One-to-Ones for New Authors

If you would like your work to reach readers but you’re not sure where to start with publishing a book, we can help. We offer a one-to-one consultancy service where you can explore your goals, motivations and publishing options (both indie and traditional). An editor will read up to 3000 words of your manuscript in advance and then spend an hour with you, on the phone or online, drawing on their broad and deep understanding of editing and publishing to help you decide what the best next steps are for you and your book or project. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact us.

Editing and Proofreading

A traditionally published book by a big publisher will go through many pairs of hands. If you’re an indie author or a small publisher, then paying for professional editing and proofreading can elevate your book to the same professional standards. So, whatever stage your manuscript is at, we can help. Our services range from developmental and structural editing (“big picture” story and plot advice, point of view), line and copy editing (grammar, phrasing and tone), through to proofreading (the final polish where all the i’s are crossed and the t’s are … no, wait…). Anyway, rest assured that we have the people for you. Not sure what you need? Get in touch.

Illustration and Cover Design

A striking, professional-looking cover can make all the difference to your book, and is therefore an important investment for any author or publisher. We also offer interior illustrations, diagrams, maps, or anything else that you might require. You can see some examples of our work below. If you already have an illustration that you would like turned into a book cover, we can do that too.

Formatting and Interior Design

Having invested in cover design, many indie authors scrimp on this important step, but a book must look good on its inside as well as on its outside. Perhaps you think you can do it yourself (see here). But do you know your widows from your orphans? Your tracking from your kerning? Your en-dashes from your em-dashes? Your running heads from your running feet? Or perhaps you’re writing a cookbook or a self-help book, and you want the layout to sing (not literally – we can’t do that yet). If so, get in touch with your requirements and we can chat. We can provide finished layout files for both print (paperback and hardback) and digital (all common ebook formats).

Production Management

Once you have your finished book, you are ready to distribute and sell it. But where? And how? We can help you upload it to all the major online platforms, guide you through the setup process, and help to make your book available to libraries and bookshops. If your needs are more bespoke – shiny bits, embossed thingies, gold and silver whatnots, sprayed edges, hand-tooled leather, illustrated endpapers and wraparound book jackets – we can help you to arrange that too.

So How Does This All Work?

If there’s anything in the above list that you think you might need, then get in touch and we’ll chat things through – via Zoom or Skype if you prefer – (is Skype still a thing? Teams, then!). Or maybe just via phone or email. We’re flexible.

Once we have a clear idea of what you want, we discuss your budget. WoodPig Press freelancers each have their own rates and areas of expertise, and we try to ensure (availability allowing) that you have options. So, you might want to go for the cheapest, or pay a little more for someone with a specialism (e.g. a fantasy illustrator or a copy-editor who specialises in poetry). WoodPig Press then negotiates with the freelancer, assembles a quote and creates a schedule for the work. If you’re happy with this, we sign a contract, and you deal only with us. You pay 50% up front, and the rest on completion.

AI and Values Policy

We do not use AI, and nor do we work with authors or publishers who do. This is non-negotiable. So, please be honest and transparent. We also reserve the right not to take on certain books that don’t square with our values. If you’re not sure about whether any of this disqualifies you, ask us.

Any Questions?

If you’ve read all the way down to this point, then I’m sure you know the answer already … get in touch!