The Team Approach

Self‑publishing a book isn’t one task. It’s a relay race. Each leg of the race needs a different specialist skill set—and a different kind of brain. And that leaves gaps.

I’m a facilitator to support the author AND the creative team to streamline “handovers”.

• At the start, I make sure each creative service provider receives content and files they need, when they need them. Clients arrive better prepared about the process and your value, and there’s a documented positioning strategy for the book so you’re fast out the starting gate.
• During the process you have collaborative peers to bounce ideas off and get kind, reality‑based feedback
• Once your part is done, you can confidently pass the “baton” knowing the book is in good hands.

In short: a Publishing Team approach is fast, cost‑effective and low risk for authors, and sanity‑saving for providers.

Self-publishing is a challenge for authors

Authors are already holding the vision for the book, the voice, the story, the courage it takes to finish. Asking them to also coordinate timelines, quotes, tech decisions, and quality control is often the point where book projects stall.

By the time the book is “done,” many authors are exhausted and doubtful—just when they need energy and confidence to launch.

It’s no wonder so many cling to the goal of traditional publishing.

Authors don’t want to gamble their book on decisions they don’t feel qualified to make. They don’t want to waste budget re‑doing work, bouncing between providers, or worst of all, being taken advantage of by people who don’t have their best interests at heart.

Self-publishers are a challenge for service providers

On the other side, every designer, editor, coach, or marketer knows this pattern:

An author arrives with a mish‑mash of files, half‑made decisions, no real schedule, and a tight, slightly suspicious eye on budget. They want quality, but they’re scared of being overcharged. They’re also not sure what’s normal, or what’s possible.

So you:

• Spend unpaid time untangling what’s been done already
• Work around missing information and moving targets
• Put in extra hours on changes that come too late
• Worry about when (or if) you’ll be able to invoice
• Find yourself giving advice or doing tasks well outside your lane

You care about the author and the book, so you go the extra mile. But it’s harder to do your best work alone, when you can only control one piece of the process and have no idea what happens before or after your part.

Sometimes you end up working on projects that aren’t a great fit for your skills or working style, simply because you don’t feel you can say no.

We don’t want to go back—but we can do better

Very few of us want to return to the old days of traditional publishing, where authors AND service providers were interchangeable, undervalued resources. Where creative decisions were made by pencil pushers, in the interests of profitability. Where relationships were transactional, not collaborative

Authors and creatives want the same thing – real creative input, mutual respect and a great book! Let’s work together to disrupt the book publishing industry so it works for ALL creatives including the authors. A different way.

What is a self‑publishing team

Imagine each book project has a small, non‑hierarchical group of specialists who know and trust each other’s work:

• A writing coach or ghostwriter
• An editor (or two)
• A cover and interior designer
• An illustrator (when needed)
• A marketing/book launch strategist
• A distribution and technical publishing specialist

What creative freelancers get from a team approach

1. You still work in your own way, at your own rates
2. Clients arrive better prepared and educated about the process and the value of each role
3. There’s an existing positioning strategy for the book to you’re fast out the starting gate.
4. You receive the information and files you need, when you need them
5. You have collaborative peers to bounce ideas off and get kind, reality‑based feedback
6. You can confidently pass the “baton” knowing the book is in good hands
7. You’re paid fairly and on time
8. You get more work in your zone of genius, and fewer obligations far outside it

Most importantly, you gain a trusted network to refer you – and who you can call on – without paying to join a “community” or giving up commissions.

What the author gets from a team approach

• One coherent process, not a scramble
• Clear expectations about timing, budget, and roles
• A book that’s not only beautifully made, but also well positioned and promoted
• A long‑term support system

Roles within a self‑publishing team

One person may wear more than one hat, but no one has to wear them all.

Writing

Bring the author’s story or expertise to life with professional coaching.

• Clarify your message and structure
• Plan and complete your manuscript
• Refine your voice and keep you moving when motivation dips

Editing

Polish the author’s manuscript so it’s a pleasure to read.

• Developmental editing (big‑picture structure and clarity)
• Line editing (flow, tone, style)
• Copyediting and proofreading (grammar, consistency, correctness)

Design

Good design sells the book and makes it easy for the reader to enjoy!

• Cover design that attracts the right readers
• Interior layouts that are comfortable to read in print and digital
• Visual branding that can extend to your website, slides, and promo materials

Illustration

Visuals make complex ideas more accessible—and more memorable.

• Artwork for children’s books, memoirs, and business titles
• Diagrams, infographics, and visual explanations
• Custom imagery that supports your brand and story

Marketing & Promotion

Practical promotion that fits your personality and budget and gets your book talked about.

• Positioning and key messages
• Amazon and online listings that actually work
• Social media and email campaigns
• Visual aids, bookmarks, flyers, and other promo materials
• Talk topics and pitches tied to your book

Distribution

Make the book easy to find, buy—and for you to get paid

• Choosing and setting up platforms (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
• ISBNs, imprints, metadata, and cataloguing details
• Print‑on‑demand vs. short‑run print decisions
• Royalties, territories, and formats
• Author bios and support materials

How do we start?

Think of me as the spine on a book. Providing structure, support and the “glue” that connects the work, the people, and the process. I work with authors and their writing coaches to:

• Map the overall process and timeline from finished manuscript to “book-in-your-hands”
• Help authors understand how to position themselves in the market
• Help authors identify which specialists they still need (including budget and timing)
• Make introductions within the network of trusted, experienced providers
• Facilitate the handovers and close the gaps
• Keep the author moving, and the book on track, so it has its best chance to succeed

If you’re an author who’s tired of trying to do everything alone, or a service provider who’d like to be part of a more collaborative way of working, please book a discovery call. Let’s all get to know each other!