Publish your own book

Have you ever wanted to see your name on the front cover of your own book – a book that you wrote and saw take shape from manuscript to bound copy? Imagine seeing your book for sale in the local town, being used in the library, being read on train journeys.

With recent advances in computer technology, self-publishing is becoming a reality rather than a dream. Our friendly team at Bookcraft have the knowledge, and access to the software and skills, that can make self-publishing a far less daunting prospect than it once was.

From original manuscript, through editing, illustration preparation, proofreading and cover design, we can help to put your ideas into print. We are here to guide you through the various stages, listen to your input, and provide you with an end result of which you will be very proud.

And it's not just books that we help with. We also design and edit brochures and advertising material, design websites, and offer copywriting services. If it involves words and graphics, we can help!

Case studies

The Boiling Cauldron, Huw Jones

Huw Jones was first published by the University of the Witwatersrand Press in 1968, and has since produced two books on southern African history. He brought the manuscript of his latest book, The Boiling Cauldron: Utrecht District and the Anglo-Zulu War, 1879 for Bookcraft to manage through to publication. The Boiling Cauldron is a comprehensive account of events that ultimately led to the Anglo-Zulu War and to the clashes at iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift in January 1879.

Bookcraft designed and typeset this 400-page book with its numerous footnotes, and prepared contemporary maps and sketches as well as modern maps. We also provided the index and designed the dustwrapper, and designed a coloured flyer for electronic distribution as well as a version suitable for printing as a full-page journal advertisement.

Huw Jones writes

‘The decision to take my latest manuscript to Bookcraft in nearby Stroud was inspired. Not only is the expertise of the company of the highest order, but it is expressed in a welcoming and responsive way. It was most rewarding to be part of the publication process. The Boiling Cauldron has been described as 'a handsome volume indeed' and the striking design of the dustwrapper has attracted considerable attention. My monographs on local history are already scheduled for Bookcraft later in 2007.’

The Boiling Cauldron: Utrecht District and the Anglo-Zulu War, 1879 is published by The Shermershill Press and distributed by Casus Belli (military books and medals) – www.casus-belli.co.uk

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The Thief who Pretends to be a Policeman, Leo Hawkins

Leo Hawkins is a personal mentor, workshop leader and meditation teacher who wanted to create his own niche-marketing publishing company. Previously he had enjoyed great success with another non-fiction book, How to Succeed in Network Marketing, published by Piatkus, but knew little about the publishing process. So he turned for help to Bookcraft's friendly staff and their step-by-step hand-holding service.

Bookcraft proofread Leo's latest book, The Thief who Pretends to be a Policeman. We then typeset it from the author's original manuscript and our graphic designers created the cover from a rough sketch supplied by Leo. We then arranged printing and delivery of the first print run direct to the author's home.

Leo Hawkins writes

'I am delighted with the book that Bookcraft helped me produce. John Button and his staff lived up to their promises and fulfilled all my expectations during this challenging journey into what – for me – was the unknown territory of publishing a book. I particularly appreciated the way John and his staff were always available to answer my questions, and that I could visit the Bookcraft office and get to know the people who were working on my book. At every turn I was met with patience and good humour as I felt my way into the numerous decisions and processes that go into publishing a book. I will definitely use Bookcraft when I publish my next title and can wholeheartedly recommend them to all freelance professionals and anyone aspiring to become a small publisher.'

The Thief who Pretends to be a Policeman – How you can transform painful thoughts and emotions into peace, joy, and love, is published by Global Alchemy Publishing – www.GlobalAlchemy.com

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The Quest for Hester and The Deer Park , Barbara Hooper

Barbara Hooper is a Gloucestershire author who has published two novels with the help of Bookcraft’s knowledge and expertise. Both books were typeset at Bookcraft from the author’s original manuscript. We also designed the covers, based on paintings by professional artists, chosen by the author, and helped to find a printer for the books. For The Deer Park, at the author's request, we printed invitations for the book launch.

The Deer Park is a carefully researched fictional account of the ordeals of some of the survivors from the great abbeys in and around Gloucestershire in 16th-century England and Wales. The Quest for Hester is a story set in the 18th century, centred around the building of a great canal tunnel linking the Thames and Severn, which brings turmoil to the lives of an extraordinary Cotswold family.

Barbara Hooper writes

I have been very happy to work with Bookcraft on the production of both novels. John Button and his team are professional, friendly and helpful. I particularly appreciated the fact that it’s a small firm and extremely accessible, and I certainly hope to commission Bookcraft again.

The Quest for Hester and The Deer Park are published by JLF Marketing, Parlour Farm House, Bisley, Gloucestershire GL6 7BH - barken.bisley@care4free.net

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