How we work
Eight gates.
A person at every one.
Every title follows the same path. At each stage AI tools do the preparation, and a human makes the call before anything moves forward.
The path from manuscript to market
The gates make our promise concrete. A book cannot advance until a person has approved the stage before it.
- 01
Manuscript accepted
We assess the text. A person decides whether it is ready to enter production.
AI: Structured & assessedPerson approves ✓ - 02
Developmental edit
Structure, flow and clarity are improved, then a person approves the direction.
AI: Edit suggestedPerson approves ✓ - 03
Copy edit
Grammar, style and consistency are polished. A person signs off the final text.
AI: Language polishedPerson approves ✓ - 04
Cover & design
Cover, interior layout and any artwork are produced, then approved by eye.
AI: Layout draftedPerson approves ✓ - 05
Metadata & ISBN
Categories, keywords, description and ISBN are checked as one complete package.
AI: Package assembledPerson approves ✓ - 06
Publication
Your book goes live on the chosen platforms only after final human approval.
AI: Release preparedPerson approves ✓ - 07
Launch posts & emails
Every live social post and announcement email is approved before it is sent.
AI: Copy draftedPerson approves ✓ - 08
Rights & licensing
Translation, audio and other rights offers go out only with human approval.
AI: Options preparedPerson approves ✓
AI tools handle
- Research support and draft editing
- Formatting and layout preparation
- Illustration ideas and concepts
- Metadata and marketing copy drafts
People decide
- Whether a manuscript is accepted
- The direction of every edit
- How a book looks and reads
- When it publishes, and what is said about it
Sensitive manuscripts and data stay under our control. Our local-first setup keeps client work on our own systems, with cloud tools used only for non-sensitive tasks.
Working with us
From first hello to published.
Get in touch
Tell us about your book or project and what you want it to achieve.
Scoping chat
We talk through length, format, design and timeline.
Written quote
Deliverables and a schedule in writing, with no surprises.
Agreement
A simple agreement sets out rights, fees and terms.
Production
Your book moves through the gates, and you review at key checkpoints.
Publish
We publish to your chosen platforms after final approval.
As a guide, a straightforward ebook can be ready in around 3–5 weeks from an accepted manuscript, and a full launch with paperback typically takes 5–8 weeks. We never skip an approval gate to hit a date.
Start here
Got a book in you?
Tell us about it. We’ll reply with honest advice and, if we’re a fit, a written scope and quote.