Category Archives: Premium Cover Design

The Deceived — Proving Press

The Deceived by E. C. Fisher is a work of dark, biblical fantasy. The book opens with the death of God, and then launches readers into an epic good-versus-evil story that pits the Archangel Michael against monsters, demons and Lucifer. Set in the post-apocalyptic landscape of the Rapture, Michael and his ragtag group of followers set off on a desperate journey to save the souls of all humanity.

The Deceived tells a story E. C. Fisher felt compelled to write. He wrote the book quickly, his manuscript taking shape around his own frustrations with the real-world troubles humanity grapples with today. After receiving favorable feedback from his peers, Fisher began the process of finding a publisher who would allow him to retain creative control over his debut novel, and his relationship with Columbus Publishing Lab began.

Fisher chose the Catalyst package–everything he needed for a professionally produced novel, with the extra support of a marketing foundation to help boost his work into the hands of readers. Learn more about publishing packages here.

We got right to work. Fisher worked with an outside copy editor prior to contracting Columbus Publishing Lab, and so our first step was to take his raw manuscript file and create a custom interior design for The Deceived. Our designer chose an aesthetic to reflect the dark tones of the book, while maintaining a simple, readable layout.

Writers spend a lot of time in the worlds they create for their characters. Fisher wanted The Deceived cover to represent his ideation of Lucifer, and he provided detailed notes describing what he was looking for–down to the facial structure and hairstyle of his antagonist. These instructions were then provided to one of our professional illustrators, who transformed Fisher’s words into a provocative, illustrative cover.

After the interior design was complete our proofreader combed through the manuscript again, searching for any last-minute errors, while also checking design elements like page numbers, headers and spacing. Our e-book designer then created a digital version of The Deceived that’s readable across all major e-book platforms.

While the book was in production, our web developer created an author website designed to be a tool to reach more readers, and a showcase for current and future work by E. C. Fisher. Built on a simple WordPress platform, Fisher’s website is easy to update, customize, and blog from at any time.

Check out E. C. Fisher’s author site here.

Given the thrilling story line and thought-provoking themes in the book, The Deceived was sure to garner some attention. But with so much self-promotion work needed to make even the most exciting new release stand out, Fisher enlisted the help of Columbus Publishing Lab to boost his marketing efforts in the critical time following his book’s release. We created printed marketing materials he could hand out at readings and conferences, helped with content creation, social media management, and acted as his publicist to help solicit reviews.

Learn more about our marketing services here.

The Deceived is distributed through our Proving Press imprint to all major retailers. E. C. Fisher collects a quarterly check for his sales, without the hassle of running to the post office, storing and warehousing orders, or paying for them upfront. This leaves him time to market his debut novel, and work on his second one.

Find The Deceived on Amazon.com here.

Throughout the entire publishing process Fisher had a dedicated point of contact to answer his questions and provide him with updates. He never had to wonder if his emails were being read, or if his project would be completed on time. This level of service is standard procedure at Columbus Publishing Lab.

Do you have a book that you felt compelled to write? We want to hear about it. Click here to contact us and learn more about the personal publishing experience we create for our authors.

Building Your House — Columbus Press

January 27, 2016Book Marketing Services, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Printed Marketing Materials, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services PortfolioEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Shannon Upton is good at organizing. Really good. Whether you’re dealing with a cluttered home or a cluttered spirit, Shannon’s latest book has tons of tips, tricks and anecdotes to help you straighten up your life.

We worked closely with Shannon and Columbus Press, the publisher of the book, to provide editing and production services for Building Your House.

Find Building Your House here, or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

As a speaker and author, Shannon understood how important it was to make sure her words would have a positive impact on her readers. Our developmental editor provided Shannon with the detailed feedback she needed to improve her manuscript, while keeping her message intact.

Following the developmental edit, our copy editor combed through Shannon’s text, correcting spelling and grammar mistakes, and standardizing the manuscript to a style guide. We worked closely with Shannon to ensure any changes made didn’t alter her intended meaning in any way.

Our team of graphic designers and book marketers gave Shannon’s existing branding an overhaul. The result? All of Shannon’s marketing materials, as well as her book design, feature a bright, modern take on her previous aesthetic. Her brand is recognizable to her existing followers, while still grabbing the attention of new readers.

In addition to the re-brand, our designers created marketing materials for Shannon that ranged from printed post cards to read-along guides and planner pages. Each time Shannon hosts an event, she has marketing tools at her disposal to keep her audience engaged, while simultaneously attracting new readers.

While our editors were proofreading Shannon’s book interior, our cover designer was hard at work developing a custom cover to fit the theme of home and family organization.

As soon as Shannon and Columbus Press were completely happy with the final product, Organizing You was distributed as a paperback and an e-book to all major retailers.

If you’re interested in a complete publishing package for your book, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. We work with small presses, professionals and individuals to produce fantastic books.

The Flycaster — Boyle & Dalton

November 17, 2015Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Proofreading, Services PortfolioEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

We worked with R.K. Blessing to produce his first novel, Clare R., and we’re excited to announce the release of his second book, The Flycaster.

This coming-of-age story follows Brody, a young man on the run from an abusive father and the foster care system that’s failed him. When he falls asleep on the back porch of a dark shop in Eugene, Oregon—half-starved, sick and unsure where he is—he awakens to a world he never imagined.

Find The Flycaster here, or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

Blessing came to us with a manuscript that had a lot of potential, but needed a lot of work to be publication-ready. While it’s never easy to hand over your hard work to an editor, Blessing trusted the professionals at Columbus Publishing Lab to provide him with the feedback he needed to transform his manuscript from good to great.

Blessing worked closely with our developmental editor to revise The Flycaster manuscript. His rewrite, based on suggestions from our editor, resulted in a manuscript that was accepted by our Boyle & Dalton imprint — a mark of quality within the publishing industry.

After Blessing had completed his rewrite of The Flycaster, our copy editor combed through the manuscript, correcting grammar and punctuation errors and standardizing the text to a style guide.

After our editors cleaned up the manuscript, our interior designer took that text and professionally formatted it to be reader-ready. Blessing provided us with some fantastic pen and ink drawings to include throughout the book, which our designer incorporated in each chapter heading. After the interior design was complete, our proofreader meticulously read through the entire manuscript again, catching any remaining inconsistencies.

While the interior was being professionally formatted, our cover designer worked with Blessing to create a custom cover design that would appeal to the book’s target audience. We incorporated a fishing fly, a main element of the story, with the watery silhouette of a young couple holding hands. Spoiler alert: The Flycaster is a love story. ❤️‍

After the cover and interior were completed, we reviewed Blessing’s book for inclusion under our exclusive imprint: Boyle & Dalton. As a result of the revisions Blessing made to his manuscript following our developmental edit, The Flycaster was accepted and is currently distributed as a Boyle & Dalton book.

Learn more about Boyle & Dalton here.

Along every step of the publishing process, Blessing had a dedicated point of contact. When he had a question, someone was always on the other end of the line to answer his call. When he sent an email, he received a speedy response. This is the standard service level for all Columbus Publishing Lab clients.

Clients like R.K. Blessing who decide to publish with us over and over again are the greatest testament we have to the quality of our products and services. Bottom line: we produce great books. If you’re interested in publishing with Columbus Publishing Lab, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. There’s a real, live person on the other end waiting to answer all of your questions.

The Joy of Argument — Boyle & Dalton

November 13, 2015Author Special Website, Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Printed Marketing Materials, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, Social Media Assistance, The Catalyst, Website DesignEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Everyone has an opinion. Whether you use argument in your professional life, or you’re trying to become better at everyday discourse, The Joy of Argument by Albert Navarra is a compact resource to help you get your point across.

Albert chose our Catalyst Package, which includes a full suite of publishing services, as well as a marketing base that includes an author website.

A professional copy editor got to work cleaning up spelling and grammar mistakes in Albert’s manuscript, while simultaneously standardizing it to a style guide. As soon as the copy edit was complete, our interior designer took the raw Word Document, and transformed the text into a professional book interior.

After the interior had been completed, an indexer combed through the manuscript, compiling a list of terms and page number references that would become the book’s index.

After the index was complete, our proofreader read through the manuscript a final time, meticulously checking and rechecking the text, interior design, and index references. After the interior was clear of errors, we created an e-book version, designed specifically to be readable across all major e-book platforms.

While our editors and interior designers were working their magic on the manuscript, our cover designer was working closely with Albert to create a custom cover design. We paid attention to styles the author preferred, and created an aesthetic that compliments the target audience of the book.

During the production process, Albert’s book was reviewed and accepted by Boyle & Dalton, our exclusive imprint reserved for top-quality books. Learn more about Boyle & Dalton here.

Our team of marketing consultants formulated a plan for Albert’s book that includes a personalized author website. As the book production was being completed, our web developers created a custom WordPress site for The Joy of Argument, giving him an easy, professional platform for promotion.

Check out our handiwork here: www.JoyofArgument.com

In addition to his website, we created printed marketing materials for Albert, as well as setting up social media accounts for his book.

Thanks to our distribution services, The Joy of Argument is now available as a paperback and as an e-book from Amazon.com, as well as all major online retailers. Find a copy for yourself here.

From editing to marketing, Columbus Publishing Lab can provide all of the publishing services you need to produce a professional book. Along the way, you’ll have a dedicated point of contact at all times. No waiting days to hear back from different representatives, no sending emails off into the void. We’re here to make this experience enjoyable for you.

If you’re interested in publishing your book, we invite you to contact us by clicking here.

What If I Had a Father?: Boyle & Dalton

February 10, 2015Author Special Website, Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Proofreading, Services Portfolio, Website Designadmin

What If I Had a Father? The Man I Never Knew is a newly released, inspiring memoir by Mike Dean. web_cover Boyle & Dalton, the publisher of the book, uses the same team of editors, designers and marketing consultants that are available to you through Columbus Publishing Lab.

Learn more about Boyle & Dalton here.

Dean’s book went through a rigorous developmental edit at the start of the project. A Columbus Publishing Lab editor worked closely with the author to ensure the manuscript was improving with each rewrite.

As soon as the developmental edit was complete, our team of copy editors combed through the book, correcting errors and standardizing the manuscript to a style guide. Our team of designers then produced the interior design of the book to ensure a professional, readable aesthetic across all print and e-book platforms. After the book design was complete, the book was given a complete proofread to catch any remaining errors.

Our cover designers then worked with the author to create a custom cover that includes unique photography elements.

Our team of marketing consultants formulated a plan for Dean’s book that included a personalized author website. As the book production was being completed, our web developers created a custom WordPress site for Mike Dean, giving him an easy, professional platform for promotion.

If you’re interested in getting your story into the hands of waiting readers, we invite you to contact us at info@columbuspublishinglab.com. We work with authors and small presses of all levels to produce professional books.

Author Spotlight: R.K. Blessing

December 15, 2014Author Spotlight, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Proofreading, Proving Press, Publishing Information & Advice, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, The Solutionadmin

Maybe we’re a little biased, but we think Columbus Publishing Lab authors are pretty awesome. We recently had a chat with R.K. Blessing, author of Clare R., to talk about his self-publishing experience.

Find Clare R. on Amazon.com here.

Like every author who has finished a manuscript, Blessing had to make a decision. Self-publish, or seek out a traditional publisher? For Blessing, self-publishing made the most sense.

Blessing said he first learned about Columbus Publishing Lab after attending a self-publishing seminar. “It was very informative and really got me thinking about the route of self-publishing. It seemed much more viable, and made the idea of publishing seem that much more possible. In other words, I could make a dream become a reality,” Blessing said.

After doing researching on self-publishing companies, Blessing decided to stop into our office and see if Columbus Publishing Lab would be a good fit for his project. “Being able to meet with a group of people in-person and discuss the hard copy of my work was a no-brainer,” Blessing said.

Blessing knew his novel wasn’t ready to go to print right away, and he was dedicated to improving it before handing it over to his readers. After choosing Columbus Publishing Lab, he commissioned a developmental edit to ensure he received detailed, professional feedback on his manuscript. Blessing said he was nervous to place his first novel into the hands of an editor. “That book contained a lot of emotion, good and bad… I wanted to write something personal, something folks could relate to. To do this you have to become vulnerable and open up [to your readers], as well as open yourself up to criticism and critique. This is what makes your work better,” Blessing said.

Blessing had an idea for the cover, but was willing to let the cover designer take the reins. Being so close to the story, Blessing said it was nerve-wracking to entrust someone else with his idea. “The cover I thought of initially seemed romantic and dramatic to me, but I knew it was dry. It needed more. When I saw what the designer came up with I laughed. I knew it was perfect. It had the flare to draw people in, and…it also maintained qualities I was hoping to use. I couldn’t have been more pleased,” Blessing said.

As an author who has successfully published his first book, Blessing said he would highly recommend the self-publishing experience to other authors. “Writing is not easy by any means. It takes a lot of work and reworking. The thought of going to a big publisher and having them shut you down is very discouraging. Working with Columbus Publishing Lab allows you room to grow during the writing process,” Blessing said.

Learn more about Columbus Publishing Lab packages and services here.

Blessing said his favorite part of self-publishing so far has been seeing his writing improve along the way. He also enjoyed watching the different parts of his book come together. “Everything got smoother and smoother, and then CPL sent me an email telling me my book was on its way. Hooray!”

“In the end I had a finished product to be proud of, and one that is available for people to read. Self-publishing allows writers to get past that initial hurdle, and from there, the sky’s the limit.”

Blessing currently has a novel and a children’s book about fly fishing in the works. He plans to self-publish both with Columbus Publishing Lab.

We love working with talented, passionate authors like R.K. Blessing. If you’re interested in self-publishing, we invite you to contact us here. A real, live person is on the other end.

Joseph Downing — The Solution Package + Developmental Editing

October 21, 2014Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, The Solutionadmin

The Abundant Bohemian by Joseph Downing is a guide to living an unconventional life, while managing to be happy and make a living in the process. Joe wanted to produce a quality book, and he knew the traditional publishing route wasn’t the only way to accomplish that goal. Columbus Publishing Lab isn’t the biggest, or flashiest self-publisher on the block, but we know how to produce great books.

…in our all-or-nothing, win-at-all-costs culture, we desperately want the stamp of validation on our work. We’re not writers until a New York publishing house publishes our novel. We’re not painters until we have a show at a prestigious gallery. We’re not musicians without a record contract.
It’s time to let all that go.

-Excerpt from The Abundant Bohemian

The first step to producing a professional book is developmental editing. In a developmental edit, an experienced editor examines elements of the book like narrative arc and plot structure, and provides a detailed report with recommendations to improve areas of concern. The Abundant Bohemian was subjected to a rigorous developmental edit before the rest of the publishing process took place. As a result, Joe was able to act on the suggestions of our editor to improve his book before it was released.

From there, a copy editor read through The Abundant Bohemian line by line, correcting any grammar and spelling mistakes, and standardizing elements of the book to a style guide. The interior of the book was then professionally formatted for both print and e-book markets, and a final proofread was completed before the book went to the printer.

Our team of designers and illustrators created a custom cover design to fit the aesthetic of Joe’s book, and to provide a professional front for his work.

The Abundant Bohemian is available through all major online print and e-book retailers through our distribution services. We handle the printing, shipping and fulfillment, providing a hassle-free experience for Joe.

Because of the exceptional quality of the book, it is distributed under our premier imprint- Boyle & Dalton. We guarantee The Abundant Bohemian is of the same quality as a book produced by the finest independent and traditional publishers.

Find The Abundant Bohemian here.

Throughout the publishing process, Joe always had a dedicated point of contact. When he had a question, or wanted an update, there was always someone ready to take his call. We’re committed to making the publishing process simple, professional and enjoyable for our authors.

If you’re thinking about self-publishing, contact us here. We’d love to help you produce an exceptional book.

R.K. Blessing — The Solution Package + Developmental Editing

October 6, 2014Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Proofreading, Proving Press, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, The Solutionadmin

R.K. Blessing put a lot of work into writing his romantic-comedy, Clare R., and he wanted the finished book to reflect that. While a lot of first-time authors are tempted to publish immediately, Blessing contacted Columbus Publishing Lab to see what he needed to do to produce a professional debut novel. He chose to publish with The Solution Package, and added developmental editing.

Find Clare R. on Amazon.com here.

The first step to producing a professional book is developmental editing. In a developmental edit, an experienced editor thoroughly examines elements of the book like narrative arc, character development and plot structure, and provides a detailed report with recommendations to improve areas of concern. Clare R. was subjected to a rigorous developmental edit before the rest of the publishing process took place. As a result, Blessing was able to make changes to improve his book before it was released.

From there, a copy editor read through Clare R. line by line, correcting any grammar and spelling mistakes, and standardizing elements of the book to a style guide. The interior of the book was then professionally formatted for both print and e-book markets, and a final proofread was done before the book went to the printer.

The Solution Package includes basic cover design, but Blessing wanted to take the exterior of his book to the next level with our premium cover design service. Our team of designers and illustrators created a cover with custom artwork to incorporate elements of the Clare R. story line.

Clare R. is available through all major online print and e-book retailers through our distribution services. We handle the printing, shipping and fulfillment, and Blessing collects the check.

Throughout the publishing process, Blessing always had a dedicated point of contact. When he had a question, or wanted an update, there was always someone ready to take his call. We’re committed to making the publishing process simple, professional and enjoyable for our authors.

If you’re thinking about self-publishing, contact us here. We’d love to discuss your project.

Hagridden — Columbus Press

September 30, 2014Book Marketing Services, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Printed Marketing Materials, Proofreading, Services Portfolio, Social Media Assistance, Website Designadmin

Hagridden is a newly released historical fiction novel by Samuel Snoek-Brown. Columbus Press, the publisher of the book, uses the same team of editors, designers and marketing consultants that are available to you through Columbus Publishing Lab.

Hagridden underwent several rounds of developmental editing before copy editing took place. After that was completed, a team of proofreaders combed through the book, looking for any remaining errors.

The cover design and interior design were completed by a team of Columbus Publishing Lab designers. The custom cover design for Hagridden is considered our Premium Cover Design service.

Our team of marketing experts helped Columbus Press plan and implement a strategy to successfully get the book into the hands of readers and reviewers. Our web developer designed them a custom website to help promote and publicize the book. Check out their handiwork at HagriddenBook.com. We also assisted with the production of print materials, and social media integration.

The book is now available as a paperback, e-book and hardback on Amazon.com, and all major online retailers.

If you’re interested in producing a book like Hagridden, contact us. We’d love to answer your questions and learn about your project.

Capital Offense – Columbus Press

February 5, 2014Book Marketing Services, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Editing Services, Interior Design, Premium Cover Design, Printed Marketing Materials, Proofreading, Services Portfolio, Website Designfiction, kurt stevens, thriller, web serialadmin

Capital Offense by Kurt Stevens was originally published to the web as a serial novel, and then released by traditional avenues as a paperback and e-book on January 28, 2014. Columbus Press, the publisher of the book, uses the same team of editors, designers and marketing consultants that are available to you through Columbus Publishing Lab.

Capital Offense underwent a severe developmental review process by editor Brad Pauquette, before a copy edit was completed by editor Lin Rice. The proofread was completed by a team of proofreaders.

The cover design and interior design were completed by a team of Columbus Publishing Lab designers. The cover design would fall under our “Premium Cover Design” services.

The website for the serial release of the book was designed by our team (web design services), find it at www.CapitalOffenseBook.com. We also assisted with the production of print materials, the creation of a marketing plan and a complete social media implementation.

The book, both paperback and e-book, are now available on Amazon.com. The paperback is available from all major online retailers.

Are you interested in producing a book like Capital Offense? Please contact us to discuss your project today.