Category Archives: Developmental Editing

Dream of a Lifetime: Ten Years in the Upper Amazon — Proving Press

January 24, 2019Author Spotlight, Book Marketing Services, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Proofreading, Proving Press, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, The SolutionColumbus Publishing Lab

Norman Walters brought a wealth of life experiences to Columbus Publishing Lab in Dream of a Lifetime: Ten Years in the Upper Amazon. Musician, songwriter, artist, and the owner of a tourist destination along the Amazon river in the heart of the Peruvian jungle, Norman Walters had adventures to share, and he trusted Columbus Publishing Lab to produce his memoir.

The Columbus Publishing Lab team edited the manuscript, designed the interior and the cover, proofread it, and distributed Dream of a Lifetime: Ten Years in the Upper Amazon to all major retailers in paperback and e-book editions. The end result? Norman’s escapades can now be read by a worldwide audience in an attractive, professionally published book.

“Interspersed with tales of his gloriously misspent youth, one of the hardest-working hippies of his generation recounts the genesis of his remarkable achievement–the creation of an eco-sensitive tourist lodge in Peru’s Amazon jungle.” — Amazon reviewer

Find Dream of a Lifetime: Ten Years in the Upper Amazon at these retailers or ask for the book at your local bookstore.

The Design and Construction of the Nautilus – Boyle & Dalton

November 10, 2018Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Proofreading, Services Portfolio, Standard Cover DesignColumbus Publishing Lab

The Nautilus Cover Ever since he was a boy, Demetri Capetanopoulos was enthralled with Jules Verne’s Nautilus, drawing his first set of schematics at the age of ten. Fast forward to the present day, and Demetri has years of experience as a nuclear submarine engineer and deep submersible pilot—and he still loves the Nautilus. The Design and Construction of the Nautilus seeks to answer the question, “Could the Nautilus have been real?”

We worked with Boyle & Dalton, the publisher of The Design and Construction of the Nautilus, to provide editing, design and marketing services, so the finished book would reflect the years of passion and research that Demetri Capetanopoulos put into exploring the science behind the Nautilus.

The first step in the publishing process was a developmental edit. After reading the entire manuscript, an experienced developmental editor provided Demetri with a detailed report containing recommendations to improve areas of concern. As a result, Demetri was able to act on the suggestions of our editor to vastly improve The Design and Construction of the Nautilus before the book was released to readers.

Next, a professional copy editor combed through the manuscript correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes, as well as standardizing the manuscript to a style guide. Our editor worked closely with the author to ensure the technical terms used throughout the book were formatted accurately.

After the copy edit was complete, our interior designer set to work creating a custom aesthetic to be both elegant and readable. We also incorporated pictures, graphs, and schematics provided by Demetri to enrich the reader’s experience and illustrate the different systems of the Nautilus, seamlessly building them into the design of the book.

As soon as the interior design was complete our proofreader checked the entire manuscript a final time, searching through the text and the design for any last-minute errors.

Our cover designer worked with Demetri and his publisher to incorporate several schematic drawings, creating a dynamic cover design that commemorates the Nautilus while attracting passing readers to his work.

We distributed The Design and Construction of the Nautilus in paperback and hardcover formats to all major retailers as soon as Demetri was completely happy with his final files. The Design and Construction of the Nautilus is readily available to readers, and Demetri collects a quarterly check for his sales without the need to store, ship or purchase copies of his book up front.

Find The Design and Construction of the Nautilus on Amazon.com here.

Demetri spread the word to his friends and family about the release of The Design and Construction of the Nautilus but wanted to expand the reach of his story. Columbus Publishing Lab provided marketing services to Demetri following the release of his book to help get The Design and Construction of the Nautilus into the hands of more readers.

Throughout the entire publishing process, Demetri had a dedicated point of contact for questions and updates. Calls were answered or returned, emails were read and promptly answered, and a close-knit team who actually cared about his book brought the project to fruition.

If you’re interested in making your book project a reality, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. We’re happy to sit down with you for a free consultation or answer your questions via email/phone.

Maman — Boyle & Dalton

September 15, 2017Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, Standard Cover DesignEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Maman weaves the life story of a Jewish-Iranian woman whose identity is fiercely bound to her family, her country and her faith. Married at a very young age, Maman raised seven children in the midst of poverty and the chaos of political upheaval in Iran. Moris Niknam, one of those seven children, tells his mother’s story with a nostalgic love through memories both sweet and heart-wrenching.

We worked with Boyle & Dalton, the publisher of Maman, to provide editing, design and marketing services, so the finished book would reflect the heartfelt effort Moris Niknam put into chronicling his mother’s extraordinary life.

The first step in the publishing process was a developmental edit. After reading the entire manuscript, an experienced developmental editor provided Moris with a detailed report containing recommendations to improve areas of concern. As a result, Moris was able to act on the suggestions of our editor to vastly improve Maman before the book was released to readers.

Next, a professional copy editor combed through the manuscript correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes, as well as standardizing the manuscript to a style guide. Our editor worked closely with the author to ensure the Persian language used throughout the book was formatted accurately.

After the copy edit was complete, our interior designer set to work creating a custom aesthetic to be both elegant and readable. We also incorporated pictures provided by Moris to better illustrate his upbringing in Iran, seamlessly building them into the design.

As soon as the interior design was complete our proofreader checked the entire manuscript a final time, searching through the text and the design for any last-minute errors.

Our cover designer worked with Moris and his publisher to incorporate several family photographs, creating a dynamic cover design that commemorates Maman while attracting passing readers to her story.

We distributed Maman in paperback and e-book formats to all major retailers as soon as Moris was completely happy with his final files. Maman is readily available to readers, and Moris collects a quarterly check for his sales without the need to store, ship or purchase copies of his book up front.

Find Maman on Amazon.com here.

Moris spread the word to his friends and family about the release of Maman, but wanted to expand the reach of his story. Columbus Publishing Lab provided marketing services to Moris following the release of his book to help get Maman into the hands of more readers.

Throughout the entire publishing process Moris had a dedicated point of contact for questions and updates. Calls were answered or returned, emails were read and promptly answered, and a close-knit team who actually cared about his book brought the project to fruition.

If you’re interested in making your book project a reality, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. We’re happy to sit down with you for a free consultation, or answer your questions via email/phone.

The Black Lens — Boyle & Dalton

April 28, 2016Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Cover Design, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, Website DesignEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Christopher Stollar spent over three years gathering research for his novel, The Black Lens (Boyle & Dalton, 2016). He conducted interviews with sex trafficking survivors, social workers and police officers, in addition to volunteering with several non-profit organizations.

Find a copy of The Black Lens here, or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

With so much care, hard work and passion put into the writing of this book, Christopher knew the production part of the publishing process had to be handled with equal care and attention. We worked with Christopher and Boyle & Dalton (the publisher of the book), to provide editing, design and marketing services for The Black Lens.

Christopher invested a lot of time in his manuscript, but he knew it wasn’t reader-ready yet. The first step in the publishing process was rigorous developmental editing by a professional developmental editor. Our editor provided Christopher with a detailed report of problem areas and suggestions, and worked closely with him to provide the guidance needed for a rewrite. The result? A publication-ready version of The Black Lens.

After the developmental edit was complete, our copy editor combed through the manuscript, correcting grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes, while standardizing the text to a style guide.

After our editors cleaned up the manuscript, our interior designer got to work creating a professional layout for the interior of the book. Not only is the interior design visually appealing, it’s simple enough to maintain readability for all audiences. Our proofreader gave the finished interior a final check, and we moved on to creation of an e-book.

The Black Lens takes an unflinching look at sex trafficking. It was extremely important to the author that the harsh realities of this horrific crime were reflected in the book’s cover, while being mindful of how triggering provocative imagery can be. Our designer ultimately created a cover that respectfully conveys the nature of the issues covered in the book, while keeping the aesthetic starkly modern to jump out at the passing reader.

Using the book’s newly created branding, our web designer created a custom website for Christopher to showcase his work, blog, and connect with new readers. Check it out for yourself here: ChristopherStollar.com

To help get The Black Lens out to as many readers as possible, we worked with Christopher on a marketing plan that would best suit his needs, including getting the book into the hands of the right reviewers. One of our marketing consultants worked closely with Christopher along the way to ensure energy was being expended in the right outlets.

The Black Lens was only released a few months ago, but it has already garnered attention from the press, reviewers and those who have experienced this horrific crime firsthand. To read what’s been said in the press about this new release, click here.

We love working with passionate authors like Christopher. If you’re ready to take your book project to the next level, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. You’ll have a dedicated point of contact throughout every step of the publishing process, and your manuscript will be handled with the same care you’ve invested in it already.

We produce great books. Will yours be next?

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.

Mons Graupius — Boyle & Dalton

January 26, 2016Author Special Website, Book Marketing Services, Boyle & Dalton, Copy Editing, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Proofreading, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, Website DesignEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Mons Graupius mixes eloquent prose, a spitfire snob of a female protagonist, and harrowing mountaineering adventures–all set in the summits of Scotland.

Find Mons Graupius here or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

Already a published author, M.G. Anderson was familiar with the importance of working with a professional editor to improve his manuscript. Our developmental editor provided the detailed feedback Anderson needed to improve his work and get it publication-ready.

After the developmental edit was complete, our copy editor read through the manuscript, correcting any grammar and spelling errors, and standardizing the work to a style guide. We worked closely with the author to keep personal touches like his Scottish vernacular intact.

After our copy editor cleaned up the manuscript, our interior designer got to work creating an interior designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and readable. Following the completion of the interior design, our proofreader read through the entire manuscript again, catching any last minute errors. We then went on to create an e-book version of the book, readable on all major e-book platforms.

Anderson worked with his own cover designer to create custom artwork for his book. We worked in tandem with that artist to ensure Anderson’s book cover would be up to the specifications of the printer.

While we were finalizing the book details, our web developer was busy working on an author website that Anderson could use to showcase and market his work. View our handiwork here: www.MGAndersonAuthor.com

As a result of our editing and design services, Mons Graupius is distributed as a Boyle & Dalton book — a symbol of quality within the industry. Learn more about becoming a Boyle & Dalton author by clicking here.

Along every step of the publication process, Anderson had a dedicated point of contact to meet with him, answer his calls and respond to his emails. This level of care comes with every Columbus Publishing Lab package.

We produce great books. If you’re ready to see your book in print, and in the hands of waiting readers, we invite you to contact us today by clicking here.

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.

Favorite Stories — The Solution Package + Developmental Editing

July 8, 2015Copy Editing, Design Services, Developmental Editing, Distribution Services, Editing Services, Interior Design, Proofreading, Proving Press, Self-Publishing Packages Portfolio, Services Portfolio, The SolutionEmily Hitchcock - Columbus Publishing Lab COO

Jim Flanagan and Frank McGarvey are storytellers. For over 20 years, this duo has been helping youngsters see the value of reading and writing by spinning yarns in classrooms across Ohio. Favorite Stories is the latest compilation of their short stories, recently published under our Proving Press imprint.

Having already self-published with a big company in the past, Jim and Frank knew they wanted a more personalized experience when publishing Favorite Stories. Columbus Publishing Lab was able to offer the one-on-one interaction they wanted, and we sat down for a chat about their project.

After our initial consultation, Jim and Frank decided The Solution package best fit their needs. They also decided to add developmental editing to their package, and we got right to work.

Learn more about our complete self-publishing packages here.

After reading the manuscript, an experienced developmental editor provided Jim and Frank with a detailed report containing recommendations to improve areas of concern. As a result, Jim and Frank were able to act on the suggestions of our editor to improve Favorite Stories before it was released. Learn more about developmental editing here.

From there, a professional copy editor went through the manuscript from beginning to end, correcting grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes, while standardizing the text to a style guide.

As soon as the copy edit was complete, we moved into the interior design phase of the production process. We created a special aesthetic to cater to the young adult audience, while still maintaining a professional, readable interior.

After the interior files had been created, a proofreader combed through the book files, catching any last errors in the text or layout. We also created an e-book version of the book, designed specifically to be readable across all major e-book platforms.

Jim and Frank worked with their own illustrator to provide artwork for the book, as well as a cover image. We were happy to work with their illustrator to ensure all interior artwork and cover elements were formatted properly for print.

As soon as Jim and Frank were completely happy with the final files, we distributed Favorite Stories in paperback and e-book formats to all major retailers. Jim and Frank collect a check, and we handle all the hard work. The convenience of our distribution services leaves this storytelling duo with plenty of time to visit more classrooms and tell more stories!

Find Favorite Stories on Amazon.com here.

Throughout the entire publishing process, Jim and Frank had a dedicated point of contact for questions and updates. They never had to wonder if their emails were being read, and a friendly Ohioan was available to take their calls every time.

We produce great books. Will yours be next?

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.