Book publishing

A copy edit involves a professional editor reading your manuscript to correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar and highlight any potential issues with sense, consistency, or repetition. This ensures that your book enters the production process with as few errors as possible.

On the other hand, a proof read is a final read-through of your manuscript after it’s been typeset to catch any remaining spelling or grammatical errors, while also checking for page layout errors, such as incorrect text indentation, page numbers or running headers. You get to approve any changes made during the copy edit and/or proof read processes before publication.

Opting for both of these editorial services will ensure that the inside of your book is of the highest quality and reduce the chances of any errors remaining in the text by the time your book is printed. Each service serves a different purpose, meaning that a proof read is not a replacement for a copy edit.

We have a skilled editorial team working on our authors’ manuscripts, taking a human-centric, emotionally intelligent approach to editing that can’t be found in AI editing software. Our editors are real people, editing real writers’ words, for real readers to enjoy.

When you look at any two books on your shelf, you'll notice that the text layout and style differ significantly. Each choice, from the font to the page dimensions, shapes the reader’s experience. Choosing the right font, size, page layout and overall design is key to creating a book that is both visually appealing and easy to read. Text design is an essential art that influences readability, visual appeal, and the overall flow of the content and it should never be overlooked.

We carefully design your book’s text to ensure it aligns with your vision and enhances the reading experience. Before typesetting begins, we collaborate with you to make sure you’re happy with the layout. Typesetting is the process of arranging the text and images into a clean, professional page layout. Once the typesetting is complete, we send you proofs for review and approval, giving you the final say on how your book will look before it’s ready for publication.

Our talented in-house designers specialise in creating stunning, professional book covers that capture attention and make a lasting impression. Whether you have a clear vision or need guidance, we work closely with you to ensure your cover reflects your book’s content and appeals to your target audience.

We can design your cover from scratch, incorporate your own images or source high-quality photographs, illustrations and graphics that align with your book’s theme and genre. Our design process is entirely collaborative. You can provide ideas, colour schemes, or style preferences, and our experts will transform them into a polished, market-ready cover. If you’re unsure where to start, you can trust us to take creative inspiration from your book and craft a compelling design that enhances its appeal and maximises its sales potential.

With a keen eye for typography, layout, and industry trends, we ensure your cover meets professional publishing standards, making it visually striking and commercially effective. Whether you’re publishing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or academic work, we’re here to create a cover that truly represents your book.

An ISBN allows bookshops to identify a book’s publisher, making it possible for them to order it. Depending on the author’s preference, we can either supply ISBNs under our Troubador imprint for UK publications or use ISBNs provided by the author.

Booksellers find out if your book is available through bibliographic databases such as Bowker and Nielsen, which provide metadata to bookstores. Troubador ensures your book has the best chance of being discovered by supplying enhanced bibliographic data via an industry-standard ONIX-3 system to maximise visibility for your book. Additionally, we have been acknowledged in the industry for our data quality, helping us boost sales and reach a broader audience for our authors.

Leveraging our network of skilled illustrators, we will collaborate with you to find the perfect match to bring your vision to life. We can accommodate a wide range of illustration styles and will ensure the final product meets the highest quality standards.

After a detailed briefing with a Troubador team member, we’ll select an illustrator from our network who best fits your needs and manage the entire process from start to finish. In addition to facilitating the creation of the illustrations, we ensure that you retain the full copyright of the images, allowing you to use them freely in your future work.

We work with a diverse range of printers across the UK, each with its strengths and specialisms, allowing us to find the ideal printer to match your book’s specific needs. Whether you're looking for high-quality colour printing, cost-effective options or efficient print-on-demand services, we have the expertise to select the right choice. By leveraging our established relationships with trusted UK-based printing partners, we take the guesswork and hassle out of finding the best printer at the best price.

Additionally, we provide expert advice on the most suitable form of printing and distribution based on your self-publishing goals. Whether you’re looking to print a limited run of books, pursue print-on-demand or distribute globally, we will guide you through the process to ensure you make informed decisions that align with your vision and budget.