gregmckay
bookdesign
self publishing
solutions
About
GregMcKayBookDesign
We offer a complete turnkey solution that takes your manuscript through complete editing, interior layout, and creation of covers to provide you with the files necessary to upload to Amazon KDP – whether that is for Kindle eBook, paperback, or hardback. If you are new to self publishing we offer full guidance along the way to ease your path. Individual attention is provided so that you achieve your self-publishing goals with minimum stress.
We can provide a full developmental edit if desired, or a complete copyedit with Word track changes. The choice is yours.
Interior book layout
We create a professional layout in a style to suit your genre. You are provided with an ePub file for the Kindle version, and a PDF for the print book.
You will receive a quality cover to exact KDP specs for your paperback or hardback, plus a cover at recommended dimensions for the Kindle.
Covers
FAQs
I’ve been through my work a dozen times, do I really need an editor?
Every manuscript needs professional editing. A second pair of skilled eyes will find things that the author has missed – guaranteed. The aim is to make the work as good as it can be, while retaining the author’s voice.
Do I get any say in the layout style or the cover design?
Absolutely yes. We will take on board your own ideas, as well as providing 3 cover samples of different style. We will drill down from there to find a solution that is agreeable to you.
What deliverables can I expect to receive?
You will receive 4 files: 2 for the Kindle edition (an ePub for the interior and a JPG for the cover), and 2 for the print book (a PDF for interior, and a PDF for the cover – either paperback or hardback).
You say I will get an ePub file, how can I check how that is going to look on a Kindle?
No problem, it’s a good question. You can download ‘Kindle Previewer’ for Mac or Windows for free and see how your book will look on a variety of devices. We will give you full guidance on how to use the program.
I don’t even have a KDP account, and I have no idea how to start, what do I do?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone, nobody has a KDP account at first. We will give you step-by-step advice on setting up your KDP account so that you are ready to upload your first book. Trust us, it’s not hard.
Apparently I need to buy an ISBN, and I have no idea what that even means?
It sounds complicated, but it isn’t. Your Kindle eBook doesn’t need an ISBN, and for your print book, Amazon will provide one for free, or, you can provide your own. It really is easier than you think, and we can guide you on every step.
I have friends who have tried to upload to Amazon KDP, and they all say that their cover sizes are wrong. What gives?
Yes, we hear that too. Covers for print books are quite critical, and many authors jump the gun and do the covers before they have enough information to download the correct KDP cover template. We’ve never had an issue, and we don’t plan on starting now.
Okay, I have my files and my KDP account is set up. But the upload? Frankly, it scares me to death.
Relax, it’s far easier than you think. With proper guidance, which we provide, you can have your Kindle eBook and your print book uploaded and published in less than an hour. After some KDP processing you will be a published author. How good is that?
Do I have to upload my files to every Amazon site around the world?
No, you absolutely do not. You will upload your files on the Amazon.com site, and in short order your book will appear on all Amazon jurisdictions worldwide. Before you can say, ‘Is that really MY book?’, you will be live – around the world.
Client Reviews
"We have been very satisfied with Greg's work. Not only does he deliver in a timely manner (in fact he always delivers ahead of deadline!), but we have really benefitted from his attention to details. Prior to working with Greg, we worked with two other formatters. There is a marked difference in quality of what we encountered, and Greg's level of communication and ability to work autonomously goes above and beyond expectations."
Yu-Ann Madan, Rebind Publishing
“Greg is the ultimate professional. Nothing was too much trouble. The quality of his work is exceptional and he works so hard to make sure everything is perfect. He will for sure be on my go to list for the next project. 100% brilliant person to entrust your work.”
Mark Powell, ‘Step by Step’
“Greg was a pleasure to work with. Easy to communicate with, quick turnaround and great advice on how to get my writing self published via Amazon.”
Alan McIntyre, ‘Scottish Letters from America’
"I had a great experience with Greg. He was patient with my several changes to the design, and made professional and genuine suggestions. His level of communication was top-notch, even when I wasn't expecting a response until later, Greg went out of his way to respond. He took my design, polished it and took it to a new level. He did a remarkable job on the book formatting and the cover designs.”
B. Gabriel, ‘Uber Unmasked’
WRITING SOFTWARE - What should I use?
There are many options for writing software, and all have their benefits.
Most are cross-platform (available on Windows or Mac) and some on tablet (iPad) as well.
Cost can be a consideration, and while a Microsoft Word file is desirable at the end, that doesn’t mean you are forced to use Word. Most programs have the ability to save or export your manuscript as a Word file. If not, then you can provide a simple text file, an RTF (Rich Text Format) file, or an Apple Pages file - I can deal with them all.
Word is available as an annual subscription to the Microsoft 365 suite (formerly Office), but other options abound. Apple Pages, Libre Office, Scrivener, Nesus, and many others.
The most important thing is that your chosen package is reliable, will be available long term for support and updates, and is one that resonates with you and your level of computer knowledge. You don’t need to be an expert. All you need to do is create a document, know how to create headings and paragraph breaks, and save your document with a meaningful name, in a computer location where you can find it. If all else fails, the ‘desktop’ works well.
But what margins should you set, what font and font size should you use, what paper size?
None of the above matters one iota. The reason is that my layout software totally ignores all of it. So don’t bother with any of those things, just create a blank document and let your creativity have its head – unimpeded by unimportant layout settings.
At the least, you need to indicate chapters, either by ‘Chapter 1’ and so on, or by name – ‘The journey begins’.
If the work is non-fiction, you may also need to use some single-level bullet points, or indicate where images are to be placed.
The best way to do that is to keep all of your hi-resolution images in a separate folder, and indicate on a separate line in your text, something like:
Image 1234 goes here.
Caption: ‘Nanna and Fred on the farm’
Things to avoid:
- Don’t indent the first line of every new paragraph with a ‘tab’, don’t indent it at all.
- Don’t use 2 spaces after a full stop.
- Don’t use ’shift-return’ to start a new paragraph – use return only.
- Don’t put in extra space using multiple returns.
- For a new chapter on a fresh page, don’t use a gazillion returns to get there – learn how to ‘Insert page break’. It’s a good skill to have.
- Don’t worry about creating fancy title pages, table of contents, or copyright pages - that’s my job.
The bottom line is, keep it simple, keep it inexpensive, use whatever app works for you.