book design for publishing houses

Book design that’s creatively on-point — delivered without the chaos.

Reliable, editorially intelligent book design for publishing teams who need exceptional creative work, clean files, and a designer who genuinely understands how publishing works.

Want my publisher's price guide?

Get my rates, process overview, and capabilities —
all tailored for publishing teams.

The design support your publishing team can rely on

When deadlines collide, briefs pile up, and your design capacity is stretched, I step in as your external creative partner — seamlessly, quickly, and always on spec.

→ No timezone roulette.
→ No disappearing acts.
→ No files built like a Jenga tower.

Just dependable, publishing-ready design you can slot straight into production.

Why publishers like working with me

I understand book production inside and out.

Magazine publishing was my first design home (at frankie magazine circa 2013). Tight deadlines, complex layouts, and printer specs are second nature.

No studio shuffle. No being passed to the junior. You brief me once, and we’re on.

Magazine publishing was my first design home (Frankie-era, no less). Tight deadlines, complex layouts, and printer specs are second nature.

No back-and-forth for the sake of it. No over-explaining. No drama.

Magazine publishing was my first design home (Frankie-era, no less). Tight deadlines, complex layouts, and printer specs are second nature.

I design with your entire workflow in mind.

Not just “pretty pages,” but functional, editorially sound design that respects your systems, timelines, and standards.

Hey, I’m Heidi

The kind of design support you’ll wish you had sooner

How I support your publishing workflow

You bring the brief. I bring the expertise, speed, and calm execution.

COVER DESIGN
Market-aware, genre-specific covers built to your brief, your specs, and your standards — commercial, literary, or anywhere in between.
TYPESETTING & INTERIORS
Clean, considered layouts with structure, rhythm, and readability baked in. Front matter, back matter, chapter systems, long-form text — all handled with an editorial eye.
PRODUCTION-READY FILES
InDesign files built properly from the start.
Print-ready PDFs your printer will actually love.
ePub exports (when required).
Zero red flags. Zero surprises at prepress.
SERIES DESIGN SUPPORT
Consistent visual systems for series titles — so every book looks like it belongs together.
MARKETING & LAUNCH MATERIALS
Sales sheets, book guides, press kits, catalogues, event graphics, digital assets — everything you need around the book, done to your brand and brief.
OVERFLOW DESIGN SUPPORT
When your in-house team hits capacity, I jump in. Quick, smooth, and stress-free. Think of me as your extra set of hands — without the onboarding headache.

Publishing-ready from the first round

Not all designers understand what makes book production tick — and you feel it immediately when they don’t.

Here’s what you can expect with me:

Layouts built in InDesign with proper styles, structure, and publishing-standard setup.
Layouts that hold up across hundreds of pages — structured, consistent, and built for real-world production.
Editorially minded typography and hierarchy — clear, intentional, and designed to support the reading experience.
Covers built to the brief — genre-aware, audience-savvy, and aligned with your positioning.
Files delivered exactly to spec — print and ePub exports that meet your printer’s requirements (down to the millimetre).

When your team hits capacity

Your designers are brilliant — they’re just busy.
When deadlines stack or you’ve got more titles than your team can comfortably carry, I slot in quietly and keep things moving.

I can support you with:

Seasonal catalogues
Sales sheets and press kits
Event and festival graphics
Digital assets for launches
Newsletter and website graphics
Anything design-adjacent your team needs handled quickly and cleanly

No onboarding. No chasing. No compromise on quality.

download my services guide for publishing houses with project rates and retainer rates

publishers I've partnered with

Are we a match?

You’ll feel at home here if you’re a publishing house — boutique, mid-size, or large — that values:

High-quality design delivered on time
A reliable external designer who understands publishing
Clean, professional files that meet industry standards
Clear communication, quick turnarounds, and a calm process
A creative partner you can trust with multiple titles over time

Not a match if you need overnight miracles, bargain-bin pricing, or a designer who works without a brief or specs.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work to our brief and process?

Absolutely. My role is to fit into your world, not reinvent it.

Can you take on multiple titles across the year?

Yes. I support publishers on single projects and ongoing capacity.

Do you handle ePub?

Yes, when required — built from clean, properly structured InDesign files.

What’s your revisions policy?

Each project includes three rounds of minor revisions. Once the interior design style is approved, major design changes can’t be made without affecting the entire layout and reflow — so we keep things clear from the start. If further revisions are needs, this will be quoted on top of original quote.

Where are you based?

Gold Coast, Australia — but I work with publishers across the country.

Ready for a designer who makes your publishing workflow smoother?

Here’s what happens next.

Option 1: Book a quick call

If you want to talk through upcoming titles, capacity needs, or how I can plug into your existing workflow, you can book a short call. We’ll look at what’s on your list, what you need support with, and whether I’m the right fit for your team.

Option 2: Send your brief

If you already know what you need, you can submit your brief directly — including specs, timelines, word count, deliverables, and any internal requirements. I’ll review everything and get back to you via email with a tailored quote.