Category Archives: Website Design

Welcome to Doxieville – Children’s Book by Darrin Todd Martin

Todd and Trudi Martin came to us with a passion and an idea. They love their dachshunds at home, which they’ve bred for years, and they wrote a children’s book which celebrates the personality of each pup and brings them to the page.

As a first-time author, working with a first-time illustrator they’d met locally, they had a lot of questions—they were committed to publishing a great book. Our team was happy to answer questions, provide good advice, and coach them through the process to make sure that the results exceeded their expectations.

“The hardcover books just arrived, they are BEAUTIFUL! You guys did a great job!” – Trudi Martin, co-creator of Welcome to Doxieville.

The Columbus Publishing Lab team edited the manuscript, worked with the illustrations to lay out the interior of the book, proofread the book, and built a cover with the provided artwork. The resulting book is gorgeous, error-free, and an amazing representation of Todd and Trudi’s passion.

Welcome to Doxieville is now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Sony/Kobo in hardcover, paperback and digital formats, as well as available to brick-and-mortar bookstores around the world.

We also built a custom WordPress website at www.DoxievilleBooks.com, and provided guidance and consultation as they set out to market their book.

If you’re thinking about self-publishing, it’s OK that you don’t know how to complete every part of the publishing process. That’s why we’re here.  Our authors bring their passion to the table, and we fill in the gaps to ensure that their books are better than the books coming out of the big, traditional publishing houses.

Todd and Trudi could have taken this book to a traditional publishing house. But by working with Columbus Publishing Lab, they maintained creative control of their work, they produced a better book, and now they’re in a position to make more than 10x the royalties per book sold.

Do you have a passion that you’d like to see on the page? Let’s start a conversation. Contact us today.

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.

The Black Lens — Boyle & Dalton

Christopher Stollar spent over three years gathering research for his novel, The Black Lens9781633370722 (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?

Herm’s County — Boyle & Dalton

Since opening our new office in Zanesville, Ohio, we’ve had great experiences meeting Mizel_Proof_FrontCover-186x300and working with authors in Appalachia.

We recently had the pleasure of producing Katherine Mitzel’s second book, Herm’s County. This mystery story takes you through the twists and turns that unravel a small Ohio town when a local boy goes missing.

Find a copy of Herm’s County here, or ask for it at your favorite bookstore.

Katherine had already worked with an editor prior to bringing her manuscript to us, and so we got right to work on the interior design of her book. We created a custom interior for her book that is aesthetically pleasing, as well as easy-to-read.

As soon as the interior of the book was finished, our proofreader read through the book in its entirety, catching any last-minute mistakes before the book headed to print. As soon as the interior was complete, we created an e-book version of the book, readable across all major e-book platforms.

Katherine provided her own artwork for the cover, and our cover designer chose bold, simple typography to complement the painting.

In addition to book design services, Columbus Publishing Lab also created a simple author website for Katherine, where she can showcase both of her books.

Upon completion of the production process, Herm’s County was evaluated for inclusion under our Boyle & Dalton imprint, and ultimately accepted. Learn more about Boyle & Dalton here.

Along every step of the production process, Katherine had a direct contact at Columbus Publishing Lab to answer her questions, provide her with updates, or give publishing support.

If you’re ready to take your book project to the next level, we invite you to contact us by clicking here. We work with authors and small presses at all levels, and we’d love to learn more about your project.

Mons Graupius — Boyle & Dalton

Mons Graupius mixes eloquent prose, a spitfire snob of a femaleCover 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 Joy of Argument — Boyle & Dalton

Everyone has an opinion. Whether you use argument in your professional life, or you’re perf5.500x8.500.inddtrying 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 websiteAs 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

What If I Had a Father? The Man I Never Knew is a newly released, inspiring memoir by Mike Dean. web_coverBoyle & 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.

Hagridden — Columbus Press

Hagridden is a newly released historical fiction novel by Samuel Snoek-Brown. Columbus hagriddenPress, 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.

Frank Watkins – Author Special Website

Frank Watkins LogoWe were pleased to work with author Frank Watkins to relaunch his website, www.RecoveryPerspectives.net.

Frank took advantage of our “Author Special” website, which includes a custom installation of WordPress with up to ten pre-populated pages and custom graphic design for only $499.

This package also include support, lots of guidance from Columbus Publishing Lab experts, and an hour of training to help you make the most of your WordPress website.

Frank also took advantage of a special upgrade to allow users to donate or download PDF e-books for free off of his website.  This option is a great way to make your content available to more readers and to spread the word about what you’re offering.

Take a look at RecoveryPerspectives.net.

If you’re interested in building a website for an author or a book, please contact us.  We’d be happy to explain the services we can offer and to provide additional samples of our work.

Capital Offense – Columbus Press

final_cover_LGCapital 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.