Answers to Your Questions

About Publishing and Design With Holness Creatives

We want the publishing process to feel clear, honest, and straightforward from the very beginning. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for here, please get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Getting Started

I have never published a book before. Where do I begin?

The best place to start is a free thirty minute Author Discovery Call. We will talk through your project, answer your questions, and help you work out which service is right for you. There is no commitment and no obligation to proceed. Simply complete our short intake form and book your slot.

Do I need to have a finished manuscript before I contact you?

Not at all. You are welcome to get in touch at any stage of your writing journey. Some clients come to us with a complete manuscript. Others come with an idea that is still taking shape. The Discovery Call is designed to meet you wherever you are.

What kinds of projects do you work on?

We work with authors, speakers, coaches, ministers, and organisations producing a wide range of publications. This includes memoirs, testimonies, devotionals, journals, workbooks, course materials, booklets, and full books. If you have a message to share, we would love to help you share it well.

How do I know which service is right for me?

Our three services are designed for different stages and needs.

Print and Publication Design is for shorter publications such as booklets, journals, workbooks, and devotionals.

Book Construction is for authors who have a full manuscript ready and want it professionally designed and formatted. You self-publish independently.

Publishing Solutions is for authors who want their book published under the Holness Creatives imprint with a Nielsen-registered ISBN and full publishing support.

If you are still unsure, book a free Author Discovery Call and we will work it out together.

Manuscript and Page Count

How do I know how many pages my finished book will be?

The page count of your finished book will be different to the number of pages in your typed manuscript. This is completely normal and something many first-time authors are surprised by.

When we design your book at our standard trim size of 6x9 inches, your manuscript pages are redistributed across a larger number of book pages. Additional elements such as chapter title pages, images, section breaks, and decorative design features will also increase the final page count significantly.

As a general guide:

A plain text manuscript of up to 50 A4 pages typically produces a finished book of around 80 to 100 pages
51 to 100 A4 pages typically produces around 100 to 180 finished book pages
101 to 150 A4 pages typically produces around 180 to 250 finished book pages
151 to 200 A4 pages typically produces around 250 to 320 finished book pages

Our own title 'Uncovering Truths' by Raj Holness is a good example of how design elements affect page count. The manuscript was 50 A4 pages but the finished book reached 330 pages due to individual chapter title pages, interior images, and premium design features. This placed it in our Elite Publishing Solutions package.

If you are not sure which tier is right for your project, book a free Author Discovery Call and we will calculate this together before you commit to anything.

How should I set up my manuscript before sending it to you?

Setting your manuscript up correctly from the start saves time and helps us give you the most accurate page count estimate. Please follow these simple steps before submitting.

Use Microsoft Word or Google Docs
Set your page size to A4
Use a standard readable font such as Times New Roman or Georgia
Set your font size to 12 point
Set line spacing to 1.5
Set your margins to 2.54cm on all sides, which is the standard Word default
Start each new chapter on a fresh page
Do not add page numbers, headers, or footers as we will add these during design
List any images, graphics, or photographs separately and note where you would like them placed
Note how many A4 pages your manuscript runs to before you send it

Once we receive your manuscript we will confirm your estimated finished page count before any design work begins.

Does my manuscript need to be proofread before I send it to you?

Yes. Your manuscript must be fully proofread before it comes to us for design. We are designers and publishers, not editors or proofreaders. Any errors in your manuscript will carry through into the finished book.

If you need help finding a trusted proofreader before you submit, please get in touch and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Email: info@holnesscreatives.co.uk

Can I send my manuscript in any format?

We accept manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Google Docs format. Please do not send your manuscript as a PDF as this makes it very difficult to work with during the design process. If you have any images or graphics to include, please send these as separate high resolution JPEG or PNG files rather than embedding them in your document.

Design and Publishing

What is the difference between Book Construction and Publishing Solutions?

Book Construction is our design only service. We design and format your book from cover to interior and produce a print-ready file. You then self-publish independently using your own ISBN and publishing account. You retain full control of your book and all royalties.

Publishing Solutions goes further. Your book is published under the Holness Creatives imprint. We assign a Nielsen-registered ISBN, enter your book into the national books database, and manage the full publishing process on your behalf. This is a genuine publishing partnership, not just a design service.

How should I set up my manuscript before sending it to you?

It means Holness Creatives is listed as the publisher of record in the UK national books database. Your book carries the credibility of a registered, Nielsen-recognised publishing house behind it.

There are a few important things to understand before choosing this route.

The ISBN assigned to your book belongs to that specific edition. It cannot be transferred to another publisher. If you ever move your book to a different publisher in the future, a new ISBN would be required.

Holness Creatives was founded by Raj Holness, who has published her own books through this imprint. This is not a faceless publishing service. It is a personal publishing partnership with someone who understands every step of the journey from the inside.

We explain all of this clearly and honestly before any agreement is made.

What does the Author Discovery Call involve?

The Author Discovery Call is a free thirty minute conversation between you and Raj. It is designed to help you understand your options, ask your questions, and work out together which service is the right fit for your project.

There is no sales pressure, no obligation to proceed, and no commitment required. It is simply a conversation between two people who both understand what it means to have a story worth telling.

To book your call, please complete our short intake form first so we can make the most of our time together.

How long does the design process take?

Timelines vary depending on the complexity of your project and the tier you have chosen. As a general guide:

Print and Publication Design projects typically take two to four weeks
Book Construction projects typically take four to six weeks
Publishing Solutions projects typically take six to eight weeks from manuscript submission to final files

These timelines assume your manuscript is submitted on time and feedback is provided promptly during revision rounds. We will agree a clear timeline with you before any work begins.

What do I need to provide when I start a project with you?

This depends on your chosen service but in general you will need to provide:

Your proofread and formatted manuscript in Word or Google Docs format
Any images or graphics you want included, saved as high resolution JPEG or PNG files
Your author biography
Your back cover description
Any specific design preferences or examples of styles you like
A signed contract and your deposit payment

We will send you a full client brief once your project is confirmed so you know exactly what to prepare.

Do you offer proofreading or editing?

We do not offer proofreading or editing as part of our services. Your manuscript must be ready for design before we begin. If you need help finding a trusted proofreader before you submit, please get in touch and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Email: info@holnesscreatives.co.uk

How many rounds of revision do I get?

This depends on which tier you choose.

Essential and Foundation tiers include 2 rounds of revision
Standard and Advanced tiers include 3 rounds of revision
Complete tiers include unlimited revisions
All Publishing Solutions tiers include the revision rounds relevant to their level, with the Elite tier including unlimited revisions

Full details are on our services page.

Printing and Distribution

Can you manage the printing of my book?

Yes. Once your files are print-ready we can manage the entire printing process for you through our trusted printer. There is no minimum order quantity, so whether you need a small number of personal copies or a larger run for sales, events, or speaking engagements, we can accommodate you.

Pricing is provided on request and varies based on quantity, size, and specification. To receive a print quote please complete our Print Quote Enquiry Form.

What does print ready mean?

A print ready file is the final approved version of your book prepared to exact technical specifications for printing. This includes the correct resolution, colour profile, bleed, and trim settings. Your designer produces this file as part of every package we offer. You do not need to worry about the technical side. We handle it.

Do I need to have my book designed by Holness Creatives

before you can print it?

No. If you already have a professionally designed print-ready PDF file, we can manage the printing process for you without any design work being required. Simply complete our Print Quote Enquiry Form with your specifications and we will be in touch with your personalised quote within two working days.

If your file is not yet print-ready, we can help with that too through our Book Construction or Publishing Solutions services.

Will my book be available in bookshops?

Being available to order and being stocked on shelves are two different things. Bookshops choose which titles to stock based on demand, sales history, and other commercial factors. Distribution makes your book accessible. Marketing makes it visible. We encourage every author to think about both from the very beginning. If you would like guidance on distribution options for your book, this is something we can discuss during your Author Discovery Call.

How much does printing cost?

Print costs vary depending on several factors including the number of copies, the size of the book, whether the interior is black and white or colour, and the type of cover. The more copies you print, the cheaper each individual copy becomes.

To receive an accurate personalised quote, please complete our Print Quote Enquiry Form and we will be in touch within two working days.

Still Have a Question?

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for here, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to help, whether you are at the very beginning of your publishing journey or ready to get started straight away.

Email: info@holnesscreatives.co.uk

Ready to take the next step with your manuscript?

Start with a free Author Discovery Call and we will talk through your project together.

Thirty minutes. Free of charge. No obligation.

Book Your Free Call