Book publishing services for UK authors, from manuscript to Amazon and bookshops.
We edit, design, publish and market books for independent authors, from our office in Cheltenham.
- You keep the copyright and 100% of royalties
- Edited manuscripts can be live in 3 business days
- Registered in England and Wales, no. 17422144
Your book on
What we do
Hand us the whole book, or just the part you’re stuck on. Each service is quoted separately.
Ask about a service
- 01
Ghostwriting
A writer turns your notes, outline or unfinished draft into a full manuscript in your voice. Confidential, and your name goes on the cover.
Fiction · Memoir · Non-fiction · Children's
- 02
Editing and proofreading
Structural feedback, line and copy editing, then a proofread. You see every change and approve it.
Developmental · Line · Copy · Proof
- 03
Cover design and formatting
A cover designed for your genre, with spine and back cover, and an interior laid out to each platform's specification.
Print-ready PDF · Kindle · ePub
- 04
Publishing and distribution
We handle ISBNs, platform accounts, categories, keywords and pricing, then publish the book in print and ebook.
Amazon KDP · IngramSpark · Apple Books · Barnes & Noble
- 05
Book marketing
Launch planning, Amazon listing and ad management, social media and review outreach.
Amazon Ads · Social · Launch · Reviews
- 06
Children's book illustration
We match you with an illustrator whose style suits the story, manage the revisions, and deliver print-ready artwork.
Picture books · Early readers · Middle grade
- 07
Audiobook production
We cast a narrator, direct the recording, master the audio and submit it to the audio platforms. You can also narrate it yourself.
ACX · Findaway Voices · Audible · Spotify
Recent covers
Books we’ve published for our authors, and cover designs from other projects. Filter by genre to see work close to yours.
Ayaan and the Little Village LightErmelinda HashaniPublished with us 
Pass It OnAndy CarwardinePublished with us 
Rangers on PatrolDaniel RossPublished with us 
The Epileptic GirlElyse SlaterPublished with us 
Margins of LoveSara AdrienCover design 
Painted in ShadowsLeah RyanCover design 
Between Shadow and SunLeah RyanCover design 
Yours to KeepWeston ParkerCover design 
The Forbidden FreshmanKaty ArcherCover design 
The Mage's HeirWolfe LockeCover design 
Dragon Tamers, Book OneDB KingCover design 
The Jade NecklaceJad PhillipCover design 
Mountainfall Academy: Dragon King's BaneAJ JontzCover design 
Runesworn: Stone TwoTaylor NightCover design 
Gallows BornA.C. SalterCover design 
The Poison DaughterSheila MastersonCover design 
Return of the Martial Messiah, Book 5ToraAKRCover design 
Homestead CrafterS.D. McKittrickCover design 
The Mudflats Murder ClubBrian ThiemCover design 
Backwater BaySteven BeckerCover design 
My Sister's DetectiveT.J. JonesCover design 
Once a SoldierBenjamin BlackmoreCover design 
The Wedding LiesJade Lee WrightCover design 
The Perfect CatchSamantha VérantCover design 
The LambLucy RoseCover design 
The Quiet Ones Die FirstAyman HamadehCover design 
Stolen TonguesFelix BlackwellCover design 
One Yellow EyeLeigh RadfordCover design 
Suicide ForestJeremy BatesCover design 
Death Girl, Book OneAutumn KnightsCover design 
Keep It SimpleMatthew BoundsCover design 
Air Fryer Mastery CookbookJames StottCover design 
GLP-1 High Protein for Weight LossCover design
How we work with authors
- You own the book
- The copyright stays with you, in writing, in our terms of service.
- You keep the royalties
- We charge for the work in your quote. We don't take a percentage of sales.
- One contact
- A project manager handles your book from first edit to launch and keeps you updated.
- Print and ebook
- Listed on Amazon, IngramSpark, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.
Our authors, on video
See her book on Amazon (opens in a new tab)They also have really good illustrators who understood my ideas and brought my story to life beautifully.
More from our authors
What authors say about us
Read our reviews on Trustpilot(opens in a new tab)I worked with Kimberley Direct Publishing for the marketing of my book and also ordered printed copies. Sid was the person I dealt with from the beginning, and he was always helpful, kind, and patient, even when I had lots of little questions. Mike managed the project and kept me updated throughout the process. The printed books arrived looking great, and I was really happy with how everything was handled. Overall, it was a smooth experience, and I am glad I chose to work with them.
If you are like me and looking to publish your books and don’t know where to turn, I will highly recommend Kimberley Direct Publishing. Let them turn your imagination into reality, through a timely, trustworthy process built by an exceptional team.
Had a great experience working with them. The process was simple and easy to follow, and their team was very helpful throughout, especially Sid. They also have really good illustrators who understood my ideas and brought my story to life beautifully. I am happy with how everything turned out.
From manuscript to published book
How long does it take?
A fully edited, formatted manuscript can be live in as little as 3 business days. Projects that need editing, design or illustration typically take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on scope and how quickly approvals come back.
Step 1: Manuscript review
We read the manuscript and tell you what works, what needs fixing and what it will take to get it ready.
Step 2: Editing and proofreading
An editor works on structure and prose. A proofreader then does a final pass for errors.
Step 3: Design and formatting
Cover, interior layout and files built to each platform's specifications, for print and ebook.
Step 4: Printing and production
Print-on-demand set-up, so copies are printed as they're ordered and you hold no stock.
Step 5: Distribution and marketing
Your book is listed with the major retailers and library channels. Marketing is optional and quoted separately.
Step 6: Royalties and reporting
Once it's live, you get royalty reports so you can see what's selling and where.
How pricing works
A finished novel that only needs formatting costs far less than an illustrated children’s book that needs artwork, editing and layout, so we quote each book individually.
Your quote lists every service with its own price. You decide what to include before any work starts.
New authors save 20% on their first publishing package.
What affects the price
- a.Length and word count
- b.How much editing the manuscript needs
- c.Cover, interior layout and number of illustrations
- d.Formats: paperback, hardback, ebook, audiobook
- e.How much launch and marketing support you want
Common questions
Can’t see yours? Call +44 7344 765433 or message us on WhatsApp.
Do I keep the copyright to my book?
Yes. The copyright stays with you unless you deliberately choose a publishing arrangement that states otherwise. We claim no ownership of your story, ideas or manuscript.
Will you take a share of my royalties?
No. You keep 100% of your royalties from sales. You pay for the services in your agreed quote, and that's it.
How do royalties work for authors?
It depends on the platform, format, price and distribution model you choose. We walk you through the options so you can pick the set-up that pays you best.
Do I need a literary agent first?
No. Plenty of authors publish successfully without an agent, especially through self-publishing or hybrid routes, which is exactly what we specialise in.
How long does it take to publish a book?
It depends on the condition of your manuscript. If your book is fully edited, formatted and ready, it can be published in as little as 3 business days. If it needs editing, formatting, cover design, illustration or revisions, the process typically takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the scope of work and how quickly approvals come back.
What will it cost to publish my book?
It depends on length, editing needs, design, format and how much marketing you want. Once we have seen your project, we give you a clear, itemised estimate with no surprises.
Which publishing services do you cover?
Manuscript assessment, ghostwriting, editing, cover and interior design, formatting, publishing set-up, distribution, audiobooks and marketing. Take the full package, or just the part you need.
Can I self-publish and still keep control?
Yes. We prepare your book for self-publishing across print and digital platforms while you keep full creative control and ownership.
How do I get my manuscript to you?
Send us a message with your manuscript, your goals and where you are in the process. We review it and come back with a clear recommendation for the next steps.
What kinds of books do you take on?
Most of them: fiction, non-fiction, children's books, memoir, business, fantasy, romance, mystery, cookbooks and plenty more.
What do you do to help my book sell?
We can plan the launch, improve your Amazon listing, run ads and contact reviewers. We can't guarantee sales, and nobody honestly can.
Get a quote for your book
Use the form, or call, message or email us if you’d rather talk it through first.
Our offices
Cheltenham
Star Lodge, Montpellier DriveCheltenham GL50 1TYUnited Kingdom+44 7344 765433Utrecht
Vinkenburgstraat 2A3512 AB UtrechtNetherlandsDarwin
19 Smith StDarwin City NT 0800Australia+61 480 008 029Islamabad
5th Floor, Emirates TowerF-7, IslamabadPakistan