Build your book with a Reedsy book production manager
Turning a manuscript into a book involves countless steps and actors, from editing to typesetting to cover design — and a production manager coordinates them all.
On Reedsy, meet book production managers with world-class experience. Our production managers know the best ways to match your creative vision with your ideal audience and bring your book to life.
Andy M.
Available to hire
Experienced, creative and versatile book designer, I provide cover and text designs. Clients include Macmillan, Pearson, OUP and Scholastic
Arjan V.
Available to hire
Easy-going and highly experienced designer / art director with many professional accolades and experience under his belt.
Laura B.
Available to hire
An expert designer with over 13 years' experience and a very personable approach. I won't stop until you are thrilled with your design!
Asya B.
Available to hire
Enthusiastic and creative designer with a passion for books and reading who would love to collaborate on your next great project.
Shanie C.
Available to hire
Designing children's picture books for self-publishing authors. Let's take the pain out of publishing and make your book beautiful!
What does a production manager do?
As the name suggests, a production manager oversees the steps of turning your manuscript into a printed book. From costing to scheduling, they guide the physical creation of the book while deciding on the look and feel of the finished product.
In a nutshell, you should hire a production manager for:
- Project costing
- Print management
- Project management
- Book specifications
- File preparation
Reedsy is home to 100+ of the most experienced production managers in publishing. Because many are also graphic or cover designers, they can also help ensure that your book has a cohesive design.
Assemble your team
Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.
Do self-publishing authors need a book production manager?
In the self-publishing world, authors tend to take care of production management themselves. They hire their own editors, designers, and formatters, then leverage self-publishing and print-on-demand companies (such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing) to get their book out into the world.
This approach offers creative control and is cost-effective, but it does have a learning curve… and it doesn’t work for everyone, nor for every project. Take a hardcover, high-resolution photography book, for example. On top of hiring an editor, a proofreader, and a cover and layout designer, you’ll also need to decide on trim size, page texture, and binding type. Additionally, there are a hundred other details you’ve probably never considered.
For such complex projects, it’s incredibly useful to have a professional in charge of production management. Their knowledge (not to mention their industry contacts) can save you hours of research and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Think of your production manager as a partner in your publishing venture: you have the content. They have the knowledge and contacts. Together, you can publish your book in the best possible way.
