Looking for a professional production manager?

100+ of the most sought-after production managers in publishing are on Reedsy. Come meet them.

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.

Liliana G.

Available to hire

I like books, a lot. I especially like designing them. Covers, dust jackets, interiors + production.

Paul B.

Available to hire

Manuscript ready – now what? Get full design and production support from an award-winning publishing professional with 15 years’ experience

David T.

Available to hire

Exceedingly detail oriented and organized, with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; highly dedicated, and reliable.

Michael Vito T.

Available to hire

Quality book designs with affordable pricing. 15+ years in the business. I advise first-time authors. Let's create something great together.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

What can I expect from a production manager?

Get to know our designers

To get started on your search, meet some of our top-rated designers.

Talitha S.

Fort Wayne, United States

Experienced award-winning illustrator and designer. I can help with your next book concept!

Specializes in:
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Young Adult
Picture Books
Non-Fiction

David T.

New York, United States

Exceedingly detail oriented and organized, with strong collaborative and interpersonal skills; highly dedicated, and reliable.

Specializes in:
Non-Fiction
Historical Fiction
Psychology
Design
Photography

Michael G.

Philadelphia, PA, USA

I'm a multilingual graphic designer and prepress specialist with over 20 years of book experience, focusing mainly on interior layouts.

Specializes in:
Historical Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Religion & Spirituality
Political Science & Current Affairs
Photography

Browse thousands of professionals on Reedsy. Search for designers near you

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific design services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse designers' profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five designers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.

Reedsy in action

Watch how Reedsy can help you assemble your team in the video below:

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