What We Do
At Mary Egan Publishing, we specialise in bringing beautiful books to life, from the very first draft through to a finished book readers can’t wait to hold. We guide our authors through every stage of the publishing process, including manuscript development, editing, proofreading, design, printing, marketing, and distribution. We also provide strategic support around sales, publicity, and long-term planning, so your book has the best possible chance to succeed.
We work across a variety of publishing models, including self-publishing, independent publishing, joint ventures, and bespoke commercial projects. This means we can tailor our approach to suit your goals, whether you’re a debut author, an established expert or a business or institution.
Our publishing list includes fiction, memoir, biography, history, health and wellbeing, self-help, cookbooks, children’s books and illustrated titles. We also produce corporate and commercial projects such as company histories and legacy publications.
We are equally happy to work on small print runs for family and friends. Every project is different, and we are upfront about the most suitable pathway based on your goals, timeline and budget.
Not sure where to start? Our FAQs answer common questions about pricing, timelines and more.
Project Management
A beautiful book doesn’t make itself. Getting it right is a collaboration between the author and many others – the editor, designer, proofreader, indexer and printer. We take care of the whole process by working closely with you, managing timelines, coordinating suppliers, and handling the practical publishing details along the way, including ISBNs and legal deposit where required. We carefully guide you through the process so there are no bumps along the way. At the end of the process you receive a professionally designed book that you will be proud of.
Internal Design
Internal design is about deciding how a book will look and feel on the page. This includes developing the overall layout, choosing typefaces, setting spacing and margins, establishing grids, and planning how images, tables and other elements will sit within the book.
This stage sets the visual language for the entire publication and ensures the design is fit for purpose, readable, and appropriate for the content and audience. It forms the foundation that all page layout and typesetting work follows.
Page Layout & Typesetting
Page layout and typesetting is the detailed, technical work of building the book to the approved internal design. It involves applying styles consistently, flowing text accurately, managing spacing and hyphenation, placing images with captions and credits, creating tables, and resolving the many small decisions that arise across hundreds of pages.
This work requires a high level of skill, precision and experience. It is also where most errors are introduced if not handled carefully. Our experience and attention to detail ensure clean, accurate files that are ready for print and e-book production.
Copy Editing
Whether your book is printed or in an electronic format, editing is the crucial step in making a professional publication. Only in exceptional circumstances can this step be overlooked. Any author wanting to be taken seriously should be willing to go through this stage.
We try to make this process easy and rewarding for you. Where necessary, our editorial services include structural editing (reviewing the whole structure of the book and suggesting or making rewrites) and copy-editing (attending to matters such as clarity, accuracy of cross-references, spelling, punctuation, grammar and consistency of style). Many editors do this all at the same time, and often explain their changes for the author's benefit so it’s not as daunting as it may seem. Having a well-edited book means that it will read smoothly and have a solid, consistent voice and message that is free of errors. Editing occurs before the book is designed and typeset.
Proofreading
Proofreading happens after the first proof stage (when the book has first been designed and typeset in full). It’s a read-through by a professional who checks that it all makes sense, that it is grammatically correct, that there are no typographical errors and that editorial styles have been applied correctly and consistently throughout. This is the point where some authors, once they see what the book looks like, have an opportunity to make any last minor corrections and amendments. Proofreading is the final polish.
Cover Design
A famous maxim says ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’. Unfortunately it’s not true! Books are judged by their covers at a crucial point of decision – the point of purchase. When you browse in a bookshop or online, what makes you skim over some books and pick up others? The cover is the first thing a prospective reader sees, and with so much competition in the marketplace, the cover sells your book or e-book. Our designs grab readers’ attention, communicate the content of your publication and stand up to the rigorous demands of the book trade.
Printing
We print with a carefully selected group of suppliers based in New Zealand, China and Singapore. Printing is about more than choosing a printer, we manage the entire process on your behalf.
This includes preparing and supplying print-ready files, checking proofs, overseeing quality control, liaising directly with printers, and managing freight, customs clearance and delivery to your door. Where needed, we can also accommodate special packing, freight or delivery requirements.
Manuscript Development
Manuscript development sits at the very beginning of the publishing process. This stage is about shaping the work before it moves into copy editing or design. It can include structural feedback, guidance on flow and pacing, clarity of ideas, and helping identify what’s working well and what may need further development.
Not every manuscript needs this level of input, but when it does, it can make a significant difference to the strength of the final book. We’ll talk honestly with you about whether manuscript development is worthwhile for your project, and what level of support makes sense.
Image Prepartion
We prepare images for print and digital use, including scanning, colour correction, retouching, restoration and clear-cutting. Where image files are not supplied in a usable format, we can repair and rebuild them to ensure they reproduce cleanly and accurately on the page.
Indexing
Not all books need indexing but, for those that do, indexes enable your readers to find all the important information at a glance. We can prepare indexes for academic textbooks, family and corporate histories, cookbooks and everything in between, from simple name lists through to nested academic indexes.
Illustration
We create and source illustrations, from simple spot art to more complex compositions. This can include illustration work done in-house, imagery sourced from reputable image libraries, or commissioning experienced freelance illustrators where a specialist style is needed.
E-books
E-books are cheaper to produce because there are no printing costs, so you can get your book into the hands of the reader more cheaply and much faster. E-books still, however, require editing, proofreading and formatting. And they need a professionally designed cover that looks appealing both in small format and in grayscale. Don’t be tempted to skip these vital steps because it is here that the secret to making a professional book lies.
Publicity & Distribution
Publicity and distribution go hand in hand. There’s little point promoting a book that isn’t available to buy, and just as little point having it in stores if no one knows it exists.
Distribution and publicity are considered on a case-by-case basis. Some books, such as family histories, have a clear and contained readership. Others are intended for the wider market and benefit from being sold nationally, both in stores and online. Our distributor handles sales into retail and online channels, while publicists prepare media material and arrange reviews, interviews and coverage where appropriate.
These conversations are best had early, as publicity and distribution can influence timing, print quantities and overall strategy.
Additional support
Alongside book production, we can help with a range of supporting services where they add value to a project. This can include branding and marketing materials, author websites, assistance with Amazon and other online retail platforms, and support with social media or online advertising.
Not every book needs all of these, and we’re upfront about what’s worth doing and what isn’t. Any additional work is discussed on a case-by-case basis.