Hi! I’m looking for an experienced professional who can support both developmental editing and interior book design/formatting for a premium nonfiction leadership coaching workbook/playbook for women leaders.
This is not a traditional narrative book. It is an interactive workbook-style project that includes:
reflection prompts
guided exercises
journaling space
action steps
coaching frameworks
workbook-style sections
interactive reader engagement throughout
I need someone who understands how to help shape the manuscript and design the interior so the final product feels like a polished, elevated, professionally designed workbook for print.
Scope of Work
1) Developmental Editing
I need help reviewing the manuscript for:
overall structure and flow
clarity and sequencing
cohesion across chapters/sections
whether prompts and exercises are purposeful and well placed
whether any sections feel repetitive, too dense, underdeveloped, or unclear
whether the manuscript reads like a premium workbook/playbook rather than a standard manuscript with prompts added
2) Interior Book Design + Formatting
I also need the actual interior design and formatting of the book completed.
This includes:
clean, elevated workbook-style page layout
section dividers
visual hierarchy
formatting for prompts, exercises, and reflection pages
journaling / writing space
callout boxes or other thoughtful design elements where appropriate
a cohesive interior design that feels interactive, premium, and visually polished
print-ready formatting for an 8.5 x 11 paperback workbook
I do not want a plain manuscript dropped into a generic template. I want the interior to feel like a true, high-quality workbook/playbook.
About the Book
This project is a nonfiction leadership coaching workbook/playbook for women leaders.
The voice and tone are important. My brand voice is:
bold
warm
direct
elevated
encouraging
coaching-focused
It is important that my voice is preserved. I do not want the content rewritten into something generic, overly formal, or academic.
Ideal Experience
Please apply only if you have extensive experience with:
developmental editing for nonfiction
workbook-style, guided journal, or playbook-style books
self-help, leadership, coaching, or personal development books
interior design and formatting for printed workbooks
creating polished, visually engaging interiors for self-published nonfiction books
I am specifically looking for someone who understands the difference between editing/designing a traditional book and building a premium interactive workbook experience.
If you work as a team or studio that provides both developmental editing and interior design, that is welcome as well.
Please Include in Your Proposal
Your experience with developmental editing for nonfiction workbook-style books
Your experience with actual interior book design/formatting for workbooks, journals, or playbooks
Examples of similar projects you have worked on
Portfolio samples of interior workbook/book design
A brief explanation of how you would approach both the developmental editing and interior design for a project like this
Whether you are open to providing a brief complimentary sample review of a short excerpt and/or sharing relevant design samples so I can assess fit
Estimated turnaround time
What final files you provide
(for example: editable source files, print-ready PDF, KDP-ready interior, etc.)
Please Do Not Apply If Your Experience Is Primarily In
fiction editing
academic editing
proofreading only
generic formatting without workbook-specific design experience
I am looking for someone with proven expertise in helping turn a nonfiction manuscript into a professionally edited, beautifully designed workbook/playbook.
Timeline
I’m working on an accelerated publishing timeline tied to an upcoming keynote, so responsiveness, strong communication, and experience with fast-moving projects are important