FAQs & Resources

Softwood Books was founded in 2017 by Maddy Glenn, primarily as a provider of editing services. Within 3 years, it had expanded to provide design and marketing services. Today, we're a multi award-winning team who support hundreds of authors every year through the production and distribution of their books. We offer a wide range of services that allow an author to retain all the benefits of remaining independent by providing professional publishing services and on-going support.

We offer editing, design, marketing, printing, and distribution services, each of which have different options. Take a look at our website pages for more information.

Everything starts with a face-to-face conversation, usually over a video call unless a writer can visit our offices. Everybody has a different story to tell and a different set of expectations and motivations that we need to acknowledge and understand before discussing the various publishing options that are open to them. Whether it's a print-on-demand solution or distributing through a wholesaler, every writer's journey is discussed and agreed at an early stage so that the project manager, designer, and editor, have as much information as possible in order to produce the best possible product for the them. 

This is a vital part of the process - and is partly the reason a further three editors joined our team in 2025! Once the level of editing and a timeframe is discussed and agreed by the writer and their project manager, they will then have direct contact with their editor who will usually work through the manuscript in its entirety. Once complete, the edit will be shared using Word Track Changes, for them to work through and accept or decline the edits. There may be several rounds of revisions but continued communication between both editor and writer is key throughout. A developmental edit or copy-edit will then result in a proofread before the manuscript is ready for the writer's approval and the next stage of production.

We like to invite our clients to explain any initial concepts they might have with their assigned designer. The designer will have access to the manuscript and will often communicate with the editor to ensure the design concepts they supply will closely match the message of the book.

Our clients can also submit any endorsements they have received from ARC readers to be included on the front or rear of the cover. The final product therefore will be the product of a professional design that a client can have a strong sense of ownership and control over. We can also advice on special finishes such as spot UV, foiling, sprayed edges, or beautiful hand-painted edge designs by one of our talented artists.

The majority of our authors will choose a print-on-demand route as the most cost-effective method of distribution, and there are a several PoD solutions that we can recommend, depending on their individual expectations, marketing, and overall publishing goals. Increasingly, many of our authors are finding success through placing a stock of books (any number from 5 to 10,000) with our distribution partners, Gardners. Whichever route an author takes, they are kept fully involved in conversations around unit price, retail discount, and RRP.

We distribute globally through Ingram, enabling your book to be listed and available for order worldwide on all major retailers, such as:

Waterstones
Barnes & Noble
Foyles
Blackwells
Amazon

We also distribute through Gardners, enabling books to be ordered by all UK retailers.

Costs depend on the services you need. We offer transparent pricing and can provide a tailored quote once we know the book’s length and requirements. Get in contact to discuss further.

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Print costs depend on page count, trim size, colour vs. black & white, whether the book is paperback or hardback, and how many copies you would like to order. An exact print quote can be provided once we have this information.

Yes! Authors can order copies at print cost plus shipping at any time. If you have already published using Softwood Books, just drop us an email and we can sort this for you.

Yes. With Softwood Books, authors keep full copyright ownership of their work.

Royalties vary depending on retailer discounts and print costs. We supply a clear royalty breakdown every month. Authors are paid monthly.

Yes, you can upload revised files at any time. Minor updates may be free; major revisions may incur a fee depending on the amount of work required. Major updates may require a new ISBN.

A successful book launch relies on good preperation and organisation.

We recommend allowing plenty of lead time, giving enough time for your book metadata and retailer links to go live in advance, building in time to promote the event, and ensuring your books arrive on time. 
If possible, we would suggest setting a date for your launch once your books have been printed, to avoid any potential nerve-wracking deleys!

Tips for the event:
- Make sure you can take card and cash payments (Sumup card machines are brilliant!)
- Ensure the cost of your book/s is very clear
- Make sure directions to the event are clear
- Provide food and drink (but it doesn't have to be an open bar!)
- Prepare to make a speech about your book and writing journey
- Display your books to show them off! 
- Network. Have a signing/sales table but don't stick to it like glue! Mingle, chat with your fans!