UK Authors · the South West
Publishing support for authors in Bristol
Quill & Reed works with authors in Bristol, Bath and across the South West, with clear prices, author ownership and support at whichever stage your book has reached.
Where is your book right now?
How we help
How can Quill & Reed help authors in Bristol?
Bristol has a large creative and self-employed community, and many authors here are comfortable doing some things themselves. We are happy to work that way: you keep the parts you enjoy, and we handle the parts that need professional production.
Support can cover early book development, manuscript guidance, editing, cover design, illustration, formatting, Amazon KDP and IngramSpark set-up, author websites, launch support and growth after publication. You choose what you need; nothing is bundled in by default.
Working remotely
Can I work with Quill & Reed remotely?
Yes, and that is how every project runs. Manuscripts and files are exchanged securely, conversations happen by video or phone, and proofs and approvals are handled digitally. You never need to travel, and your location does not change what is available to you.
Your book
The creative decisions are yours.
Your copyright
You own the work, always.
Your royalties
Paid to you; no standard royalty cut.
Your accounts and audience
KDP, IngramSpark, domain and mailing list in your name.
Bristol and the South West
Writing in Bristol and the South West
Bristol has a strong culture of ideas and debate. Bristol Ideas runs talks and festivals across the year, and Bristol Central Library on College Green is one of the city’s main research and reading spaces.
The University of Bristol and the University of the West of England are both in the city, and Bath Spa University, close by, is well known for creative writing. The region has many working writers in fiction, children’s books, nature writing and non-fiction.
Bristol is also a city of independent businesses, including independent bookshops. If you want local shops to consider your book, the book needs to be orderable through standard trade channels and priced so a shop can make a margin.
- Doing some of it yourself
- It is reasonable to handle social media or events yourself and pay for professional design and set-up. What matters is that the accounts are in your name and the files are yours to keep.
- Illustrated and nature books
- Books that rely on illustration or photography need print quality checked early. Custom illustration is quoted separately, and we will tell you plainly if a format is expensive to print.
- Independent shops and events
- A short, clear information sheet with the ISBN, price, format and distributor makes it easy for a shop to say yes to an order.
Useful local links (Quill & Reed has no affiliation with these organisations):
Publishing support
What happens if I want to publish?
If your manuscript is ready, or nearly ready, the Publish packages cover cover design, formatting, ISBN guidance, set-up on Amazon KDP and IngramSpark in your name, and launch support. Editing and custom illustration are quoted separately, before anything is agreed.
Every package is a 12-month agreement with the monthly price and the total commitment shown up front. Prices are the same in Bristol as anywhere else in the UK.
Already published?
Can you help if my book is already published?
Yes. Quill & Reed also works with authors whose books are already live but need more visibility, stronger positioning, an author website, email-list infrastructure, marketing content, relaunch support or ongoing growth. You do not need to republish with us.
The standalone Author Website plan is £99 a month for 12 months (£1,188 total), with the domain in your name.
Questions from authors in Bristol
Do you work with authors in Bath and the wider South West?
Yes. Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon, Cornwall or anywhere else: everything is handled remotely.
Can I do some of the marketing myself?
Yes. Many authors do. We can focus on professional publishing and give you a clear plan for the parts you want to keep.
Can I work with Quill & Reed remotely?
Yes. Projects are run remotely: files and manuscripts are exchanged securely, conversations happen by video or phone, and proofs and approvals are handled digitally. You do not need to travel anywhere at any stage.
Do I keep my copyright and royalties?
Yes. You keep your copyright and your royalties, and the publishing accounts are set up in your name. Quill & Reed charges for services and takes no standard royalty percentage.
Do you build author websites?
Yes. Author websites are planned around your books and readers, and the domain stays yours. Published authors can take the standalone Author Website plan.
How much does publishing cost?
The Publish packages are £99, £199 or £299 a month on a 12-month agreement (£1,188, £2,388 or £3,588 in total). Prices are the same wherever you live. Editing and custom illustration are quoted separately.