An open letter to our clients
Dear author,
For the past 15 years, Design for Writers, Principal Publishing, and Pretty & Precise have been trusted names in independent publishing. Together, we’ve crafted covers that caught readers’ eyes, polished manuscripts until they shone, and helped hundreds of authors bring their books into the world, selling millions of copies along the way. It’s been an extraordinary journey.
But the publishing world is evolving. And so should we.
Today, we write to share some exciting news. Our business is entering a new chapter as we transition from our three personas to a single, unified brand.
We’re excited to introduce you to Author Elevator.
This decision hasn’t been easy. Design for Writers, Principal Publishing, and Pretty & Precise are more than just names to us. They represent years of dedication, creativity, and partnerships with authors like you. Letting go feels a little like turning the final page of a favourite book, not yet ready to leave those characters behind.
But just like every good story, an ending paves the way for a bold and exciting new beginning.
So, why Author Elevator? And why now?
When we launched our original business all that time ago, the self-publishing landscape was very new, and very different.
Ambitious writers still felt in need of that elusive permission from a publisher.
Indie authors were often overlooked or even looked down upon. Professional, publisher-grade services were hard to find without the traditional, costly, elusive backing of a publisher.
We saw that gap and stepped in to help ambitious writers achieve success independently. Since then we’ve worked with hundreds of authors making millions of sales, securing traditional publishing deals, and using their books as assets to fuel the growth of businesses and author platforms around the world.
The self-publishing revolution has truly been exhilarating to be part of, blowing winds of change through the musty old corridors of the legacy publishing world. We were there with many other pioneers in the early days of that revolution, playing our role in lifting expectations and setting standards.
We’re so proud to have been a part of that.
Fast-forward to today, and the landscape has changed beyond recognition. Independent authors are no longer on the sidelines. You’re out there competing with – and often far outselling – traditionally published books. The opportunity is enormous, but so too is the need for services that match your ambition.
That is where Author Elevator comes in.
The truth is that as independent publishing has grown beyond recognition, so too have we grown beyond the scope of our original business.
Today, authors need more than just a beautiful cover or a finely polished manuscript. You need a partner who understands how to position your book to sell, who can help you to build authority, and who has the experience and expertise to give you and your manuscript a competitive edge.
That’s why Author Elevator is much more than just a new name. It reflects our evolution into a full-service publishing partner specifically for:
- Authors who are ready to think bigger.
- Authors who are ambitious for their writing.
- Authors who are entrepreneurial for their platform.
- Authors who have the vision to see themselves as a principal voice in their genre or industry.
Planning the next 15 years together
Our vision is to build on everything we’ve learned over the past 15 years while embracing the new opportunities that independent publishing offers today.
From innovative publishing strategies to exceptional, publisher-grade, client-focused services, Author Elevator has been designed from the ground up to support people like you. The kind of person who wants to build an author platform so their books stand out and can succeed in a crowded market.
We’ll continue to offer the same services you’ve come to rely on, such as exceptional design, meticulous editing, beautiful author websites, and expert publishing support.
But over the past two years we’ve quietly expanded with one-on-one coaching, ghost writing, and wider strategic and marketing support for authors who are ready to engage more deeply with packages to help you meet your publishing goals.
What This Means for You
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- The same trusted team. We’re still here – just with an even clearer mission.
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- Publisher-grade services with personal care. Our commitment to quality, professionalism, and exceptional service remains unchanged.
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- More opportunities, more resources. From comprehensive publishing services to educational tools that empower you to take control of your success, Author Elevator is here to help you achieve more.
Independent publishing, professional results
The publishing world has never been more accessible. Today, ambitious authors like you can build a platform and publish a book from your kitchen table, watching it sell around the world.
But success demands absolute professionalism, a sprinkling of the entrepreneurial spirit, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
So who are we for?
We partner with entrepreneurial authors who are serious about their work.
Does that sound like you?
We empower you to publish the book of your dreams by setting exceptional standards in independent publishing.
Does that sound like you?
We provide publisher-grade services and resources that elevate your writing, inspire professionalism, and generate sales.
Is that what you’re looking for?
We do it all because we love books. We believe in their power. And we know writing to be the single best way to tell stories, share expertise, and change the lives of readers and writers at a stroke.
That’s why.
So…thank you for being part of our journey so far. We can’t wait to see where the next fifteen years takes us – together.
You don’t need permission anymore.
So, are you with us?
With gratitude and excitement,
Andrew & Rebecca
Get the Author Visibility Audit 2026
Join our list, and get our 44-page strategic workbook to help you reach more readers, strengthen your platform, and sell more books
Inside the 44-page workbook, you’ll uncover:
- A clear map of your visibility gaps and growth opportunities
- A discovery process to target real readers, not vague audiences
- Practical ways to strengthen your author platform
- Simple tools to improve your website, newsletter, and discoverability
- Build your connection engine – the direct line from you to your readers
- Exercises that help you refine your positioning, and author brand
And when you join our Sell More Books list, you’ll receive:
- Tips to grow an author platform you genuinely own
- Expert advice on editing, design, and book launches
- Tools for newsletters, websites, and promotion
- Behind-the-scenes insights from the Author Elevator studio
- First access to new resources, offers, and events
- Independent publishing news and insights
- Everything you need to sell more books…direct to your inbox
We've built this workbook to help everyone access the kind of clarity usually reserved for our coaching clients. Inside, you’ll map your visibility gaps, target the right readers, and uncover practical actions you can implement right away.
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“Wow, the Author Visibility Audit is a much bigger resource than I was expecting! These types of lead magnets often tend to be short PDFs, but this is a hefty 44 pages and contains tons of useful advice!”