Biographical Non-Fiction Book Design

Freelance Book Designer & Production Coordinator Memoir, Family History, and Dream Books Stories to Last: https://storiestolast.com

About Stories to Last Stories to Last creates custom memoir, family history, and dream books. Each book is shaped around an individual client’s stories, photographs, and preferences. Our books vary in size, length, and number of images. We aim for thoughtful, professional design that brings words and pictures together to tell each client’s story.

We’re looking for a book designer who can take a project from writer handoff through design, client review, revisions, and final files for print production. We have projects ready to start, including existing books to complete and new projects to begin.

This is a contract, project-by-project role. We welcome intermediate designers with strong InDesign and print-layout skills, as well as more experienced book designers. We provide written production requirements, quality standards, and examples of past books.

What you’ll do Receive completed or near-completed manuscripts and project materials from our writer. Design custom book interiors in Adobe InDesign, following our production requirements and quality standards. Create polished, engaging layouts for text, photographs, and captions. Each spread should feel intentional and visually pleasing, including text-only pages. Make thoughtful choices about typography, image placement, pacing, and how words and pictures work together to tell each client’s story. Make basic photo corrections as needed. Some older photographs may need color correction or repair of cracks and blemishes; we’ll identify the extent of that work when scoping each project. Coordinate agreed milestones, deadlines, client reviews, and revisions. Communicate clearly about your availability and raise scheduling concerns early. Communicate directly with clients when needed, especially to clarify design feedback and revision notes. This helps us capture feedback accurately without passing it through several people. You’ll also collaborate with the writer and, as needed, the Stories to Last project manager or founder. Track revision requests carefully so that no requested changes are missed. Provide packaged InDesign files and PDFs at each agreed delivery stage. Prepare final files to the specifications of the relevant printer, upload them to our printer accounts, and address proof issues by correcting and resubmitting files as needed. We’ll provide printer requirements and account access. Work in our production management system and use Google Drive and Google Docs to access and manage project materials.

What we’re looking for Strong working knowledge of Adobe InDesign and experience creating multi-page print layouts. A good eye for typography, image composition, visual pacing, and readability. Experience with Photoshop, Canva, or other tools for photo editing. Careful attention to detail and the ability to follow written specifications and production instructions. The ability to balance creative ideas with each client’s preferences, story, and tone. Clear, reliable communication and realistic commitments about availability and deadlines. Comfort working to agreed milestones receiving feedback ,and revising work The ability to collaborate with clients an internal team over email Zoom or Google Meet Willingness an ability communicate during scheduled Pacific Time hours Stories Last based California Respect confidential client materials personal family stories Flexibility take new projects revise existing books prepare printer files help complete project already progress Professional book-design experience welcome but we’ll also consider candidates with strong editorial publishing other multi-page print-design experience who are ready grow their book-design portfolio Helpful additional skills These are plus but not required Experience preparing books print working printer proofs Experience restoring retouching old photographs Designing print social media marketing materials Editing short-form video reels Experience Photoshop Canva other tools marketing design Project pricing scope This contract work priced project fee payment milestones agreed upon advance aim scope projects fairly If project grows beyond its agreed scope expect designer raise early discuss approve any change scope fee timeline before additional work begins often multiple projects underway cannot promise set amount ongoing work Application instructions Please include A link your portfolio At least one two relevant samples complete book welcome available If haven’t designed full book please share sample spreads other multi-page print work brief description your role samples tools used Any experience preparing files print working printer proofs Your current availability time zone number projects you could take once Your typical timeline book interior how you handle milestones schedule changes How you typically price project-based design work what information you need prepare firm quote how you handle changes scope Any experience coordinating directly authors clients through review revision rounds We’ll begin paid test assignment assess fit workflow before assigning full project Please mention any questions you have about role scope test Deliverables include both print-ready files and packaged InDesign files Deadlines will be set collaboratively with designers considering client availability for reviews revisions.