Publish Your Novel or Memoir on Amazon – Covers, Formatting, Editing, Design So you've written a book—but now what? Most people get stuck trying to format it for Amazon, design a real cover, and make it look professional … and converting to eBook format? Forget about it!
That’s where I come in:
• Beautiful, custom cover design (print and eBook)
• Professional interior formatting (eBook & paperback)
• Upload assistance – I’ll walk you through the process if it’s too daunting
• Optional editing if needed – human, not robotic (done to enhance style and emulate your voice, unlike A.I. dictionary-speak)
I am a designer, writer, editor, formatter and college writing instructor, with an M.F.A. in writing from the University of Virginia and over 30 years’ experience. I have helped hundreds of clients publish their memoirs, novels, how-to books, and children’s stories—some for profit, some just for family, all done right.
Book projects (designing, formatting, editing) include:
• Sea of Jade a journal and book of poetry by Steve Petty
• Book of Piv a basketball coach’s memoirs by Jay Pivec
• Really…Can You Imagine? a book on dementia by Ly’Shea Ruffin
• Many Roads Traveled: A Biker’s Journey an autobiographical story by Guillermo Eiland
• Detective Manely P. Watson a children’s book, by Autumn Kay
• A Person in Time a novel, by Neil Slotkis
• Huntress Jaguar a novel, by Ari Rockhouse
• Chaman a Native American sci-fi novel, by B.A. Weapons
• With Clear Eyes & Full Hearts a book of wisdom for family, by Gregory A. Elrod
• The Fine Art of Seeing Past the Obvious a self-help book by Richard Hight
• Rink, a non-fiction book on ice skating by Michael Sheehan
• Raquil Rabbit and Mepy Mouse, a children’s book by Autumn Kay
• Heroes Wanted, a non-fiction book by Jamil L. Maroun
• I Made It Off the Block, an autobiography by Guillermo Eiland, close friend to rapper Ice-T
• Open Arms, a novel by Drake Gaetano
• The Legacies of Judge A.D. Sayre and Zelda Fitzgerald, a non-fiction book by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Samuel Lanahan, III.
• Until the Full Moon, a novel by Charlet Wang
• Kilie the Dreamer, a novel for young adults by Humera Ansari
• The Maiden Voyage of Soñador, a novel by Mark Overturff
• The Divine Fiat: Black Excellence in Herbalism, a non-fiction book by Kwame M. Vaughn
• Lucky Dog, a memoir by Dallas White
Other Editing/Formatting/Design Projects:
• scripts for websites, podcasts, radio plays, advertisements… • a business proposal for hydroelectric power in Africa • engineering reports for the federal government on soil contamination • business proposals including one for waste disposal and recycling for the Congo • personal statements for dental school, med school, and law school • magazine articles on topics ranging from violence against women in India to personality disorders in children. • dissertations and master’s theses on electric cars, Airbus, computer servers, nursing management, patient litigation, social geography, diabetes, privacy concerns arising from technological advancements, autism, soil contamination … • letters to court regarding custody matters, lawsuits, fines
Other experience as publisher, journalist, textbook author, lyricist, composer, playwright, essayist, graphic artist:
• Revolutionary Gentleman (rock opera), Washington, D.C., writer, composer, lyricist
• What’s That Word (vocabulary textbook), author
• Cavalier Daily (University of Virginia student newspaper), Charlottesville, Virginia, columnist
• The Will to Get Married (comedy play), Hudson Theatre, New York City, playwright
(Ozark Writers’ League Award for Best Play of the Year)
• Northern Lights (Ernst Community Cultural Center Newsletter), publisher, writer
• All Write Already (writing/grammar textbook), author
• 100s of letters, lyrics, poems, and press releases, writer/editor/formatter
• Dead Lovers (comedy play), Nat Horne Theatre, New York City, playwright
• 100s of songs & instrumentals performed live and streamed on dozens of sites, including songs performed by Ashley Park (Mean Girls, Emily in Paris), composer, lyricist, arranger
• Peter the Great (musical), composer, co-lyricist, co-librettist
• For the Love of Mr. Paradise (comedy play), Auburn, New York, playwright
• Zolushka: The Russian Cinderella, Arlington Children’s Theatre, composer, additional lyrics
Plus soundtrack, including the voice of Mike Shiflett (Netflix’s House of Cards, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln) as The King.
• College proficiency exam (created entrance exam used by over 10,000 students for college English program)
• Created dozens of book covers
Reviews
“With a fresh perspective and keen ability, Steve refined my work and took it to the next level. He was an absolute joy to work with!”
March, 2024, Richard Hight The Fine Art of Seeing Beyond the Obvious
“As an author, I believe that the editor is the most valuable asset I have. Without that special relationship with your editor, your reader will never be led to hear your true voice, or that of the characters you want to be brought alive and remembered forever. For me, Steven Rodgers is, and shall always be, the man who understands my style of writing and has made me a better writer. He is a sweet, loving, and caring man who you can trust, and delivers on time. An editor who is a joy and a privilege to know and work with. He is a treasure among all editors.”
August 4, 2022, Drake A. Gaetano, Open Arms, Purple Violets
“Steven Rodgers is one of the most professional, kind, and talented people I have ever worked with. I used his services while applying to post-graduate education programs and I am so glad I have found him. He's always on the other side of my email messages, responding in a timely manner, providing constructive feedback, and most often gives me a better perspective on my writing. I strongly recommend hiring him -- for a small or large task -- he's simply the best!”
February 2021, Y.P., M.D.
“Steve is a well-educated man who knows how to write. He knows what works and what doesn’t. But what separates him from the rest is he is one of those guys that goes the extra mile. He said he would not abandon me after the initial edit, and he didn’t. Steve is not a 9-to-5 guy; he does whatever it takes to get the job done. He kept me informed every step of the way. I think he always did his best to satisfy my requests far beyond our original agreement to edit my first novel. He gained my trust and kept it. With his help, my first novel was successfully published. I will never be able to thank him enough. Read my book and you will see. It’s my story and I wrote it the way I saw it, however, Steve put the polish on it, and he went through everything it took to put it in print, far beyond our original agreement.”
December 14, 2020, Mark Overturff, The Maiden Voyage of Soñador
“Steve Rodgers did a very splendid job of editing my book: Kilie the Dreamer. He is very extremely professional and has a vast knowledge in his subject. He went above and beyond as an editor to assist me with my work. I will highly recommend him to anyone with full confidence and trust. He is extremely nice and helpful.”
December 14, 2020, Humera Ansari, Kilie the Dreamer
“I chose Steven to be my editor for a graduate program thesis paper and am really happy with the decision. His suggestions for grammar and word choices put a beautiful polish on my work. I enjoyed and benefited from the collaborative, back and forth, environment; and learned a bit about writing as well! I highly recommend Steven and plan to hire him for some business projects as well!”
Apr 24, 2020, Michael G. (also posted on Thumbtack.com, 3rd party site)
“Steven was exemplary on every level. He is experienced, critical, and intuitive in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of key story elements such as premise, flow, and structure. He returned my work quickly and provided as much feedback and interaction as I needed. He was very thoughtful in his comments, and revisions or additions he suggested were always right on target. Thanks for ensuring that my project reaches its fullest potential.”
Apr 25, 2020, Kwame V. (also posted on Thumbtack.com, 3rd party site)