Hire the Best Desktop Publishing Specialists
in South Africa

With over 18 years of experience in the industry I pride myself in delivering quality work. I offer creative, professional graphic design for any size company. My services include: Typesetting, graphics, illustration, design, layout, print production. I accept content in all formats, to make-ready professional books, manuals, and other graphic design materials. I work with many self-published authors and have experience in Print on Demand services such as: Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, etc. I am currently using Adobe CC as well as Affinity Apps. I offer great communication and quick turnaround. The finished artwork received from me is print or upload ready to client specifications. I am able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

With over 41 years of dedication to the editing and publishing field, my expertise and focus lies in assisting writers to produce content that is not only grammatically of high standard, but is engaging to the reader. Myriad subtle elements have an indirect but profound impact on a piece of writing on its reader. My linguistic proficiency shapes my approach to editing, where every word is chosen with purpose, every concept is logically presented, and the structure and flow of a piece of writing is smooth and harmonious. I offer: - Copy-editing: I have worked on a vast array of different genres, industries, and subjects, editing everything from books, to business communiqués, ad copy, websites, articles, blogs, and various other manuscripts. - Developmental editing: I have very many authors whose books are successfully selling, which I have helped develop, edit, and proofread (over 987 books - fiction and non-fiction to date - on Upwork but mainly outside this platform, working for various publishing houses - see below for list; references available on request). - Skilled academic editing (theses/dissertations/journal articles), I am au fait with various academic referencing styles (e.g. APA, Harvard, MLA, Chicago/CMOS/Turabian, MHRA, etc.). Professors, graduates, and students all pepper my resume with glowing thanks. I currently have a 100% pass rate for all my postgraduate students. (References available on request.) - I also offer the unique benefit of having TEFL experience (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and quickly and easily read beyond sometimes awkward language (for example, of non-first language English speakers/writers) so as to rephrase/restructure, and advise content that is correct, reads smoothly and is engaging. - I am skilled at KDP/Ingramspark/print formatting (in Word but can convert to other programs if need be) and can provide documents crafted to specifications for publishing via your publisher of choice in all three formats: hardcover, paperback and e-book. - My many years of experience in design and layout adds a unique benefit ... having an editor (who knows your material well) also design your book ensures all elements are appropriately and effectively presented. I also provide design guidance and/or do the design, sourcing design elements and images (including fonts) that are free for commercial use for you to approve. - I have extensive publishing experience (having worked as a Managing Editor for Pearson Publishers, editing, proofreading, and project management), as well as freelance with ESI Press (University of Pretoria), Publishing World SA, Jonathan Ball Publishers, Print on Demand Publishers, Accelerated Authors' Academy and Word 2 Kindle. I thus am familiar with working to publishers' style guides and specifications. I also have 18 years' full-time experience as Editor of the SA Navy's flagship publication Navy News Magazine and Creative Director of the SA Navy Multi-Media Center during which I did extensive editing and proofreading, and also established, ran, trained, and worked in the DTP/design and layout section. I am currently the editor of Sisterhood Sleuth Magazine, overseeing development, editorial and design. - Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Canva, Access, GoogleDocs, WordPress, Asana, Slack, ClickUp, Caliber, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign. - Proficient in academic referencing styles: APA (all versions), Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style all versions), Turabian, MLA, Harvard, AP, IEEE, MHRA, AAA. - Proficient in US, British, South African, Canadian, New Zealand, and Australian English

I am an analytical highly skilled writer, researcher and policy specialist with 18 years of private sector, public sector, United Nations (UN), civil society and diplomatic mission experience, including 9 years researching and shaping policy in geopolitics, governance and rule of law in several regions. I hold a Master of International Affairs, specialising in International Security, from Sciences Po Paris (ranked second for Politics and International Studies in the QS World University Rankings). I enjoy solving problems and can communicate effectively, build trust and foster relationships with high-level stakeholders across cross-functional teams at intergovernmental level. My advanced writing skills are demonstrated by my extensive publication record. In addition, I have bilingual fluency in English and French. My attention to detail and commitment to delivering work of a high standard, on time and within budget, has led my clients to describe me as professional, courteous, meticulous and reliable.

I have been in the advertising & creative digital industry for 11 years. During this time, I've experienced the evolution of desktop publishing and digital illustration firsthand. Inspired by these changes and embracing them as an integral part of my design style and skills, I etch art out of any project i undertake. With a background in print and web production processes, I have succeeded in building my experience and knowledge in the use of technology and software in the creative design process, whilst staying true to fundamental branding and marketing principles. Currently residing in Cape Town, South Africa, I find that good design is a balance of time management, creative flair & first and foremost, a thorough brief. Thank you for reading and let's make some magic! Kind regards Eben

With over 20 years of experience in the publishing and design industry, I specialize in book typesetting, interior layout, and custom cover design. In the past five years alone, I’ve designed and formatted more than 700 books across a wide range of genres—including fiction, non-fiction, academic, and illustrated titles. My focus is on creating visually cohesive, professional, and reader-friendly books that meet industry standards for both print and digital formats. I work closely with authors, publishers, and independent creatives to ensure each book not only looks polished but also reflects its unique voice and audience. Services include complete interior layout, print-ready and eBook formatting, bespoke cover design, barcode generation, ISBN setup assistance, and realistic mock-ups for promotional use. I also have experience preparing titles for platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and local printers. Let’s bring your manuscript to life—with precision, creativity, and care.

Tired of wrestling with messy layouts or inconsistent formatting? Know the page should look better than this, but not sure how to fix it? I’ll handle the interior design so your book looks as polished as your words — and save you the headache. I’m a language specialist with a degree in Language Practice — a program that combined editing, translation, and book design fundamentals. Trained in typesetting and editorial design, I help authors and small or self-publishers turn raw manuscripts into clean, professional, print-ready books. I'm currently using Microsoft Word and actively transitioning into Affinity Publisher. I also offer beta reading with a language-first lens, so if you’re looking for honest, thoughtful feedback before the design stage, I’ve got you covered. HERE IS WHAT I CAN HELP YOU WITH → Interior Book Formatting – consistent styles, clean spacing, and professional, easy-to-read chapter layout tailored for you → Print-Ready Prep – margins, bleed, trim sizes, and file export for print-on-demand → Manuscript Cleanup – light text formatting and layout smoothing → Table of Contents – linked, structured, and reader-friendly → Page Styling – headings, drop caps, section breaks, folios, and front/back matter → Beta Reading – clear, constructive feedback with a focus on language and reader experience TOOLS I USE DAILY Microsoft Word | Canva | Affinity Publisher (in progress) WHY WORK WITH ME? → Background in Language & Design → Trained in book formatting principles → Detail-driven, calm communicator, and deadline-ready FORMAL EDUCATION 🎓 BA in Literature & Linguistics – trained to read critically, analyze structure and style, and understand how language influences meaning and tone 🎓 Specialization in Language Practice – trained in editing, translation, editorial design, interior book formatting, and subtitling workflows Ready to bring your book to life on the inside? Let’s get your pages publication-ready.