Hire the Best Microsoft Publisher Specialists in Washington

Hello! I'm Kirstie, a passionate and experienced writer and desktop publisher with a knack for transforming ideas into visually stunning and well-organized documents. With expert-level proficiency in the MS Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, I specialize in creating corporate templates and resolving document issues, and am experienced in formatting books for Amazon Kindle KDP, ensuring they meet all necessary standards for publication. I also have extensive Adobe Acrobat/PDF formatting experience, including creating forms, adjusting text and layout in PDF documents. I love working in Word and find it fun to solve any new challenges a client may bring me. It's like a puzzle! I excel at solving complex document challenges, turning them into seamless solutions. I thrive on both large and small projects and relish the challenge of creating unique and technologically advanced solutions. My diverse experience spans various industries, from international corporations and large multi-state companies to small mom-and-pop businesses and non-profits. What do I bring to you? In desktop publishing, I am a creative professional focused on aesthetically pleasing and well-organized layouts. I am detail-oriented and efficient, having worked on everything from large safety documents and corporate M&A presentations to one-page flyers and letterheads. In writing, copywriting, and content writing, I bring a strong background with a keen interest in research and accuracy. My writing is compelling and colorful, and in editing and proofreading, I offer strong attention to detail, an understanding of narrative flow and story arcs, and excellent grammar, punctuation, and AP Style knowledge. Ultimately, my goal is to deliver exactly the product you are looking for, exceeding your expectations in quality, on time, and within budget. Let's collaborate to bring your vision to life with precision and creativity!

Book layout design for self-publishing authors and small businesses, including professional-looking layouts for publication via sites such as Kindle Direct Publishing, Lightning Source, Lulu and others in both print and ebook formats. Most books require 3-5 hours to finish the layout of interior and cover for print. *Note in my feedback that clients without feedback represent ongoing clients with multiple projects. If you are looking to publish your book or books, my extensive print publishing background will be an excellent resource for you. I'm uniquely qualified to prepare your book from manuscript to finished book for publishing as a paperback, hardcover and/or an ebook. I'm familiar with specific requirements of various common sites, as well as having a great background in the print industry, unlike many "newly minted" graphic artists whose training has focused on websites, web publishing and apps.. I've very proud to say that I've assisted with preparing Best Seller listed books and high profile artists for publication via print-on-demand sites. It's exciting to see this publishing method being used by the "big boys" as well as the self-publishing authors. And to add another feather to my cap, I received word from one Client that his book about early colonial Cambodia was approved by the actual King of Cambodia. Client says I'm "the Royal Typesetter"... :) I'm happy to give you a time estimate for completing your project, but to me, every book is unique, and deserves a unique layout, so giving an exact fixed-rate price is necessarily impossible. Using the hourly rate, you pay only for what YOUR project requires. Let's talk about the possibilities. Every book deserves a great cover, and I'm also available to help you with your cover design, from start to finish, concept to print and ebook publishing. While I generally leave uploading of files to my clients, if you need help, I'm usually available, and I do guarantee my files to sucessfully upload to the various sites, or I'll work on it until it does. This guarantee has even led me to step in and work with the help desks of more than one print site when their automated system thought it detected a problem, and my extensive print process knowledge assured me there wasn't one and sure enough, all was good to go. "Being there" for my clients is especially important to me, and I'm proud of my on-going client list here on oDesk. My clients seem to refuse to close out their accounts even when we don't have an active project. :-) During my nearly 50-years of graphic design within the printing and publishing field, I have witnessed and adapted to the many changes in technology as it relates to the industry. Yes, I'm vintage, but not antique yet! So although I'm specializing in book publishing, if you have other print needs, such as stationery, magazine layout, flyers and on and on, I have done just about everything there is to do in the printing industry. Most of the changes in the print industry have been in the way that typography, photography and art meet and make their way to the printed page. We used to do this with light tables, punch-tape and exacto knives, now we use computers for the whole process. Offset presses have largely remained the same, and the digital presses use the same file types so prepress ideas have remained the same, with technology replacing the hand pasting and stripping departments. My complete knowledge of the process from idea to print serves me well in achieving my client's goals in the most economical fashion possible. I have been using the industry standard computer programs for over 30 years, including Adobe CS6 programs. There are special factors related to putting computer generated art onto paper vs. the computer monitor. Things like color space, RGB vs. CMYK; raster vs. vector; high and low resolution and when to use each one. With my experience and knowledge, I know how to deliver the right file type for the publication method, and how to use the same developmental files to create products that are suitable for both print and e-delivery, saving time and money on multi-use projects. Although printed material is far from leaving us, more and more publication is done in e-formats. Setup of material for printing and e-publication is similar, but there are many specific aspects that need to be addressed in the publication of e-books, online magazines and other multi-media. As the industry changes, so do my skills. I continue to learn and expand my knowledge base in the Graphic Arts, enabling me to provide my clients with the best print and publishing designs for paper and electronic media. I'm enjoying every step of the process. I do know the basics of web design, although having chosen to focus on print-style design, rather than web sites and web pages, but I can help my clients with their basic web-site needs. If you become a client and need supporting documents for use on the web, I can handle it.

I'll help you get your manuscript polished up and ready to publish! As more and more authors turn to self-publishing methods, I understand that producing a high-quality product is key to making your book stand out from the crowd. Whatever your needs, I am the support partner to take you to the finish line. -Over 100 books published -Member of the Independent Book Publishers Association, giving you unprecedented access to industry expertise and resources -Editorial judge of the Ben Franklin Book Awards (now IBPA awards): I know EXACTLY what will make your book successful in a crowded marketplace DIY self-publishing authors, I can produce your print, ebook, and audiobook in multiple ready-to-upload formats for: -Amazon KDP -IngramSpark -Lulu -Draft2Digital -Audible -Spotify -Apple Books and iTunes -Google Play -or any platform, printer, or distributor to suit your needs. Lean on my editorial expertise for content organization, formatting, typesetting, cover design, proofreading and editing, and guide you through the publication process. Done-With-You: There is a lot to navigate in the publishing landscape. Whether you need help with ISBNs or understanding print-on-demand options, let's get on a call and talk through the support you're looking for. Need a done-for-you approach? My full publishing imprint has all the resources to professionally publish your book.

I have a degree in English and many years of professional experience to support my love of working with words. Whether writing, researching, editing, or performing data entry, I get inspired by putting words together to serve a specific purpose or evoke a particular feeling. I have written for blogs, websites, printed and digital promotional materials, newsletters, PPC ads, and more. I have edited novels, professional CVs, articles, and product listings. I also have experience in reading and summarizing legal documents for non-legal stakeholders. You can count on me to communicate openly and deliver reliably. I am a team player committed to doing her best work every day.

Editorial & Publishing Services Every manuscript is different. Some need structural work. Others need refinement, technical cleanup, or guidance through the publishing process. My role is to help you understand what your book actually needs, then provide the right level of editorial support to get it there—without wasted effort or unnecessary services. Below is an overview of the services I offer and how they typically fit together. Editorial Consulting & Book Project Management The full package from outline to manuscript to publication. This service is for authors who don’t just want edits—they want a clear plan and an experienced professional managing the process. I act as a strategic partner, helping you make decisions, set priorities, and coordinate moving parts so the project stays focused and forward-moving. Best for serious authors, thought leaders, and professionals who want clarity, momentum, and fewer costly detours. This includes: • Manuscript Evaluation / Editorial Assessment • Developmental Editing • Substantive Line Editing • Copyediting • Proofreading • Interior Design, Layout, and Formatting for all publishing platforms • Cover Consultation, Design & Creation • Accountability and milestone planning • Coordinating external editors, designers, artists, and other vendors as needed • Advising on publication paths and readiness — Manuscript Evaluation / Editorial Assessment — Get a clear, honest roadmap before committing to a full edit. This service provides a professional assessment of your manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses, and readiness for the next stage. You’ll receive targeted feedback and practical recommendations without line-by-line edits. Best for authors who want clarity on what their book needs—and what it doesn’t—before investing further time or money. — Developmental Editing — Transform your manuscript’s structure, clarity, and narrative drive. This service focuses on the big-picture elements that determine whether a book works: structure, pacing, character development, argument flow, and overall coherence. Together, we identify what’s strong, what needs some attention, and what’s getting in the way of the reader’s experience—then rebuild the manuscript so it delivers on its promise. Best for authors who know their story matters but need expert guidance to shape it into a compelling, publishable book. — Substantive Line Editing — Refine your prose so the writing carries the reader effortlessly. Line editing sharpens the language at the sentence and paragraph level while preserving your voice. The goal is not to rewrite your work, but to clarify meaning, tighten phrasing, and improve rhythm so the reader stays immersed rather than distracted. Best for manuscripts that are structurally sound but need polish, consistency, and stylistic refinement. — Copyediting — Ensure your manuscript is clean, consistent, and professionally prepared. Copyediting addresses grammar, syntax, punctuation, consistency, and adherence to style conventions. This is where technical distractions are eliminated, and the manuscript is brought up to professional standards expected by agents, publishers, and serious readers. Best for authors preparing for submission or production who want confidence that nothing technical undermines their work. — Proofreading — Catch final errors before publication—nothing more, nothing less. Proofreading is the last quality-control pass before a book goes to print or digital release. It focuses exclusively on surface-level errors that may have been introduced during revisions or formatting. Best for manuscripts that are otherwise finished and ready for publication. — Formatting & Interior Layout — Prepare your manuscript for professional print and digital release. Formatting ensures your book meets industry standards for readability and production across platforms. The focus is on a clean layout, correct spacing, technical compliance, and decorative design. Best for authors ready to publish who want their book to look as professional as it reads. — Cover Consultation & Coordination — Make sure your cover signals the right genre, tone, and audience. Rather than settling for generic or AI-assisted covers, I help you evaluate concepts, understand logistics and best practices, and avoid common market mistakes. The goal is alignment: between your book, its audience, and industry expectations. All covers are original, full-color, custom-designed, and created specifically for your book. Best for manuscripts that are otherwise finished and ready for publication. — Why work with me? Personal care. As an author myself, I understand how intimate and emotional the writing process can be. I'm sensitive to the highly personal nature of sharing your work and respect the courage and vulnerability it takes to publish your work. Tailored clarity. No two stories are alike. I approach each manuscript with fresh eyes, crafting bespoke support that respects your voice and vision