THE BOWERBIRD PUBLISHING COMMITMENT:

Bowerbird Publishing was established in 2021, so is considered relatively new to the industry. However, my lack of years in the industry does not reflect my commitment to delivering exceptional and personalised service tailored to meet the unique needs of each writer. I understand that the path to publishing can be filled with uncertainty and challenges. I'm here to be your guiding light, providing the support and resources you need to turn your literary dreams into reality.

 

WHY CHOOSE BOWERBIRD PUBLISHING?

Every writer has a unique voice, story, and vision. I am here to amplify that voice, bring your story to life, and turn your vision into a reality. If you're seeking a partner who believes in your potential and is dedicated to helping you navigate the world of publishing, look no further.

 

Positive Energy: My enthusiasm for the written word is infectious. I approach every project with a genuine love for storytelling and a belief that every story is worth telling. Your passion for your work is mirrored in the energy I bring to every publishing project.

 

Credibility and Integrity: In the world of publishing, trust is paramount. I pride myself on being a professional with unwavering integrity. You can trust that I will always act in your best interests, advocating for you and your work at every stage of the publishing journey.

 

Market Gap Expertise: While I may not have years of sales history, I stand out in the industry due to my unwavering dedication to identifying market gaps and offering solutions. I understand that the publishing landscape is constantly evolving, and I am committed to staying ahead of the curve. My ability to adapt and provide innovative solutions will set your work apart.

 

Motivation and Drive: I am motivated by your success. I understand the struggles that writers face in the quest to find a publisher. My role is not only to assist you but to serve as a relentless advocate driven to help you reach your goals.

 

Lifelong Learning: Education is the foundation of progress. I am continually expanding my skill set and knowledge base to ensure I can offer you the best possible support. In a rapidly changing industry, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tools is a must.

 

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY MANUSCRIPT FOR PUBLISHING CONSIDERATION?

Authors can submit their manuscripts directly via email leonardi.crystal@gmail.com.

 

HOW DO I PAY FOR PUBLISHING?

You can pay by credit card or bank transfer. There is a 20% deposit requirement on all services. Payment plans are available for most services.

 

WHAT DOES THE BOOK PUBLISHING TIMEFRAME LOOK LIKE?

Bowerbird Publishing aims to complete all publications within 3-6 months of the Publishing Agreement finalisation.

Here is a brief timeline of a standard Bowerbird Publishing schedule:

Month 1 – Manuscript appraisal, editing, Barcode & ISBN.

Month 2 - Internal design, formatting, typesetting.

Month 3 – Cover design, conversion to print-ready PDF & ebook formats, 1st proof.

Month 4 – Order printed copies, marketing strategy & planning.

Month 5 – Distribution & official launch.

*A publishing schedule always depends on the genre and word count of the individual book. If delays occur, Bowerbird Publishing will always advise the author in writing.

 

HOW DOES EDITING WORK?

Bowerbird Publishing will correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors and provide substantive feedback to strengthen the manuscript's structure, flow, characterisation, and plot.

Bowerbird Publishing aims to ensure consistency and quality control before publication.

Editing is a collaborative effort between the author, Crystal Leonardi (Editor in Chief) and Georgie Montague (In-house Editor). The preferred method of editing is using track-changes in Microsoft Word.

Bowerbird Publishing has the right of final approval of the manuscript and will be notified the author of all substantial changes before publication.

 

WHAT IS BOOK FORMATTING?

Book formatting takes your text, images, and illustrations and puts them together in the correct format for both eBooks and paperbacks. Professional book formatting and layout will leave you with a professional-looking book that looks great on multiple formats.

 

PRINT-PROOFS

Bowerbird Publishing will supply the author with one (1) printed proof copy of the manuscript during the editing stages of publishing. If additional print proof copies are required, a charge of $30.00AU will be applied.

 

BOOK PRINTING

Upon publishing completion, Bowerbird Publishing will arrange for the first print run of 150 books to be delivered directly to the author. If the author wishes to order more than 150 books, Bowerbird Publishing is to be notified.

Bowerbird Publishing will obtain all printing quotes and agreements. The author cannot use any other printing company to print copies of their book unless Bowerbird Publishing grants written approval.

Bowerbird Publishing holds a high printing standard and is dedicated to offering business to Australian owned & operated printing companies. Bowerbird Publishing has an established relationship with Australian printing companies and guarantees competitive rates and exceptional book production to authors.

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CHANGES TO PRINTED BOOKS

Any requests for revision of the published book made by the author after publication will cost $250.00 AU. Please note that Bowerbird Publishing’s priority to deliver a manuscript free of errors; however, errors are inevitable. An acceptable number of errors, as per industry standard, is one (1) error for every 1,000 words. Error rates are based on significant errors, such as incorrect use of the word ‘you’re’ vs. ‘your’ or an entirely wrong word ‘accept’ vs. ‘except.’ A minor error would be leaving an ‘s’ off a plural.

 

PRE-SALES

Before the launch of a publication, Bowerbird Publishing may offer the author a two to four-week pre-sales period. Pre-sales are OPTIONAL. During the pre-sales period, Bowerbird Publishing will advertise and promote the upcoming release of the publication and provide the option to pre-purchase a copy of the book. Purchases will go through the Bowerbird Publishing website exclusively, with 50% of profits being paid back to the author at the end of the pre-sale period.

At the close of pre-sales, Bowerbird Publishing will provide the author with a list of orders, complete with names and addresses. Then, it is the author’s responsibility to post all pre-sale orders at her own expense, using the books from the first print run.

 

HOW DO I SET MY RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE (R.R.P.)?

Bowerbird Publishing uses their industry knowledge and presence to recommend an appropriate RRP. This service covers all formats including eBook, print, and audiobook.

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS BOOK MARKETING?

No matter your book’s genre, marketing has never been more important to a professional author’s success. Building an author brand is not only an asset when you are being considered for publication but will assist you in maximising your sales and exposure after your book is published.

 

Your author brand is your professional author persona – it is comprised of all of the things that make you unique as a writer or illustrator: the genre you write in, what you choose to write about, your writing/illustration style, your particular perspective on the themes you write about, your values and so on. The key to successful author branding is to be authentic and consistent in your messaging.

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Publicity is how you can generate free word-of-mouth coverage for your book, and publicity activities usually take place on a short-term basis, both pre-publication and post-publication. Effective publicity campaigns are all about building strong relationships. Publicity activities may include:

• Pitching a news item about your book to the media,

• Sending out Advanced Reading Copies of your title and a Press Release to key influencers and reviewers,

• Arranging radio or podcast interviews.

 

Unlike publicity, marketing campaigns cost money and involve long-term strategies for your book and author brand. Marketing activities may include:

• Paid advertising across online and print media,

• Promotions and discounts,

• In-store posters and merchandise for bookstores,

• Social media, email and content marketing,

• Book launch events,

• Partnerships and cross-promotion.

 

The most important thing you need to know to create effective marketing and publicity strategies for your book is who your target market is: who are your core readers? While many writers and illustrators may feel that their book could be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, it is essential to narrow your scope and target a particular audience first before going on to try and find new audiences for your work. The more specific you can be about your core readership, the more effectively you can build your marketing campaigns to appeal to them. Think BIG SPLASH, little pond first.

 

For example, if you’ve written a romance novel set in rural Australia, you may be more likely to generate sales promoting your book on a popular Australian blog about Rural Romance than placing ads on general book websites. While you might reach a smaller audience on the blog, you are ensuring your book is discoverable by exactly the kinds of readers who will buy and enjoy your book rather than wasting time and money promoting your title to large swathes of people who never read romance novels.

 

Here are some research topics to consider before creating a marketing strategy:

• Who are your core readers on a demographic level – age, gender, income level?

• Where do they buy their books, and in which formats?

• Which influencers do they follow?

• Which other authors do they like to read? What are some of their favourite books?

• Where do they get their book news and information?

• Which book clubs or literary events do they go to, if any?

• Which social media channels do they prefer?

• What are their favourite blogs, podcasts, radio shows and so on?

It is essential to think about your core readership ahead of the publication of your book, as just like in a publishing house, this information should inform key decisions about your book, including the cover and book design, the title, the blurb and the pricing.

 

SHOULD AN AUTHOR HAVE THEIR OWN WEBSITE?

An author website can be valuable, but it depends on your goals, your audience, and how you prefer to manage your author presence.

 

Pros:

• Professional online presence - A dedicated site gives you a central, polished home for your brand, books, bio, events, and media kit.

• Control over your content - You decide how your story, books, and updates are presented.

• SEO and discoverability - A website helps readers, journalists, and event organisers find you more easily.

• Direct sales or mailing list growth - If you want to build a newsletter or sell directly, a website gives you the tools.

• Long‑term career building - Ideal for authors planning multiple books or ongoing engagement with readers.

Cons:

• Early‑stage or hobby authors - If you’re just starting out or publishing a single title, a full website may be unnecessary.

• Limited time or budget - Websites require maintenance, updates, and sometimes ongoing costs.

• Low‑tech comfort level - Some authors prefer social media or publisher‑managed pages instead of running their own site.

• Your publisher already provides visibility - If your publisher features you prominently, a separate site may not add much.

 

How Bowerbird Publishing supports authors:

1.Your author profile on the Bowerbird Publishing website:

Every Bowerbird Publishing author is featured on the official website, including:

• Your author bio & headshot

• Your book/s

• Purchase links

• Media or event information

 

This page can act as your primary online presence, and you’re welcome to use it as the main link for:

• Reader enquiries

• Book orders

• Media contacts

• Social media profiles

This is ideal for authors who want a professional presence without managing a website themselves.

 

1. Optional website design & production service:

• For authors who want a personal website, Bowerbird Publishing offers professional website design and production as a separate service. This is perfect if you want:

• A custom author brand

• A standalone domain name

• A blog, newsletter, or direct‑sales features

• A more comprehensive online platform

 

   2. Manage your own website independently:

If you prefer full control, you can create and manage your own website using platforms like:

• Wix

• Squarespace

• Shopify (for authors selling direct)

This option suits authors who enjoy hands‑on control or already have digital experience.

 

HOW DOES DISTRIBUTION WORK?

Bowerbird Publishing uses several distribution funnels to give your book the best chance at being visible in the market. Distribution through James Bennett, Peter Pal, National Edeposit (N.E.D.), Lending Rights, TitlePage, House of Prose, Draft2Digital and ALS Library Services occurs within six weeks of your book being published.

 

• James Bennett is a supplier to Australian & NZ libraries.

• Peter Pal is a supplier to Australian & NZ libraries.

• National Edeposit (N.E.D.) is a collaboration between Australia's nine national, state and territory libraries that provides for the legal deposit, management, storage and preservation of, and access to, published electronic material across Australia. It is a website, a system and a service, the result of a project by National and State Libraries Australia.

• Lending Rights mailbox / Public Lending Right (PLR) and Educational Lending Right (ELR) are Australian Government programs that compensate Australian creators and publishers in recognition of income lost through free multiple use of their books in public and educational lending libraries. (Provides author with copyright payments or loan of their book in Australian libraries).

• TitlePage was set up by the APA for the benefit of the book industry to provide a free, user-friendly price and availability service for booksellers & suppliers to search all titles available in Australia.

• House of Prose is an Australian online distributor.

• Draft2Digital distributes ebooks and paperbacks to all the major retailers online, plus hundreds of storefronts worldwide.

• ALS Library Services support and encourage Australian authors. They don’t promise sales, but if your book fits their client profiles, it will be included in their monthly new title listings to libraries all around Australia.

 

DO I NEED AN ABN AS AN AUTHOR?

Short answer: You don’t always need an Australian Business Number (ABN) as an author, but you may need one depending on how you earn an income from your publication/s.

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When an author does not need an ABN:

• Occasional writing income - If you write as a hobby or only earn small, irregular amounts (e.g., a one‑off royalty payment), you generally don’t need an ABN.

• Traditional publishing contracts - Most publishers can pay royalties without requiring you to have an ABN.

 

When an author should have an ABN:

• Running a writing business - If you treat your writing as a business (regular releases, marketing, business expenses, invoicing), the ATO expects you to register for an ABN.

• Self‑publishing - If you self‑publish and sell books directly (online store, events, wholesale supply), you are operating a business and should have an ABN.

• Freelance writing or editing - If you invoice clients for writing‑related services, an ABN is required.

** The GST registration threshold in Australia is $75,000 in annual GST turnover for most businesses, and $150,000 for non‑profits. Once you meet, or expect to meet, this threshold, you must register for GST within 21 days. For more information, go to: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/gst-excise-and-indirect-taxes/gst/how-gst-works

 

In summary, you only need an ABN if you are carrying on a writing business. Hobby authors and those receiving occasional royalties generally do not. If you’re unsure, the ATO’s “Are you in business?” guidelines are the best reference.

 

Key links and resources:

1. Australian Business Register (ABR) – Official Application: https://www.abr.gov.au/business-super-funds-charities/applying-abn

2. ATO ABN information: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/starting-a-business/are-you-in-business

3. Statement by a Supplier: https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions/statement-by-a-supplier-not-quoting-an-abn

 

WHERE CAN I GET LEGAL ADVICE ABOUT PUBLISHING IN AUSTRALIA?

Australian Copyright Council - The Australian Copyright Council publishes over 80 information sheets on their website concerning a range of copyright matters. The Council may be able to provide information about issues raised in an enquiry if you’ve read the relevant information on their website and were unable to find an answer.

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Australian Society of Authors (ASA) - The Australian Society of Authors primarily covers prose writers and provides members with quick and inexpensive contract advice. The website has a list of FAQs. ASA also has a number of informative documents that you can access if you’re a member. If you are not a member, please contact Bowerbird Publishing for information. Bowerbird Publishing is an Industry Partner of ASA.

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Australian Writers Guild - The Australian Writers’ Guild represents writers for film, television, radio, stage and multimedia. It gives free contract and other legal advice to members.

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Last updated: 14.05.2026