Services

Backspace Ink provides professional, top-notch editorial, book design, project management, and consulting services for:

  • Authors who want to publish their books independently

  • Publishing companies that need help with their in-house book projects

  • Authors who need to prepare their manuscripts for submittal to a publishing company

  • Business professionals who need their website text edited

At Backspace Ink:

  • Authors retain complete control throughout the production process and of the finished product, and own all electronic files we prepare for them.

  • We receive no compensation from the sale of books we help produce.

  • We do as little or as much as our clients ask us to do.

  • We make suggestions and authors make the final decisions.

  • Authors are encouraged to participate at a comfortable level—and we do the rest!

Joanne Shwed at Backspace Ink

Joanne Shwed

The act of reading should result in a subliminal transition—from a printed word to a thought.

A reader should be transported to another place and time, understand the text easily, and feel the emotions the author has shared. A manuscript should always reflect the author’s voice and style.

We will uncover and refine each author’s important messages and bring them to life, much like a sculptor shaping a piece of clay and revealing the essence within it.

Joanne is absolutely amazing. I have never spent better money. She gave me great feedback every step of the way and made my words sing on paper. I am forever grateful for her skill of editing, which truly helped me feel confident in my own writing. It was through her that I could actually hear my own voice. She is a resource that I will continuously use.

— Kenetia Lee, Fearless Beauty: A Woman’s Guide to Living Bold, Beautiful and Free

Ideas for making a book

Read suggestions for business and personal book ideas.

Steps for making a book

Learn how your manuscript becomes a book.

Would you like an estimate or a fixed bid?

If you have a book project and would like us to prepare an estimate or a fixed bid, please visit our estimate page.

Do you need help with marketing and sales?

We will refer you to a highly respected colleague who can help you market and sell your independently published book.

Products


Books for sale

We have many books for sale, including crossword puzzles, poetry, art, and music.

Blog

This section contains (very) short stories and other personal writing for your reading enjoyment.


Crossword puzzle demonstrations

At these events, we bring a large, blank crossword puzzle and, with the help of the audience, fill it in. It’s a lot of fun and intellectually stimulating for adults of all ages, especially seniors. Call 650.355.4640 to schedule one for your group!


TAE Gallery (pronounced “tie”) is an e-gallery of original artwork, photography, poetry, songs, and book arts by Thomas A. Ekkens. We hope you visit his site soon and attend an upcoming event.